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Ideally we'd all enjoy Virginia Woolf's proverbial room of one's own, with a door to close to ensure uninterrupted writing time. However, for many of us, this just isn't an option. But a lack of writing space should never keep you from writing. With a little determination and some creativity, you'll always find some way to work. If you can't have an office, settle for a corner. Set up a desk or table for your work in a corner of the quietest communal space in your home. It doesn't have to be fancy -- just a place you can sit and write. If you have roommates or family, find a time when everyone else is either asleep or away. That way you can be sure that no one will interrupt you, or provide you with excuses to quit writing. Erect a visual boundary around your writing space. People are less likely to interrupt you with questions or demands if they can't see you. A screen or even a curtain or sheet hung from the ceiling can provide some privacy and eliminate visual distractions. Play music on a headset or use ear plugs to block out sounds. Consider working in a cafe or restaurant. You may find that you work best outside of the house. (This may be especially true if you have children.) Go in during off-times, after the lunch rush and before dinnertime. Tip well and be courteous, so that you are always welcome. Rent a writing space. If you can afford to rent a small office or studio, this is an excellent option. For some writers, having an office outside the house helps them take their work more seriously. After all, it's like going to a job. This also ensures that distractions are left behind. Some cities also have writers' rooms that rent space to writers. Use the library. It's free; it's mostly quiet (avoid the internet areas, where people tend to talk more); they let you linger until closing; and you can write surrounded by great literature. What more could you want? Be creative about finding a writing space. A lack of space should never be an excuse not to write. Carry a notebook with you and write whenever you get a spare moment -- while waiting for an appointment, at a park on your lunch hour, even on public transportation. You'd be surprised how much you can get done writing a little at a time. You might even find that the constraints of your life inspire your work in surprising ways. #################################################################################################################################################################### For most of us, making time to write will always be something of a struggle. With friends and family, financial obligations, and emotional issues all vying for our attention, it takes determination to make a writing schedule and stick to it. I've come to the conclusion that there is no easy answer, but there are concrete things we can do to make time to write. 1. Pinpoint the issues that keep you from making time to write. If you've always wanted to write and aren't doing it, invest some thought in figuring out the source of your writer's block. Is it a fear of failure, a longstanding tendency to procrastinate, or something as simple as a lack of writing space? If it's not immediately obvious what the block is, spend some time in the self-help aisle, or talk it over with a friend, a therapist, or life coach. As you begin to understand the things that prevent you from writing -- whether internal or external -- you can make a plan to overcome them. 2. Schedule time to write. It's not glamorous or exciting to adhere to a schedule, but it really does help. If you work full-time, it may actually be easier to establish a regular time each day in which to write. Get up early and write before you leave the house, take a notepad with you to lunch, or stop off at a coffee shop on your way home. Students may have a full day of the week to devote to creative writing. Stay-at-home moms and dads often rely on nap time. The schedule may evolve as your life changes, but most people get more done if they have a regular writing time. Make that time golden, as you would any important appointment. You'll feel better about yourself and your life if you know you're making time to write. 3. Resist the impulse to overdo it. If you're the kind of person who tends to throw yourself into a new project only to burn out after a week or two, consider giving yourself stop times for writing. Don't let yourself become obsessed in the beginning. Write for your hour or two and then continue with your daily routine. And all of us benefit from scheduling time for fun, even if it's only sneaking out to a movie or calling up an old friend. Remember that you're in it for the long haul, and that your mind needs time to replenish itself. 4. Accept the fact that it's not always going to be easy. You may be more tired at the end of the day. Some social obligations might get pushed aside. Your family might have to pitch in. Decide what you're willing to sacrifice for a few hours a week dedicated to writing. Most of us have obligations we can't avoid, but if you're determined, you can manage both. At the same time, be content with whatever you can realistically give to your writing. Even an hour a day adds up over time. 5. Find resources to help you maintain your schedule. What you're trying to do isn't easy. Support yourself in as many ways as possible. Books on writing can help, as does having a dedicated writing space. And almost all writers benefit from some kind of community. If other people you know are sacrificing aspects of their careers or social lives for creative endeavors, it will be easier to do it yourself. As with any lifestyle choice, associating with a few people who share your priorities and your struggles will help sustain you over time.

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