Don’t you love this tiny figurine set of kittens lapping up spilt milk that I was given as girl? I keep it in a printer’s tray that hangs in my bathroom with many other little treasures. (That’s a topic for another post.) The messy little scene reminds me that over the course of my life, spilt milk, spilt detergent, and even spilt glitter have made me cry. Perhaps you can relate. However, there’s one thing I never cry about. Spilling words! Specifically words on paper. Indeed, my joy each day, is in finding time to spill words for that time blesses my soul and, by extension, I hope it blesses those who subsequently read those words.
The daily challenge, however, is in finding the time, for unlike milk or glitter, which, at least at our house, spill far too easily and frequently, spilling words freely and creatively is quite another matter.
With that in mind, here are five tips for finding time to let those words flow freely:
Tip #1: Set special time aside each day to write. For me, this means beginning the day with 30 minutes of writing before the sun rises. It’s amazing how freely the words flow before the cares of the day set in.
Tip #2: Turn off distractions, like the internet, for a pre-determined period of time and, instead of surfing the web or scrolling through your various feeds, write.
Tip #3: Exercise your mind and body by writing using dictation mode while you walk or use the treadmill. I love this strategy especially when I’m experiencing writer’s block.
Tip #4: Find a writing buddy or group to meet with weekly, virtually or in person, for an hour or more of writing. Check in with each other both before and after the writing session with writing intentions and accomplishments. Note: This is also a good way to stay connected during a pandemic.
Tip #5: Write for five minutes on the top of the hour – all day long. For those other 55 minutes, your mind will be whirring with ideas, as you go about your day, then you can let them pour out in hourly spurts. Set the timer and don’t hesitate – write! This worked especially well when my kids were little.
This is just is getting the spilling started. What tips would you add? Please share in the comments.
And for more thoughts on finding time to write and maximizing the time we do have, here are some other posts you might enjoy:
Ten Tips for Finding Writing Time When You Think You’re Too Busy to Write!
GUEST POST: Take a Spirit Vacation with Children’s Writer Sara Matson
JOURNALING AND OTHER STRATEGIES: Thoughts on Unleashing Our Creativity
Laura Sassi Tales 
I’m a firm believer of making the time to do the things I value, such as creative writing. I have my own version of your tips #1 and #2.
Love those Siamese kitties and the spilt milk 🙂 but I must say any of mine would never cry over such, they’d drink it 😀
I thought we might be kindred spirits in the writing department. Perhaps I wouldn’t have cried over spilt milk had I owned actually, real life kitties who would have enjoyed the feast. =)
Great ideas! I’ve been dying for writing time ever since we moved. Plus new ideas needed.
I understand! But think of it this way. You are in the idea gathering stage. =)