Top 5 Tips for Busy Moms Who Want to Write a Book

Being a mom is a demanding job, but it is also incredibly rewarding. It can be overwhelming at times, but it is worth it to watch your kids grow and learn new things every day. But if you have dreams of writing a book, it can be difficult to fit it all in. After all, you’re taking care of the kids, keeping the house in order, running errands, and managing the many other tasks of motherhood. It’s easy to let your dreams take a back seat or tell yourself: I’ll get to it later.

Here are some tips to help you get started on your journey to becoming an author:

Tip 1: Read, read, read

The best authors are also readers who take the time to understand (and enjoy) the genre they are trying to break into. It’s important to read widely and often, as it will help you develop your own writing style.

(italics) But I can’t find the time to keep my house clean…when do I have time to read? (end italics) You might think. If you can’t set aside 15-20 minutes per day to cozy up with a book and a cup of coffee, try working audiobooks into your daily routine. You can listen to a chapter while you drive the kids to school or pop your headphones in while you’re doing the dishes.

Tip 2: Know yourself

You need to know yourself and how you work best. Are you a person that needs to write things out or are you a typer? Are you someone who needs peace and quiet to think straight or is tuning out the noise your specialty? Do you work well in short bursts or do you need to sit down and concentrate for larger blocks of time? All of that is important because it will impact how and when you write. Lots of aspiring authors give up too soon because they are trying to follow someone else’s writing process. That’s like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole – you have to find what works for you. Which leads me to the next tip:

Tip 3: Write when you can

It’s easy to panic and think: (italics) I have to write a whole book RIGHT NOW! (end italics) But writing is a process – it won’t happen overnight. Take it one step at a time and break up your writing into manageable chunks. Earlier, we talked about knowing yourself and how you work best. Well, this is time for that knowledge to be put to good use!

Set aside a specific time each day for writing. It doesn’t have to be a lot – even 10-15 minutes can be enough to get your creative juices flowing. If you’re someone who doesn’t work well in short increments of time, then look for the natural larger breaks in your day where you can fit some writing in.

An easy way to take advantage of a few minutes at a time is to use the Google Docs app on your phone. You can use talk-to-text when your hands are full to get the ideas down or you can type it out on your phone while your toddler naps on your chest. The best part about Google Docs is that it’s cloud-based, meaning you can access the same document on your phone or computer. Plus, it automatically saves your progress!

As for the actual writing, start by just getting your idea down on the page. It doesn’t have to be in complete sentences or even make sense to anyone but you, just get the concept documented. Then, move on to the outline. Start thinking through the different parts of your book, how the characters will develop, what challenges they’ll face, and the transformation they’ll undergo. If you’re writing a non-fiction, think about how each chapter will build on the previous one and what you want the reader to take away from the book by the end. Write when you can, as often as you can.

Tip 4: Find accountability partners

It’s easy to let life get in the way and not follow through, especially as a busy mom, so it helps to find others who will keep you moving forward. An accountability partner can provide a listening ear and offer constructive criticism, which can help you become a better and more productive writer. They can also help you stay motivated, by providing encouragement and offering helpful suggestions on ways to stay focused and organized. They can even be a great resource for brainstorming new ideas, discussing potential writing topics or providing tips on how to improve your writing style.

This could be a new friend from the author community or an old friend who you know will ask lots of questions about your goals and what you’ve accomplished. It could even involve your family! If you don’t have someone in your life who fits this role well, start joining communities on social media to look for author friends and beta readers.

Tip 5: Push aside the doubt

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Writing isn’t about perfection – it’s about getting your thoughts down on paper (or the computer screen). There will be moments of doubt and fear as you put your thoughts and ideas down on paper. You may feel the urge to doubt yourself and your work, but it is important to trust that your ideas are worth sharing with the world. Believe that you have something valuable to say and then take the steps to make it happen.

Whatever you do, don’t give up. Writing can be a long and difficult process, but it’s worth it in the end. If this is your dream, don’t let anything stand in your way.