I thought you may be interested to know about my second biggest publishing obstacle?

Time.

Time may be a challenge for you too, because it is for us all.

There is most definitely a secret to creating the time to write a book, but first, let me share with you the number one piece of incorrect advice that authors tend to tell themselves:

“I can’t write a book unless I have two or three hours a day, five days a week to devote to it.”

Right. That’s a sure-fire road to book writing failure. Would you force yourself to run a two hour marathon when you haven’t even jogged 1/2 a mile yet?

Setting writing expectations that are too high is the same kind of recipe for disaster.
Not many with busy work, family and social life schedules have the time, energy, motivation or persistence to make that kind of commitment to write a book — or starting any new writing project.

Here is the first secret I have found about writing a book. If you wait until you have “time” to write that book, chances are, you won’t. The same goes for “enough time.” You will never have “time” to write a book.

Number One Secret to Managing Time for Writers:

Do less. Expect less of yourself. Take yourself off the “I’m not writing, self-flagellating, guilt” hook.

Eliminate saying you need at least two hours or you won’t be able to go “deep enough” to write something profound and meaningful.
Instead, stay in the “I don’t know.” Take the chance to give up that expectation and trust that you might surprise yourself and dive into those writing depths immediately.

Reduce that “2 hours a day, 5 days a week” to a commitment of “15 minutes a day, 3 times a week.”

As you feel ready after a week or two, add to the amount of time you spend writing in a week. I’m up to a commitment of one hour a day, 4 to 5 days a week.

In my case, I’ve astounded myself again and again with what I can actually write in 15 minutes — if that’s the time I have set to write. In fact, lots of my most profound, heart wide open, soulful content has spontaneously flowed through me in 15 to 30 minutes. It can for you, too.

With Love,

Abigail x