Time is a precious commodity - use it wisely.

What is life like for you?  Do you use words like, ‘crazy, chaotic and hectic?’  Do you struggle to find the time to write?  I think that there are times when we can all say, ‘Yes’ to these questions.

This blog is inspired by comments that I heard from two other writers recently.  I do hope that they don’t mind me mentioning them.  Keren Dibbens-Wyatt, struggles with M.E. and posted recently, “Amazing that the 20mins here and there when my brain co-operates can get these things done.”

Natasha Woodcraft, in her recent MTW blog, said, “I might get 15 minutes at the laptop.  Finding creative corners can be difficult when life is chaotic.  Yet these precious moments are what keep us going, are what define the difference between existing and living.”

My wife and I are currently making plans to move house after living in our home for 26 years.  For the last month, we have been ridding ourselves of unneeded and no longer-wanted clutter, junk and possessions.  Our lives are full of so many unnecessary belongings and it has been liberating to shed them, creating space.  I have found that the more physical space I create, the more mental space is also created.

With just over two months to go before the Book Blest Christian book festival, this has also increased my workload and reduced the availability of time to write.  Yet I am a planner and a strategist, I set goals both big and small, especially the small ones and I pace myself.  If I do too much, too fast, I will suffer.

I can relate to Keren and the struggles of her illness, as I live with a renal condition that causes fatigue.  I fight to get going every morning.  Like Keren and Natasha, I am able to squeeze in the odd 15 – 20 minutes and see the difference that this can make to my word count.

As writers, we are all different yet we naturally compare ourselves to other writers which often causes us to feel inadequate.  Nanowrimo is a great project and encourages some to boost their word count.  Yet others struggle to compete and cannot justify writing for ten hours every day.  Stop comparing and simply do what you can and be the best version of yourself that you can be.  Grab those bite-sized opportunities and see what you can create.

Brendan Conboy aka Half Man Half Poet is the author of 13 published books including his fascinating autobiography, The Golden Thread.  In 1986, Brendan invited Jesus into his life and God blessed him with the gift of rhyming words.  He used that gift as a Christian Rap artist for 25 years and has written 6 poetry books including the entire Book of Psalms in Rhyme.  He has 3 published novels - Issues, Invasion of the Mimics and Legacy of the Mimics.  He is the creator of Book Blest Christian book festival.  Brendan is available for speaking events, poetry performances and workshops.  Visit Brendan's website HERE.