Did you know “no time to write is a myth when it comes to writing your book—and you can still author a book without clearing your calendar?
One of the most common reasons I hear from professionals who want to write a book—but haven’t—is simple: “I don’t have the time.” It sounds logical, even relatable. You’re busy running a practice, preparing expert witness reports, managing patients, presenting to audiences, or litigating cases. The days blur into weeks, and the idea of carving out hours for a writing project feels out of reach.
But the truth is this: time isn’t something we find—it’s something we allocate.
No time to write until. . .
Let’s consider the story of Chad Burmeister. For 15 years, writing a book sat on his to-do list. It wasn’t until a chance conversation on an airplane jolted him into action that he realized time was not the barrier—it was intention. He made a public declaration: in 50 days, he would publish a book. He rallied contributors, set a firm deadline around a major conference, and pushed the project to completion. From idea to publication? Fifty-four days.
Time became available the moment he gave it purpose.
Found time to write every day
Then there’s Seth Greenwald. He didn’t set aside weekends or take a sabbatical to write. Instead, he used his daily train commute—55 minutes one way. His approach was structured and simple: write two paragraphs every day during the ride. Over the course of a year, his consistent effort added up to a complete manuscript. He didn’t wait for inspiration; he got ready at 8:15 a.m. each morning.
Consistency counts
This kind of consistency is possible for anyone—especially those willing to take a fresh look at how they use their time.
And what about you? You might already be writing without realizing it—through emails, reports, presentations, case summaries, or intake assessments. The question is: are you capturing that content in a form that can serve your larger goals?
How a ghostwriter helps with no time
Most professionals aren’t short on knowledge—they’re short on time to organize that knowledge into a compelling narrative. That’s where many of my clients have found the value of working with a ghostwriter.
A skilled ghostwriter can take your raw ideas, interview recordings, or even your daily voice memos, and shape them into a well-structured manuscript.
You remain the author—your thoughts, your voice—but the process becomes much more manageable.
Track your time
Still not sure where your time is going? Try tracking it for one week in 15-minute increments. Include everything: social media, client calls, meals, errands, and downtime. You’ll likely uncover at least a few windows that could be redirected toward writing. Even 20 minutes a day adds up—over a month, that’s 10 hours.
The act of writing doesn’t have to mean shutting yourself away in a cabin for weeks. It can mean speaking ideas into your phone while walking your dog. It can mean sketching out bullet points between client meetings. Or working with someone who specializes in helping professionals like you bring their stories to life.
Put it on your calendar
Another strategy that works well is setting up non-negotiable appointments on your calendar for writing. Whether it’s early in the morning before your phone starts ringing or later in the evening when the house is quiet, having dedicated writing time—even just twice a week—helps create momentum. And momentum leads to results.
Books don’t write themselves. But they don’t require heroic sacrifices either. My 68 books did not write themselves. I wrote them, one at a time.
Professionals across industries are authoring books not because they’re less busy—but because they’ve made the choice to move writing higher on their priority list. They’ve found ways to make the process fit their lives, often by getting help where it counts.
So, if writing a book has been sitting on your bucket list for months—or years—take a moment to ask yourself what’s truly standing in your way. If time is the answer, the real issue might be the method you’re using to write.
There are tools, systems, and collaborators—like ghostwriters—that can take the burden off your shoulders. You don’t need to clear your schedule. You need to take the first step.
Your message is too important to keep waiting.
Interested in having me assist you with that book? Contact me for help.
Pat Iyer MSN RN LNCC is a consultant, speaker, author, editor and coach. She has written or edited over 68 of her own books and worked with dozens of authors. Pat is an Amazon international #1 bestselling author. Coaches, consultants, and speakers hire Pat to help release the knowledge inside them so that they can attract their ideal clients.
She delights in assisting people to share their expertise by writing. Pat serves international and national experts as an editor, book coach, and a medical and business writer.
