Karen Brown Tyson

Category: Productivity

Advice to Busy Parents Eager to Make Time to Write Everyday

If you are a busy writer-parent, you probably have faced the “I don’t have enough time to write” moments more than once or twice. You are not alone. Lots of writer-parents feel the same way. Here are a few tips on how busy writer-parents can fit writing into their day

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

1. Identify the obstacles preventing you from writing.

First things first: many writers say that finding time to write is one of the biggest obstacles they face. If you consider yourself part of this group, tackle this issue before starting your next writing session. Make a list of the things preventing you from writing. Be honest. For example, every night after the children go to bed, you vow to write for one hour. Unfortunately, that never happens. You either end up finishing work from your day job or falling asleep on the couch before you write 50 words. If this sounds familiar, decide what steps you can take so you can write whenever you want.

2. Take small steps to make time toward your writing goals.

For each of the obstacles you identify, select one or two you would like to change. It’s easy to see from the previous example that writing at night is not working. One small step to address this obstacle would be to move your writing time to the part of the day when you don’t have to meet a work deadline or when you have the most energy. For example, you could get up 30 minutes earlier each day to write. If you write at the start of the day, make sure you are writing when the house is quiet, and there are no distractions. I know lots of writer-parents you use the wee hours of the morning to their advantage.

3. Make time to write in daily spurts.

The thought of writing 10,000 to 20,000 words per day can be overwhelming. Instead, think about writing within a short amount of time, like 10, 15, or 20 minutes. To determine how many words you can write within this time, set your smartphone’s timer for one minute. Using the writing prompt below, write for one minute without stopping:

Write a break-up letter to Writer’s Block, starting with, “Dear Writer’s Block, it’s time for me to say goodbye.”

If you wrote 50 to 100 words in one minute, you could probably write 500 to 1,000 words in 10 minutes. Now, determine how many minutes you can spare each day to write.

Check this out: Book & Baby by Milda M. De Voe

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“Most professional writers have a list of their favorite books about writing.
Here’s a new book that’s going at the top of my list.”

4. Make time to write by creating a writing schedule.

Look at your calendar and find 10, 15, or 30 minutes each day to write—schedule writing meetings. Use a shared electronic calendar to allow family members to see when you plan to write. Ask your family members not to disturb you during your writing time but let them know you will be available after writing.

5. Learn to write anywhere.

Train yourself to write in different places where you have to wait. For example, if you arrive in the carpool line 15 to 20 minutes early each day before school ends, use that time to write. Other places to write while you wait include the doctor or dentist’s office, the car dealership during maintenance appointments, Starbuck’s during your child’s tutoring session, and while your baby takes a nap.

6. Make time for family.

Once you finish your 10, 15, or 30-minute writing session, resist the temptation to write more. Instead, reconnect with your family. Let your spouse or children tell you what they would like to do. Take a walk, plan a fun activity like a trip to the aquarium or catch up.

For the writer-parent, each day may be different. Don’t beat yourself up if on some days you do not accomplish as much writing as other days.

Just keep writing.

I’d love to help you as you take the next steps in your writing life. To get started, complete this form to let me know about your current nonfiction writing project and needs.

May 19, 2021
6 Powerful Time Management Solutions for Time-Crunched Writers

Are you a time-crunched writer looking for ways to manage your writing life?

If yes, you aren’t alone.

Many writers crunched for time look for ways to fit more time into their writing routine while eliminating distractions.

For this reason, it’s good to find a few time-management tools to help you enhance productivity.

In today’s post, I highlight some useful time management tools that will help you eliminate the noise, eliminate distractions, and manage your writing projects more efficiently.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

RescueTime

Do you often end up scrolling through Instagram for hours, and when you glance at the clock, you can’t believe how much time you wasted?

RescueTime is here to rescue you from this feeling. This app records the exact time you spent on each activity. At the end of the day, you can identify the things that take up too much of your time.

This app can also help you set achievable writing goals and give you insight into where your time went.

MeisterTask

MeisterTask is an intuitive tool for project management and task management that helps you organize your writing to get things done. The tool allows you to manage your writing projects, to-do lists, and checklists in one place. I like that it helps me create electronic and flexible Kanban boards. I also like that it allows me to share information with my students or other writers.

Doris

If you have limited time to write, it can be quite hard to juggle everything. You forget deadlines, and all of a sudden, it dawns upon you that you’ve missed the deadline. There’s no feeling worst than this!

With Doris, you can list all your tasks and set them in order of priority by drag-and-drop. It’s a free website that you can easily sync across your devices and keep track of all your deadlines without having to worry about them.

OmmWriter

If you are one of those writers who easily get distracted while writing, OmmWriter helps you stay focused. It frees your screen from distractions, so you only focus on what’s right in front of you. It also offers relaxing music to make writing more productive. I used this app to write my first book, and it worked great. It’s available on Mac, PC, and iPad, so it will follow you everywhere you go.

Toggl

This app lets you keep track of your time on a particular writing task. This is quite helpful in understanding your strengths as a writer. You can also use this app to stay organized and stay in control. If you work with clients on an hourly basis, you can use Toggl to send reports to your clients for invoicing.

Focus Booster

Focus Booster is another fantastic tool many part-time writers love. It works on the Pomodoro Technique – 25 minutes (or more) of work followed by regular 5-minute breaks.

Focus Booster tracks your time and makes sure that you take a break. So, it helps you stay refresh your focus and rejuvenate your energy every twenty-five minutes. Thanks to this technique, you won’t ever feel burned out as a writer.

Find time management tools that work for you

There are lots of time management apps and tools to help writers. Explore as many options as you can and pick things that work for you. But don’t try to apply too many. With a few time management and productivity tools, you can manage your writing life effectively and reduce time anxiety.

February 18, 2021
How to Be a Successful Writer Despite Having a Full Schedule

Do you ever wonder how you can be a successful writer despite having a full schedule? Have you ever caught yourself thinking, Oh, I wish there were more hours in the day! Or maybe, I wish I didn’t have to waste time sleeping; I could fit in more writing time.

If you think like this, you’re not alone.

I can remember a time when I worked full-time as a corporate communicator. I had a family to take care of and volunteer assignments at church that I was passionate about completing. My schedule was full.

The idea of working on any fiction or nonfiction project (see also our article on narrative nonfiction) was a dream. I made time for everything except my writing life. Until I one day decided to manage my time differently to give my writing the attention it deserves.

Once I learned the processes I needed to plan and control my time, I published two books. Today’s post outlines some of the steps I took to manage my time to become a successful writer. Feel free to share what works for you in the comment section.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

In order for real writing to take place, I had to claim space in my day.

Claim Space in Your Day

Before I took control of my writing life, my schedule was full. There never seemed to be any time for me to write the kind of books I wanted to write. Until I decided to make time. In order for real writing to take place; I had to claim space in my day.

If you’re like me, you have appointments in your schedule. But what about the things that aren’t on your schedule? Walking the dog, doing the laundry, or checking on your mom, are all things you plan to do but may not be on your schedule. To claim space in your day to write, you need to know what you are doing.

Try this

Use a time tracker to list everything that needs to be done each day. Next, list the top three things you want to get done each week and each day. Third, find time to write – even if you only have 30 minutes to write. Finally, keep the tracker handy to add any unexpected things that come up throughout the day.

Identify the Blockers

The next step in managing your writing time is identifying the critical problems or blockers that keep you from writing. Think about the things that take time away from your writing. Don’t list items that require you to spend quality time with your family or God. Instead, think about the time you spend surfing the web or checking Facebook for hours.

Exercise

To dig deeper into why you’re not writing consistently, use the 5 Whys to get to the bottom of the problem. Ask yourself five times why you’re not writing like you want, digging deeper each time you ask why. While the process is called 5 Whys, you can ask yourself four or seven questions. However, five questions usually get you to the root cause of the problem. The goal is the identify and address the blockers preventing you from being a successful writer.

Focus on One Goal

Now that you know your blockers, it’s time to make a list of the things you need to accomplish. For example, if you decide to build your author platform with a new website, using SiteGround or Bluehost. While there will be several things to do before you launch your site, you cannot do everything at one time.

To deal with time-anxiety while writing, channel all your focus on one goal. If you try to cook or babysit the kids while writing, you may not accomplish your goal. Instead, when you’re writing, focus on writing—nothing else.

Exercise

Before you start writing, identify one goal you want to work on during your current writing session.

To deal with time-anxiety while writing, channel all your focus on one goal.

Use Writing Sprints

To get the most out of my writing time, I like to use short bursts of writing. For my writing sprints, I like to use the Pomodoro technique. If you suffer from productivity dips while writing, this technique is the perfect one for you. You take a five-minute break after every twenty-five minutes of work. This keeps your focus fresh, and you won’t burn out.

Tool

While I have used a variety of timers, I’m currently using the PomoDone App. This app is an easy and fun way to track your writing session using the Pomodoro technique. The app includes a countdown timer and allows you to connect to your Trello project management board.

A Successful Writer Minimizes Interruptions

Have you ever sat down to write, and your phone starts ringing? What about when the doorbell rings? Or the kids decide to start fighting over a toy?

Such interruptions make writing stressful. You look at the clock and realize that you’ve been staring at a mostly blank screen for the past three hours but still didn’t get anything done. Unfortunately, you didn’t factor in the time you wasted in dealing with interruptions. Therefore, before you sit down to write, try to eliminate as many potential distractions as possible. Part of being a successful writer means minimizing or eliminating distractions.

Tool

To eliminate interruptions that pop up on your computer or mobile phone, use apps like RescueTime. Not only does RescueTime block distractions, but it also helps me understand where my time is going while I’m working on my computer.

Pat Yourself on the Back for being a Successful Writer

After all your hard work to control and manage your writing time, take a moment to reward yourself for being a successful writer. If you want to feel happy and enjoy your work, you should associate it with rewards. This will motivate you to incorporate more time management strategies into your writing sessions. Remember that rewards don’t mean that you have to eat chocolate or treat yourself to ice cream only to end up gaining extra pounds. Instead, take a walk, watch your favorite movie, or grab coffee with a friend.

Even that fleeting feeling of accomplishment is a reward. You managed to transfer that empty, ugly blank page into something meaningful. Once you are done with the work, pause and enjoy the moment.

Becoming a successful writer takes energy, focus, and time.

In Summary

You have a lot on your plate; most successful writers do. Nobody understands this better than me. But your writing is important, and it deserves time to grow. On your road to being a successful writer, be intentional about how you manage your writing time. Don’t allow unnecessary distractions to derail your focus and knock you off track from accomplishing your goals. As you move forward, remember to reward yourself. If you miss the mark a few times, don’t be hard on yourself. Your hard work will pay off on your way to becoming a successful writer.

February 11, 2021
How to Energize Your Writing to Improve Productivity
Do you ever wish you could energize your writing to improve your productivity?

Sleepless nights, fatigue, and feeling tired can take its toll on anyone, including writers. Despite how you feel, the blog post, the article, and the book still have to be written by the deadline.

To stay on track, I have tried lots of things over the years. If you experience WWT – writing while tired — here are 12 tips on how to get more energy to improve your productivity.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

In preparing to write

TIP #1 – Get Some Rest

I realize for some people, getting a good night’s sleep is easier said than done. For me, all I had to do was make a few adjustments in my bedtime routine. First, I try to go bed at the same time every night, Sunday through Thursday (I stay up a little later on Fridays). Second, I downloaded Calm, a relaxation, and meditation app, which offers soothing music and bedtime stories to help me sleep. Finally, I use the Moonbow Bedphones, wireless sleep headphones that allow me to lay on my side without feeling the pain of an earbud in my ear. My sleep routine helps me get the rest I need to avoid feeling tired.

TIP #2 – Practice Mindful Eating

The next thing I did to avoid being tired was to deal with my eating habits. While on vacation, I decided to watch Dr. Mark Hyman talk to Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and their family about their health. Talking to each family member, Dr. Hyman explained how their gut health was affecting their energy levels. It was fascinating. I never considered how much the health of my gut could impact my energy.

In talking to my doctor, I confirmed that my overall health is fine. But I know I go overboard sometimes with sugar. So I decided to make adjustments to my eating habits to see if my energy level could improve, and it did. Dr. Hyman offers great advice in his books, Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? and Food: What the Heck Should I Cook? So I changed my eating habits to include more vegetables, fruits, and nuts, and less processed foods and sugar. As a result, I lost ten pounds, and I have more energy throughout the day to get more writing done.

TIP #3 – Make Time to Exercise

Exercise is an excellent way to get the blood circulating through your body and boost energy. Whether in the gym or at home, squeezing in a workout isn’t too hard for me. After years of being overweight, I changed my daily routine to include an early morning workout between 5 and 9 a.m. When I can’t get to the gym, I grab my yoga mat, towel, and exercise ball at home. There are lots of apps and 15- or 20-minute workouts on YouTube.

Not only does working out help improve my health and energy level, but it helps me think about my writing assignments for the day. While on the treadmill or the elliptical, I often develop ideas for books or blog posts. During breaks, I capture my thoughts in the notes app on my smartphone.

TIP #4 – Clear the Clutter

I never knew how exhausting clutter could be until I tried to write. While a messy desk may mean that some of us are geniuses, it’s a distraction for me. To avoid wasting energy during my writing time, I take the following steps.
1. Don’t create piles. Rather than letting mail pile up on my desk, I’ve learned to throw away or file documents.
2. Avoid making your desk a storage bin. I use to leave everything on my desk. Now I like to keep it clear and clean after each writing session.
3. Declutter each week. Since I decluttered my writing space, I try to schedule weekly cleaning sessions.
4. An organized home office is your key to finally getting things done. Check out Darla DeMorrow‘s book, The Upbeat, Organized Home Office: Five Simple Steps to SORT and Succeed for an Organized Mind.
On your writing days

TIP #5 – Write When You Have the Most Energy

Even with a good night’s sleep, I realize that my energy levels are different throughout the day. By reading the book, The Power of When I learned that timing is everything. The author explains chronotypes, a classification of the general timing of my biological clock. After taking Dr. Michael Breus’ Bio-Time Quiz, I discovered I am a lion – someone who is an early-riser ready to tackle anything in the morning, but tired by the end of the day.

Armed with this information, I now know that I get more writing done during the time when I have the most energy. So I work on blog posts, client assignments, and my book during the morning hours and save other activities like social media and website maintenance for the second part of my day.

TIP #6 – Use Writing Prompts

Sometimes it’s hard to get into the flow of writing. Avoid wasting time and energy by freewriting. During a freewriting session, you set a timer for a certain amount of time, like 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Once the timer goes off, give yourself a 5 or 10-minute break. When I write for 45 minutes, I take a 15-minute break. During a freewriting session, you can write about a specific topic or use a writing prompt. As you write, don’t worry about editing, grammar, or punctuation. From start to finish, write, and don’t stop. Here’s a free practical guide on writing which includes a copy of my writing prompts to help you get started.
Get 30 Free-Writing Prompts

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TIP #7 – Set a Time Limit on How Long You Will Write

I used to think I had all day to get my writing done. Part of this thinking came about as a result of me attending graduate school online, outside of regular work hours. Sometimes the only time I had to write a 17-page paper was at night and on weekends. But those days are gone. For my writing business, I learned that I stayed focused and energized when I set a time limit for each writing project. Before I begin writing, I decided if my session will last for one, two, or three hours.

TIP #8 – Take Breaks When Writing

Once I set my writing time for each project, I determine when I will take a break and for how long. Studies highlight the benefits of taking a 15-minute break after working 90 minutes. But you can work for shorter periods and still take breaks. For example, if I write for 30 minutes, I take a 5-minute break, but if I write for 45 minutes, I take a 15-minute break. The length of your break is up to you. But remember, your break should not carry you away from your writing session.

TIP # 9 – Take a Walk

While on a writing break, I like to take a quick walk. Sometimes I walk around the building or library where I am working or down the street if I’m at home. A walk not only helps me stay active, but it also allows me to think about what I am writing. By the time I return to my writing, I feel better, and I have a few more ideas for the content I am working on.

TIP #10 – Take a Nap

Studies show there are benefits in taking short naps during the day. There are three types of naps which include:
- Planned napping where you take a nap before getting sleepy.
- Emergency napping happens when you are suddenly so tired that you cannot continue until you take a nap.
- Habitual napping involves taking a nap at the same time every day.
Sleep experts believe a 20-30 minute nap improves alertness. However, a nap taken late in the day could negatively affect your regular nighttime routine.

TIP #11 – Write While Standing

I realize this may not work for everyone, but I like writing at a standing desk. Studies show that using a standing desk can reduce stress while improving energy levels. While working at my standup desk, I use a floor mat to reduce pressure on my legs and feet. I don’t usually stand all day. By the afternoon, I try to take a seat, move around, or run errands.

TIP #12 – Try Writing in Different Places

Nothing energizes my writing sessions like a trip to my local library. Once I find a writing space near, set up my laptop, and plug in my headphones, my brain switches to ready-to-write mode. By the time I leave, I have accomplished my goal.

How do you find energy when writing?

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January 30, 2020
How to Create a Productive Writing Routine

One of the biggest obstacles solopreneurs, freelance writers, bloggers, and entrepreneurs face is how to create a productive writing routine.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links. Not only do you have to run your business, but you need to find time to write your first book or your next book.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed and thrown off track.

But how we view and manage our time requires a shift in mindset and behaviors. If you currently have a writing routine that is not working, here are five steps on how to fix it immediately.

Do you wonder how some writers can write anywhere? When you travel with the right tools, you can get a lot done. Check out this list for ideas.

A cluttered writing space can slow down your productivity. Here are a few ideas on how to declutter and simplify your writing life.

The infographic below offers five tips on how to create a productive writing routine. Are there other things you can do to establish a productive writing routine? Absolutely. The infographic highlights five steps to get you started.

Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section.

December 26, 2019
How to Declutter and Simplify Your Writing Life

This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

My writing life was out of control. After spending two weeks decluttering my writing space, I set a new goal to stay clutter-free.

One of my biggest problems is paper. While I love to write in libraries and coffee shops, my primary writing space is in a guest bedroom in my house. But years of rough drafts, files, and old mail left me surrounded by lots of abandoned paper. As I looked around, I realized my writing oasis was uninspiring. I was in desperate need of a makeover.

Here are the steps I took to clean up my writing act and a few tools to help me simplify my writing life.

STEP #1 – Divide and Conquer

I divided all of my clutter into four piles – keep, donate, relocate and trash. I used my shredder to get rid of every unwanted, outdated piece of paper. Only a small amount of paperwork remained. I found a few storage boxes, which fit nicely on a shelf in the closet, to hold the items I plan to keep. I also found a portable file folder to help me when writing on the road.

<strong> Storage Boxes

<strong> Shredder

<strong> Porta File Carrier

STEP #2 – Let Things Go

After my paper shredding exercise, which left me with seven full trash bags, I knew I had to deal with my mindset on paper. Going forward, most of my bills are paperless. As part of my new process, I now deal with paper within a week by either filing it or throwing it away. For my writing projects, I use cloud-based storage and a flash drive that works with my smartphone. A small desk organizer helps to keep office supplies in one place.

Flash Drive

<strong> StoreSMART – Plastic Pages

<strong> Desk Organizer

STEP #3 – Make Room for Inspiration

In an article by NY Book Editors on how to build the perfect writing space, I was reminded to include things that inspire me. In my new writing space, now clean and clutter free, I added a few things like silk flowers and the latest picture of my husband and son.

Since reorganizing my writing space, I have learned a lot about decluttering and simplifying my writing space.

If you have any ideas on how I can keep it going, please share.

How do you declutter and simplify your writing life?

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June 5, 2019