How to Write a Book when You Have a Full-Time Job

Sometimes I think that if people weren't required to have jobs in order to make a living, there would be far more authors in the marketplace. Juggling a full-time job, a family and your passion for writing can be a tremendous source of stress, especially when there are far too few hours in the day to accomplish any progress on your book.

Writing a book when you have a full-time job requires patience, perseverance and desire. If you don't really want to write a book, it will never get done. There are too many episodes of favorite television shows to watch, too many books lying unread on your bookcase and too many household chores that need to be completed.

However, if you want to write a book-if you have the desire and the will to get it done-you can. It's as simple as that. Following are eight tips on how to write a book when you have a full-time job.

1. Put Aside Blocks of Time

While it is possible to write a book on the fly-fifteen minutes on the subway, five minutes between meetings-you'll accomplish far more if you set aside time every day to work on your book. While you're at work, realize that your full-time job deserves your complete attention. Wait to work on your book when you're at home and free from distractions.

2. Get Excited About Writing

Writing a book when you have a full-time job requires a certain level of motivation. Unless you're excited to sit down and work every evening or in the morning when you wake up, you won't do it. So on the drive home from work or while you're eating lunch at your desk, brainstorm ideas in your mind. Think about the next exciting scene or research you want to conduct, and you'll create the motivation needed to work.

3. Talk to Your Family About It

Believe me, I know how difficult it can be to get your family to leave you alone for a couple of hours to work on your book. Your spouse and children want to spend time with you, so you'll have to learn how to compartmentalize. Talk with your family about your desire to write a book and let them know how important it is. This will give them reasons to give you time to work after you come home from your full-time job.

4. Don't Write Every Day