My Writing Ramblings – Goodbye January, Hello February

We are about to say goodbye to January and greet February.

My niece turned 21 this month and if there is one thing that has done, it’s made me aware of time.

As I get older, I am finding that time is going so much quicker. It was something my Mum would warn me about but it’s easy to take time for granted.

Time. We always think we have more than we do.

Amongst other things, I have been thinking about the time I give to writing.

For many years, I have wanted to write a novel. It’s been my dream for a long time. Yet, I don’t allow myself the time and commitment it needs.

Why don’t I?

Confidence and not knowing where to begin are elements for sure, but I am coming to the belief that I am not respecting my goal to be a writer. Or in fact, my right to call myself a writer.

“I don’t have time.” “I would have done it but I ran out of time.” 

These reasons are how I have justified it. When I sit back and look at it though, I realise that they are simply excuses.

When I really want to do something, I take a breath and go so what makes my writing so different in my head? The main challenge I face is respecting my writing enough to make time to do it. I know I have not done this. I know this needs to change.

This is how I want to approach the time I give myself to write. I respect my day job enough to not make excuses to do it so why should the time to write be any different?

It shouldn’t.

If this is in any way familiar to you, let’s make 2020 the year we give our writing the attention it deserves. We can do it!

Note to myself. Don’t waste time, just write.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.