Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I’m pleased to introduce the latest Guest Blogger on the Cyber Highway: Kimberlee Ferrell. I know you’ll enjoy her writing tips. Make her feel welcome, y’all!

Carve Out 15 Minutes to Write

By

Kimberlee Ferrell

“I never have time to write!” is the tormented battle cry of many would-be writers. With good reason, as our lives grow busier by the day, with compound interest. Some writers hold full-time jobs, either outside the home and/or taking care of their children. If you don’t have hours of uninterrupted writing time available to you, try to carve out 15 minutes at a time. Use these micro burst writing opportunities to your advantage, and watch your output increase.

Wake Up Early

Rising before the rest of the house ensures you can write uninterrupted. Keep a notebook by your bed. Before you get up, take 15 minutes to write about your dream from last night, or whatever else strikes you. This primes the pump for the rest of your writing day. No matter what obstacles get in your way during the rest of the day, you can rest easy knowing you wrote first thing in the morning.

Leave For Work Early

Cut your morning routine down by 15 minutes, and take your notebook with you. On your way to work, stop by a coffee shop, park, or even the parking lot of your job to write before the workday begins. This transitional writing helps your brain switch gears from home to work, increasing your productivity. It also brings a little more satisfaction to your real job, as you are getting writing done at the workplace.

Write During Lunchtime

Eating and writing are not mutually exclusive terms. Don’t do it in your office, where you are likely to be interrupted by coworkers, phone calls, and emails. If you can’t leave your workplace, take advantage of the break room. Avoid messy food, or your notebook could be splattered with spaghetti sauce or blobs of ketchup.

Break For Writing

On your way home from work, find a peaceful location to unwind with your notebook. Switch up the location as needed for inspiration or a change of pace. Observe others, or write about your surroundings. Writing before you head home can release workplace stress and prepare you to face home life.

Wait and Write

We spend so much time waiting, at doctor’s appointments, soccer games, and airports. Take advantage of these dead times and fill your notebook with writing. Often these times will extend past 15 minutes. Be prepared to write, any time, any place.

Write During Naptime

While your kids sleep, you can pound out your words onto your keyboard. Don’t be tempted to sleep yourself, although occasionally a nap is certainly in order. Let your mood determine if you need more rest or more output.

After Hours Writing

When the rest of the house is asleep for the night, you can polish up your drafts written throughout the day. Avoid staying up too late, however. Establish a bed time, and when your time is up, set aside your writing and get some well-deserved rest.

Obviously, not all of these techniques can be used every day. Choose one or more of these times to find an extra 15 minutes of writing that you would have passed up otherwise. Do you have certain times during the day where you can shave off 15 minutes? Leave a comment, and share your micro burst writing techniques.

About Kimberlee Ferrell:

Enjoying small town life and her two daughters, Kimberlee Ferrell still carves out time to write. Her blog, Freedom Writing, explores writing, parenting, and anything that flows out of her pen. Stop by to investigate the inner workings of her mind, and to learn more about her copywriting, proofreading, and editing expertise. Strong coffee and walnut brownies will be provided.