You’re passionate about writing—but let’s face it, life is packed. Between jobs, errands, family, emails, and never-ending to-do lists, actually finding time to write a book can feel like chasing a mirage.

Here’s the truth: You don’t need more hours in the day. You need to carve out space in the ones you already have.

Whether you're writing your first novel or your fifth nonfiction book, here’s how to free up time so you can finally focus on what matters most—getting your story on the page.

1. Audit Your Time (You Might Be Shocked)

Before you can find time, you need to know where it's going. Spend a few days tracking how you spend your time in 30-minute blocks. You’ll probably discover a few time leaks—scrolling, streaming, or overcommitting—that can be reclaimed.

Quick win: Delete one social media app from your phone this week and see how much time you get back.

2. Stop Trying to “Find” Time—Schedule It

Writing time doesn’t magically appear—you have to make an appointment with yourself. Block writing sessions into your calendar like meetings. Even 30–60 minutes a day adds up fast.

Example: 7–8 a.m. every weekday = over 20 hours of writing a month.

3. Cut (or Pause) Non-Essential Commitments

This might mean saying “no” to a few things—temporarily. That extra committee, weekly lunch meetup, or side project? It can wait while you write your book. You’re not being rude—you’re being focused.

Ask yourself: “Does this help or hurt my writing goal right now?”

4. Outsource the Small Stuff

Can you delegate house chores? Use a grocery delivery service? Hire someone to format your blog posts or manage your inbox? Small time-savers can free up entire writing blocks over the course of a week.

Even investing $50 in help could buy you multiple focused hours.

5. Write First, Do the Rest Later

If you leave writing for “after everything else,” it rarely happens. Flip the script: write first thing—even if it’s just 15–30 minutes. Your brain is freshest, and you’ll feel accomplished all day.

6. Use “Micro-Moments”

You don’t need hours of silence to make progress. Dictate ideas during your commute. Jot down character notes while waiting in line. Keep a notebook or app handy to capture sparks of inspiration during life’s in-between moments.

7. Create a “Writing-Friendly” Environment

If you’re spending 20 minutes setting up every time you write, that’s wasted energy. Have your tools ready to go—computer charged, notes in place, distractions blocked. Create a ritual so you can dive in fast.

8. Batch Your Life

Instead of doing chores, errands, and emails piecemeal, batch them together. Reserve one day for errands, one session for emails, one block for social media. Then protect the leftover time for writing.

9. Hire a Virtual Assistant (With Author Anchor)

Let’s be honest: you can’t do it all. A virtual assistant can handle your social media, email replies, book promo outreach, research, and more—giving you back precious hours to write.

At Author Anchor, we connect authors with trained virtual assistants who understand publishing. Whether you're self-published or traditionally published, we’ll match you with a VA who knows the industry and can hit the ground running.

👉 Learn more about hiring a VA through Author Anchor

Final Thought:

Books don’t get written by accident. They get written by authors who prioritize them. You may not be able to do everything—but you can make space for the one thing that matters: finishing your book.

You don’t need perfect conditions. You just need space. And now, you know how to create it.