How to Author on a Busy Schedule (2024)

Maybe you’ve dreamed of writing the perfect textbook for your course.

…and then you take a look at your schedule, and your author dream gets placed on the shelf next to “Win the Lottery” and “Become a Tuba Virtuoso.”

Before you resign the dream, though, let us provide you with a word of comfort. The vast majority of our authors are highly busy individuals who, like you, had initial concerns about the time commitment.

It’s true: writing a textbook is a challenge, and it requires intentionality and a little bit of strategy. But ‘impossible’ isdefinitelythe wrong adjective.

With the right techniques, itispossible to successfully juggle writing, professional obligations, and your personal life…and even enjoy the process!

To give you the confidence boost you need (#SelfEfficacy), here are our four unconventional time management strategies to help you surviveandthrive as a busy author.

Know when to Say No?

We’ve all heard it before: the prerequisite to proper time management is knowing when to say, “Yes,” and when to say, “No.” In other words, if your plate feels full, then forget about saying, “Yes,” any time soon.

Most of the time, this is really good advice. But sometimes, you have to trust your gut.

If you have a passion project itching at your brain,don’t underestimate your ability to rebalance commitments and make time.

And by “make time,” we don’t mean an extra five hours per week. We’re talking one, maybe two, extra hours. If you have the right systems in place (*cough, cough,* keep reading), a small amount of time makes you dangerously effective.

It’s important to know your limits, but the proper motivation changes the game when making necessary schedule adjustments.

Exploit your Assets

Take stock of what’s working in your favor.

Do you have an upcoming sabbatical? Have you an eager colleague who wants to co-author? In working with your students, maybe you’ve noticed a real need for what your textbook would offer?

It seems like we’re wired to look at what’s against us (busy schedule, professional commitments, personal obligations, etc.). That may be natural, but don’t let it keep you from seeing what is workingforyou.

This simple perspective shift is surprisingly powerful. So much so, that it can be what makes your authorship venture a success.

Change your mindset, and take advantage!

Know Thyself

Feel free to take any external writing advice with a grain of salt.

The internet (we’re talking about you, LinkedIn) is packed with writing tips and time management strategies. That’s great, just make sure those strategies conform toyou…not the other way around. All the productivity strategies in the world won’t save you time if you end up working against yourself.

For example, if you’re not a planner by nature, don’t force yourself to time-block your calendar. If you do best with a deadline and a more spontaneous writing schedule, embrace that.

Online writing gurus suggest creating a “writing sanctuary.” For some, trying to over-idealize the process triggers perfectionism and writer’s block. If this is the case for you, forget the advice and just jump into your writing sessions before you can overthink.

“Set a consistent writing time,” is probably one of the most commonly advised writing strategies. That still doesn’t automatically make it right foryou. If you’re a parent with an irregular sleep schedule, your energy likely peaks at different times each day. As long as your writing sessions are somewhat regular, it doesn’t matter when they happen.

There really is no “right” way to go about authoring. Ultimately, give yourself radical permission to workwith the way you’re wired, not against it. You’ll maximize your time if your writing process…isyours.

Challenges, Balance, & Fun

Time to practice what you preach to your students. A growth mindset goes a long way in preventing roadblocks from derailing you.

Pre-decide to adapt when obstacles come your way. It’s amazing how often you’ll solve your issues more easily than you expect. Intentional flexibility will keep you from losing too much steam as you problem-solve.

Speaking of problems, there is one way you can fix a lot of them before they even start: remember that your work-life balance iscrucial.

There will be days you don’t meet your writing goal. It’ll be tempting to carry your writing into the evening hours, telling yourself it’ll only happen this once.

Rest. Is not. Optional.

Breaking your own boundaries increases your risk of burnout. In other words, you’re sacrificing future progress. Focus on consistency and work with (not against) your mental/emotional/biological rhythms.

Decide when you’ll “turn off” each day, and spend non-working hours with family or engaging in mental/physical rest. This will preserve your mental health and ensure your writing stamina remains constant throughout the project.

Finally,enjoy the writing process. Pleasure plays a crucial role in both creativity and output. This is your passion project, after all…have fun with it!

Conclusion

If you want to write a textbook, the best time management strategy is to know your strengths and lean into them. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you’re not fighting against yourself.

To thrive as an author with a busy schedule, your writing process doesn’t have to be “optimal.” It just has to be yours.

Looking for More? Check out the Podcast!

Kendall Hunt Author, Kelly Rossetto, juggles a full plate between teaching college and mothering two small children…and in the midst of it all, she wrote a textbook! Join us in our FIRST author feature as we discuss publishing on a busy schedule. We cover balancing responsibilities, time management, realistic timelines, self-care, and what to do when the typical advice DOESN’T work for you.

Listen HERE

How to Author on a Busy Schedule (2024)

FAQs

How to Author on a Busy Schedule? ›

I'm at capacity and concerned that overcommitting could affect my performance.” “I'm currently at a point where additional responsibilities would exceed my capacity. Given my workload, I need to be mindful of my limits and respectfully decline.”

How do you fit writing into a busy schedule? ›

3 Foolproof Ways to Fit Writing into Your Busy Schedule
  1. Prioritize Your Time to Write.
  2. Create Writing Goals.
  3. Find Accountability Partners.

How do you read more with a busy schedule? ›

Here's the Secret to Finding Time in Your Busy Schedule to Read—for Fun!
  1. Combine it With an Existing, Enjoyable Habit. ...
  2. Share Your Monthly Reading Goals With a Friend. ...
  3. Only Allow Yourself to Buy a New Book for Every Book You've Finished.

How do you say my schedule is busy professionally? ›

I'm at capacity and concerned that overcommitting could affect my performance.” “I'm currently at a point where additional responsibilities would exceed my capacity. Given my workload, I need to be mindful of my limits and respectfully decline.”

How do you study effectively with a busy schedule? ›

The following section will provide 7 strategies to help you carve out more precious study hours from your busy schedule.
  1. Prioritize Your Responsibilities. ...
  2. Use Dead Time Effectively. ...
  3. Use Meal Times Wisely. ...
  4. Study Early in the Morning. ...
  5. Try Speed Reading Techniques. ...
  6. Time Blocking Technique. ...
  7. Be Consistent with Breaks.
Dec 1, 2023

How do you say I have a busy schedule? ›

10 great words to use instead of “busy”
  1. Tied up. Example: I'm a little tied up with this new project. ...
  2. Occupied. Example: She's a bit occupied today dealing with new staff. ...
  3. Overstretched. ...
  4. Over-extended. ...
  5. Overloaded. ...
  6. Swamped. ...
  7. Snowed under. ...
  8. To have enough/rather a lot/too much on one's plate at the moment.
May 13, 2019

What is busy schedule examples? ›

Examples of busy schedule
  • One participant stated that they already had a busy schedule of activities in the summer. ...
  • How did you find time to develop these hobbies with your busy schedule? ...
  • The muqaddam keeps a busy schedule. ...
  • Frithjof maintained a busy schedule.

How do you describe a busy schedule? ›

What is another word for busy schedule?
hectic scheduletight schedule
full schedulejam-packed schedule
chaotic schedulefrenetic schedule
wild schedulebusy calendar
full calendarfull diary
4 more rows

What is the best sentence to start a book? ›

Start with the chase. A good hook might also be a question or a claim—anything that will elicit an emotional response from a reader. Think about it this way: a good opening sentence is the thing you don't think you can say, but you still want to say. Like, “This book will change your life.”

What should the first line of a book do? ›

A great first line can spur intense readerly attraction—provoke a compulsion to know more. Let's call this: love at first sentence. Such a reading experience is also a rare one, however. Just as it is easy to encounter most strangers and remain unmoved—so is it easy to not read most works of literature.

How do you say we understand your busy schedule? ›

  1. I understand that you are busy. ...
  2. I know you have a busy schedule. ...
  3. I understand you're swamped with work. ...
  4. I'm aware that you're quite busy. ...
  5. I understand you have a full schedule. ...
  6. I realize you have a hectic schedule. ...
  7. I'm mindful of your busy schedule. ...
  8. I realize your time is highly valuable.
Mar 14, 2024

How do you balance a busy schedule? ›

Balancing a Busy Schedule: 6 Dos and Don'ts
  1. Don't over commit yourself: ...
  2. Do make a schedule and stick to it: ...
  3. Don't let your social life take center stage: ...
  4. Do prioritize: ...
  5. Don't push yourself too hard: ...
  6. Do make time for what matters most:

How do you get fit if you have a busy schedule? ›

Busy at work
  1. Join a lunchtime walking or running group. ...
  2. Depending on your building facilities, you may be able to do yoga, swim or gym workouts before or after work, or in your lunch break.
  3. Ask your boss if you can get a standing desk. ...
  4. Meet outside so you can walk while you talk.
  5. Take regular breaks from your computer.

How do you say you have a busy schedule? ›

10 Ways to Say You're Busy Without Being Rude
  1. I'm preoccupied.
  2. I'm tied up.
  3. I have a lot on my plate.
  4. I'm juggling a lot right now.
  5. I don't have the bandwidth.
  6. I'm spread pretty thin.
  7. I'm swamped.
  8. I'm buried in work.
May 25, 2021

How do you describe busy in writing? ›

Example: I'm a little tied up with this new project. Example: She's a bit occupied today dealing with new staff. Example: He's slightly overstretched at the moment. Example: She's quite over-extended in this particular role.

How to have a consistent writing schedule? ›

How to create a writing schedule
  1. 01 Have a dedicated space. ...
  2. 02 Choose a time of day. ...
  3. 03 Decide on a duration for each session. ...
  4. 04 Maintain a sleep schedule. ...
  5. 05 Make time for reading. ...
  6. 06 Set a daily goal (by number of words or pages) ...
  7. 07 Study the craft. ...
  8. 08 Prioritize your projects.

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