“I’d love to write, but I just can’t find the time!” How often have I heard those words — or said them myself? Writing does take time as well as effort, but with a little creativity, you can find a way to get those words down.<\/p>\n

First, you should always have some way to write, no matter where you might be. Either carry a small notebook and pen or pencil, or use the notebook feature on your cellphone or tablet. If you’ve got it, you’re more likely to use it.<\/p>\n

Once you have that habit well established, the rest is just a matter of using your head. You realize this, of course: it’s not as if there’s actually time missing, that you can somehow find<\/em> some extra minutes to the day if you just look hard enough. No, it’s a matter of making<\/em> time: you must figure out where you’re wasting time and utilize it instead.<\/p>\n

Here are some good ideas to get you started:<\/p>\n

\n
• Write whenever you have to wait for anything<\/strong>: at the doctor’s office or pharmacy, before the meal arrives in a restaurant, in line at the coffee shop. If you’re going to be there more than a couple of minutes, put a few words onto paper.<\/span><\/li>\n
• Write instead of channel-surfing<\/strong>: while the meal is cooking, while the clothes are washing and\/or drying, while the kids are getting ready for bed. Instead of flipping on the TV, flip open the notebook.<\/li>\n
• Write before you start loafing<\/strong>. Instead of starting your day surfing the internet, set a writing goal and meet it. Even if it’s a couple of hundred words, that’s 200 words you wouldn’t have otherwise — and often, once you get started, you’re going to want to keep going.<\/li>\n
• Write before bed<\/strong>. Instead of starting a book or magazine, get some writing finished.<\/li>\n
• Write during your lunch break<\/strong>. Take a couple of minutes and jot something down.<\/li>\n
• Make time<\/strong>. Actually put a date down on your calendar, and then use that time as you intended.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  What’s your best tip for finding the time to write?<\/p>\n

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