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So many people long to tell their story, but feel like they never have time to start a writing project. The idea of writing a 300-page book is completely overwhelming. We all juggle so much: work, family, school, friends, exercise, running our households, errands, going to the dentist or doctor. The list goes on and on. How can we find time for one more thing, even if it is important?

1. Write whenever you have downtime. Keep a pen and paper with you at all times. This could be a small notebook, or just a couple pieces of paper folded up in your pocket. Once you start doing this, you will be amazed how often it happens. Waiting for an appointment, waiting for a meeting to start, waiting in line. Ten minutes here and there can add up to half an hour a day. It's also surprising how much you can write when you think you will have to stop at any moment. It puts pressure on you to get it down on the paper!

2. Write during lunch. If you normally eat lunch alone or read, write instead. If you eat with others, reserve one or two lunches a week for yourself and write. That still gives you some social lunches as well. If you always eat out, bring your lunch for your writing lunches. Then you won't have to spend the time getting the food and it gives you even more time. But do sit somewhere where people won't interrupt you, such as a quiet corner of your workplace, empty conference room, outside, or even your car.

3. Write during breaks. Take ten minutes and write as fast as you can. Challenge yourself to write more words each time. This is fun and gets your competitive energy flowing!

4. What can you give up? Take a look at what you spend your time on. Is there anything you can reduce to get yourself 15-30 minutes without feeling deprived? I'm not advocating a major life change, like quitting your job or throwing out your TV. Perhaps you can combine errands, watch TV half an hour less, cut a phone call shorter. Or, let your house be a bit messier. Perhaps a family member can take over one of your regular chores? You'll never know until you ask. People are often more supportive than you might think when they know you want to do something that is important to you.

5. Do it first or do it last. Get up 15 minutes earlier or go to bed 15 minutes later. You probably won't miss the 15 minutes of sleep and you'll gain time for something that means a lot to you. Committing to always doing it right when you get up or right before bed is a good way to find time that is less likely to be interrupted by something else, like work or family.

6. If you miss, don't give up. Learning this was the single best tip that improved my productivity. Yes, you said you would write every morning, and yes, you skipped it yesterday. This happens to everyone, even published authors. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start again. No matter hour many days you missed, just start again. It'll get easier the more you do it. Just keep going. Do not allow yourself to quit.

Writing ten minutes here and there sounds crazy. But it's how a book gets written. Ten minutes, plus ten minutes, plus ten minutes. If you only write a page a day, that's a book in a year. Sentence by sentence. The thing is, if you don't write, your book will never happen. If you only write a sentence a day, it may take longer than you'd like, but eventually there will be a book at the end. And you will feel more fulfilled and happier at having told your story.

Learn more about this author, Alexis Whaley.
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