Every writer faces time restrictions. The
trick is to find enough time in the day to
spend writing. There are several things I do
to find more time to write. Negotiate every
one of these ideas to maximize your time of
opportunity.

Review your ideas that are laid out in front
of you. I use note cards and stick notes on
my desk to keep ideas around me. This kick
starts the thinking process. I also put a
current project I'm working on as a desktop
background on my computer as a constant
reminder to work on that particular task.
Every time I am on the computer, there's a
picture of a document that needs worked on
starring me in the face.

Push through the fog even if you have a
headache or are feeling bad. Be your own
nagging boss that says, "Get to work." Think
of a reward that you'll give yourself when
the work is done and put a picture of it
where you see it every day. The reward has to
be worth it, not just go out to dinner or
something lame like that. I enjoy playing
pool and set a goal to not play until I
finished a project. Stick to it. That pushes
me to finish what I started faster. Delayed
gratification is a great tool to use. Use
every great tool available.

Be as organized as possible. I know folks
that can play office all day and not
accomplish anything of real value. Focus on
the work as a writer, but keep a clean
environment.

Use the best software for the project your
working on. I use New Novelist software for
book type writing and Movie Magic for
screenwriting. Download a free trial of Movie
Magic and see if it's right for you. Use the
best software you can to maximize your
effectiveness of time management and
organization.

Eliminate the unnecessary clutter. Work is
work, it doesn't matter what kind it is,
whether it's dishes, digging a hole, or
writing. A proper mindset on the value of
work is vital. Sweat Equity is the best tool
in the world.

Set goals that are difficult but possible.
Write three articles a day, three chapters a
day, or three scenes a day. Make time your
friend and not a thief.

Role-playing allows me to step into someone
else's shoes and get work done that I might
not of accomplished otherwise. Think stat,
like you hear a doctor say. I've got to
operate on this chapter, stat or I've got to
dig up the research and uncover the true like
a good detective. This exercise helps me more
than you could possibly understand. An
exercise like this can make an ordinary
writing assignment seem extraordinary,
removing the boring out of work. If you're
having fun, then you'll get more done.

Steal every minute you can from the day. Take
your laptop with you to work and pull it out
on lunch break if you work a regular job too.
I take my laptop fishing with me. When it's
slow and the fish are not biting, I can kick
back and type away, glancing at the pole once
in a while. The thrill of fishing is the
catch, not the wait. Work while you wait.
That may sound extreme, but don't knock it
until you try it.

Gather all the best tools and use those to
fight against the time steelers.

Copyright© 2007 - AJ Dowell