Making Time to Write and Edit

 

By Martin Wiles

Let’s face it. Not all of us have the luxury or opportunity to write full-time. I’m one. In fact, only a small percentage of writers enjoy such a life.

Five days each week, I teach writing, grammar, and editing skills to almost 120 rambunctious, less-than-focused, head-in-the-clouds middle schoolers—most of whom would rather be elsewhere. Over the past decade, I cannot calculate how often I’ve been asked, “Why do I need to learn this?”

On Sunday mornings, I travel thirty minutes to a small country church where I pastor bi-vocationally. Although I am only “part-time,” I still must do the typical pastor things: prepare sermons, contact the sick and shut-ins, visit the hospital, teach Sunday school, and keep things running smoothly.

Presently, I also serve as managing editor for two websites and host a personal one. Did I mention that I write regularly or monthly for quite a few places—this one included—and am a contracted writer for a few more annually?

And did I reference my wife, who also thinks she needs my attention and time? We may be married, but she still wants to date. Our kids are grown and gone, but we keep up with them and our seven rambunctious grandboys, several of whom always want our presence at a ballgame an hour away. This can make for long days and short weekends.

Far be it from me to brag about how much I can do in a day. In the past, that led to a bleeding ulcer. I do have a Type-A personality, which helps with organization, but that doesn’t mean my plate can’t get overloaded quickly. In fact, it’s more likely to.

Well, I am quite out of breath, but I have a feeling that many who read this have too much on their plates too. As with any diet, we must reduce our amounts and watch what we eat more carefully to ensure we eat healthy foods. And hopefully, we have too much on our plates because we have more food choices (writing opportunities) that we can accept.

So, how do I make time to write, edit, and do life? Well, my sleep numbers suffer. Since I’m not a night owl, I’m in bed by 9:30 but up at four. Not all of us can do the morning thing, but whatever works, do it. For our eyes to see what they need to see through our writing and editing—and for our brains to remember all we must recall (CMOS)—we need adequate sleep plus other periods of downtime. The early morning hours provide this for me.

I’ve also learned by trial and error to say “No.” I wish I could say yes to every writing and editing opportunity—especially those that pay well—but I can’t. None of us can. Trying to often entails missing sleep and rest, neglecting our families, avoiding serving opportunities, and skimping out on time with God and other believers.

Most importantly, we should always remember why we write and edit. God has gifted and called us to this profession—full or part-time. Writing for people or publications that pay nothing helps us maintain our perspective. I’m paid for about one-half of my writing assignments; the remainder are freebies. But I figure if I do this for the right reason, God will take care of the bread and bills. And it just might be the free ones that land in the hands of those who need to see them the most.  

As you carve out time to write and edit, remember not to skip sleep, overload your plate, or neglect God.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Jon Tyson.

Martin Wiles is an author, pastor, English teacher, and freelance editor who resides in Greenwood, South Carolina. He is the administrator/assistant editor for VineWords: Devotions and More and the Managing Editor for Christian Devotions. He is the founder/editor of the internationally recognized devotion site, Love Lines from God (www.lovelinesfromgod.com). His most recent book, Don’t Just Live … Really Live, is available on Amazon. He has also been published in numerous publications. He is the husband of one, the father of two, and the grandfather of seven.