How to write consistently with a full-time job
Are you tired of putting off your writing because of your 9-5? I get it. Finding time to create after a draining day of work is challenging, but it's possible. I’m sharing my best tips on how to write consistently with a full-time job.
These are my five top tips on how to write while working a 40-hour/week job.
Treat your creativity like it is a job
Create an orderly and tidy workspace that you are excited to write in
Live in your imagination while you’re not at your writing desk
Schedule writing sessions
Be realistic
Now that you have the list, let’s dive into the approach. I am giving you my tried and true tips on how to write consistently with a full-time job. It's time to stop pushing off your writing projects. Let's get into it!
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1. Treat your creativity like it's a job
When I say to treat your writing like a job– I mean it; make your project a priority. You cannot allow distractions to stop you from writing because it’s only hurting you and your work. The person calling or knocking on the door can wait– they would if it were your other job. Right? Right. And remember, some days won't be glamorous; creating is hard, but the struggle will be worth it.
2. Create an orderly and tidy workspace that you are excited to write in.
If your desk is a mess, then your mind is a mess. Create an office space you are happy to sit at for extended periods. Fewer items on your desk means fewer distractions. Also, coming to an orderly space won't allow you to have this excuse: I need to clean before I write. That is you putting off your writing. I’ve been there. I’ve done it. Stop doing it.
3. Live in your imagination while you’re not at your writing desk.
Just because you’re at a 9-5 doesn’t mean you can’t think about writing. If you have some downtime, imagine your creative world. Think about the parts you’re stuck on or the characters you need to flesh out. Writers can still get writing done when actively thinking about their story. Imagining is important because you can come up with more ideas, structural points, and ways to improve your piece. Bring a notebook with you for narrative inspirations, ideas, or pieces of dialogue you think of while at your job or out in the world.
4. Schedule writing sessions
You have to schedule time outside of your 9-5 if you expect to finish a project. Plan out writing sessions for 30 minutes to 1 hour at minimum. Consistency is key. The more days you pencil this in, the more writing get done. It’s a learned habit — a muscle that needs to be worked out.
5. Be realistic.
When planning your writing sessions, ensure you’re being realistic. For example, if you schedule two hours five times a week and can't meet that goal, you’ll get discouraged and stop writing altogether. Considering your job and personal life, look at your calendar and find out what will actually work. You have a life and need to take that into account when plotting this out. Don’t be discouraged if this strategy doesn't work out in the first week. Adjust and try again. It’s a process that will take trial and error until you find the sweet spot, and once you do – stay consistent. And try not to get caught up in the details— if you have an unexpected invitation or you’re going on vacation, adjust your writing sessions for that day or week, then revert back to your regular schedule.
That's it! Those are my top five tips on how to write consistently with a full-time job. I hope these tips bring you closer to finishing your writing projects. Leave a comment below and let me know which is your favorite.
The key to building writing discipline is consistency
Honestly, what every habit in life comes down to is consistency. If you want to finish writing the book, you need to show up as often as you can.
No matter what life throws at you, never take longer than a week away from your writing project. You don’t have to spend hours writing, showing up for 30 minutes can make a difference; it is enough to keep you motivated and inspired.
Taking a week or longer away from your story while in the drafting process is harmful to your writing flow and consistency. Remember, you’re trying to build writing discipline— this pulls you away from that. When you take too much time away from your book, you have to re-read what you wrote constantly just to dive back in— this pulls you away from actually writing, which can cause frustration and a lack of motivation to write.
Writing advice that saved my first draft
These are lessons I’ve personally learned while writing my first draft and working multiple jobs.
I have one final piece of advice that saved my first draft: the first draft will not be perfect. I had often heard this notion but never believed it. I thought my scenes— first draft—and every time I sat to write— needed to be nothing less than perfection.
This couldn’t be more wrong.
All you need to focus on is finishing the story. Your first draft will be bad and that’s normal. As an editor, I wholeheartedly believe that the magic to storytelling is in revisions; I didn’t discover this until I actually did it. This knowledge allowed me to let go of the perfectionism— and for the first time in my writing career, I wrote an entire novel. You can, too.
Do you have a finished manuscript? Are you looking for an editor? Let’s talk! Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to chat about your story!
