15 minutes a day

One question I get a lot in emails is (to paraphrase), "I want to write, but I can't find the time. I'll have three hours one Saturday and then no time for another few months. How do you make the time?"

This question most often comes from parents, and man, I totally comprehend the craziness of trying to find some quiet and space in a house of small children. But parents or not, I think my answer really will work for most anyone: Give yourself 15 minutes a day. If you write every day, the story and words will be fresh in your head, and the lucky moments when you do have a larger chunk of time will be much more productive. Also, by setting aside those minutes every day, you're taking a huge step. You're saying, I'm a writer. I write every day. I take this seriously. I am going to allow myself to do this!

Those 15 minutes can be whenever you want. Rise early before the kids do, grab that time right before you go to bed. Make it the same time every day, or if you need to vary, don't allow yourself to go to sleep until you've put in the 15. Okay, it would take years to finish several drafts of a novel only using 15 minutes a day, but the magic of this commitment is, once you make the sacrifice and put in that time, more time will start popping up. You'll find another 20 minutes another time of day and you'll have a fresh scene just waiting in your fingers to write down. The kids will sleep in one day and you'll have an hour. You'll be focused and eager to keep telling your story in any spare moment because it'll always be bubbling in your brain. But you have to stick with it!  And your kids will be glad that you did.

And I'm off to lovely Minnesota tomorrow. Hope to see some of you there. My poor, poor Max. I love to get out on the road, but I just can't stand leaving him! Ouch.

Comments

[hwalk]

I agree completely. I like to write about every day, and I never seem to have time to fit it in. When I didn't have a current project going, it was hard to find time to sit down and start something. But once I started, I set a goal of 1,000 words a day, and I reach it most of the time. So even if I can't find time in my schedule, when I set a goal for myself I can somehow achieve it.

[Erin]

I agree, setting goals is a must!

Have fun in Minnesota. Of course it's just my luck that you're leaving right when I get into SLC, and I leave the day you get back I think..... *sigh* :)

[Mads]

That is such good advice! I think I'll start using it. Even if I don't have kids, the life of a 14 year old high-schooler is just as busy as a thirty-year old mom of two. Okay, so maybe it isn't, but I like to think it is. I have a fantastic idea for a book. I don't know how well it will work, but I'll try. And if I fail, I'll try again. Maybe I'll be published someday. Wish me luck! And have fun in Minnesota, my dad had been there too many times to count on one hand, and ays it's a great state. :o)!

[Jean]

Just a quick note is sometimes all you need to get the creative juices flowing. Something that works for me with writing is keeping a notepad and pencil on my nightstand. I'll remember or think of a point or idea right before nodding off and I can quickly jot down a few notes or key words. By the next morning, I've forgotten about said ideas until I look at the notepad to which it then comes rushing back to me. If I don't jot it down it seems like I really do forget whatever it was about half the time.

[~Holly~]

Thanks for the awesome advice, Shannon. As a teenager juggling school, friends, family, sleep, nutrition, hygeine, etc, I find I don't always have time to write. I try to set aside those fifteen minutes, but they tend to turn into thirty minutes, forty minutes, an hour, and so on.

[Megan Elbow]

Sounds like great advice, Shannon, I'll have to try it. I love to write (not that I'm planning on getting published or anything), but it does seem hard to find time, but I'll have to set that goal! Have fun in Minnesota! If you see any missionaries out there, be sure to wave, because it could be my uncle! :)

[Rika]

Sounds like a plan shannon! I'm sure you will find some free time here and there... good luck, & have a great time in Minnesoda!!
;D

[Sahara]

Wow, my mom tells me stuff like that all the time! I started school this year for the first time, and she said that whenever I get an assignment to just spend 15 minutes on it everyday till it gets done. Have fun in Minnesota!

[Rika]

OMG i spelled Minnesota wrong (with a 'd') oops! (XD) sorry about that!

[Kildenree]

Not sure if this is too "random" but has anyone thought about/heard of Nanowrimo?

[Anon]

Rika-That is the way that it is pronounced phonetically.

I have said this for the past two entries- I hope you enjoy the Wild Rumpus. Look at the white rats in the horror section floor, turn off the lights in the restroom to see a fish tank, try not to step on any chickens or other things that run by your feet. See if you can hold the tarantula. It sort of tickles, with those hairy feet.

Humph. Keep a journal. it does not have to be an expensive, velvet-covered one. Just a plain journal, as long as there is space to write in it. You can even write in the back of your journals for school if you know you will not finsh using it for class. Write your ideas and storylines in there. This may include quotes, articles, poems, or anything to aid or inspire your writing process.(This may include dialouges between yourself and your characters) When the journal has been filled for about ten pages, look through all the ideas, pick the best ones. Do not be afraid to say that those ideas are not what you need, but keep them anyway. Now take the ideas you like and write a story. Or, if it is a poem, add more stanzas or pare it down. When you are finished with your story, poem, and/or other written form, give it to the first five people you meet, including family or friends. Be sure to give it cumulatively, so ask one, do their edits, then give the new draft to the next person. (After confirming all the previous person's edits with them). NOW START WRITING!!

[Kildenree]

If you have or have not check out...

www.nanowrimo.com

It is WAY awsome I am so psyched!

[Nora]

Enna Isilee- www.nanowrimo.com sounds really cool!! Are you going to do it? I really want to write a novel, but I don't know if I could. I might think about doing it.

[Mads]

Enna Isilee, I am so thrilled too. That's awesome. I know this would be considered a 'private message' thing, but what's your account name? Mine is just.mads. You can add me to your buddy list if you want!

[Lauren A.]

That's great advice. I need to find those fifteen minutes.
Odd question for you, Shannon. Have you ever signed a Goose Girl book on tape at a signing?

[HOLLY]

That reminds me of some advice that Naomi Shibab Nye gave young writers, and that was to make a habit of just writing three sentences a day. She's an awesome writer, by the way, my fellow squeeters -- awesome novelist, poet, essayist.

[HOLLY]

Good advice, Shannon. I'm not into writing as an aspiring novelist or anything, but that's wisdom I will definitely apply to journaling, which I wish I had more time for...

[Katee]

Great tips. I will also most likely use that on journaling.

By the way, oh great, mighty and sassy Shannon, this is off topic, but I was watching tv and just have to say it...

You totally need to be on Dancing With the Stars. :D You would be sassy and good!

[Mystery Poster]

Enna,

Nano wrimo sounds really cool!

I also like the Bayern Backround you posted on little red. Did you make it?

[Kildenree]

Thanks mystery! Glad you liked it. Yes I did make it.

Good luck with NaNoWriMo

[Kildenree]

BTW, Shannon great advice!

I myself sent you a message with similar wording. Thanks!

[Anon]

The National Novel Writing Month project sounds cool. However, I wuld rather spend more time editing and reflecting on my words. Only then do I actually get anything done. Anyone can write 50,000 word of what they call "crap", so I might as well copy and paste off a fan-fiction website. People enjoy writing long stretches of crap there. Or I could just make long passages from the INHERITANCE trilogy. That is writing "crap". If you are unsure what the book is or why I critique it, please go to http://www.anti-shurtugal.com

[Anon]

P. S.- How come I can't code a Hyper Text Markup Language(HTML) link in a commment? It is cool that if I put in a full URL it will automatically link it for me, but I was puzzled how to make links without using HTML code. I prefer HTML, since you get to see the whole code, so that anyone can make it on Notepad, Just put "html" in brackets, "body", then paste the code there, then bracket "/body", then "/html".
Then you have your own personal link. Then if you try it with other sites you like, such as Myspace or SQUEETUS!! you can just code it in. GRRRRRR......

[Kildenree]

Anon! How can you trash Inheiritance? I LOVE Inheiritance. Do you book bashing somewhere else. Like little red!

[Lindsay]

You're not the first who's supported the "15 minute a day" rule (though, in my book, you're certainly the most recent. :)) But for me, I not only need to write everyday, but I have to write for an audience -- more audience than what just a regular journal can give me. This is why I started a blog, which I made a goal to write on at least 5 times a week. What I write on my blog isn't necessarily a creative story (in fact, it usually isn't...my creative writing and regular journaling is usually done more privately), but it's a great place for me to just write knowing that I've gathered a small audience who wants to read me. It's a great place, too, to try out different writing techniques. Anyway, here's to writing every day!

[Rose]

I'm a 1000-words-a-dayer, just like hwalk. That way, interruptions don't matter, as long as I can slip in a paragraph here and a paragraph there. Besides, I feel better thinking about words produced rather than time used up. If you're like me that way, I think it's also important to pick a number that's not more than you can reasonably do, but that's enough to get you past the wondering-about-what-to-write stage and force you to finally make something happen.

[~Holly~]

Anon: I understand that you're "against" the Inheritance books, but not everyone is. Keep your comments to yourself, please.

[~Holly~]

I'm sorry if that seemed a little rude. It's just that I'm bothered when someone completely bashes something, without having a very good reason.

[~Holly~]

Katee: Yes! Shannon should do Dancing With The Stars! You could have beaten Mario Lopez, no joke.

Or maybe Survivor?

No! Big Brother! Shannon should start her own Chill Town, but call it Bayern's Own. Lol.

I would love that so much!!!

[Anon]

SIGH..........
Humph. The same to you. IF you had gone to the website itself, you would see that the Inheritance is not all it is cracked up to be. In sooth, for the critics are young writers just like yourselves! They are not cranky old professors complaining about the lack of real literature in today's writing. They have some good writing advice for anyone there also.
Major problems:
-Excessive, descriptive prose that detracts from the plot, espeically describing characters we never see again.
-Poor character development-Has anyone ever gotten to see things from non-humanoids, such as Saphira?
-Plagarism in character. For instance, what major differences are there other than name between Orik and Gimli, from the LORD OF THE RINGS?
There are more, but never mind them. Will any of you read this anyway?

[Nora]

Anon - If you don't like the Inheritance trilogy thats fine. But some of us do like it. I do. For those that do like it at www.shurtugal.com you can order signed books by the author. you have to scroll down a ways tho.
Shannon the 15 minutes a day is such a great idea! I think that I might try it!!!

[Anon]

Geez, and y'all were making a big fuss over MY comments being too cynical and editorial.

[Anon]

I even got one of my posts deleted, dang it!

[Anon]

P. S.- What really makes you think that I would not get flamed there, either?

[Taiger]

I've read here and there in this blog, but this is the first time I've commented. That a good idea, the 15 minutes. Except my ideas for stories come in a flood of inspiration, usually. I do go over my stories alot though. Sometimes I just don't know when to stop typing.
I love your books Shannon. Maybe you could come to southern oregon sometime, if it's convenient. Bye.

[Allie]

Its a really good idea for the 15 minute thing and if every keen writer out there did that, we'd have so many more awesome books! Some people are just too lazy for the writing every day thing. Its a shame cos its a waste of talent.

ouch. by the way, i just og tmy braces yesterday. not cool.

[Jaya Laskhmi]

I wake up early every morning so that I have time to write. I get to do about fifteen minutes. If I'm not working on my comic strip, then I try to write a story. On the weekends I get to type on the computer.

[Enna Isilee]

Anon,

It is never a good idea to go around bashing a young adult book(or trilogy) on a young adult site.

Your not going to make any friends by doing that.

[Enna Isilee]

P.S. You would get flamed on little red but that is part of what little red is for! You should go off on passionate tangents! Just not here!

[Rika]

Oh my... shannon on dancing with the stars... now that i MUST see! Sassy shannon would take the stage!

Ok, i went to nanowrimo.com and explored a little... wow! I don't think i could write that much.. i'd have to have more time to think everything through..!

Good luck Enna Isilee! Are you going to write a story? o_o If so, what about?

Well, Good Luck again to both Enna Isilee and Sassy Shannon Hale!!

[LittleRed]

I would like to clarify that bashing books and flaming people are no more appropriate or welcome on LittleRed's site than they are on Shannon's site. Tangents, while inappropriate here, are welcome at LittleRed's place. Respectful disagreement is acceptable. But bashing and flaming have no place in civilized public discourse.

This is Shannon's blog. She has made it clear what her expectations are for those who make comments here. Let us all respect her wishes.

[Kildenree]

I'm sorry LittleRed I should have been more clear. What I was meaning was, LittleRed's site would be a more appropriate place to DISCUSS this tangent. Whilst we do not wan't to make enemy's I would love to hear Anon's veiw on Inheiritance.

Maybe a new section on littlered could be made just for books that we don't like. You could make a rule that getting too angry or worked up would be cause for deletion of the message ect..

Just a suggestion.

[Kildenree]

P.S. Does anyone say "whilst" anymore?

[Kildenree]

(I meant enemies, not enemy's)

[Anon]

HAHAHAHHAHAHA!!
Hey, I was not BASHING, I was only giving a vehement, negative opinion. Besides, thre are books that are better. Most of the stuff he has written is either done poorly or is very derivative from writers such as Anne McCaffrey, J. R. R. Tolkien, and the writer of BEOWULF. There are other sources of awesome fiction that do not involve INHERITANCE. Also, it may be a good idea to listen to Inheritance while watching the Star Wars episodes 4-6. Many interesting plot comparisons can be made. Especially the Evil EMPIRES, despite the fact that KING Galbatorix should rule a KINGDOM.

[Anon]

Enna, yes people do. I am doing so whilst I reply to you (HAHAHAHA)

[Jane]

Another good way to get started is
www.nanowrimo.org
It's a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. :)

[Kildenree]

Jane..... um.....
We've been talking about that for a while. Glad to see that you knew about it though!

[Kildenree]

P.S. Nanowrimo.com & Nanowrimo.org
(are the same thing)

[Mads]

Enna Isilee, what is your screen name for nano-wrimo?