I think I'll go make that time machine today...

[Akuma]

I've got a problem.

I've been doing my two hours a day (just as the Divine Uncle decreed) but my best writing time is from 1'00--3'00 p.m. This is ok now, (summer vacation) but as a 16 year old, my vacation ends in about two weeks. Thus, a dilemma. No more writing at that time. Now, I would choose to write from 7'00 to 9'00 on schooldays, but homework, studying, and projects can often take up time even up to the evening. Besides, even if I have none of that, I still hold a sacred vow to read around 8:30 to 9. It helps me sleep and it's good to read.

Or I could write in the morning. And I've tried that. But waking up at 4 in the morning, only to leave around 6, doesn't suit me well. And falling asleep at the computer is not what I call writing, either.
I don't know how you adults do it--you have steady jobs that reach past 4 in the afternoon. Bah, maybe I can do 6--8. Gah!

It seems the only thing I've learned from school is that I do not like it.

[Christine N.]

I've found I'm at my best in the evenings, from around 6-8 pm. I could try and stay up later, but then the munchkin gets me up at the crack of dawn. I don't seem to have any good ideas before then, and I get much more done in a shorter time if I wait until then. I tried that get up early thing, no dice. I'm still too sleepy to create. Editing I can do anytime, that's a lot easier.

Find a time that works for you... and be willilng to be flexible.

[azbikergirl]

I write during the evenings after work, and during my lunch hour using the PDA. Maybe you can break it into two 1-hour chunks or 3 45-minute chunks instead of trying to do 2 hours at one time.

[Mistook]

Assuming you stay up until midnight, you should be able to get in at least an hour or two, depending on your homework load, and your social life. And then there's always the weekends. You could write like a madman on Friday and Saturday nights.

I usually write between 9PM and 1AM - four nice hours!

[BlueTexas]

On a typical day I'm gone at/communting to/from work from 9am-7pm. I try to write for an hour in the morning with coffee, and can usually get in an hour at night. The trick is finding the time-eating activities that you can give up, and then doing just that. I get my reading in during my lunch hour.

[P.H.Delarran]

Well, whatever you work out, I'm quite impressed that you are this dedicated to your craft already! Your discipline will take you far in your writing, good luck! (although luck really has nothing to do with it, does it?)

[hpoppink]

From what you have said, you are dedicated to writing. My suggestion would therefore be to make the time. Don't accept excuses. Just do it.

It may help to view yourself as an advanced student with more homework than your classmates have.

Another viewpoint: think of your writing as your extracurricular activity. You commit to your writing the way someone else might commit to theater rehearsals or soccer practice. A specific number of hours a day to focus on the chosen activity, and the rest of the available time for school work and having a life.

Most of all, think positive. It can be done!

[loquax]

My prime time is 12'00 to 3'00 am. I think the only reason it's that time is because I'm used to it. I just don't want to write until that time. Changing patterns is hard, but whatever you change it to, you'll get used to it. Like jet lag.

[RMM]

My prime time is 12'00 to 3'00 am. I think the only reason it's that time is because I'm used to it. I just don't want to write until that time. Changing patterns is hard, but whatever you change it to, you'll get used to it. Like jet lag.

Yeah, me too. Exact same hours. Never thought about it as not wanting to write before then, but maybe it's true. Interesting thought.

[Garpy]

Akuma, let me just echo a post further up.....I'm very impressed with your sense of discipline. Most kids your age are quite happy to squander their free hours vegging out in front of the TV or the playstation.....in that respect you're already well ahead of the game.

My advice, for what it's worth, is not to beat yourself up trying to find time to write 2 hours a day....not yet anyway. If you find yourself with spare time, then go and write, but don't turn it into a battle you need to fight everyday, otherwise you might make it a chore. You're young, you've got loads of time ahead of you to nurture your skill, read other books, experience stuff.

Perhaps the best stage in life to start writing in ernest is just after you've graduated school/college....when you're holding down a job, possibly still living at home with your parents - that's a great time write. No homework, the evening is all yours etc etc.

[rowriter]

Don't forget about the weekends! If you could schedule maybe a half hour to an hour right after dinner, or right after school, or whatever time works for you, then put in two hours a day on weekends, you'd be writing a lot. (I truly understand the not wanting to get up early part) Anyway the key is, keep writing and try to write every day, no matter for how long.

Kudos as well on being dedicated!

You could always try to convince the school to give you "independent learning" time between 1 and 3. :Shrug: It could work...

[Tirjasdyn]

English classes.

That's how I did it. They began taking short stories in lieu of book reports from me. Not sure if it will work for you but good luck.

[alaskamatt17]

When I was in High School I wrote two books. I just raced through my homework in class so I could write after school and during lunch break (I'd call it lunch hour, but we only got thirty-five minutes). I was a lot more productive in the summer, though.

Weekends are a great time to write.

If you usually write on a computer, you may want to start using paper instead. My first book was written in a three-ring binder. This has the added benefit of forcing you to edit when you type it into the computer. I know I catch a lot more when I re-type than when I just read through for problems.

[Kallahan]

Don't let your schooling get in the way of your education. Personally I would allow most english homework to either fall into the reading time or the writing time. Its writting 2 hours a day thats important, not what you're writing about. Also you could weasle in other subjects whenever you have to do a paper. See if you can get a laptop and write in schools during lunch, between classes or any free time you have.

Another alternative is to try and do all your homework at school. I know most math classes devote a large block of time to homework in class, maximize these occurances.

Or do what I did, stay up late then drink arseloads of caffine in the morning. Thats what I did when I devoted 4 hours a day 5 days a week (sat was an 8 hour FIRST robotics day)to FIRST robotics.

[Mistook]

Just remember this: We all wish we'd started getting serious about writing at sixteen! I didn't get serious until 34 - wrestling against the realities of life that are just as annoying as they were when I was in high school - and I daydream about where I'd be if I started on this path at sixteen, and stayed on it.

Even if life around me was as complicated as it always has been, I'd have had so... soooo much more time to become a genius, millionaire writer by now.

But of course, in reality, I probably wouldn't have wanted to sacrifice every date, party, and night of idiotic adventure with my pals that happened in reality. And I know that I wouldn't have anything much to write about if I hadn't lived a little - so it's like that.

Live your life, but do your best to work the writing angle when you can, and you'll stay ahead of the game.