How I Wrote a Book While Working Full Time: A Millennial’s Guide to Juggling Dreams and Deadlines
Writing a book is one of those bucket-list goals that always seems slightly out of reach. Like many millennials, I dreamt of crafting a piece of work that was uniquely mine—a book that encapsulated my ideas, my experiences, or my fictional worlds. However, as a full-time professional with a demanding schedule, this dream often felt like a pipedream. Between endless meetings, social obligations, and self-care routines, where would I even find the time to write a book?
Spoiler alert: I did it. And if you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering how you can do it too. This post is your no-nonsense guide to balancing a full-time job while achieving your dream of authorship. Let’s break down how I managed to write a book, one word at a time, without losing my mind (or my paycheck).
P.S. My book is currently with my editor, and I can’t wait to share my next steps with you!
Step 1: Acknowledge the Challenge
Before we dive into the how, let’s address the elephant in the room: writing a book while working full time is hard. You’re essentially signing up for a second job. However, just because it’s challenging doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
I started by shifting my mindset. Instead of thinking, “I don’t have time,” I reframed it as, “How can I make time?” This subtle change allowed me to focus on solutions instead of obstacles. Remember, there’s no “perfect time” to write a book. Life is always busy. You simply have to decide that this goal is worth pursuing despite the chaos.
Step 2: Define Your Why
Writing a book is a long and often solitary journey. To stay motivated, you need a strong reason for starting. My “why” was deeply personal—I wanted to create something that outlived me, something that reflected my voice and experiences. Maybe your goal is to inspire others, share expertise, or build a personal brand. Whatever your reason, make it specific and meaningful.
Having a clear purpose helped me push through moments of self-doubt and fatigue. When I questioned whether I had the time or talent to write a book, I reminded myself of my “why.” This sense of purpose kept me grounded and focused.
Step 3: Prioritize Writing Like a Job
Here’s the reality: if you treat writing as a hobby, it’ll take a backseat to everything else in your life. To write a book while working full time, I had to treat my writing time with the same seriousness as my day job.
Tips to Prioritize Writing:
- Set a Schedule: I blocked off specific hours for writing, just as I would for a work meeting. For me, this meant waking up an hour earlier and dedicating weekends to longer writing sessions.
- Create Rituals: To get into the zone, I developed pre-writing rituals, like making a cup of coffee and listening to instrumental music. These small habits signaled to my brain that it was time to write.
- Say No to Distractions: I turned off notifications, silenced my phone, and let loved ones know when I was unavailable. Guarding my writing time was crucial.
Step 4: Start With a Plan
One of the most daunting parts of writing a book is starting. To avoid overwhelm, I created a clear roadmap before writing a single word.
How I Planned My Book:
- Outline the Structure: I broke my book into chapters and sections, outlining the key points I wanted to cover. This made the writing process feel less like scaling Mount Everest and more like tackling smaller, manageable hills. During writing I found that sometimes the plot took a different turn but then I would just update my next chapters to match back.
- Set Deadlines: I gave myself deadlines for completing each chapter. These mini-goals kept me on track without feeling like the finish line was too far away.
- Use Tools: I used tools like Scrivener for organizing my manuscript and Trello for tracking progress. These apps helped me stay organized and motivated.
Having a plan doesn’t mean you won’t deviate from it, but it gives you a solid foundation to build upon.
Step 5: Make Writing a Daily Habit
Consistency is the secret sauce to writing a book. While I couldn’t dedicate hours every day, I committed to writing something—anything—daily. Even if it was just 200 words, those small contributions added up over time.
How I Built a Writing Habit:
- Set Realistic Goals: I aimed for 500 words on weekdays and 1,500 words on weekends. On particularly busy days, I let myself write as little as 50 words. The key was to keep showing up.
- Find Your Peak Productivity Time: For me, early mornings worked best. For others, it might be late nights or lunch breaks. Experiment to find what works for you.
- Track Progress: I kept a journal of my word count to celebrate small wins and stay motivated.
Step 6: Embrace Imperfection
One of the biggest barriers to writing is perfectionism. Early drafts are supposed to be messy—that’s what editing is for. I had to learn to silence my inner critic and give myself permission to write badly.
Mantras That Helped Me Push Through:
- “You can’t edit a blank page.”
- “Done is better than perfect.”
- “Every word written is a step closer to your goal.”
Once I let go of the need to write flawless prose, the process became much more enjoyable. Writing a book is as much about persistence as it is about creativity.
Step 7: Use Your Commute and Downtime Wisely
As a full-time professional, I didn’t always have the luxury of long, uninterrupted writing sessions. Instead, I used pockets of time throughout the day to brainstorm, outline, or even dictate parts of my book.
Ways to Write During Downtime:
- Dictate on the Go: I used apps to dictate ideas during my commute.
- Jot Down Notes: I kept a notebook or used my phone’s notes app to capture ideas whenever inspiration struck.
- Read for Research: I used my lunch breaks to read books or articles related to my topic. This doubled as research and motivation.
These micro-moments added up and kept me connected to my book even when I wasn’t actively writing.
Step 8: Seek Accountability
Writing a book can feel isolating, especially when you’re juggling it with a full-time job. To stay motivated, I enlisted accountability partners. These were friends or fellow writers who checked in on my progress and offered encouragement.
Ways to Stay Accountable:
- Join a Writing Group: Being part of a community kept me inspired and gave me a sense of camaraderie.
- Share Your Goals: Telling someone about your book project creates external pressure to follow through.
- Celebrate Milestones: I rewarded myself for completing chapters or reaching word count goals. Celebrations kept the process fun.
Step 9: Edit Ruthlessly
Once I finished my first draft, the real work began: editing. I set aside a few weeks to let the manuscript breathe before diving into revisions. Editing while working full time required a different kind of discipline, but it was just as important as the writing phase.
My Editing Process:
- Big Picture Edits: I focused on structure and flow, ensuring the book was cohesive.
- Line Edits: I polished sentences, fixed grammar, and eliminated fluff.
- Feedback: I am planning on sharing my manuscript with beta readers soon.
- Hire a Professional Editor: If your budget allows, invest in a professional editor. Their insights are invaluable.
Step 10: Celebrate Your Achievement
Writing a book while working full time is no small feat. When I finally finished, I took time to celebrate. Whether you self-publish, pursue traditional publishing, or keep your manuscript personal, completing a book is an accomplishment worth acknowledging.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Writers
If you’re dreaming of writing a book but feel constrained by your full-time job, remember this: it’s not about having unlimited time. It’s about making the most of the time you have. Here’s a quick recap of how I did it:
- Define your “why” to stay motivated.
- Treat writing like a job and prioritize it in your schedule.
- Plan your book to avoid overwhelm.
- Write consistently, even if it’s just a few words a day.
- Use downtime wisely and seek accountability.
The process isn’t easy, but it’s deeply rewarding. Writing a book taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of persistence. If I can do it, so can you.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your laptop, carve out some time, and start writing. Your book is waiting to be written—and the world is waiting to read it. Write a book today!
Find more blog posts about writing here.
