: Re: Time management for part-time writing I'm currently writing a book, and would eventually hope to be a writer as a career. However, at the moment I'm struggling to find the time and the discipline

@Fox6458700

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I do the same as you: I balance working a full time job, family and professional writing. Except I write freelance journalism rather than books. I imagine that does make my life a bit simpler because it's easier to dip in and out of short-form writing, plus I get a stead stream of commission payments as motivation.

I do the majority of my writing in lunch breaks and other "dead time" like waiting to pick up from children's parties. Here's how.

I made an account at Simplenote.com - any site that allows you to collate documents online using a very lightweight text editor will do.
I've got a lightweight note-keeper on my mobile phone. Whenever I have an idea or do a quick bit of research, I make a note of it there.
I got a cheap, basic spec netbook. Not much else will do: you need something that's very portable but has a keyboard.
I either buy or prepare my lunch the night before.
At lunch I take my lunch, my netbook and my mobile to the social area. Or outside if it's a nice day. I enable my phone as a WiFi hotspot, connect, log on to Simplenote and start writing.

It's amazing how much you can get done with that extra five hours a week, especially given that at work you're already in a "work" mindset.

I do also work at home, but it's harder to get motivated. I would encourage you to try, however. There's a surprising amount of dead time you can still fill using the same system. I find I have enough time to spend relaxing, and with my family, and so do they.

So learn to self-motivate when don't feel like it. But getting a set-up to make the most of a productive lunch-hour is a great way to start.

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