Time waits for no man . . . or woman . . . or writer.

I am starting full time work again in two weeks.

While I’m excited about rolling up my sleeves and throwing myself back into the newspaper world, a part of me is worried about my creative writing time.

When will I work on my novel, short stories and the poems I write for myself?

This writing keeps me sane-ish.

I thrive on a deadline and like to set myself a target of 1,000 words a day.

A lot of that is edited out in further readings but the word target keeps me on task.

Right now, I’m working on a back-to-full-time-work plan.

I reckon 500 words a day, done in the morning before I head off to work or alternatively late at night.

As long as it’s do-able.

For six months I had the indulgence of wallowing in my words, going to uni, talking about writing, writing in cafes and in my home office whenever I felt the urge. This will be reduced to weekends and time squeezed in a week day.

Funnily enough, less time isn’t always less time.

I write more when I have less time.

I refuse to give up on the dream of publishing my own book.

And I know that writing my book takes effort, belief and . . . time.

Any tips gratefully received.

Pic taken at 2009 Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi Beach, by Susanna Freymark. Would like to know the name of the artist. Anyone?