I came across an awesome thread over on sffworld’s forums that I want to share with you. Author Elizabeth Moon commented on a writer’s time and the choices you have to make to create that time.

One poster asked a question about how much time do authors spend writing. Quite a few posters gave their answers, some devoted more time than others and then Elizabeth Moon answered about her own time devoted to the craft. Needless to say, she is awesome, gives great advice and offers information about what she personally does but then… she laid the smackdown on what it means to be a writer!

In a nutshell, if you want to be a writer then you need to write. You need to find that time as we only have 24 hours – full time writers do not get more time – they earned it!  If your writing time is not precious enough to give up that TV, Movie, Video Game or anything else (non essential to staying alive of course) then you choose to not plan on being a writer that earns their living through writing. Sure, you can be a part time writer or maybe even a writer with no goals to ever be published. But, if you want to become a full time writer, meaning earning a living from the craft, then you’ve got to write, write often and write some more!

This holds true for pretty much anything you really want to do. Want to draw – then draw! Make films – then make them! Kill kittens… um well you get the idea. The main thing is to devote your time to what you really want to do. I know that life can sometimes get in the way but the time you do have to spare is the time you need to devote to those goals that you really want to achieve. If you really want to earn your living doing something you love – writing, drawing, making comics, making movies, music, etc then that time you devote to anything else is what will be keeping you from your goals and we call that…an excuse!

Checkout the thread over on SFFworld, take part in the discussion and pay particular attention to Elizabeth Moon’s advice – she can say it so much better than I can and hey… she’s a published author which adds a lot more weight to what she says.  The thread really hit home for me and I think the message being told here will be so beneficial to all aspiring writers and anyone else with a goal that seems impossible.

You can read the thread HERE.

Enjoy!!!

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