Squeezing In Writing

Our collective consciousness likes to picture writing as something of a leisure profession. Writers, as portrayed in popular media, have many unbroken hours to chip away at a masterpiece, preferably in solitude. These characters are typically upper-middle-class*, and appear to have materially comfortable lives free of day jobs (unless the character is a starving artist, who will have freedom within their chaotic existence).

For someone just beginning a writing project, this image is intimidating. We're told, by collective implication, that this is the one and only way to be a writer-- if you don't have the time to sip tea while contemplating sentence structure for hours, you're out of the game. It's especially frustrating when a hundred and one other tasks are clamoring for your attention.

Although the average person might have more challenges on their way to completing a story than someone with fewer obligations, it doesn't mean it's impossible. In my experience, a little creativity in finding time to write goes a long way. Here are some things I like to do:

Carry a mini notepad. You can brainstorm or write while on the bus, standing in a queue, or if an idea strikes while you're at work.Outline and brainstorm before you write. If you have a limited time for putting words on the page, you can make the most of things by as much as possible beforehand. Schedule writing times, if possible. Even if it's only 10 minutes, blocking out time to write will help you write regularly. Write now, revise later. Second-guessing as you write the first draft is a time suck, so save that for the revision stage. 
Anyone have tips for sneaking writing time into an overloaded schedule? Please share them with everyone in the comments.

*White, upper-middle-class, and male is a highly over represented demographic in writing and publishing.