3 Unconventional Ways to Make More Time to Write

Camp NaNoWriMo is quickly approaching, but fear not! Seasoned author, editor, and NaNoWriMo editor, Lewis Jorstad, has 3 tips on making more time to write…without having to wake up at 4 a.m.

If you’re setting out to write a novel—whether for National Novel Writing Month, Camp NaNo, or otherwise—you’re going to need time. For many, this is the hardest part of writing. Carving out extra time in our already busy schedules isn’t always easy, and without that dedicated space, your writing can quickly fall by the wayside.

Luckily, there are ways to hit that coveted 50k, even with a packed schedule—and no, I’m not going to tell you to wake up at 4:00AM! So, let me walk you through my three top tips for making more time to write.

1. Write in smaller chunks throughout the day.

Even with a busy schedule, you probably have more time than you think.

Writers often believe they need at least an hour to make meaningful progress on their novels, but this isn’t always true. If you’re struggling to block out large chunks of time, you could instead write for ten minutes on your lunch break, fifteen minutes before bed, or even twenty minutes (via dictation) on your drive to work. While these smaller writing sessions might not look like much on the surface, they add up throughout the week, and can easily net you thousands of words in a month.

Of course, not everyone can adjust to such small writing sessions—myself included. In these cases, don’t be afraid to ignore your novel on your busiest days, and then go all in the rest of the time. Personally, I often write for eight hours straight on my free days, and then set my story aside until later in the week. If you’re the type to prefer a marathon rather than a sprint, this could be a better option.

2. Get your priorities in order.

With that said, you should also be prepared to make some sacrifices.

This is the news few people want to hear, but it’s true. Writing a novel is a major undertaking, and writing one in a month is even harder. Still, if you want to take this seriously, you need to consider your priorities:

Could you give up your nightly TV time in order to write a few hundred words each day?Perhaps you can enlist the help of a babysitter to free up your Saturdays?Maybe you could go without your weekend art classes for just this month?Basically, what are you willing to give up in exchange for writing time?

The good news is that, whatever you do give up, you only have to do so for one month. As annoying as it may be—and trust me, I love my nightly shows—it is only temporary, and the final reward will be so worth it.

3. Experiment with new writing tools.

Finally, a quick and easy way to supercharge your writing is to invest in some writing tools. These tools can help you stay organized and focused, among many other things. Here are a few of my favorites:

Dictation software for writing during long commutesWriting programs like Scrivener for organizing your draftA Pomodoro timer for scheduling writing sprints

You could also experiment with new writing techniques like skeleton drafts or character interviews. Whatever you try, the goal is to make writing easier. These tools should help you find your creative zone, work more efficiently, and enjoy each writing session to the fullest.

Your novel is worth it!

At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is that your story is worth it. While writing a novel will require a lot of hard work, that work pales in comparison to the final result. Getting to hold your finished novel in your hands is an amazing feeling, and even better is the moment you finally share that story with the world.

Fortunately, you can find time! Carve out small writing sessions where you can, make writing a priority, and grab some helpful writing tools if you need a boost. By the time you’re done, you’ll be well on your way to finishing your novel.

Lewis Jorstad is an author and developmental editor who helps up-and-coming writers hone their writing craft over at The Novel Smithy. When he isn’t working on the next book in his Writer’s Craft series, you can find him playing old Gameboy games and sailing somewhere around the eastern half of the US. You can also check out his free ebook, The NaNoWriMo Survival Guide, and grab a copy for yourself!

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