How to Make Time for Writing (Even When You’re Busy)

Life is busy. Between work, family, and the never-ending to-do list, finding time to write can feel impossible. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to write every day to be a writer. The key is to find a writing routine that works for youand to make the most of the time you do have.

If you’ve been struggling to fit writing into your schedule, here’s how to carve out time—even in the busiest of lives.

1. Find a Writing Routine That Works for You

There’s a lot of advice out there that tells writers they must write every day. But that’s simply not true. What matters is consistency, not frequency. If writing every day doesn’t work for you, that’s fine—find a rhythm that does.

Some options to consider:

Writing three times a week for an hour
A weekend writing session
Short daily sprints rather than long blocks of time
Writing in bursts when life allows rather than a strict schedule

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The best writing schedule is the one that fits into your life.

2. Even Small Progress Is Progress

Writing a novel might feel overwhelming when you’re short on time, but every word adds up. Even if you only write 200 words in a session, that’s 200 words you didn’t have before.

Let’s break it down:

200 words a day = 6,000 words a month
6,000 words a month = 72,000 words in a yearThat’s a whole novel.

It’s easy to think that small writing sessions aren’t worth it, but they are. Writing is about progress, not perfection.

3. Protect Your Writing Time

Your writing time is important—so treat it that way. Just as you wouldn’t cancel an important meeting or appointment, try to protect your writing sessions from distractions.

Here’s how:

Schedule it in. Physically add your writing time to your calendar.
Set boundaries. Let family or housemates know that this is your dedicated time.
Find your best time. Some people write best in the morning, others at night—pick the time that suits you.

Even if it’s only 20 minutes, protecting that time helps build a habit.

4. Use the Pomodoro Technique to Maximise Your Time

If you don’t have hours to write, that’s okay—just make the most of the time you do have.

One of the best ways to do this is the Pomodoro Technique, which helps you focus in short, productive bursts.

How it works:

Set a timer for 25 minutes and write without stopping.
Take a 5-minute break.
Repeat this cycle four times, then take a longer break.

Even one 25-minute session can be enough to get some words down, and breaking writing into smaller chunks makes it feel more manageable.

5. Be Kind to Yourself

Writing isn’t a race. Some days, you’ll get a lot done; other days, life will get in the way. That’s okay. What matters is that you keep going in a way that works for you.

Some days, you might write 1,000 words. Other days, 100. Both are achievements.

Final Thoughts

Making time for writing doesn’t mean sacrificing sleep, family time, or your sanity. It means finding a rhythm that suits your life, celebrating small wins, and using smart techniques like Pomodoro to make the most of your writing sessions.

Whether you write every day or once a week, what matters is that you keep writing.