When the call went out for guest posts during my vacation, Anne Wayman was one of the first people with her hand up. I was excited to see what she’d provide because I’ve been one of her not-so-secret admirers for a while. Per usual, Anne has delivered a thought-provoking post.
How Much Time Do You Really Spend Writing?
By Anne Wayman
I was listening to a new writer complain the other day.
“I spent days on that article, only to have it rejected.”
“How many days?” I asked, curious.
“Oh, I don’t know exactly,” she said. “A couple of weeks.”
“Sure,” I thought, knowing she’d not spent nearly enough time on it. It was the sort of article that a professional could have written in an hour or so. A newbie might take twice that, or even three times that amount of time, but not nearly a week, let alone two. Not if she were telling herself the truth.
In theory a workday has eight hours in it. That means a workweek has 40. Working “most of the week” would mean, what 25-35 hours and, of course, two weeks would double that. The article didn’t show anywhere near that proficiency. But the writer sounded sincere.
In fact I’m convinced she really believes she spent that much time on it; I’m also convinced that the actual time she spent putting words on paper and rewriting and editing those words was far less. It’s so easy to fool ourselves! Here’s what I mean:
I just spent maybe 10 seconds looking out my window as I decided what I wanted to say next in this article. But that’s all. Then I was right back putting the words down.
On the other hand, a few minutes ago a friend called. We chatted for maybe 10 minutes. I was not writing during that time, even though I was still seated at the computer with this file on the screen. In a few minutes from I have a scheduled phone call that will last about 30 minutes. I won’t be writing then either, but unless I’m careful, it will be easy to add that time to my mental tally sheet because that 30 minutes is part of my work – but it’s not writing.
I know from my days working inside at both magazines and newspapers that most people spend far less time actually writing than they believe they do. You see it there in sharp relief as people yak on the phone or stand talking with cups of coffee. Sure, some of that can be necessary, but it isn’t writing.
When I began to freelance my attention would wander at an instant. Gradually I’ve learned to really focus and write when I’m writing. That doesn’t mean I don’t glance up, or take a sip of tea. I’m not a fanatic after all. But I am careful not to count as writing the myriad of other things that life brings, like email or watching birds, or… well you name it.
I’ve also worked off and on to track my time. I’ve used paper and pen to simply write down how much time I’ve actually spent writing and how much I haven’t. It helped. There is also time-tracking software. One of the better ones I’m told is FreshBooks – that software also generates invoices. They have a free trial, so take a look.
But don’t lie to yourself about how much time you actually spend writing. You’re only fooling yourself and setting up to give yourself an excuse or several. That’s not the way to freelance writing success.
How much time do you actually spend writing in an average work day? Do you know?
Anne Wayman is a freelance writer, ghostwriter and writing coach who blogs about writing at: http://aboutfreelancewriting.com/
9 responses to “Guest Post: How Much Time Do You Really Spend Writing?”
Great post, Anne. I would venture to say the same is true of most jobs. I think the constant interruptions when I was in Corporate America drove me the most crazy as it lengthened my day to meet deadlines. Now, as a freelancer, I mostly have no one to blame, except myself-rats! 🙂
What I try to do is recognize my "prime writing time" and let nothing interfere with that-no email, social media, etc. As you know, much easier said than done.But, you're right, it's very easy to lie to myself about how much time I actually spent writing.
Think I'll try tracking, like you did, just to get me focused again. Thanks, Anne.
I'm really bad about this. Not so much counting nonwriting time as writing, but just getting distracted too easily. When I focus, I can get it done pretty quickly. Thanks for the reminder!
Now, do you have any advice for those of us who are perfectionists and spend too much time rereading and revising?
Hi Anne.
Interesting post.
I can spend both a lot and a little time writing.
Even if I'm on a deadline, if I'm unmotivated, it can take me four to six hours to write something I know I can do in two.
On the other hand, if I'm in a groove, I can write a 1,500-word article in two hours. Of course, I'll take some time to finesse and fine-tune, but the guts of an article I can do quickly. (That brings up another question: Is that fine-tuning "writing"? I lean toward no.)
In other words, I can spend a lot of time writing when I'm not focused. But when I'm focused, the amount of time I spend writing drops dramatically.
I may be a full-time writer, but the truth is only a fraction of my week is spent writing actual articles, columns, or blog posts.
Not everything I do for work is writing, but it is all part of the writing process, from marketing and research to filing copy and invoicing. Something I think a lot of newbie writers fail to take into consideration is that writing well is more than putting words on paper.
When checking in on one another's workload, a writer friend and I always make distinctions like, "Today's a writing day," or "This week is mostly interviews and transcribing." Interview and writing days tend to be more focused, but if/when our transcribing days we can try to coordinate a double doggie walk, weather permitting. I don't know about you, but transcribing days are the worst, so scheduling in a break never hurts!
Cathy, let us know how time tracking works for you… I find sometimes it does, and sometimes not so much.
Ashley, yes, learn that there's no such thing as perfection, or that if there is, nether you nor I would recognize it even if it knocked on the door!
Gabriella… editing sure is part of the whole process. I think you get to decide, as long as you're being honest with yourself.
Paula, sounds like you and your buddy have made some good distinctions that keep you working.
Very challenging and thought provoking post! Thank you!
Every time I go riding with my husband on his motorcycle I find myself writing in my head as we sail along. I sometimes can't wait to get back to my laptop to capture what has been circling and growing in my head.
Would that editing and composing in my head be counted as writing time?
Love your blog.
Great post, Anne. I'm 100% with you on not misleading ourselves with how much time we spend writing. I'm content to know that whatever time I've spent is enough to pay the bills — and I'll be honest, the days that I make $400 for 400 words are my favorite! I could never crank out thousands of words a day, I'm just not built for that kind of volume.
So very true, Anne. I think of this problem often as I engage in all the non-writing related activities that are associated with the job, and I'm not quite sure how to balance it out, other than limit my time on the internet and phone. But I think a good starting point is being aware, so thanks for the post.
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