Writing Makes its Own Time

Writing takes up time – obvi – but it also makes time. How, you might wonder?

When I lived in Glen Ridge, NJ, I used to participate in the annual musical of the Gas Lamp Players. The casts included 50-100 kids, highschoolers in main or supporting roles and then just our neighbors. Our neighbors in this New York bedroom community, were often Broadway or SAG-Aftra actors, however. Bec of where we lived, we had significant talent in town.

I would audition, and get a middling part – sometimes even have a solo or duet song. Or be part of a chorus of women – as we were in the Pick a Little/Peck a Little Ladies of Music Man. I’ll have to add pics later during the week. I’m away from my desk this weekend. (Different story.)

All this to say – these were big productions, with months-long rehearsal schedules. Between me and my kids who were in the same productions, we would have to be over at the theater most weeknights for 1-3 hours. And  ultimately, we’d head into Tech week, where you’re standing on a stage, mic’d every weekday evening, and then dress rehearsal, and then a weekend of 4 performances.

And my sister asked me, “How do you have the time for that?”

It was a legit question. I had full time employment as a marketing consultant, I was raising three kids with my husband. And I was always also writing something.

This show made its own time. Bec I was dancing, singing and having fun with my castmates, the rest of my time was far more productive, positive and predictable.

Writing regularly can give your day the same positive pixie dust.

Whenever I actually write for even an hour in any day, I feel accomplished, happy, confident, capable.

When I’ve intended to write, but I dick around for that hour instead, I feel dissolute, disappointed, and even defensive, sometimes. I don’t crush the day. I don’t get a lot done. I don’t use my remaining 23 hours to do the work that is bubbling in my brain.

Therefore, and thereby, I give you the original maxim, proved:

Writing makes its own time.

The boost you get from creative engagement makes washing dishes, doing taxes and flossing better, easier, or even just more okay. You don’t have resistance and lost time in advance of each undesirable task on your list. You just do it. You might even do it humming, or imagining a new scene or hearing some could-be dialog in your head.

Give yourself time to write, and see how it makes your day feel.