When to Write

"When do you have time to write all this stuff?"  It's the most common question from readers and aspiring authors.  They realize from their own experience that writing is hard and takes time.  The answer to their question is, "When you make the time."

Once you are convicted that God has given you something to say, and you become convinced that is essential to put it into written words to archive it for others making time is fairly easy; well, at least there is adequate motivation to make time to express your mind and heart through the written word.

My best time for writing is in early in the morning when my energy is high and my mind is fresh.  Mid to late afternoon works well too.  Often by then I've accrued some reflections about a topic, and feel ready to put the pen to the page (fingers on the keyboard, but pen to the page sounds more poetic, :).  When is your mind most clear and creative?  When is your high energy period of the day?

The bottom line is that if God has given you something to say that it will require time and energy to say it.  Start small to develop the habit of writing as a discipline in your life.  Set aside 30 minutes to sit at your keyboard every day, or 5 days/week, or 3 days/week...whatever.  Just do it.  Get started.  See what God does during that time; what He inspires you to put on the page.  Go where your heart is at the moment. As you write, day after day, the message you've been given will take shape.  Sentences form paragraphs, and paragraphs form articles or chapters.  Develop one thought at a time, one after the other, expressing what is in your heart for that writing period. 

When to write?  Whenever you set aside best energy time to write.  Now, writing on deadline is a different story, because you might have to keep writing into periods of the day that you aren't at your best.  When this happens, take breaks.  Change the channel, as Tony Schwartz instructs in his book, "The Power of Full Engagement".  After 45 minutes to 75 minutes, get up, take a break, get something to eat, exercise, read something else, etc.; whatever rejuvenates you.  Then, if you still need to get something out per a self-imposed or external deadline, you'll be able to keep going for another period. 

When to write? Today.  In faith, make the time, then ask God to give you the words that He wants others to hear.

I'm looking forward to reading what He gives you to say!

Jeff