A number of readers have asked me for some productivity tips and insight into how I manage my writing and working time. As most of my blog readers know, I have a husband, two kids, and a thriving new media business in addition to my burgeoning career as a YA novelist. And, of course, I also have a thoroughly adorable dog I spend time with!

Can you spot the dog?

I’m not afraid to say it – I am a very busy woman! I also travel to conferences, host podcasts, volunteer at my son’s school and volunteer for an organization that gives support to pregnant women on bedrest due to high-risk pregnancies.

But yet, I found time to write a novel. Or rather, seven, to be precise. So some people want to know how I do it – how I manage my time and fit it all in.

I’m about to tell you the secret.

Are you ready?

Are you sure?

Are you paying attention?

Here goes.

YOU HAVE TO WANT IT.

There’s no magic formula or secret weapon. Yes, I am a self-professed green tea devotee. I do consume several cups a day. But I don’t stay up all night and I do manage about six to seven hours of sleep and one hour a day of exercise (walking my dog up and down hills) and I do shower and put on makeup every day! So I am not some run-ragged, up-all-night, un-groomed mess!

But you probably want more insight than YOU HAVE TO WANT IT. So let me give you some. For starters, when I am writing a novel, I write every day. I usually write for an hour or two at night. That’s when I get the bulk of my writing done. But I think the key to writing a novel, or two or three, while also running a business and a family is to make every second of your day count.

Here’s how:

  • When I was revising The Mockingbirds for my editor, I was also attending and speaking at ad:tech New York. I had to be at the conference from 8:30 to 5 for about three days. I woke up at 5, got ready and went to Starbucks to write for two hours before I needed to be at the conference.
  • When I have meetings out of the office I bring my laptop. That way if I have waiting time or if I have extra time after the meeting or before I pick my kids up, I write. This often means you will find me pulled over and parked on the side of the road by my son’s school and writing in my car.
  • I don’t watch True Blood on airplanes. I don’t watch 30 Rock on airplanes. I write while flying, even on short trips to LA.
  • I take my laptop to my son’s swimming lessons. I write when he swims.
  • When my kids want to go to the park with their friends and just need a parental supervisor, I bring my laptop and write at the park.
  • When I have to attend meetings in the city, I schedule them near the Ferry Building. That way I can write while commuting instead of losing writing time to driving.

Basically, I put my butt in the chair every day and just do it!