5 Productivity Hacks for Working Moms Who Dream of Writing a Novel
Meet Sarah: A Day In The Life Of A Busy Mom With Writing Dreams:
6:00 AM – The alarm goes off. Should I get up and write or sleep 30 more minutes? Most days, exhaustion wins. If I do wake up, I have exactly 27 minutes before my toddler demands breakfast—not enough time to get into the writing flow.
9:00 AM – At work, my mind drifts to my novel. I finally figure out a plot fix—except I’m stuck in a Zoom meeting. By lunchtime, my brilliant idea has evaporated.
3:00 PM – A break between meetings! Should I write? Maybe. But I’m drained. The guilt creeps in: If I really wanted to be a writer, wouldn’t I make time?
7:30 PM – Toddler is asleep. I tell myself I’ll write after cleaning the kitchen. Then there’s laundry. Then my partner wants to chat. Before I know it, it’s 10:00 PM.
11:00 PM – Lying in bed, I think, Tomorrow will be different. But deep down, I know the cycle will repeat… unless something changes.
The Biggest Writing Challenge: Time vs. Reality
It’s not just about finding time—it’s about making writing fit into your life.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many of the moms I coach feel the same frustration. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Here are five productivity hacks to help you write your novel even with a full plate.
Hack #1: Use Pomodoro Timers
Pomodoros are timed focus blocks that help maximize short bursts of productivity.
Set a 25-minute timer and focus only on writing.
Take a 5-minute break.
Repeat! This method keeps your brain fresh and prevents burnout.
Customize your timer—20, 25, or 45 minutes—whatever works best for you.
Breaking a long writing session into smaller chunks makes it easier to stay focused.
Hack #2: Find Pockets of Time
If long writing sessions aren’t realistic, use small moments in your day:
Morning – 10 minutes before the kids wake up.
Lunch break – Instead of scrolling your phone.
Evening – 15 minutes before your Netflix show.
Even 15 minutes, 3 times a day = 45 minutes of writing. It adds up!
Hack #3: Plan Ahead
Nothing’s worse than sitting down to write and not knowing what to write next. Avoid this by:
Outlining ahead of time – Even a rough outline helps keep you on track.
Leaving notes for your next session – At the end of a writing session, jot down 2-3 bullet points on what happens next. Future you will thank you!
When you have a plan, you can dive right in instead of wasting time figuring out what to write.
Hack #4: Get Creative with Writing Tools
You won’t always be at your laptop—so make it easier to write anywhere:
Google Docs – Access your novel from your phone.
Voice-to-text apps – Capture ideas hands-free.
Notebook/journal – Jot down scene ideas while on the go.
Your novel doesn’t have to be written in perfect conditions. Be flexible!
Hack #5: Involve Your Family (Mom’s Writing Hour)
Make writing a family-supported routine:
Saturday morning writing hour – Your partner takes the kids out of the house while you write.
After-dinner quiet time – Everyone does their own quiet activity while you write.
Let your family know your writing matters – When they respect your time, it’s easier to stay consistent.
Even young kids can understand: “This is Mommy’s special time to write.”
These are just tactics—the important part is putting them into action.
What can you commit to doing in the next week?
Ready to Finally Finish Your Novel?
These hacks are a great start, but real progress happens with structure, accountability, and support. That’s exactly what my 12 month 1:1 coaching program provides:
A writing routine that fits your life (not someone else’s).
Personalized accountability – We’ll adjust as needed when life gets busy.
Clear goals and deadlines so you actually finish your book.
Twice-a-month coaching calls to troubleshoot and keep you on track.
Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely struggle. If you’re ready to commit to your novel, book a consultation call today!