The following is an edited post from six years ago, but the ideas are just as pertinent today as it was then.
One of the most common complaints I hear from writers for not writing is the lack of time in their schedules. That’s understandable with all the responsibilities we’re juggling these days, whether it’s work (or looking for work), household chores, taking care of kids or parents, and maintaining an active social life. Yet writing every day is helpful to create a consistent practice.
Fortunately, you don’t need hours of time to write. Try 15 minutes. Where can you find those pockets of time to sneak in writing? If you can find 15 minutes in your schedule, whether that’s part of your lunch break or waking up earlier or eliminating social scrolling time, you can accomplish more than you think. Sometimes 15 minutes is all you need to make progress towards your writing goals.
Stop worrying about finding more time to write. Even if you did have more time, would you use it for writing? Or would you find other ways to use it, like housework, sleeping or catching up on the latest streaming shows?
Because here’s the honest truth: It’s not about finding more time to write. It’s about having a system that allows you to make better use of the time you do have.
Start with a simple goal. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to write about? Are you experimenting with flash fiction? Or are you trying your hand at poetry? There are plenty of ways to use your writing time. If all you have is 15 minutes, here’s how you can use that time:
1. Freewrite. Set a timer, then put your pen to paper and begin writing. Let the ideas flow from your brain to the page. Aim to write 100 words every session – at a minimum. Do not stop to edit or rethink what you just wrote. Just keep writing. You may be surprised at the ideas that you see on the page afterward. If you do this consistently, over 10 sessions (aiming for those 100 words), you should be able to complete a 1,000-word essay.
2. Draft a dialogue. Create a scene in which two characters have a conversation. Start with one character asking the other character a question. See where that dialogue takes your characters. Avoid writing back story or other narrative. Focus only on the dialogue.
3. Describe an object. Choose an object on your desk or somewhere close to you. Then write about it using descriptive details, such as color, shape and texture. Use the item in a short story or essay. How was the item acquired? By whom? What is the story behind that item?
4. Write an animal story. Draft a story featuring your pet and give it a voice. Write a few paragraphs as if the pet is speaking to you. What would the animal say? Would he lavish you with praise, or whine and complain that you don’t pay enough attention to them, or give enough treats?
5. Brainstorm potential story ideas. Create a bullet list of stories you’d like to write. It might help to use prompts like “I remember” or “What if?” to jump start the ideas. At the top of the page, write the prompt, then fill in the blank. For example, I remember…my first day at school, learning to ride a bike, getting my first story published. Then from the list, choose one that resonates most and begin writing about it.
6. Write a book review. Recall the last book you read and write a review about it. Alternately, write a review about a movie you watched. What did you like or did not like about it?
7. Write the final chapter. Review your current work in progress and draft the ending. Sometimes by writing the ending first, you have a clearer idea of how to start your novel.
8. Write about a vacation you took. Browse through vacation photos, old or recent. Describe the place as you remember it. Add as much detail as you can recall.
9. Create a character sketch. Think about your protagonist, antagonist or other major character. Describe their appearance, then write as much detail as you can about their personality. What do they want? What does it mean to them? What is the character’s back story?
10. Write about a dream. Recall a dream you had recently. Then write the dream as a scene in a book or movie. Be sure to include as many details as you can remember.
11. Write a letter. Is there a friend or loved one you haven’t seen in a long time? Draft a letter to someone you care about. You don’t have to mail it, just focus on expressing your heartfelt emotions. Alternately, write a letter to a historical figure you admire and wish you could meet. What would you say to them?
12. Play writing games. For example, choose three words at random from the dictionary (close your eyes, open to a random page and let your finger stop on a word) and write a story using those three words. The story can easily be two to three paragraphs.
13. Rewrite the ending of a book or movie. Think of a book or movie in which you did not like the way it ended. Rewrite the ending. Remember you only have 15 minutes, but you can jot down the key ideas.
14. Write a story about the sounds you hear. What do you hear? Describe the sounds and the images that come to mind when you hear them. Are there birds chirping? Is there a plane flying overhead? Is someone playing their stereo loudly? You can do this same exercise with other senses as well, such as touch, taste and smell.
15. Write about a piece of music. Listen to a song you love (or alternately, one you dislike). Try an instrumental piece with no lyrics. Close your ideas as you listen to it. What images come to mind? Does it bring back any memories? Then write about the music. Does it inspire a story?
No matter how busy you may be, I believe you can always find time to write, even if it’s only 15 minutes. Your writing practice shouldn’t suffer because your time is limited. As long as you have the desire to write, you can make space in your schedule for it.
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Don’t forget to check out the latest writing prompt: Write a scene or short story about someone getting lost while hiking in the woods.
The Regal Writer 