Time Saving Tips For Writers

We're all looking for ways to save time. As far as I know, there's still only 24 hours in a day, so that's not going to change. BUT what can change is how you spend those hours--it's the saying "work smarter, not harder." With those thoughts in mind, I give you my five time saving tips for writers:

1. Use paper plates. Environmentalists, don't freak out--you're not going to be writing feverishly forever. As soon as the editing phase starts, you can pull back out all the fine China and dinnerware you want. But for now, stick with paper. One less dish to wash is one more minute devoted to writing.

2. Do household chores around your writing schedule. Sitting on the dryer and writing is actually very practical. While the clothes dry, I write. When the buzzer sounds, I finish my scene, switch loads and go back to writing. The same goes for when I'm stumped. Instead of staring at the screen, I'll do the dishes, vacuum, make the bed, etc. You're the boss. Do the cleaning and writing when you want to! Not when the sink is overflowing and no one has any clean underwear.

3. Find a schedule that works for you. Just like working out, you have to make time to write. Are you a morning person? Night owl? Middle of the day kinda gal? Figure out what works for you, and then stick with it! If you devote even one hour a day to writing, you can write a novel in 4 months! (That's 60,000 words averaging only 500 words a day. And you can write 500 words in an hour, easy peasy).

4. Take notes. Lots and lots of notes. Whenever a piece of dialogue, or a scene comes to you, write it down! Sometimes it just takes a spark to get the story going. I love my little notes. I've actually started using the voice record feature on my cell phone. It's a lot easier (and safer) to talk into my phone while driving (as opposed to scribbling down thoughts frantically at red lights).

5. Unplug the Internet. Yes, I said it. Unplug the Internet and get writing (after you've finished reading this post, of course). How much writing time do you waste every day online? Unplug your router for an hour and see how much writing you can really get done. Trust me, you'll be amazed.