Writing a book is hard. Writing a book as a mom? That feels nearly impossible.
Between diaper changes, carpool lines, grocery runs, toddler meltdowns, and the ever-growing laundry mountain, most moms can barely finish a sentence—let alone a novel.
And yet, books get written. Manuscripts get finished. Stories get told.
This guide is for the moms who write in the margins of the day, who plot during sleepless nights, and who dream of seeing their name on a cover despite the chaos.
You don’t need hours of silence or a cabin in the woods. You need a plan, a little creativity, and a reminder that your voice matters.
Let’s get you writing.
📅 Step 1: Embrace the Season You’re In
Forget every writing rule you’ve heard. Moms don’t write like MFA students or full-time novelists.
They write like warriors.
Maybe you can’t write every day. Maybe you only get one hour a week. That’s not failure—that’s reality.
Instead of fighting your season, flow with it.
- Nursing a newborn? Use your Notes app to brain-dump ideas.
- Kids in school? Guard that window fiercely.
- Toddlers napping? Write 200 words instead of scrolling.
Your season shapes your writing rhythm. Accept it, don’t resist it.
⏰ Step 2: Create a Micro-Routine That Fits Your Life
Forget long writing sessions. You need micro-routines that fit inside your day.
Sample Micro-Writing Plan:
- Morning (5 mins): Write one line or journal thought
- Midday (10 mins): Sketch one scene or character note
- Evening (15 mins): Draft 200 words
Over 30 days, that adds up to 6,000 words.
You don’t need time. You need a system. And you need to lower the pressure until writing becomes possible again.
🏡 Step 3: Create a Writing-Friendly Home Zone
You don’t need an office. You need:
- A corner of a table
- A dedicated writing mug or candle
- A playlist that triggers “writing mode”
- A small writing basket (notebooks, pens, snacks, charger)
📅 Visual cues train your brain to switch into creative mode even if you only have 10 minutes.
When your toddler sees your mug, they’ll know it’s your 10 minutes. You’re modeling creativity.
✍️ Step 4: Know What You’re Writing (Before You Sit Down)
The biggest writing time-waster? Staring at the screen with no plan.
Instead, use a method like this:
- Sunday Planning Sesh (15 mins): Jot down 5 things you’ll write this week
- Daily Cue Cards: One index card with your next scene or writing prompt
When you sit down, you already know what you’re doing. No warm-up needed.
🧰 Step 5: Outline Like a Mom (Not a Perfectionist)
You don’t need a detailed beat sheet or a 100-page plan. You need just enough to not get lost.
Try the Sticky Note System:
- Act 1: 3 key moments
- Act 2: 3 complications
- Act 3: 3 resolutions
Put each on a sticky note and stick it to your wall, fridge, or inside your notebook.
This isn’t school. It’s survival writing.
🌟 Step 6: Redefine “Good Writing”
You might think:
- “This is garbage.”
- “No one will read this.”
- “I can’t focus enough to make it great.”
Here’s the truth: Messy first drafts save lives.
Writing as a mom isn’t about polish. It’s about presence. Getting your story down badly is still better than keeping it in your head.
Good writing is rewriting. But you can’t rewrite a blank page.
🙏 Step 7: Ask for Help (Even If You Hate It)
We tell our kids to ask for help. We forget to model it ourselves.
Ask for:
- 30 minutes from your partner to write uninterrupted
- A Saturday writing block from Grandma
- A babysitting swap with another mom who writes
Or:
- Join a 5am writing Zoom sprint
- Trade critique chapters with another mom author
You are not weak for needing help. You are wise.
📲 Step 8: Use Tools That Actually Make Life Easier
Busy moms need tools that work. Here are our faves:
| Tool | Why It Rocks |
|---|---|
| Google Docs | Auto-saves and works on phone/laptop |
| Scrivener | Powerful scene organization |
| Otter.ai | Voice-to-text when your hands are full |
| Notion | All-in-one organizer for moms who love structure |
| Canva | Quick visuals for plotting, mood boards, or motivation |
Don’t let tech become a time-waster. Use it to simplify.
📚 Step 9: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Time (It Won’t Come)
There will always be:
- Sick days
- Growth spurts
- Homework disasters
- Sleepless nights
You will never have the perfect time to write.
You only have right now. Five minutes here. Ten minutes there.
You don’t need big blocks of time. You need courage in small bursts.
📕 Step 10: Celebrate Every Tiny Milestone
Finished a paragraph? That counts.
Wrote 100 words? Huge win.
Got an idea while washing dishes? Honor it.
Track your progress on:
- A paper calendar (use stickers for motivation)
- A habit app like Streaks or Done
- A spreadsheet or journal
Progress is motivating. Build momentum by celebrating what you did, not what you didn’t.
📄 Bonus: A Writing Plan for Moms With No Time
Total Weekly Writing Time: 2.5 hours
| Day | Task | Time |
| Monday | Brain-dump scene ideas (voice note or phone) | 15 min |
| Tuesday | Draft 200 words (while kids watch a show) | 30 min |
| Wednesday | Outline a chapter (after bedtime) | 20 min |
| Thursday | Write one new scene | 45 min |
| Friday | Edit something small | 15 min |
| Saturday | Power write with coffee | 45 min |
| Sunday | Reflect + prep next scenes | 15 min |
You don’t need a 40-hour writing week. You need 2.5 consistent hours. That’s doable.
🌟 Final Reminder: You Are a Writer Now
Not when the kids are older. Not when the house is quiet. Not when you feel more confident.
You are a writer now.
Your story matters.
It’s okay if it’s messy. It’s okay if it’s slow. It’s okay if it’s done between snacks and school pickups.
Because when you write as a mom, you’re doing something powerful:
— You’re modeling creativity — You’re reclaiming identity — You’re turning motherhood into a space for art
And someday, your kids will say:
“My mom wrote a book. While raising us.”
So open the laptop. Pull out the notebook. Say yes to five minutes.
Start.
Because you’re not just a mom. You’re a mother who writes.
