TIME WASTERS

Do you find yourself wishing you could find more time to write? I'm sure we all do, especially women who not only have 9-5 jobs, but have to come home to child care, laundry, housekeeping, chauffeuring, ad infinitum.

Other than the time worn advice of rising an hour earlier or staying up an hour later at night, there are two or three big time wasters.

1. Networking/Internet   Although social networking--making yourself known--is important, hours can be frittered away on Facebook, Twitter and other social network sites. Ask yourself how many friends are reading your material/helping you reach your goals? Are they critique partners (a valid reason for networking)? Or are you just sharing jokes and small talk?  If you're not getting  readers, limit your friends/followers to those who may be of the biggest benefit to you--agents, publishers, editors, etc.The Internet is wonderful, but are you surfing just for something to do? Or are you researching? If the latter, you're justified in the time spent.
2. TV   If your TV is in the same room (or where you can see it), your eyes and ears will be drawn to its sounds/visuals. You can't watch TV and hope to get much writing done.
3. Reading  Face it. Picking up a book is more pleasurable than staring at a blank Word document. Save your reading for pre-bedtime.

Other tips to find more writing time:

1. Write while waiting for dinner to cook. This is best done in longhand. You can always type it later. Just don't get so engrossed that dinner burns!
2. Delegate your husband, significant other, children to tasks that will free up a half hour for you.
3. If you don't have to socialize or conduct a meeting during your lunch hour, go sit in your car, go to a park or some other quiet place and work while you eat.