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How to write while living a busy life


A while ago a friend of mine said that I needed to start a blog if I someday wanted to get published, so I started this one. I set it up a few months ago, but have never gotten around to actually making a post; I wasn't sure what I wanted to say. But today I decided to actually get started. First, I am not a published writer. I am just a mother of three who works full time, teaching at a community college, who needs an escape from it all--writing. Writing has given me that escape. But I know as a working mother that it is difficult to find time to write. So, here's my advice. Just do it. I don't have a lot of time, but you don't need a lot of time to write. I try and write 30 minutes every other day. I do this, sitting in a rocking chair in my youngest child's room while waiting for him to fall asleep. It isn't much, but I never get tired of writing. I've written three books this way. I think just having that routine keeps me motivated. And it's worked. I've written three books this way. Now, I am using this time to critique one of those which I hope to start sending out in an attempt to procure an agent in the next few months.

Also, being part of a writing group helps. You have to be careful when joining a group. Sometimes you can get mired down in critiques given by other group members and can find yourself stuck in revisions, unable to move forward with your story. I try to save all of my critiques to my computer and continue to write. I then go back and look at them while working on revisions.

But being part of a group keeps you motivated. To remain in the group, you have to write. Plus, reading and critiquing others' work, helps to improve your writing skills. It helps you to become more critical of your own work.

If you live in the Greensboro/High Point area, here is a link to an organization that can connect you with a writing group: http://triadwriters.org/ They also offer workshops to help improve your writing.

Whatever you do, just keep writing. You will get better. It will get easier. And you won't regret it.

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