I Don’t Have Time to Write by Angela Arndt

Smartphone games

I see you. You’re nodding and saying, “See? Someone finally understands. I’ve got to take the kids to school, go to work, pick them up in the afternoon, help with homework, cook dinner, wash dishes, put them to bed, then fall into bed myself. I’m so glad someone finally understands.”

Ahem. Wrong. You know there’s a story rattling around in your head. But writing is not a one-of-these-days concept. Someday will never come.

But you do have bits and pieces of time you can use so you can start writing today. How? Here are a few suggestions to help you find time:
Time-Wasters
Instead of playing Candy Crush, Solitaire, or Words with Friends, (you knew I'd start here) jot down a few ideas in an email and send it to yourself with the subject line: WIP. (Just using the acronym for “work-in-progress” feels writerly, doesn’t it?)

Time-Theft
On-hold with the insurance company, Department of Motor Vehicles, or doctor’s office? Close your eyes and imagine your opening scene: your hero or heroine in an action scene that will leave your readers wanting more. 
Jot down a few notes: what did you see, smell, touch, feel or even taste? After you hang-up, quickly use your phone’s voice recorder app to describe the scene in detail. Then, save the audio file to your WIP file. 

Bonus: use Apple Dictation and Google Docs Voice Typing to save time (they will transcribe as you dictate).

Taking Back More Time
Designate one spiral-bound notebook for your WIP notes and take it everywhere: from the doctor’s office, back to the exam room. If you’re blessed with “flying thumbs,” then open the text app on your phone and write away. There at least two multi-published authors who have written their ENTIRE BOOK on their phones. Honestly.

Someone forgot their notebook.

Dream Download
Speaking of having a notebook with you at all times, here’s another tip: keep it by your bed. Why?

 A professor I had (a Rhodes Scholar) said our brains continue to wrestle with our problems while we sleep. Have you ever woken up at 3 a.m. with a great idea? That’s your brain’s background processes at work. 

Use the light from your smartphone or a small book light to jot down the highlights of the dream in your notebook so you can read it in the morning. Or if you can talk without slurring or waking your spouse, use your speech-to-text app.

Bonus
Keep all those WIP emails in one place by setting up smart folders and filters in your email program. Use Share command to save voice memos to that folder.

Excuses, Excuses!
Waiting for the perfect time to sit for hours at a time in your local coffee shop is an excuse. Instead, grab every moment you can and write, write, write!

Next week I’ll talk about specific apps and programs that can help you take back time.

Where have you found time to write? What’s keeping you from writing the next Great American Novel?

About the Author

Angela Arndt

 Angela Arndt is Jesus-follower and God-lover. She loves to write women’s fiction with a thread of romance and tell stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage others to overcome their own “back roads” to find their joy in the Lord.


She and her husband, Charles, live on a bee farm in the middle of a big wood with their three furbabies: Beau, Harley, and Buddy the Wonder Dog.


She's also team-member of Seriously Write. Click here for more posts by Angie. By the way, she'd love for you to join her on her website, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.