I’m having some problems…

Specifically that lately, the time I use for writing is being taken up by other things (a.k.a. wedding planning).

This is exactly what I was afraid would happen when we decided to go the big-wedding route. I don’t regret our decision, because I want this — a big party with everyone I love there, all at once — and I don’t regret spending time to make it the best it can be. But … I miss leisurely Saturdays spent alone in front of my desk with a cup of tea, quietly toiling away on my fiction.

With my weekends occupied, I’ve had to get creative with carving out writing time. This is what I’ve managed to do:

1. Write at Lunch I’ve always tried to work on my writing at lunch while at my day job. But doing that while actually in the office is challenging, because you have your work email in front of you and your colleagues next to you, all of it pulling your attention away. So lately, I’ve taken to getting out for lunch. Whether it’s at a place where I can eat and work (Hale & Hearty on 7th Ave has a nice big upstairs room that’s not too crowded; The Little Beet on Broadway has long tables good for tapping away) or eating quickly at my desk then just getting out for an hour (when it’s nice, the public space on 27th Street; when it’s not, the Ace Hotel lobby) I make sure to take my laptop with me and get in some quality writing time.

2. Write in the Evenings I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: don’t give up your sleep for your art. So how to fit in writing time when you get home from work at 7:30 and still need to cook and eat dinner before bed? Cook a batch meal ahead of time so all you have to do is heat it up. Then you’ll be done with dinner by 8, and can squeeze in two solid hours before bed, given you…

3. Ask for Alone Time When you live with someone, it’s not nice to come home after not seeing them all day and tell them to leave you alone. So I try and establish one night per week where my husband-to-be goes out and I am all by my lonesome in our apartment writing my little heart out.

4. Take your Laptop Everywhere This past weekend we were wedding venue-hopping. I didn’t think I’d have time to write, but I brought my laptop anyway, and it turned out I squeezed in about an hour Saturday evening between an appointment and dinner. Huzzah!

… and those are all the tricks I’ve found when my weekends fill up. Have you found any more? I would love to hear…

Image found here