3 Ways to Squeeze in More Writing

I always adjust my schedule to squeeze in more writing in September. All summer, I try to get outside in the afternoons to soak in the sun and relax. This summer was different. In early June, I started working part-time in addition to writing full-time. The job suits me perfectly. I work from home, and it involves project management–right up my alley.

However, with the new job, I’ve had to figure out how to manage my days when each one is different. My summer afternoons were few and far between, but I made up for it by relaxing on the weekends. With fall on the way, I knew I needed to rebuild structure to my days and weeks and, thankfully, I made it happen.

(If you’re interested in tracking your time to give you an idea of how you spend your days, try Laura Vanderkam’s “Time Tracking Challenge.”)

I dusted off the old block schedule and analyzed what slots fit best for each type of work I’m doing. I’m happy to say the new schedule is working well. But I’ve had to make several changes in order to meet my writing goals.

The following three ways I squeeze in more writing might work for you, too. If not, they might spark other ideas.

3 Ways to Squeeze in More Writing

1. Get up thirty minutes early (or stay up thirty minutes late).
2. Set a mini-writing goal two or three evenings a week before you typically veg out.
3. Write one hundred more words at the end of your writing session.

Get up thirty minutes early:

I’ve been getting up thirty minutes earlier on weekdays. No, I don’t write during this time, but it allows me to complete my morning routine and begin writing thirty minutes earlier than normal. For me, getting up thirty minutes early isn’t a big deal. Back when my kids were younger, that thirty minutes would have killed me. So I completely understand if you want to skip this one!

Set a mini-writing goal two or three evenings a week before you typically veg out.

If you follow my monthly goals posts (September 2023 Goals), you’ll see a common thread this year. My nonfiction project keeps stalling out. Last week, I decided enough was enough. I’m revising one chapter (they’re short–about 3-5 pages) three nights a week before vegging out. If that becomes too much, I’ll make it one page. Seriously. I’d rather have three pages revised at the end of the week than zero.

Write one hundred more words at the end of your writing session.

It’s not hard to write an additional 100 words. Most likely, you’re already in the flow. And you won’t waste time trying to come up with what comes next because you just want the writing session to be over. Maybe you’ll add a clever bit of dialogue, describe the setting or whatever. It doesn’t really matter if the 100 words is the best thing you’ve ever written. They’re on the page. All those extra 100 words add up.

How do you squeeze more writing into your day?

I’d love to hear your tips!