Finding Time to Write in a Busy World

Writer: Brooke Reynolds

I’m a Writer.

I’m also a Veterinarian and work full time in a busy practice.

And I’m a mother – with 2 young kids – ages 1 and 3.

You may be asking, ‘How on earth does she find the time to write?’

The answer? It’s not always easy.

The important thing to remember is balance and learning how to measure success in small snippets at a time.

Before my wonderful and ever time engulfing children were born, I was extremely prolific – able to write short stories in one sitting, writing/editing/submitting anywhere from three to four stories a month. I even wrote the first draft for my first novel, Healers (available now on Amazon) – in just two months. All of this I did while still working my day job full time as a Veterinarian.

Now, things are different. I’m lucky if I write one short story a month. I’m currently working on my second novel and while I have made tremendous progress, I can tell you it’s been longer than two months and I’m still writing that first draft (I’m about half way done and even that is impressive for me).

The main point is that even though I am no longer nearly as prolific, I’m still writing. Writing is a passion of mine. It’s more than a hobby. It’s a form of therapy. It’s a way for me to work through complicated situations through fiction. It’s important to me. And because it’s important to me, I find ways to continue doing it.

But I just can’t seem to find the time to write…

For me, that was just an excuse. I make time, even if it’s small chunks at a time. Guess what? Those chunks add up. Want to write a 3,000 word short story by a certain deadline? Make it happen. Whether you are a “pantser” or a “planner” it can be done. I used to be a “pantser” – I was able to sit down in front of my laptop and let my fingers fly. Now, I’m usually exhausted by the time I get the kids asleep after a long day on my feet at work. But I still find time to write. I’ve switched to more of a “planner” system – so that when I finally sit down, I can knock out anywhere from 250-500 words a night. Sometimes, I get lucky and manage to hit 1,000 words a night. And you know what? Those words add up.

Want to write a novel? Depending on genre, most novels start anywhere from 60,000 – 80,000 words. If you are only able to write 250 words a night, you can have that novel written in 240 days. Can you make it to 500 words a night? Then you’ll have a draft done in only 120 days – that’s four months. Easy!

So how did I come up with this method? Well, believe it or not, most successful authors do the same thing. Stephen King is one of the most prolific writers on the planet. But he doesn’t spend the entire day in front of his computer. My favorite author, Chuck Palahniuk, is well known for always carrying a notebook with him. In that notebook, he is constantly jotting down ideas for books or stories, anything that floats into that brilliant brain of his. He carries that notebook with when he’s on book tours or at comic con or where ever fame takes him. Then, when he finally has a moment to write – on a long flight or when he finally finds the time at home, he has all his ideas organized so that when he writes, he can unload huge chunks of words at a time.

So what does all this mean?

Keep writing. Find a routine. Are you a morning person? Then wake up just a few minutes early each day to jot those thoughts down. Are you an evening person? Then curl up in the quiet of evening and write those stories while others dream.

When do I write? Whenever I can. On weekends, it’s early in the morning when the kids are still asleep. During the week, its after the kids are in bed when I can sit down with a beer and my laptop.

Just keep writing!

About the Writer

Brooke Reynolds is a veterinarian from Charlotte, North Carolina. When she isn’t saving animals, she enjoys reading and writing fiction. Her stories have appeared at such online and print markets as Massacre Magazine, Fantasia Divinity, The Airgonaut, The Literary Hatchet, Ghost Parachute, Every Day Fiction, Riggwelter, Ricky’s Back Yard, Coffin Bell, Ink Stains Anthology, Sanitarium Magazine, and The Horror Zine. HEALERS is her first novel and is available now from Amazon and Adelaide Books NY. You can follow her on twitter @psubamit or check out her website, linked below.
Website: reynoldswrites.org
Writer’s podcast episode, HERE.