How To Make Time For Writing

I've decided to write a blog post that I think many aspiring writers need to read and one that I especially need to read. It's also a blog post about a question that I am often asked.

How do you make time for writing?

Well, it's definitely not easy. Being a full time college student who is also super involved with extracurriculars such as my university's literary journal, an online magazine for women, honor societies, sleeping, eating, AND writing a third novel....yeah, it's not easy.

However, it is not impossible. I know so many other authors who are just as busy or even busier than I. While it is difficult to balance everything, it is definitely doable. So I want to share with you all a few tips I try to follow to keep my creative juices going and to keep writing.

1. Give yourself a due date. 

While you may not have an editor or publisher giving you deadlines as you write your novel, that doesn't mean you shouldn't. Give yourself reachable deadlines as you write. For example, write 20,000 words by the end of the month. Or tell yourself the first draft will by done by summer. Whatever it is, write your deadlines down and keep them somewhere, like in an agenda, where you will see it often.

2. Give yourself small, reachable goals

While the first tip is helpful, don't give yourself a due date that is impossible. Therefore, it would be also helpful to give yourself little goals that you can meet each week or even every day. For myself, I have created a goal of writing at least 500 words per day. While I haven't been consistent with that goal, it is still something I can remember and attempt everyday. Now, if the words are flowing and you go over 500 words, great! If not, just know that writing something is better than writing nothing at all.  

3. If you want writing to be your job, treat it like one

This goes back to my previous points. If writing is something that you want to make a career out of, then you should treat it like a job. Make deadlines, goals, and put hours in. If you love to write, then it deserves your time. And more importantly, your characters deserve your time.

4. Make an outline

If you are writing an in depth, super complicated multi-book series, then you may want to think about an outline. It isn't fair to you to expect yourself to bust out three books in a year (if you can, then kudos to you my friend!!). However, making an outline so that when you can sit down to write will help you be able to focus and write the scenes and characters you need to write. 

5. Drink coffee... lots of it

I think this tip is self-explanatory. Whatever you drink, coffee is always for me, make some while you write! Whatever keeps you awake, gets the creative juices going, then drink and write my friends! 

6. Don't beat yourself up

This tip is very important. If you dont' meet every small goal you make for yourself, don't freak out! Life gets busy and sometimes writing has to take a back seat. However, don't be so discouraged that you give up. Writing a novel takes time. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day! 

I hope you all found these tips and hints helpful! Happy Writing everyone! 

Also, for more information about my series and my inspiration, please follow me on my Pinterest account here!

The Wait is Long, but Good Things Are Coming

Once again my lovely readers, I must apologize such a long hiatus. Senior year of college is no joke and I haven't even had the time to return to Great Falls to finish the story that has been six years in the making. However, I have good news. I have returned to writing and will hopefully have a third book ready to be released by the end of this year! (fingers crossed)

Book Three in the Forget Me Not Trilogy will be the final installment of this series. This lovely book is still in the writing process and has yet to be given a title that I can love. However, once a title has been decided, you all will be the first to know. 

I also promise to continue this blog (scout's honor!) and keep you all updated as much as I can on the writing process of this new book baby of mine. (Without giving you all any spoilers of course!!) 

While book three is still in the writing process, I'm constantly asked the same questions over and over by readers and friends. And I think many of you have the same sort of questions.

Do you know how the story will end? What will happen to Adeline and Cole? Will any other characters die in this book?

I usually am asked this when I least expect it and feel as if I have to give a very quick answer. Of course, I would love to give these questions the answers they deserve. However, I also cannot answer these questions straightforward like some people wish. Because if I were to divulge all the answers to these questions, well then there would be no need for a novel. And no one would like that (especially my publisher). 

Yet, I will give some very vague, authory (just totally made that word up) answer to these questions. I think I owe you all at least that.

If I am completely honest, I do not know the exact ending for this third book. I have a rough outline that forms and creates itself as I write. With the previous two books I have written, I always kept an ongoing outline that changed as the story did. I love my writing to be organic - too much planning ruins the story for me. So, to answer the first question, I have to say yes and no. I do know the general ending, yet the details and specifics are still up in the air. 

As to the second question regarding Adeline and Cole, well there will obviously be new issues and problems that will arise. They will each face new challenges together and separately. Yes, there will be some distance for these two. (Don't panic! It will be okay!) Which takes me to my next surprise. There is the possibility of a point of view change. You will not be privy to only Adeline's thoughts in this book. ("Who?!" You ask? I suppose you will have to wait and see.)

As for the third question regarding any future character deaths....my lips are sealed. But yes, someone else may die. 

I hope you all continue to stick with me as I go through this journey of finishing a series so close to my heart. Thank you for those who love these characters as much as I do. I hope and pray to give them a final book that is worthy of their story.