Summer’s arrival is usually greeted with enthusiasm—longer days, brighter skies, and warm sunshine. Yet, for authors juggling parenthood, these cheerful months can quickly feel overwhelming. While the sound of children's laughter and the clutter around the house bring joy, they can also become constant distractions, threatening to derail even the most determined writer. But fear not—your creativity doesn't need to take a holiday just because the kids are off school.
I vividly recall those summer days, with three children clamouring around me, noise echoing through every room, and toys scattered about. Now, my youngest has recently moved into his own flat, leaving me with a quiet home after three bustling decades. I have found peace—and an unprecedented freedom to write whenever inspiration strikes. Yet, I frequently find myself warmly reflecting on the vibrant chaos of family life, and those messy, noisy days that were so special too.
During the pandemic, I found myself increasingly frustrated by the constant clutter and chaos around the house. Then one day, I made a conscious decision—to embrace the mess and enjoy the company of my children while they were still at home, knowing that one day they would move out and I'd have plenty of time for a tidy, calm, and organised home later. Instead of feeling annoyed by the disorder and then lonely once they had gone, I chose to savour their presence in the moment, looking forward to peacefully writing in my clean, quiet house in the future.
It really is possible to write successfully amid the hustle and bustle of family life—I wrote my first international bestseller, The Bigamist, when my children were aged 7, 4, and 1 (in 2006), and my second, The Psychopath, during lockdown (in 2020). So, how can you keep your creativity thriving when the house is full of lively energy?
One of my best secrets was becoming an early bird. Rising at 5am when my children were small allowed me to enjoy the quiet stillness of dawn, free from distractions, emails, and texts. By the time everyone else awoke a couple of hours later, I had already enjoyed a productive start to the writing day.
Of course, getting up early isn’t for everyone, and longer sessions aren’t always feasible. So, shorter bursts of creativity became essential. Carrying a notebook everywhere - whether at the park, waiting rooms, or supervising snack breaks - allowed me to jot down ideas as they came. Even fifteen minutes here and there can keep your writing momentum alive.
Trading childcare with fellow parents also became a valuable lifeline. Exchanging a morning or afternoon with a friend allowed each of us precious hours to focus. If this wasn't possible, educational films or even just entertaining cartoons captivated my children long enough for brief productive writing sessions.
Having a dedicated writing corner was another powerful tool. Even a simple desk tucked away in a quiet nook clearly signalled to my family, "author at work," and helped me switch instantly into creative mode. Alongside this, I occasionally organised family writing sessions, where everyone - children included - joined me to draw, journal, or craft stories. It helped them feel involved, and I gained guilt-free writing time.
Quiet time incentives worked wonders as well. Establishing daily calm periods - rewarded afterwards with small treats - encouraged peaceful play and provided me with uninterrupted writing moments. To reinforce this structure, visual progress trackers like sticker charts or whiteboards celebrated family milestones (and my writing achievements), creating a supportive atmosphere around my work.
One of the most rewarding - and unexpected - sources of inspiration was family interaction. My children's spontaneous ideas often became brilliant story prompts, their funny observations weaving into stories we created together, evolving into family legends we still laugh about today.
When the walls began to close in, I found great success in moving my workspace outdoors. Writing in the garden or local park allowed everyone to enjoy fresh air, sparking my creativity and keeping the children entertained at the same time.
Creating a nightly writing ritual provided essential structure to my day. When my children were younger and bedtime reliably early, evenings became sacred, dedicated to reviewing and typing up notes gathered throughout the day. This routine gave me clarity and peace of mind, setting the stage for a fresh writing start each morning.
Writing with a house full of children is never smooth sailing, but structured routines, adaptability, and embracing family life as inspiration can transform the challenge into a wonderfully rewarding and enriching experience. Now, in the quiet ease of my empty home, I cherish the simple pleasure of uninterrupted writing, yet my fondest memories remain rooted in those busy, chaotic summers filled with laughter, noise, and scribbled notes.
Enjoy your summer, writers! Embrace both the sunshine and the scribbles - they’re both precious parts of your authorial journey.
Top Tips Recap:
- Rise early for peaceful writing time.
- Utilise short bursts of writing whenever possible.
- Trade childcare sessions with friends to carve out writing time.
- Let your children inspire your stories.
- Create a dedicated writing space.
- Hold family-friendly writing sessions.
- Use quiet-time incentives.
- Write outdoors to stimulate creativity.
- Track progress visually.
- Establish a nightly writing ritual.
- Happy writing!
Mary Turner Thomson is an international best-selling author, writing coach and publishing consultant. She specialises in helping people tell their stories, and is passionate about not victim shaming – including not victim shaming ourselves. She’s also the author of two true crime memoirs and a novel about resilience.