Making Time To Write - Scheduling

Mention the word “schedule” and it’s fight or flight for a lot of writers. Structuring life to make room for writing is often perceived as contrary to the creative spirit, but most writers will tell you they’re happier and more productive when they stick to a plan.

Whether you work full-time ...Mention the word “schedule” and it’s fight or flight for a lot of writers. Structuring life to make room for writing is often perceived as contrary to the creative spirit, but most writers will tell you they’re happier and more productive when they stick to a plan.

Whether you work full-time and juggle a family or have wide open days with no obligations, a schedule can channel your energy, focus your creativity and keep you sane when life gets crazy. Here are some tips for making one that works:

- Anchor obligatory events. If you walk your dog every morning, barista in the afte
oons and teach Thursday nights, anchor these events in your schedule. Now you have a basic structure to work from, and can position other activities, like writing, feng shui and Tango lessons, inside it.

• Channel your energy. Position activities for the greatest benefit. Maybe this means writing before the work day starts and jogging in the evening to refresh your mind. Follow your natural rhythms insofar as the obligatory events on your schedule allow. Experiment until you find the configuration that works best.

• Stay on task. Know what you’re supposed to be doing at any given time, and do it. A schedule trains your body and mind to perform on demand, and helps focus your creativity. Once you’re in rhythm, you’ll automatically click into whatever mode you’re supposed to be in without waffling, worrying or wasting time.

• Make writing inviolable. Once you’ve determined your best writing time and have it anchored in your schedule, stick to it and eliminate distractions. Turn off the TV, don’t answer the phone or surf the Internet, and allow no interruptions.

• Be flexible. A good schedule bends and adjust as things come up, and so should you. If life demands that you miss a day of writing, or your weekly drum circle, that’s okay. Interruptions are inevitable. Think of your schedule as a calming, grounding force, and follow it as well as you can until the chaos settles.

• Include flex time. Set aside time during the week for getting random stuff done: running errands, taking naps, catching up, whatever. If you missed out on writing time because life got in the way, make up for it here.

• Strive for balance. A schedule isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. Structure your writing and your life to whatever degree feels comfortable, and go stream of consciousness the rest of the time. The key is to strike a personal balance.

Creating a schedule that works is largely a matter of trial and error. Think of yours as a work in progress. Let it evolve to reflect the ebb and flow of your life, your writing and yourself. Design it to suit you, and don’t be afraid to revise. Here’s a quote from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Dillard: “A schedule defends from chaos and whim.” Remember this next time you feel like baring your teeth or bolting for the woods.