The professionals encourage amateur authors to write at least a little bit everyday. However, some days this is not possible.
Unless you don’t need sleep and operate solely on the power of hopes and dreams.
If I’ve had an idea marinating in my head for a long time, not being able to write it down can make me go stir crazy.
Sometimes I’m tempted to grab a receipt out of my wallet, or take a napkin from my glove compartment to jot down ideas in between red lights.
If I’m truly desperate, I’ll talk to myself in the car.
I’m not crazy.
I’m just fabricating an argument between two people that don’t exist.
If I figure it all out while I’m on the way to my 11:00 o’clock class, maybe it’ll all come together by the time I’m able to sit down at my desk and work.
I’ve constructed a fantasy world for myself wherein I am sponsored by a wealthy aristocrat who lives in an actual medieval castle. He wears a blood red robe complete with pope hat and pays me to live in a fancy loft and write all day. I type on a pristine typewriter and everything I create is amazing.
In reality, I have to go to work and obtain a college degree like everybody else.
Not to mention, I’m lucky if the hour worth of work I’m able to squeeze out of every other day is even going to be in the finished product.
The best advice I can give is to take advantage of whatever you have at your disposal.
Jot down a few words on your note app on your phone while you’re waiting in line.
Use your voice memos app to dictate as you’re driving. It’ll be a pain transcribing (unless you also have an app for that), but at least you’ll have more of an idea of what you want to do.
Always carry a pen and notepad.
Above all else, if you have free time, don’t procrastinate.
You don’t appreciate free time until you don’t have it anymore.
The Crooked Pen 