by CJ Myerly, @mdippedinink
As a mom of young children, my life is hectic. However, I know all authors struggle with a busy schedule, no matter what season of life you’re in. 2018 was a challenging year for me, and I barely wrote anything.
I knew I needed more from 2019. I chose the word focus as my inspiration word. Last year, I couldn’t seem to make progress on anything because I couldn’t remain focused on who was important: God.
I normally have three one-hour writing blocks, when my husband and kids don’t need me. It’s very easy to get distracted during those writing blocks by the desires of my kids or even Facebook and e-mail. By focusing on God and prioritizing my life, I’ve finally struck a balance that allowed me to make the most of my writing block using these four tips.
Schedule your time with God first, before you schedule your writing block. Most mornings, I read my Bible and spend time in prayer before the kids get up. I choose to meditate on a verse throughout the day and write it down on a three-by-five card to carry around with me. Then, when my writing block arrives, I’m ready to write the story God’s laying on my heart.
However, there are also the mornings where I snooze the alarm and choose a few more minutes of sleep. I still have time with God on those days, but it’s rushed. And when it’s time to write, I’m nowhere near as productive. My time with God charges my writing time. And when I haven’t given God my all, I find I can’t give my writing my all.
Encourage your family to help you. My husband is a sweetheart and my biggest encourager. Every weekend, we discuss what I need to get my writing done, and we’re making it happen. My five-year-old knows she shouldn’t interrupt unless it’s an emergency. Every time you are pulled out of your story world, it’s harder to get back in. Those who don’t write sometimes don’t understand this. With little children, it takes training. With those who are older and more mature, it takes communication.
Plan ahead. I know this will vary, depending on your personality. I am 100% a plotter. I can’t work in a messy space. By planning ahead, I make sure my office is neat. I have white boards, on which I write my plans for the next three scenes. I write down the POV character, his or her goal, and whether they’ll succeed or fail. During the day, I think about those scenes and keep notes on my phone. By the time I’m sitting at the computer, brainstorming’s been done. I’m ready to write.
Cut out distractions. Don’t check e-mails. Log out of Facebook. Don’t worry about writing perfect words, unless you’re editing. Just write and have fun.
Writing is a challenging and reward endeavor. With the busyness of our lives, prioritizing and focusing are often the key to making the most of your writing block.
CJ Myerly lives in Texas with her husband and two children. She balances her passions of teaching and writing by homeschooling during the day and writing contemporary romance while her family sleeps at night. She hates clutter, loves organization, and has a love-hate relationship with technology. CJ is an active member of the ACFW and My Book Therapy. She was a 2017 Genesis semi-finalist in the contemporary category and a 2017 First Impressions finalist in the romance category. She blogs about books, motherhood, and homeschooling at http://cjmyerly.com/. To connect with her, find her on Facebook or Twitter.