How to Write a Book Without Quitting Your Day Job (Or Losing Your Mind)

So many people tell me they want to write a book but don’t know how to find time to write while juggling other responsibilities.

I get it.

Between work, family, and all the other demands of life, the idea of carving out time to write often feels impossible.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, thinking that you’ll never find the right balance. But here’s the thing—I’ve been there, and I’ve found a way through it.

The key is getting creative with your time.

Before I became a full-time author and book coach, I spent years balancing work, family, and my writing.

Now, with eight published books (and more on the way), I’ve learned that writing a book without quitting your job—or losing your sanity—is absolutely doable.

Here’s how.

1. Redefine what it means to be a writer.

If you believe you need long, uninterrupted hours to write, let me tell you’ll never get that. Writing isn’t about waiting for the perfect conditions—it’s about consistency. Even if you can only spare 30 minutes a day, that’s enough. A book is written one page, one paragraph, one sentence at a time.

I write my books in short bursts—15 minutes here, half an hour there—often with distractions around me. Early mornings, free afternoons, late nights. Instead of waiting for a magical, distraction-free writing retreat (which never happens in real life), I trained myself to write anywhere—on my phone, in notebooks, in Google Docs, in the waiting rooms before appointments. Writing is a habit, not a luxury.

2. Time blocks are your best friend.

The most successful authors don’t find time—they make time. If you’re serious about writing a book, schedule it like an important meeting. Choose a time when your energy is highest—before work, during lunch, or late at night—and block it off.

Even 30 minutes a day adds up. That’s 3.5 hours a week, which is 14 hours a month, which is 168 hours a year. That’s an entire book.

One trick I used was setting a timer for 15 minutes (even shorter than the Pomodoro method) and writing non-stop. No editing, no overthinking—just writing. The pressure of a ticking clock forces you to focus.

3. Lower the pressure, raise the output.

Your first draft won’t be perfect. That’s not the goal. The goal is to finish it. Many writers get stuck because they expect perfection from the start. Instead, allow yourself to write badly. Get the words down. You can always edit it later.

One thing that helped me was giving myself permission to write “ugly.” I’d tell myself, “This is just version one. No one will see it yet.” That mindset shift freed me to write faster and finish drafts instead of obsessing over every word.

4. Leverage weekends and dead time.

Weekends are gold for writers. If your weekdays are packed, use weekends for longer writing sessions. I used to set a goal of 2–3 hours of writing on Saturday and Sunday mornings, which helped me make huge progress.

Also, use “dead time”—waiting in line, commuting, lunch breaks. I’ve outlined entire books while waiting for appointments. Voice memos, note-taking apps, and even sticky notes can capture ideas on the go.

5. Batch writing & sprints

Instead of writing a little bit every day, some writers do better with batching—writing intensely for a few hours one or two days a week. I do that before going on vacation. I do this before vacations; before my current trip, I wrote two months' worth of content in just three weeks. Experiment and see what works best for you.

Writing sprints are another game-changer. Set a goal—500 words in 30 minutes, for example—and race against the clock. I’ve written thousands of words this way. The trick is not to stop until the timer goes off.

6. Protect your writing time like a bulldog.

You wouldn’t skip a meeting with your boss, right? Treat your writing the same way. Tell your family, “This is my writing time.” Turn off notifications, put your phone on silent, and create a focused space.

Early on, I had to set clear boundaries. If I let interruptions take over, my writing would always come last. I started treating my writing time as non-negotiable, and that’s when my books started getting finished.

7. Don’t do it alone.

Writing can be lonely, especially when you’re doing it alongside a full-time job. Find a writing community—whether online or in person. Accountability helps. When I committed to sharing my progress with other writers, I felt more motivated to stick to my writing schedule.

Author Circle, my Substack community, is built around this idea—helping authors stay accountable and get their books done. Surround yourself with people who get it.

8. Have a plan for editing & publishing.

Writing the book is step one. Once your draft is done, set aside time for revisions. Plan ahead for beta readers, professional editing, and publishing—whether traditional or self-publishing.

A lot of aspiring authors burn out in the editing phase because they didn’t plan for it. Give yourself a clear roadmap—write, edit, publish, promote.

9. Remember WHY You’re Doing This

There will be days when you feel exhausted, uninspired, or ready to quit. This is when you need to reconnect with your WHY.

Why do you want to write this book? Is it to establish yourself as an authority? To inspire others? To leave a legacy? Keep that reason front and center.

For me, writing has always been about creating something bigger than myself. When I wanted to quit, I reminded myself that my words could help someone else. That kept me going.

You CAN write your book with all your current responsibilities, including your job

If you take one thing from this article, let it be this: You don’t have to wait for the “right time” to write your book. You don’t need to quit your job, move to a cabin in the woods, or have endless free time. You just need a plan, discipline, and the right mindset.

I’ve done it. So can you.

Are you planning to write a book?

Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your experience!

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Join me on Wednesday as I explore "The Power of Book Reviews—How to Get and Leverage Them" in depth. Stay tuned!

That’s all from me today.

As always, thanks for reading.