Finding Your Writing Time
"But Lynn," you might be saying, "I have small kids, a job, soccer practice, school activities..."
Awesome. Lots of people do. So when do you have time by yourself?
Here are some creative solutions:
Do you have time while sitting in the carpool line? Record your book on your phone.
Can you wake up earlier than your kids? Even 30 minutes three days a week adds up.
Do you have time before the kids come home? Use it for writing.
Can you swap childcare with another parent who also wants to write? You watch the kids one day, they watch them another.
There are always creative ways to find the time.
The Truth About Time
One of my favorite sayings is this: We always put the most time into what we think is important.
If you think social media is important and watching TV is important, that’s fine, but you’re not going to get your book written if you’re watching TV for three or four hours every night.
I remember my mom used to work eight hours a day, then come home and literally sit on the couch for six hours watching TV every night. She’d get up for maybe an hour to make dinner, then go back to the TV. And she complained about things all the time.
But you can’t complain about not having time if you’re sitting and watching TV for hours on end.
If writing a book is really important to you, what are you spending time on that’s not as important as writing your book?
What’s Worth Keeping
Now, I’m not saying give up everything. If you’re playing with your kids for two hours every day, don’t sacrifice that to write your book. That’s important. I have four adult children, and trust me: that time goes by fast. Spend time with your kids. Family is important.
Some activities are inherently essential and should remain priorities. But then there are hobbies such as video games. Yeah, they’re fun, but if you’re playing for two hours every night, could you play for 30 minutes and use the other hour and a half to write?
Know Your Creative Windows
Most people are more creative in the morning. That’s me. I’m definitely more creative early in the morning, and I get a second burst around 4 or 5 p.m. But I have a lull around 3 p.m., so I know that’s not a good time for creative work.
Figure out when you’re most creative and protect that time for writing.
Can you write after your kids go to bed? If they go to bed at 7 or 8 p.m., maybe you can write for an hour after that. You have to find what works for you.
PS. Want to block off time for yourself to get started or to move forward on writing your book?
Join me on February 20th, 2026, for my next Virtual Writing Retreat, where we’ll turn your book idea into real progress with focused writing blocks and community support.
Use code AUTHOR for $100 off your ticket and finally stop talking about your book and start writing it!