Master Time Management—7 Best Hacks for New Indie Authors

“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” — Charles Buxton, British writer

Time is the one thing every new indie author needs more of but never seems to have enough of. Between writing, editing, researching, marketing, posting on social media, replying to emails, formatting, and finding beta readers, the demands pile up fast. The freedom of being an indie author comes with a hidden cost: no one tells you what to do or when to do it.

Imagine a world where your writing time is not a scarce resource but a well-managed asset. This writer’s guide will show you how to build a time management system that brings clarity, momentum, and confidence to your writing journey. No hustle culture required.

Step 1: Know Where Your Time Is Actually Going

The first rule of time management is this: You can’t manage what you don’t track. Spend 3–5 days recording your time in 30-minute blocks. No judgment. Just an observation. You’ll quickly notice:

• Hidden time sinks (e.g., “quick scroll” sessions that eat 45 minutes)
• Your natural energy patterns (e.g., most focused from 9–11 am)
• What’s actually moving the needle (e.g., outlining vs. obsessing over book fonts)

Once you know your reality, you can begin to shape it.

Pro Tip: Use simple tools like Toggl or RescueTime, or jot it down on paper. Whatever feels doable.

Step 2: Identify Your Core Writing Priorities

As a new indie author, your time will never be unlimited. So, focus it where it matters most. Make peace with imperfection. Not everything will get done. What matters is that the right things get done. Enter time management.

Ask yourself:

• What’s my #1 writing goal this month? (e.g., finish a first draft)
• What tasks support that goal directly?
• What can wait, be delegated, or done after hours?

Step 3: Design a Weekly Time Management Map

Let’s make this practical. Start by creating a recurring weekly plan that reflects your real life: your day job, kids, appointments, and energy levels, not some fantasy schedule. Begin with small, manageable writing sessions. Writing 3–5 days per week for 30–60 minutes can yield a complete novel draft in months, not years.

Example Weekly Map:

• Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30–7:30 am – Drafting new scenes
• Tue 12:00–12:30 pm – Outline or edit over lunch
• Saturday 9:00–11:00 am – Deep writing session
• Sunday 4:00–5:00 pm – Review goals and prep for the week

Step 4: Batch, Block, and Buffer

One of the fastest ways to reclaim your time is to batch related tasks. This simple strategy can bring a sense of relief, knowing that you’re in control of your time. Add buffers around creative sessions: consider transition time, brain breaks, or a margin in case you run long. Don’t forget to block time for rest. Without recovery, your writing will suffer.

• Group all marketing tasks on Fridays
• Reserve Wednesdays for editing only
• Handle emails and admin after writing, not before

Step 5: Use the Right Tools (But Keep It Simple)

You don’t need a fancy planner or 14 productivity apps for effective time management. Only add tools if they make your system simpler, not more overwhelming. Start with what works:

• Google Calendar – To block time or set recurring sessions
• Trello / Notion / ClickUp – To track projects and deadlines
• Forest / Pomofocus – To run distraction-free writing sprints
• ChatGPT / Grammarly / ProWritingAid – To speed up idea generation and edits

Step 6: Build a Writing Habit (Not Just a Schedule)

Time management won’t help if you never show up. It becomes muscle memory. The more consistent you are, the less mental energy it takes to begin. Turn writing into a habit, not just a task. That means:

• Same time of day
• Same place, if possible
• Same ritual (e.g., light a candle, open your document, play focus music)

Step 7: Plan Weekly. Adjust Daily

Every Sunday, take 15–20 minutes to:

• Review what worked last week
• Look ahead and adjust blocks as needed
• Set 1–3 priority goals for the week

Then, each day, review your plan, make any necessary adjustments, and recommit to it. Even a “messy” plan beats none at all.

The Myth of the “Perfect Writing Day”

New authors often wait for long, uninterrupted chunks of time to appear before writing. Spoiler: They rarely do. Train yourself to write in short bursts. Ten focused minutes today beats zero perfect hours tomorrow. The ideal writing day is built one pocket of time at a time.

“Discipline equals freedom.” — Jocko Willink, former Navy SEAL & author of Extreme Ownership

Wrap-Up: Time Is Creative Fuel. Spend It On Purpose

You don’t need to be a productivity guru. You need a rhythm that honors your creative process. Time management isn’t about doing more. It’s about making room for what matters. The more intentional you are with your time, the more consistent and confident you become as a writer.

We hope you found these writer’s guide strategies helpful and inspiring. They’re intended to provide you with the necessary tools and insights to succeed as an indie author.

For more guidance, see other guides in this series. We suggest starting with Boosting Mental Focus—5 Hacks for New Indie Authors. You might also like AI Empowers New Indie Authors: 5 Best Hacks.

If you have a draft and want to explore how AI can help you self-publish it, read, Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? Lastly, for help writing a non-fiction book, read Write Your First Non-Fiction eBook: a 30-Day Workbook for Getting It Done.

Writing is an ongoing adventure that involves continuous learning and improvement. You don’t have to go through this alone. We are excited to accompany you every step of the way, providing you with the support and motivation you need. Our goal is to give you the necessary knowledge and practical advice to navigate the world of writing with confidence.

Don’t wait. Start today! How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our Contact form. Happy writing!

Time Management Checklist

Use this printable to help build and stick to a writing rhythm that works. Use it to develop your weekly writing map. Test it for 7 days. Adjust what doesn’t work. And above all, protect your writing time like it’s sacred.

🕵️ Track Your Time (3–5 Days)

• Log your time in 30-minute blocks (use paper, Toggl, or RescueTime)
• Identify energy peaks and major time wasters
• Notice writing-related vs. nonessential tasks

🎯 Define Core Priorities

• Choose 1 writing goal to focus on this week/month
• List the tasks that directly support that goal
• Decide what to delay, batch, or delegate

🗓️ Create Your Weekly Writing Map

• Pick 3–5 writing days per week (even short sessions count)
• Block time for writing based on your schedule
• Add buffer time before and after writing blocks
• Schedule a weekly check-in (15–20 minutes)

🧠 Use Tools that Work for You

• Calendar app or planner
• Project board (Notion, Trello, ClickUp)
• Timer or Pomodoro app (Forest, Pomofocus)
• Optional AI tools for brainstorming/editing

🔁 Build Habits, Not Just Blocks

• Use the same time and place when possible
• Create a writing ritual (music, tea, lighting, etc.)
• Train yourself to write in short bursts when needed

🔄 Weekly Review (Every Sunday)

• What worked well last week?
• What didn’t work and why?
• What’s your top writing goal this week?
• When will you write, and what will you focus on?

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