How do authors find time to write? That’s a very common question that many new or aspiring writers have. After all, we’re all swamped with work and family life and all the things that we need to live, like shopping, hanging out with friends and family and cooking food. There are a lot of things that we must do for our own survival and comfort, and things we do for relaxation, including watch TV, browse the Internet, scroll through our phones on social media and watch random videos from creators.
Figure Out What You Can Give Up in Order to Make Time
The first step is understanding your schedule. What do you do every day? What time do you work? Do you have extracurricular activities that you must attend? Do your kids have after school activities? When do you clean your house? When do you cook meals? How much time do you spend on your phone? How much time do you spend watching videos, TV and browsing the Internet?
If you want to find time to write, you need to take a good long look at your schedule. If you spend a lot of time browsing your phone and looking at the Internet and watching videos, that’s all time you could be writing. If your schedule is completely jam-packed, and the only time you’re online is right before bed, then you would be someone who needs to wait until your life slows down. If you can’t find a free 30 minutes or one hour every day or other day or on the weekends, you’ve got too much going on to write a book. You’ll have to wait until your career slows down or your kids get a little older or for whatever reason that’s sucking up your time is out of the picture. You can be too busy to write.
I’ve had several times in my life where I was just too busy to work on fiction. It happens. High school wasn’t one of those times. I had lots of time to write from the age of about 11 until 18. College was an entirely different story. It was a completely different routine. I had to study for classes. I had to go out to the airport. I worked out at the gym, and I was active in a couple of clubs. I did not have time to write while I was in college, other than for the papers that I needed to turn in.
After that, I could find time to write if I wanted to, but I had about 10 years where my writing was very sporadic. I put out a put in 2005 and then, not again until 2018. From 2005 to 2018, I worked on AVIA II. Don’t be me. That was way too long to work on one book, and that book will never earn its keep. If you think that each year is worth $40,000, that book owes me $520,000. Don’t spend 10 years on a single book. Just. Don’t. Do. It. The math does not work out.
How that we’ve covered all of that, and you’ve gone through your schedule and found those coveted hours, let’s take a look at how you can make time.
1. Establish a Routine
One of the most effective ways to find time to write is to establish a routine. This means setting aside specific times each day or week dedicated solely to writing. For some, this could be early in the morning before the rest of the household wakes up, while for others, it might be late at night. The key is consistency. By making writing a regular part of your schedule, it becomes a habit rather than a task you have to fit in.
2. Prioritize Writing
New authors need to prioritize their writing if they want to make progress. This might mean cutting back on other activities, such as watching TV or scrolling through social media. Evaluate how you spend your time and identify areas where you can reduce or eliminate non-essential activities. Prioritizing writing doesn't mean neglecting other responsibilities but rather making intentional choices about how you spend your time.
3. Use Small Time Slots
Writing doesn’t always require large blocks of time. Many successful authors have written their books in small increments. If you have a busy schedule, look for pockets of time throughout your day where you can write. This could be during a lunch break, while waiting for an appointment, or during your commute (if you're not driving).
4. Create a Writing Space
Having a dedicated writing space can help new authors find the time and focus to write. This space doesn’t have to be elaborate; it could be a corner of a room with a desk and a chair. The important thing is that it’s a place where you can write without distractions. When you have a designated writing space, it’s easier to switch into writing mode and make the most of the time you have.
5. Set Goals and Deadlines
Setting specific writing goals and deadlines can provide motivation and structure. Whether it’s a daily word count goal or a deadline for completing a chapter, having something to aim for can help you stay focused and make steady progress. Breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks can make the writing process feel less overwhelming and more achievable.
6. Utilize Writing Tools and Apps
There are many tools and apps available that can help new authors manage their time and stay organized. Tools like Scrivener (if you have money you want to spend), Bliblisco, Novelize or even simple digital notepads can help you keep track of your ideas, outline your work, and write more efficiently.
Finding the time to write as a new author requires dedication, organization and sometimes, sacrifice. By establishing a routine, prioritizing writing, and making use of available tools and communities, new authors can carve out the time they need to develop their craft and bring their stories to life. Remember, the journey of writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint, and every small step forward is a step in the right direction.