Structure = Freedom: Making Time to Write - Guest Post by Ami Spencer

I used to believe that being a writer was all about finding inspiration. When the mood struck, I would sit down and write out lyrical sentences and inspired stories, but until then, I would go about the business of life. It took a while, but eventually I realized not much was getting written while I waited for inspiration to strike. Particularly because when inspiration did show up, I was generally busy with something else.

I learned my lesson when, on a whim, I decided to participate in NaNoWriMo. The goal of writing 50,000 words in a single month seemed impossible, but the tight deadline and a strict schedule of self-imposed writing appointments showed me exactly what a bit of structure can do for your creativity. I wrote “Writing Time” in my calendar each day, and sat down at the computer at the appointed time, as if it was a meeting that couldn’t be missed. (Almost) every day, I pounded out my 1,667 words. Sometimes I managed to eke out more, sometimes I found myself struggling and ended up with less, but I was writing on most days and it wasn’t all crap. In fact, I found that if I showed up to write, creativity was usually there waiting for me.

When NaNoWriMo was over, I hadn’t reached my goal, but I had managed to write almost 39,000 words—very possibly the most words I’ve ever written—during the month of November, in the midst of traveling and holiday planning. It was exactly the wake-up call I needed. I decided if I was going to write, I was going to have to make time for it. Clearly setting aside time was much more important than waiting for inspiration.

It may seem counterintuitive, but structure really can elicit creativity. Here are five ways scheduling writing time can free you to create:

Practice makes perfect(ish). The more often you write, the easier it will be to fall into that groove that we like to call “inspiration.” You won’t always come up with something amazing and brilliant, but the chances of that happening are certainly better if you’re writing regularly rather than only when you’re in the mood.

Even the difficult days will be productive. If you schedule regular time to write, but you find the muse is occasionally stubborn, you’ll still have plenty of previously created pieces to work on. There’s always editing and revising to be done, so even when you’re not creating new stuff, you can work on making previous work better. And sometimes working on an older piece can provide just the inspiration you need to start something new.

Anticipation stokes the fires. I regularly find that if I know I’ll be writing later, my mind is always searching for new ideas. I carry a notepad with me everywhere and jot down any thought, image or experience that might inspire me when I sit down at that computer. Just the anticipation of writing can get my creative juices flowing.

Deadlines are a driving force. Scheduling your own deadlines may also improve productivity. While some people find deadlines stifling to their creativity, others find the pressure of a looming deadline energizes them to create. If it works for you, use it.

Slow and steady wins the race. While the romanticized vision of a writer is someone who jots stories in her notebook at the drop of a hat or writes through the night because his muse won’t let him sleep, this isn’t the whole story. In order to complete a work of any length, it’s the writer who writes consistently and passionately who finishes the story. Creative fits and starts may happen, but steady work will ensure you get the writing done.

How do fit writing into your life? Do you prefer to work when inspiration strikes, or do you set aside time for writing on a regular basis?

Let me introduce you to Ami. Ami Spencer is a technical and freelance writer living in Baltimore, MD. She blogs about the writing life at Write Out Loud. Do pop over and have a look!

She has published articles in several local, regional and online publications. She is also a contributing blogger for several websites. Her writing generally focuses on health and wellness topics, the writing life, green living, women in business, and other general interest topics, but she also dabbles in fiction and creative non-fiction. Visit her website to view a partial portfolio and learn more about her.

I got to know Ami when she responded to my invitation to write a guest post here - and I’m very glad she did. If you’d like to write here in August the invitation is still open and the theme is “freedom”.

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Related posts:

1. Quotes on Writing and Freedom #2: Take Yourself Lightly

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