Does it ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day for everything that you want to accomplish?
You’d love to blog more, but you just don’t have the time?
Or you’d love to write a novel, but right now you’re just too busy with other things?
“I’m too busy” is one of the most common excuses used for not pursuing one’s dreams, but as Henry David Thoreau once wryly observed, “It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?”
In today’s post, I’m looking at five different ways we can carve out time for writing even when it seems there are no more hours left in our schedules.
1. Eliminate Time Sucks
When we complain that we don’t have enough time to write, it may actually be that we are wasting our time on other activities instead.
In Stephen King’s memoir On Writing (affiliate link), he offers the following advice:
If you’re just starting out as a writer, you could do worse than strip your television’s electric plug-wire, wrap a spike around it, and then stick it back into the wall. See what blows, and how far. Just an idea.
Movies and television shows are undoubtedly one of the biggest time sucks. This isn’t to say that writers can never watch TV (I actually find a lot of inspiration from movies and TV series).
However, if you’re finding it difficult to find time to write, then giving up the TV might be exactly what you need to do.
Maybe you don’t watch TV. In that case, look for other time sucks you might not even be aware of.
Whatever these time sucks are (spending too much time on social media, surfing the Internet for hours, not organizing time efficiently to run errands), they are being prioritized over writing time. Think of how you can reorganize your schedule.
Which of these time sucks can you eliminate completely?
Which ones can you scale back on (maybe you need to set a timer while checking social media)?
Which ones, like errands or chores, can you figure out how to complete in less time?
2. Transform Dead Time Into Planning Time
In order to complete all of our writing projects, we writers need to figure out clever ways to transform every minute of our time into writing time.
But writing time doesn’t always involve actually hammering away at the keys of our computer.
In Creating Short Fiction (affiliate link), Damon Knight observes,
When a writer is sitting down, looking at a wall with a blank expression on his face, it is easy for a companion to assume that he isn’t doing anything…Getting ready to write is a complex mental process and a very delicate one; what it feels like to me is that I have laboriously climbed a ladder, carrying my brushes and a can of paint.
Having time to think about our writing projects is absolutely essential before we can dive into the actual writing.
Unfortunately, if we only have a precious hour or two to devote to writing each day, we may not want to waste it in brainstorming sessions. If we already had a clear idea in our head of what we wanted to write about, those writing sessions would end up being much more productive.
So instead of staring at the wall during your writing sessions, find those minutes for brainstorming in the dead time scattered throughout your day: when the car is stuck in traffic, when waiting in line at the bank or post office or grocery store, when folding laundry or vacuuming or doing yard work.
It’s remarkable when an idea for a story can come to you, how a new plot twist or a new topic for a blog post can just pop into your head.
3. Write When Others Are Sleeping
If you are like most writers, you probably find it very difficult to write when surrounded by distractions and constant interruptions.
You sit down to start working on a sure-to-go-viral blogpost, and the phone rings. Then someone wants to ask you a question. Someone else clatters plates in the kitchen. The neighbor starts mowing his lawn.
These interruptions can completely derail your train of thought.
Your best time to write will probably be when no one else is up and about. That usually means staying up later at night or waking up earlier in the morning. Of course, it’s important to still make sure you’re getting enough sleep at night so you’re well-rested for your writing sessions.
(This also holds true if you work a full time job outside of the house and are only at home in the mornings and evenings).
In an interview with The Paris Review, Toni Morrison observed,
Writing before dawn began as a necessity–I had small children when I first began to write and I needed to use the time before they said, Mama–and that was always around five in the morning.
Ernest Hemingway also loved devoting the early morning hours to writing. In his memoir A Moveable Feast (affiliate link), he wrote,
When I am working on a book or story I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cool or cold and you come to your work and warm as you write.
Unfortunately, depending on your own personal schedule, early morning hours may not work for you. In that case, you might have to write in the evening instead or find a time in the afternoon when everyone else is away with their own activities.
In an interview with NPR, Geraldine Brooks shared this strategy:
I write while my son is at school. At about 7:45 A.M., I walk him there, with the dogs, then walk them for another forty minutes or so, go home and chain myself to the desk a little before 9 A.M., and try not to be distracted until I hear my son plunge through the front door at about 3 P.M.
4. Designate A Workspace & A Writing Time
If you can’t manage to find a time to write when others are out of the house, the next best thing is to set up a place in your home and designate it as your writing workspace.
Let others know when you plan to be writing. Hopefully, when they see you are stationed there, they will know that you are at work and not to disturb you.
No matter how much time you have to write, you want to make sure you are making the most of that time. Check out my article here to learn an effective technique that will make your writing sessions more productive.
In a letter to a friend, Flannery O’Connor, who suffered from Lupus, noted,
I write only about two hours every day because that’s all the energy I have, but I don’t let anything interfere with those two hours, at the same time and the same place.
If you have small children, this can still be difficult. It might be a good idea to incorporate your writing time into their schedules (during nap time, for example). If they are old enough, they could read a book while you write or quietly draw a picture or they might even like to join you for writing time.
5. Carry A Notebook Or Portable Computer With You Everywhere
When all else fails, you might just have to carry your writing workspace with you.
Bring a notebook or a small laptop with you wherever you go. Suddenly, time will magically appear. You’ll find yourself with an hour to spare in the dentist’s waiting room or at the sidelines of your child’s soccer practice or even during your lunch break.
In an interview with The Guardian, Will Self says,
Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea forever.
If you can write much faster on a keyboard, you could invest in a laptop or a tablet computer small enough to fit into a backpack or a purse. When I travel by train into the city, I bring my iPad in a lightweight case, similar to this one (affiliate link), that comes equipped with a Bluetooth keyboard. It is comfortable to write on and quite portable.
The words of Garrison Keillor are very motivating:
I can write anywhere. I write in airports. I write on airplanes. I’ve written in the back seats of taxis. I write in hotel rooms. I love hotel rooms. I just write wherever I am whenever I need to write. I treasure the time right after I wake up.
The Takeaway
In an ideal situation, we would have endless hours to devote to writing and a lovely little writing studio where we could shut ourselves away from the distractions of the world. But in many cases that just isn’t realistic.
However, if we are serious about pursuing our passion for writing, then it is possible to come up with creative solutions and find more hours in the day.
As E. B. White once said, “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.”
What methods do you use to make time for writing even when you have a busy schedule? If you found this post helpful, be sure to leave a comment and share with someone you would like to inspire.
Marissa | Marissa's Teachable Moments says
Designate a writing time and space…awesome tips! I need to bookmark this page.
Priya says
Hello Nicole
Thanks for such wonderful post. It really encourages and teaches new writers like me who are trying to learn to write whilst being a mum for a 3year old always active child.
I completely agree on Social Media decreasing our productivity if not used efficiently. I really need to incorporate the waking up early routine just get my Writing started.
Looking forward to read more of your encouraging posts.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Priya! Thank you so much for your comment. It really means a lot to me to hear that the article encouraged you. I hope that these tips are able to help you! All the best with your writing.
Trevor says
Time sucks are everywhere.
If the timer doesn’t work and you find yourself ignoring it, either put it further away so it’s a conscious effort to walk to it (I once saw an alarm clock for sale that fired up 4 jigsaw pieces into the air and wouldn’t stop until they’d all been put back in place) or do what I do when I need to get back on track:
Use a spreadsheet or a piece or paper and every 15 or 30 minutes write down what you’ve (honestly) been doing for most of that time. Then mark it green, amber or red depending on whether it was helpful, so-so or not something useful.
The time sinks stick out and the mere fact that someone (you) is keeping track of you helps as well.
Thanks for the great tips!
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Trevor! Thank you so much for your comment. That alarm clock sounds very cool though it might drive one crazy in the morning. 😉
I love your color-coded spreadsheet method! It sounds fantastic. Thanks for sharing. I might just have to give this a try today. Even when I set a timer during my writing time, I can still find myself procrastinating and doing other things. This will definitely make me more aware of how I am spending my time.
Thanks again!
Alisha says
I will have to implement the social media timer, especially seeing that I tend to get sucked into the social media world so easily.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Alisha! Thanks for your comment. 🙂 That’s one of my biggest struggles too – I can spend hours on social media if I’m not careful (Instagram especially). Hope the timer works for you!
günstige ratenkredite says
Bravo!!! “For I have learned, in whatever state I am in, to be content.”How true your words are… as we begin looking around, we stop seeing the richness that is already ours. I love the image of the tub since I, too, have been there!Bravo!!! Encore!
Namrata says
Great tips !! I spend a lot of time travelling in crowded metros with nothing to do. I will from now on use that time to think up ideas and recipes (food is among the things I write about). Thanks 🙂
And congrats btw for winning Jeff’s Blogger challenge 🙂 All the best !!
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Namrata! Excellent. I am glad to hear this helped you. I have a food blog too — it’s so fun to write about food. Thank you for your congratulations! 🙂 I am very excited to find out more ways to develop this blog & give back to all of you wonderful readers.
Manaal says
Writing with 5 kids from the age range of 7 months to 11 yrs is really hard. In my case it extra difficult coz I got back to writing after 13 yrs. But I’m not going to give up. I feel alive. I have a purpose other than being a mother which is very rewarding but this is personal growth. after all the work I’m putting into writing I’m noticing that I’m getting better at it.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Manaal! Thanks for your comment! 🙂 It sounds like you have a passion for writing — I wish you all the best with your writing endeavors! I can imagine how difficult it must be with your schedule, but that’s wonderful you are able to make time and that you are seeing improvement. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Roy says
All great tips. As for preparing to write, I get done in the evening. At bedtime I review my day’s work, remind myself where I left off, and choose an angle by which to begin my next day’s effort. You’ll be surprised how well the subconscious prepares you. I wake each knowing what to do.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Roy! Thanks for your comment! That sounds like a fantastic strategy. Each night I plan out my to-do list for the next day. I find it really helps me to be productive in the morning. I like how you also review what you’ve written that day. I think I will start doing that too. 🙂
Rhonda Marie Stalb says
Wow, I really loved this post and it is so helpful! I loved the quote from E.B.White about waiting for ideal conditions. I need to just sit down and do it because that is what I am passionate about. The methods I use is to have an electronic note book like Evernote to capture ideas as they come to me. Now that I have joined the Intentional Blogging Course, I find those tools helpful to organize my ideas and schedule writing time. I work a full time job as a counselor and I need to be really intentional. I am learning so much and I am feel the pain of growth, but that is okay! No pain no gain right? Thank you so very much for this post Nicole. I have joined your newsletter and look forward to hearing more from you and would love to chat with you someday! Virtual coffee perhaps? What are you struggling with right now? I will keep you in prayer.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Rhonda! Thank you so much for your comment! 🙂 I am so happy to hear the post was helpful. I love Evernote – I use it for writing up my to-do lists and jotting down ideas for blog posts and fiction writing. It really is my second brain. 😉 Very excited to have you on the mailing list – I hope you enjoy the new eBook! Right now I am struggling to find time for my fiction writing while participating in the blogging challenge, but I am learning so much so it is all worth it. Hope the challenge is going well for you! Thank you again for your kind words & I’m so glad we’ve connected.
Cynthia P. says
Your post is fantastic, Nicole. So many good ideas, some of which seem obvious but when someone points them out like you have- it’s kind of a lightbulb moment! The time sucks for me are definitely IG and shopping. I need to better regulate my time on IG. As its a newish thing to me, I have been ad hoc with it. Your idea of having set times for social media is great, also timing yourself. For example, this afternoon I have set the timer on for 30 minutes, and it’s on as I write this. Great idea! As for shopping I’m going to try and consolidate it. It’s driving me nuts shopping for food every day, not a good use of my time! I really enjoy reading your blog, it’s great!???? Cynthia
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Cyntha! I was so excited to see your comment. 🙂 I always love reading your thoughts. IG is a huge time suck for me too, but I hate to cut back on it because I have formed so many meaningful connections through it. I too have to figure out how to better manage my time on it, especially because staring at a screen for so long is probably bad for my eyes, lol. 😉 I hope the timer strategy works for you — I have found it very helpful. And I absolutely sympathize with you about the food shopping.
Thanks again for your comment! It really means a lot to me that you take the time to read my posts, and I am so glad to hear you are enjoying the blog!
Dolores says
I’m always looking for more time for my writing. I have a manuscript for a novel that has taken me forever. I think I’m going forward though. When I can’t write I get in such a bad mood. Having homeschooled children has been difficult in relation to my writing. I’ve made adjustments, like you said, for example no TV, but social media definitely takes time because there’s real people behind the computer or the iPhones and I really love to connect. I’ve been waking up earlier than before, not an easy task, but the only way I will pull this through. Another great post. Thanks for sharing.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Dolores! Thank you so much for your comment! 🙂 That’s wonderful that you are working on a novel. I am too, but it’s still in the plotting stages. I’m getting a bit impatient to get to the actual writing, but I know I should wait until I have everything planned out, otherwise I’ll end up running into writer’s block halfway.
I was actually homeschooled as a child so I know how demanding that can be on a mom’s schedule. 🙂 That’s great that you can still find time for writing. Absolutely agree with you that social media takes time. I really want to leave meaningful comments on everyone’s posts.
And, yes, I too have found that I’ve only been able to make significant progress on my novel by waking up early in the morning and working on it first thing.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts! 🙂 All the best with the writing of your novel!
Prisqua says
I get up between 4.30-5am and I have a few tasks including writing as a priority to do before 8am. It is very unlikely that I will get disturbed before 8am so early mornings are the best for me. And I do allow 30 minutes for checking social networks. If I suspect I will be waiting for any reasons at all, I will take my iPad. But since I save everything in a cloud and most programs I use sync to all my devices, I can always use my iPhone. The most important thing is I do not make excuses for being slack. I just do it and it has worked for months even when I had to deal with some last minute emergencies early morning as it does happen.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Prisqua! Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment! 🙂 Your early morning routine sounds amazing. I would love to wake up that early. I was a night owl for the longest time, but I am now trying to convert myself into a morning person. I really have found that mornings are much better for writing than late evenings. And I love how you don’t make excuses for being slack. It’s so true that if we want to establish a consistent writing habit, we just have to do it. Thanks again for sharing your methods!
Lynne says
I was always one to carry a notebook and now I’m always pulling out my phone to jot down my ideas when I’m away from my computer. It’s true that ideal conditions never come, but can’t we at least dream of that lovely little writing studio? 🙂
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Lynne! Thanks for your comment! Yes, since we carry phones with us constantly, there really is no excuse for not jotting down ideas while on the go. 🙂 I hope one day we will be to have a lovely little writing studio!
John says
Excellent post, Nicole. I love Damon Knight. His science fiction short stories are amazing. I share his point on brainstorming. I spend probably more time on this than actually writing. If I spent more time doing this when commuting and doing other things, I probably could actually write more. Thanks for the tips! Keep them coming.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you for your comment! 🙂 I would like to read more Damon Knight. His book that I quoted in the article is excellent. Hope you will find more time for brainstorming outside of your writing time! All the best with your writing projects!
Jodi Heisz says
Great article! I need to find those dead moments for ideas and quick notes. I, too, write while my son is sleeping in the morning and night. When he is at his dad’s, I can really pound out the writing. However, I do have to make more sacrifices like decrease internet surfing. It’s easy to lose track of time with Google!
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Jodi! Thanks for your comment. 🙂 Yes, it’s really easy to overlook dead time; it’s so important to be prepared for it. Google is a huge time suck for me too. It even happens when I’m researching an article. I’ll see a link to another interesting topic, and before I know it, I’m reading about something that has nothing to do with the article I’m writing. Hopefully, though, whatever I’m reading will give me ideas for new articles to write. 😉
Beverley Lee says
Social media is my biggest time hole but as I’m about to launch a book I feel that I need to do it (or that’s what I tell myself!) I’m trying to edit the sequel too so I can send it out to beta readers at the end of the month. I think having a deadline helps remind us, with a not so gentle nudge, that we need to chain ourselves to our desks!
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks so much for your comment, Beverley! 🙂 Great point about having a deadline. Yes, I find too that when there is a deadline set in stone, it forces me to buckle down and really focus on my writing. I think I’m going to start setting deadlines with specific dates for all of my writing projects. All the best with your book launch! So excited for you!
Ellen Read says
Hello Nicole. Great post. I definitely believe in what E. B. White said, “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” We’re all time-poor but I do all my thinking before I sit down at the computer. A writer can’t afford to waste that time staring at a blank screen. Once I sit down, I’m reading to write!
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Ellen! It seems your comment was marked as spam so I didn’t see it until now when checking the website. So sorry! Hope you see my response now.
Yes, it’s so true that we’re all time poor. That’s fantastic that you’re ready to write as soon as you sit down at the computer. It’s something that I still struggle with at times. Definitely my brain telling me that I haven’t spent enough time brainstorming.
Nadia King says
Love the timer for social media! A great idea but I suspect I would just ignore the bell ringing!
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Nadia! 🙂 I completely sympathize with you. I actually reserve some evenings just to catch up with social media. I know that once I start posting and commenting, it is difficult to stop. But writing captions for Instagram and leaving comments counts as writing, right? 😉
Nadia King says
Definitely but it’s a shame it doesn’t help advance my writing projects!