How to Blog in 15 Minutes {guest post}

April 4, 2012 by 23 Comments
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Keeping my priorities in order is a priority. So, finding time for actually writing posts can be a big problem in a homeschool, blogging mama world. There is just no such thing as long, peaceful stretches of time to write. (If you’ve found the answer, please share).

So, I will offer my solution. I write for 15 minutes at a time. It’s the same Flylady principle I’ve adapted for household have-tos. I set the timer early in the morning. And I write for 15 minutes. Click save. Walk away. Get ready for the day.

Mid-morning, a post idea pops into my head as I am reaching over to pick up teddy bear counters from math. So, as the children are taking a swing set break outside, I write. For 15 minutes. Then we all get back to school.

During afternoon quiet time, I put my feet up and I write for 15 minutes.

The 15 minute approach keeps my priorities straight and my idea dumps consistent. Here are a few more things I can accomplish in 15 minutes:

  •       An edit. Gives me a fresh eye on those 15 minute quickly dashed articles.
  •       Edit and schedule a contributor post or two.
  •       Pull photos from my camera, organize into folders.
  •       Upload and arrange photos in a post, create a photo collage.
  •       Answer emails, scan my reader, share posts.

And when I am blessed with a long stretch of writing time, perhaps on an early Saturday morning, I just write. And sometimes that writing turns into a series. Sets of 15 minute posts lined up.

This post? I wrote it in 15 minutes. I spent 15 minutes editing. A little less than 15 minutes composing the email and adding my photo for submission. Sometimes 15 minutes is all it takes.

Gotta go. My 15 minutes are up.

How about you? How do you find time to write?

Homeschooling for over a decade now, Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos with five children. She shares a mixture of free art lessons, recipes and the practical at Hodgepodge. She and her husband are also owners and authors at The Curriculum Choice.

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| For Bloggers, Getting Started, Guest Post
  • http://www.gentleshepherd.biz Diane Hurst

    I like this idea! The hard part for me would be letting go at the end of the 15 minutes if I’m really into the writing. But kudos to you that you can do this! Snatches of time is what most people have for doing writing, if they have another full-time occupation. I do use this concept a lot, but am not good at limiting myself to 15 minutes :)

    • Homeschool Blogging

      I agree! Very difficult to make yourself stop, but very beneficial if you can!

    • http://creatingtreasures.blogspot.com tereza crump aka MyTreasuredCreations

      I was reading the website of Roadl Dahl and there he says that he would always stop MID inspiration. He would never keep writing until he had nothing to say. He would always stop mid story so that he would have something to come back to the next day.

      I am trying to incorporate that discipline into my writing.

  • http://getalonghome.com Cindy

    I have an hour between my Bible and prayer time and the kids getting up, most mornings. Sometimes I use it to write. Other times I use our quiet time, if there’s not too much else to do. Most weeks, I just don’t blog very much. Too much to do, and the 15 minute thing won’t work for me. I’ve tried doing it in chunks like that, but I can’t stop writing until it’s mostly done. Drives me nuts to have a thought started, but not finished! The exception is easy stuff like reviews. I can do those in small increments, because they’re completely non-controversial and don’t require a lot of thought, unlike the rest of it, apparently.

    I wonder what my blogging would be like if I had more time for it? Guess we’ll know in a few years, when the kids are all big enough to direct themselves more often, right? ;-)

    • Homeschool Blogging

      Now for me, the giveaways and reviews are much more difficult. I’m afraid of missing something if I don’t concentrate fully. And blogging at night is the way I roll because I’m less likely to be interrupted then. ;)

  • http://thetravelingpraters.com Tonya @ The Traveling Praters

    I so appreciate this post. I can sit down and waste way too much time trying to get something done. 15 minutes here and there throughout the day as inspiration strikes sound great as opposed to an hour sitting at the screen with nothing to show for my efforts beyond a few sentences. I’ve been trying to learn to be more productive and this is a great way to start! Thanks for sharing such a great tip!

    • Homeschool Blogging

      This might help with your internet usage as well! ;)

      • http://www.hodgepodge.me Tricia

        Yes! Definitely helps internet usage! Plus, I find I am more focuses if I know I only have 15 minutes.

  • http://Www.brightideaspress.com Maggie Hogan

    You have NO idea how much I needed to read this!! Thank you. Putting a timer by my desk now…
    Maggie

    • Homeschool Blogging

      You’ll have to let us know how it goes for you!

    • http://www.hodgepodge.me Tricia

      Hooray Maggie! So glad this helped. (It helps my children with those frustrating subjects too)

  • http://www.servingfromhome.com Lauren

    Oh my goodness! This is just what I needed! I so struggle with this! When do I get reading time in if I spend my whole afternoon quiet time blogging?! This might be the perfect solution, I’m raring to try it out! Thank you!

    • Homeschool Blogging

      It is so easy to let tons of time just slip through our fingers. Let us know how it works for you!

  • http://premeditatedleftovers.com Alea @ Premeditated Leftovers

    Wonderful post! I like your idea of setting a timer.

  • Mary

    This is a good idea. I have to admit this would take a lot of self control for me because sometimes a post idea leads me on numerous rabbit trails (which is where the real time wasting comes in!).

    Thanks for the tip ~ I am going to give it a try.

    • Homeschool Blogging

      I’m on those rabbit trails with you! So easy to do! There will be a post out next week that will help with those rabbit trails. ;)

  • http://babyrowe.blogspot.com Sabrina

    I’ve often heard something similar–to blog even for a short time. But the idea of using multiple blocks of time? Genius. So simple, so doable. Thanks for sharing :)

  • http://www.hodgepodge.me Tricia

    I also have my phone in my pocket and type ideas/inspiration when they hit. Except it happens a lot when I’m driving so then I ask daughter to type it for me.

    The 15 minute concept is freedom for me. When I stand in the middle of that room of the house and survey the wreckage from the morning I get overwhelmed. But just five minutes – with everybody’s help – and it’s picked up!

    The same goes for writing. Rather than get bogged down with all that has to be done – I can feel accomplished with at least getting some photos uploaded – if I’m not feeling the writing inspiration.

    I do hope this concept can help you all in many areas!

  • http://earlylearning-eaton.blogspot.com/ Marta Wilson

    I really like that 15 min idea! It’s not easy to find a time to write a nice post having 2 kids around. Sometimes I have so many ideas in my head that I leave 3 windows open for a while to write posts. (sometimes none:) 15 min should work for me and I will definitely try it.
    Thank you
    Greetings from Hawaii
    m

  • http://www.something2offer.com Thaleia@ Something2Offer

    I found carrying a pen and notebook around with me helps. I was using a messenger bag with blog 3-ring notebook/planner and spiral-less notebook paper when going outside or to MIL. Really helps me not be afraid of forgeting an idea, cute comment, or question I have about blogging. Would have helped with geting SM lined up better sooner:http://wp.me/p2C3NH-5h

  • http://www.writeshop.com/blog Kim @ In Our Write Minds

    I’ve been trying to do things in 15-minute increments only because I get so distracted anymore. With my empty nest and no children underfoot, I find I need to set a timer for 15 minutes of FB or Twitter time so that I can spend a more concentrated chunk of time writing or editing.

    I also like setting the timer when I write, but if I go past the 15 or 30 minutes, and I’m on a roll, I know I have the freedom to keep going. That couldn’t have happened when I was a young mama, that’s for sure!

    Great article!

    • Homeschool Blogging

      I never thought about the fact that an empty-nester could easily just fritter away all her time because she has more of it! Great point, Kim!

  • http://www.onfaithandcoffee.com/ Heather N.

    This is GREAT advice! I am DEFINITELY going to start doing this!