I noticed this brought up on Face book recently. When you work full time, it can be really hard to fit your writing in, or to create a slot where you can steadily write whilst not feeling sleepy.

I can have weeks where I work full time, and weeks where I'm pretty quiet which means some weeks I can do a lot with my writing, and other weeks it's pushed into the background.

When do you write, if you have a full time job? How do you create time for your writing?

Problem is, if you've had a completely full day, you're pretty tired in the evening so it's sometimes hard to concentrate on writing. So you'd imagine it would be best to write in the morning before work, but it would depend on what time you were starting I guess etc.

Just interested to see how people manage this, whilst working a full time job. What tips would you give other writers?

That's actually why I haven't written anything in years. At my previous job, I was technically part-time but I'd still get 30-some hours a week (now it's backwards... I applied for full-time but am not allowed over 28 hours a week), and I didn't have the time to devote to perfecting a story. Before I started working I could think all day on what needed to happen next in a story, or how to work out a problem, even while doing other things. Having a job means I have to concentrate on other things when I'm not at home.

Y'all that keep writing while working, that's tremendous! Much applause.

I think it really depends on the job. When I was working at the greenhouses (albeit, not full-time) I was doing tasks that required attention, but not a lot of thought, so my head was turned to plot and world-building. Then when I would get home and kick back, it usually meant going to the computer and writing down whatever I thought of throughout the day. Writing is fun and mentally engaging, so if you can survive a job that lets your mind wander, it works out pretty well.

I work full time--8 a.m. to 5 p.m.--from Monday to Friday. It is hard to juggle work and writing especially when there is so much to do. There are some days when I am able to scribble a bit in the evening, or while on a bus on the way to work. But I must say that there are more days when I don't get to write much because I feel so tired after coming home from work and then ministry.

I've learned to scribble a lot. Even those little bits eventually make up a whole. And I think it's really important to set up a schedule and really stick to it (something I'm working on because I haven't quite mastered it yet).

If anyone would have any tips to share, I'd love to hear them. *plops down in the middle of thread to listen and learn* I want to write again! Help, please!

I have to agree ...i find it difficult to write with a full time job. I mean i get home late in the evening, then by the time you shower, eat, relax you're too tired to try and write.

What helps me

Scribble and jot down ideas, and notes when they come
Using the EVERNOTE APP, this app is wonderful for me i can jot down ideas as they come and whenever they come. In some cases i can write long paragraphs i can then transfer to my story.
I also use travel time in the morning and when coming home..i try to get down as many ideas as i can
I would say when using the ideas you have scribbled down it sometimes can be a warm up to you writing even if its for an hour..or half hour

Yes, the good thing for me is I work on my own with dogs, so there's a lot of silence. So that means that I have a lot of time to ponder and think on my plots and characters etc. I don't always get as far as I'd want to with writing it all down, but it helps to keep thinking on it and planning new ideas and so on.

I've never heard of that app, I don't think, Rinothean. Thanks, I'll have to look it up.

I use the Evernote App too! (You should really check it out, Elanor dear!) It helps me write most when I don't have a pen and paper around. You can install it across different devices (laptop, computer, mobile phone, iPad, etc.) and then sync it (as long as there's wifi) so that what you saved in one can be saved in all and you can continue writing it no matter which device you use.

It sounds awesome. I've downloaded it onto my laptop, and will download it on my phone as well.