One of the biggest lies writers tell themselves is, “I don’t have time to write.”
While yes, sometimes life is so tough or so busy we need to take a short break from our writing to live life fully or to fill our creative well, we can usually find time to write within our lives.
Time to write exists—we just have to claim it. Finding your best writing time isn’t about magically adding more hours to the day; it’s about strategically using the time you already have. The most effective way to do this? Time-blocking. By deliberately setting aside time to write, you can make consistent progress, whether you’re juggling a full-time job, parenting, or other commitments.
Why Time-Blocking is the Most Effective Strategy for Busy Writers
Time-blocking is a powerful technique that helps you prioritize writing by scheduling it as a non-negotiable part of your day. Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, you create dedicated writing sessions that align with your energy levels and daily responsibilities. This method works because it turns writing from a vague goal into a structured habit. But before you set your writing schedule, you need to understand your natural creative rhythms. (Also, please check out my podcast to hear about how to change up your writing blocks throughout the week to fit within a wild schedule or around health issues.)
Step 1: Identify Your Natural Writing Rhythms
Not all writing hours are created equal. Some people are sharpest in the morning, while others hit their creative stride in the afternoon or late at night. Understanding when you’re naturally most focused and imaginative can make a huge difference in your productivity.
- Are you a morning, afternoon, or night writer? Pay attention to when your brain feels clearest and most engaged.
- Track your energy levels for a week. Keep a journal or use a simple phone app to note when you feel most alert and when you tend to experience mental fatigue.
- Consider past writing successes. When have you written your best work? What time of day were you writing?
Once you pinpoint your peak creative hours, you can start building a schedule that works for you.
Step 2: Choose Your Writing Blocks
After identifying your best writing times, it’s important to decide how to structure your sessions. Writers generally thrive in one of two formats:
Short & Consistent Writing Blocks (15-30 minutes daily)
- Perfect for those with busy schedules who struggle to find large chunks of time.
- Helps maintain momentum and keeps your story or project fresh in your mind.
- Ideal for habit-building and lowering the pressure to write a large amount at once.
Deep Focus Writing Sessions (1-3 hours)
- Great for writers who need immersion to make real progress.
- Requires setting aside longer periods, often on weekends or specific weekdays.
- Works well for projects that require intense concentration, such as novel revisions.
Matching Your Writing Time to Your Life Schedule It’s one thing to find your natural creative rhythm; it’s another to fit it into your real-life obligations. Here are some tips for making it work:
- Align your writing time with your lifestyle. If you have a demanding job, early mornings or late nights might be your best bet.
- Communicate with those around you. Let family and friends know about your writing schedule so they can respect your creative time.
- Use what you have. Even if your ideal writing time is midday but work doesn’t allow for it, consider shifting your break time or using evenings to prep ideas.
- Also, be willing to explore different writing blocks throughout the week – some days may be shorter while others are longer. Some sessions may land in the mornings, while others land in the afternoon. Don’t ever be afraid to vary your schedule based on your needs.
By finding your best writing time, you set yourself up for long-term success. Writing doesn’t require endless free time—it requires commitment to the time you do have.
If you’d like to dive deeper into this topic, check out my podcast, where I explore writing rhythms around life and health issues, and practical strategies to make the most of your creative time. Additionally, on my Patreon (currently free material for the first week, and then paid for archives), I’m expanding on this discussion with an exclusive segment on how to protect your writing time like a dragon guards its hoard—because your creative space is worth defending!