It can be difficult, juggling family and work duties, but for most professional writers, the challenge is even harder. Because while there are a few fortunate authors, who don’t require a day job, most of us have to make time for our craft. See what our authors have to say:
“You have to prioritize. There are only so many hours in a day and you’re the only one who can decide what’s important enough to spend them on. Because I have a full-time job and family responsibilities, I’ve chosen to give up mindless habits like channel surfing and those phone-app video games. It’s easy to forget an hour a day adds up to 30 hours a month; 365 hours over the course of a year. That’s your novel, in those small hours of every single day. Now that I’m aware of the preciousness of time, anything that isn’t moving me toward a goal or giving me joy just feels wasteful...”
–Melissa Wright, Author of King of Ash & Bone
“I like what Melissa said about “making time.” That’s pretty much what I have to do, given my hours. I’ve found my best time to write is after work. I tend to be more creative and relaxed when I know I won’t be rushed to “just finish the scene” because I have to get ready for work. I eat while working so I can use my one-hour lunch breaks for writing. I keep a notebook open on my desk and scribble down plot bunnies or new ideas at work. I also keep a small, travel-sized notebook in my purse at all times for the same purpose. Most of my writing time takes place on my days off. I work 11-hour shifts (including the lunch break), 4 days in a row, so I have 3 consecutive days off. Prepping ahead of time by planning out my stories helps me accomplish more in a writing session.”
–K.D. Jones, Author of A White So Red
“My family and friends ask me all the time, how I find time for everything I do. Since I work online, if I’m not careful, the lines can blur between my social media/author site/blogging and my work duties. What I do at my job is very similar to what I do for my books, so I’ve had to regiment my day. I have to limit myself to how often I check e-mails and social media. When I’m doing actual work, I have to ignore all the other things vying for attention. But at the same time, I work from home, lol. So most days, I have a toddler running up to me, whether I’m in the middle of work or writing/blogging tasks. The challenge some days, can be to remind myself to get outside, to play legos or “wegos” with my kid, and to read an actual paperback novel (currently reading Pride & Prejudice). On weekends, I keep away from my computer, unless its strictly to write, and only after my kid is in bed. And on Sundays, I schedule all my blog posts for the week, including our We Write Fantasy features. I have to echo what y’all have said a bit here, though. It is really about what you MAKE time for in your life.”
–Jennifer Silverwood, Author of Silver Hollow
“I write until 2 am most nights. Time is a very valuable commodity so I’ve had to figure out what is important, and in some cases, who is important to me. I’ve cut out a lot of friends and I hardly ever go out anymore. I don’t play games on my phone, and keep T.V. hours to a rare few at night which are usually spent with my husband. The thing is, I don’t miss those other, filler things. Writing is simply more enjoyable. And when I do plan to do something fun with my family or go on vacation, I give it my all. Work hard = play hard.”
–Belle Malory, Author of The Twelfth Keeper Series
We Write Fantasy 