How to Write Everyday Despite Loads of School Work

Ahhhh, Summer.

It pampered us; spoiled us. Gave us all the time in the world to write our stories. But like all stories, your summer romance with your new story had to come to an end sometime. School had to start up again and tear you two apart. And devoting less love to your novel is just the worst, isn’t it? I know I’m suffering withdrawals over here.

So with school calling dibs on 8 days of your week and 25 hours of your day, how do you still make the time to write your story AND keep a regular writing routine going?

You do these three things:

1. Start small
2. Have fun and fun only
3. Give yourself something to look forward to

Let’s find out how these three tips are sure to keep you and your story together 4ever.

Yeeeesh. You’re studying for hours at a time, going through piles of homework, stacks of workbooks all while trying to see through gallons of tears. It can really pile up. And once you’re done doing the volcano for science class and that history report of Thomas Edison and a million other reports, you’re experiencing burn out.

Writing more of your novel may seem intimidating, even impossible. But here’s the key: don’t start work on another huge project AFTER finishing a huge project.

What do I mean by this?

You’re several chapters deep into your novel. So, getting into another massive project, like your novel, after doing loads of school projects may turn you away from writing, period. So start smaller.

Don’t focus on writing more of your current novel. Allow yourself five minutes to write something smaller than that. Even if it’s just a scene of dialogue you’ve envisioned for your novel for a long time. Or, write the feeling one of your characters has for another. Or better still, write everything that’s on your mind. Let it flush out, and simply enjoy the ride 😉

Writing is your creative outlet. So don’t turn it into homework. Don’t burden yourself with the responsibility of coming with something remarkable, outstanding or even remotely ok. Allow yourself to have fun- WRITE GARBAGE and don’t care a lick for rules.

But hey, Rae, what if I want to make serious progress on my novel/story idea? Shouldn’t I be allowed to write something good for that cause? Sure! You absolutely can. But if you put the pressure on yourself to deliver on the goods with every chance you get to write, you’ll take away all the fun that comes with writing. And believe it or not, that’s when the writing river runs dry and the good ideas dash away, my friend.

Don’t force yourself to produce. Relax, let go, and simply give yourself permission to spew nonsensical mutterings on the page.

In fact, during your small, daily writing sessions, I want you to forgo three things in particular:

1. Editing/ structure or formatting 
2. The specific amount of time you devote to writing
3. Word count

Why? Because this creative session is all about keeping that desire to write alive. And all of these things focus on etiquette that teachers expect from your work. This sort of self-imposed pressure will drive your mindset toward one of disinterest. So, take the reins off your writing sprints and see how your creative juices flow again.

These small, daily sessions are focused on setting your mind free creatively; allowing your brain to exercise the right to express yourself and have fun with what you’re writing. And if you view your writing session through the same lens you view homework, you’ll unintentionally give yourself writer’s block or suffer burn out.

So, let’s talk about the final way you can keep your writing routine regular despite buttloads of school work!

Have you ever written a scene and LOVED what you started writing? Well, why not end that scene on a high note?

What do I mean by that?

Hit the pause button on that awesome scene you’re writing (during the height of its excitement) and “press play” tomorrow. Come tomorrow you’ll be DYINGGG to pick up your writing session and finish that epic scene! Even if you’re exhausted from school, you’ll have this thrilling reward to look forward to.

What if you don’t have an exciting scene you’d like to break into two sessions? What if you have, like, nothing to write at all? Then why not do a little research on your story? Is there a part of your story that you need to look up for accuracy’s sake? Like, say, how long it takes for a stab wound to heal? Or if a bunny dreams at night? Or what the national animal of Scotland is?— (Look it up you won’t be sorry!!) Then let that quest be your project for the next writing session.

The point is to hype yourself up for the next writing session with initiatives you’re excited about. That way you’ll be itching to pick your writing back up the moment you get the chance! So if you have something awesome to write, parcel it out and if there’s a part of your story that needs a little research, why not do a little homework you actually WANT to do?

Writing doesn’t have to always mean writing words down. Anything that supports your story or your writing process is necessary effort devoted to your craft. So don’t underestimate that fact! 😉

Schoolwork deserves your time and attention but it doesn’t have to elbow your love for writing right out the window. And no matter how much the homework or projects pile up, you’ll never lose your fire for writing as long as you start small, have fun no matter what, and give yourself something to look forward to!

What helps you keep up with your writing routine despite school work? Let me know in the comments section! I’m sure other writers would love to hear how you strike the balance! And don’t forget to share this article with your friends in school!