Please welcome guest writer, Karen Lange!
5 REASONS TO WRITE WHILE WAITING
BY KAREN LANGE
Think about all the times you’re waiting – on hold on the phone, in the car when picking up the kids, in the bleachers during ice hockey practice, at the doctor’s office - the list goes on. Why not take a few of these spare minutes and get some writing done?
Here are my top five reasons to write while waiting:
- It’s a productive use of time.
I try to use “pockets” of time, those otherwise unused minutes. While I don’t get obsessive and go 24/7, it’s a way to use time more efficiently and make a dent in the to-do list. Depending on the schedule, it may be the only writing time available that week.
- It’s a way to pass the time.
Waiting can be tedious; writing creates a distraction and breaks up the monotony.
- It’s a good time to be observant.
Make note of the people, scenery, and activities around you. These notes can offer character, plot, article, and other ideas for later use. Observation teams up well with brainstorming; both are an important part of the writing process.
- It’s a way to get a head start on a project.
Need to get an outline together for that upcoming article? Want to scribble plot ideas down before you forget? Sometimes all you need are a few minutes to transfer ideas from head to paper.
- It’s a good time to review a piece before submission.
While final proofreading is best done in your quiet writing space, it never hurts to print up your draft and take it along to review on the go. My rough drafts often ride along when I know there will be a few moments to read and edit.
What do you write while waiting?
Karen Lange is a freelance writer, editor, and blogger, an online writing instructor at the coffeehouseforwriters.com, and the author of Write for Life and Homeschool Co-ops 101. Her articles have been featured in numerous print and online publications. She's a fan of dark chocolate, historical fiction, and hockey. Visit Karen at her blog,karenelange.blogspot.com
