Finding Time to Write
As a software developer turned aspiring author, I’ve learned that the phrase “finding time to write” is misleading. The truth is, you don’t find time – you make it. Between managing a full-time career in tech, maintaining family relationships, and publishing my first novel, I’ve discovered that successful writing isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment; it’s about creating opportunities within the life you already have.
The Mindset Shift: From Finding to Making Time
The first and most crucial step in establishing a writing practice while working full-time is changing how you think about time. Writing isn’t something that happens when you have free time – it’s something you schedule, just like any other important commitment in your life. This shift in perspective changes everything.
Many aspiring writers fall into the trap of waiting for large chunks of free time. “I’ll write when I have a few hours free,” becomes a mantra that leads nowhere. Those mythical large blocks of uninterrupted time rarely materialize on their own, and waiting for them is a recipe for never starting.
The Power of Small Time Blocks
One of the best discoveries in my writing journey was realizing the power of small, consistent time blocks. When I first started writing seriously, I made the common mistake of believing I needed hours of uninterrupted time to be productive. Reality proved quite different.
By getting out of bed just 30 minutes earlier in the morning, I discovered something remarkable: in those extra minutes, I consistently wrote 300-500 words. Why? Because knowing my time was limited eliminated the luxury of procrastination. I sat down and wrote.
Let’s look at the math: 300 words a day, five days a week, equals 1,500 words per week. That’s 6,000 words per month, or roughly 72,000 words in a year – the length of a typical novel. All from just 30 minutes a day.
Transforming “Dead Time” into Writing Time
One of the most valuable strategies I’ve developed is recognizing and utilizing what I call “dead time” – those scattered moments throughout your day that seem too short to be useful. As someone who’s spent years in the tech industry, I’ve learned to approach time management like debugging code: every unused moment is an opportunity for optimization.
These moments include:
- Commute time (if you’re not driving)
- Waiting for appointments
- Lunch breaks
- Early mornings before the family wakes up
- Time between meetings
The key to utilizing these moments is having the right tools ready. I maintain a synchronized writing environment across all my devices using Scrivener and Dropbox, ensuring I can write whether I’m at my desk, on my phone, or using a tablet. These small sessions might only yield 100-200 words each, but they add up significantly over time.
The Weekend Writing Sprint Strategy
Weekends are precious when you work full-time, but they’re also your best opportunity for focused writing. Through trial and error, I’ve developed a weekend writing strategy that balances productivity with family time.
Instead of trying to write all day (which often leads to burnout and family tension), I dedicate two focused hours early on Saturday morning, from 7 AM to 9 AM. During these sessions, I consistently write between 1,500 and 2,000 words because I’m fresh, focused, and uninterrupted.
The session structure is simple but effective:
- First 15 minutes: Review and planning
- Next 90 minutes: Pure writing, no editing
- Final 15 minutes: Quick review and notes for next time
Understanding Your Energy Patterns
Perhaps the most crucial lesson I’ve learned from my background in psychology and technology is the importance of understanding and working with your natural energy patterns. Not all hours are created equal when it comes to creative work.
Through careful tracking, I discovered that my creative energy peaks between 6 AM and 9 AM. This knowledge transformed my writing practice. Instead of fighting against my natural rhythms by trying to write in the evenings when my creative energy is lowest, I adjusted my schedule to utilize my peak hours.
Setting Realistic Goals
As someone who has founded startups and managed tech projects, I understand the importance of setting achievable goals. When it comes to writing while maintaining a full-time career, unrealistic goals can be more damaging than having no goals at all.
My current targeted weekly word count is 4,000 words, broken down into:
- 500 words per weekday
- 1,500 words on weekend writing days
However, these goals remain flexible. Some weeks I exceed them; others I fall short. What matters is maintaining consistency over time and tracking progress to ensure steady advancement toward your larger goals.
Looking Forward
Remember that many successful authors started their careers while working full-time jobs. Anthony Trollope wrote while working for the postal service. Andy Weir wrote “The Martian” while working as a programmer. Your current job isn’t an obstacle to your writing career – it’s providing the stability you need to develop your craft without the pressure of immediate financial success.
The key to balancing writing with a full-time career isn’t about radical life changes or sacrificing sleep. It’s about making small, sustainable adjustments that add up to significant progress over time. By approaching your writing practice with the same professionalism and strategic thinking you apply to your career, you can build a robust creative practice that fits within your existing life.
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