Almost exactly three years ago I wrote this post on how we can find time in our busy schedules to write . The world has changed since then. (Hell, it’s changed since February). However, one thing that hasn’t changed is that many of us need our art. We need creative outlets to express ourselves in order to get by day by day. With that in mind, I updated my 10 strategies for those of us sheltering in place.

Before we begin: I know a lot of people are having trouble focusing on their art these days. This post isn’t meant to guilt you or imply you “should” be working on your magnum opus (that might need to wait until 2021). We’re all in over our heads. This post is for people who need to write regularly for their own emotional well being and have been having trouble finding the time.

1. Keep A Record Of How You Spend Your Time: Usually, my first piece of advice when it comes to finding more time to write is to keep a journal for two “typical” weeks in which you record how you spend your time in fifteen-minute increments. When you’re done, review the journal and you’ll probably be able to find places in your schedule where you can devote an hour or two a day to writing. Obviously, very few of us have “typical” weeks anymore. However, keeping a journal like this might still be helpful. I’d just say decrease the amount of time spent keeping the journal from 2 weeks to maybe 4-5 days, as our current schedules are most likely temporary (just not temporary enough).
2. Record How Many Words You Write : Do you write an average of 500 words an hour? 700 an hour? Could you increase your average by 50 words? The more efficient you are with the little time you have the better. (Once again, I’m not trying to put extra pressure on you to write more, this is just a useful tool.)
3. Stop Watching TV!: Or at least reduce it. This goes for online videos. Specifically, stop watching television you don’t particularly enjoy, the kind where you feel empty and gross afterwards. I know many of us need comfort/escape in entertainment these days but you can also find comfort in your art. Ideally try to save watching television/Internet videos until after you’ve reached your writing goal. Use it as a reward. I guarantee you will feel better about yourself if you spend time on your art first.
4. Listen to Audio Books: With all the stress taking place in the world many people are having trouble concentrating on reading. Audio Books are a fantastic way to digest stories and you can listen to them while doing mindless chores like folding laundry and washing dishes. A universal piece of advice given to aspiring authors is to read constantly. Under normal circumstances I agree, but if you just can’t focus on reading right now (and don’t worry, you will again someday), audio books are a good alternative. Your library’s branch might be closed but chances are you can still borrow audio books from their system. Just visit their website.
5. Tell The People You Are Living With That You Are Writing: This is more important than ever. Let those you are living with know that one way you are handling the situation is through your art and that you need time to focus on it. Hopefully they will respect this, but keep in mind it’s a two-way street. If they “leave you alone” from one until three, once three comes it might be time to reach out and see if they need your help getting through this.
6. Are You a Morning Person or a Night Person? Between working from home and homeschooling your kids and all your many other responsibilities, it might be difficult to find spare time. In that case you might want to consider waking early or going to bed a little later. Personally, I get some of my best work done between six and seven AM. If you don’t know if you work best in the morning or at night, experiment, see what works best.
7. Keep Your Goals Realistic: Many of us are busier than usual. We might just not be able to get as much writing done. Even if you find that your schedule has suddenly opened up, you most likely will not regularly be producing 10K words a day (if you do, please share your secret). If your goals are too high you will end up feeling crushed. Figure out what is possible and try to stick with it as often as possible but acknowledge that because these aren’t “normal” times, you just might not be as productive.
8. Write Daily: Normally, it’s best to write 5-7 days out of the week just to keep up the momentum, but as I said in #6 many of us are now balancing homeschooling our kids as well as our day jobs. Writing daily might just not happen. I would still suggest try to find at least half an hour a day just to maintain it as a habit, but all we can do is our best with what we have.
9. Reward Yourself: This one hasn’t changed much. As I said above, if you hit your goal for the day, watch something fun or eat something bad for you. Train yourself to understand that when you write you will be rewarded.
10. Remember, these are strange times: A lot of us are re-learning how to do things we have been doing for years and that includes our art. Our schedules are a mess and we’re stressed out of our minds. If you’re writing a thousand words a week when you’re used to writing a thousand words a day, just take a step back and understand that we are now in a VERY unusual situation. Hating yourself for only getting a few paragraphs edited isn’t going to help anyone. Remember, you are a writer because that’s what helps you through life. It shouldn’t be an extra burden (especially during times like these). Be kind to yourself.