The hardest thing about writing, for me, is just getting started. Procrastination is my worst enemy. What I need is motivation. When I did NaNoWriMo last November, I stayed on task because it was something I really, really wanted to accomplish and to be able to say "I did it!" Even though I was only in competition with myself, it was enough to make me sit down at my computer every single day and crank out X number of words. And I DID do it - I wrote the rough draft of Still [Boy] Crazy After All These Years in 30 days. Then I took the month of December to edit and fine tune it, and published it in January. What a great feeling.


Soon after, I got the idea for the second book in the Mountain Laurel series, tentatively titled Spare Me. I haven't gotten too much farther than that, unfortunately. The winter has been long and cold, and I've been reading an awful lot - which is good. But I haven't been carving out time for writing. Here it is March already, and I've done nothing but a couple of character sketches and a basic premise for the book, which is still in my head. Enough already! Time to get out the whip (no, not that kind of whip, you 50 Shades fans) and get cracking. Here's how I plan to get back on track:

1. Put writing on my calendar. Make a date with myself. It's hard when you have a million other things going on, I know. I have a full-time day job and an Etsy vintage shop in addition to writing, not to mention 21 pets to take care of and a house to clean. Finding time to write will never happen if I don't schedule it in. I did it in November; I can do it now. Yes, I can do it all the time. Maybe not with the intensity of NaNoWriMo, but I can probably manage 15 to 30 minutes a day of writing - even if it's just doing character sketches or outlining. It's still moving the book forward. So, at maybe 7:30 each night, I'll sit down, open Scrivener, and work for at least 15 minutes. If I get on a roll and go longer, all the better.

2. Avoid time-wasters. I'm talking to you, Facebook, Zulily, Pinterest, etc. Yes, it's good to get on Facebook a couple times a day, see what your buddies are up to, post something relevant or amusing. Pinterest is great for finding recipes when I'm standing in the kitchen wondering what to eat for dinner. But it's oh-so-easy to kill a half hour or more scrolling through and looking at pictures, window shopping, or just creeping. That's time that I'll never get back! When I think about it that way, I would much rather "waste" time reading a good book or watching Gilmore Girls episodes.

3. Use those blocks of "found" time. They're few and far between, but are truly a godsend. Today, we got about 7 inches of snow and the university where I work announced an 11 a.m. start, but by 9 a.m. they announced they were closed for the day. YAY!!!! I promised myself at least 2 hours of writing (does this count?) and a thorough cleaning of the hall closet that has not been cleaned in the 12 years I've lived here. There was a pile of rags in there at least 3 feet high. I am only one person - why do I need 100 rags in the hall closet? Not only that, but I have a collection of hotel soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, shower gels, and mouthwash large enough to fill 3 drawers in my little wheeled chest of drawers. Lightbulbs of every shape, size, and wattage. A box full of Ace bandages. And best of all - a drawer full of 1980s hair scrunches that I made for my daughter, and her retainer from when she was 10 (she's 34 now). Ugh! Purging that stuff felt good, and the closet looks great. But guess what? It's now 1:30 p.m., and I haven't started working on the book yet. That's what I will do from 2:00 until 4:00, and hopefully will have something to show for it!

4. Carry a small journal everywhere, for those times when inspiration strikes. Airports are great for material, as are any crowded places. A conversation overheard, someone's crazy outfit. Write it down; describe it in detail. Anything can be used in a story. At the Atlanta airport a couple days ago, I was waiting on a delayed flight and sitting next to a man with absolutely the biggest feet I had ever seen - and he had on neon green tennis shoes! Out came the little journal. I don't know if I'll ever use it, but the moment would have been lost forever if I hadn't captured it.

5. Read. Make time to read every day. I have a Kindle, and the Kindle app on my iPad and iPhone, so I am virtually never without books at my fingertips. I read every night before going to sleep, and I usually read on my lunch hour at work. Anytime I am stuck waiting, I read. Doctor's offices, car inspection, you name it. I cannot stand wasting time doing nothing. And reading other writers' wonderful books gives me inspiration to do better myself. It's a great motivator.

So there you have it. These things are not anything new or extraordinary; they're just common sense. I'm sure you've heard all of them before. But it doesn't hurt to reiterate good advice. Now, 2 hours on Scrivener - GO!

This post also appears on my website, marleekeyes.com.