How to Find Time to Write While Raising a Family
Tips and Inspiration from Novelist Hanna Delaney
Hey, welcome to Methods—the series where we explore the creative habits of fellow Substack writers.
This week, Hanna Delaney, a Liverpool-based novelist, shares her journey of balancing family life, writing, and a dynamic creative process. Her days are filled with baby nap times, evening writing sprints, and bursts of inspiration amid a bustling household.
In her own words:
“I have three kids, an awesome husband who encouraged me to do this, and a dog who didn’t—but she’s happy to see me trying to put food on the floor.”
With a BA and MA in English literature, Hanna’s love for storytelling took root during her years as a teacher. Now, she channels that passion into her Substack, A Work of Fiction, where she shares stories twice a week.
In this interview, Hanna discusses:
How she writes amidst the chaos of parenting,
The creative independence self-publishing offers,
The impact of physical activity on her imagination,
And how serializing her novels transformed her process.
Enjoy!
Know someone with a unique creative process? Drop their name in the comments—I’d love to feature them!
Creative Routine: Balancing Family Life and Writing
Ha, there's no routine.
I write when I'm in the mood to write, and that's all the time lately. I write when I get a spare minute, but most of my writing happens while also making sure the baby doesn't pull wires out of the wall or eat something she shouldn't.
I work in our downstairs 'office' which is part toy room, part craft room and part work space. My desk is messy because not only does the baby dump stuff on it, but I confiscate things and keep them on there, too.
Most of my writing for Oceanus happened of an evening after the kids had gone to bed, but I steal a couple of hours over the course of the day now. Sometimes they're spread out in 15 minute increments but hey, writing time is writing time!
If I'm really wanting to get something over the line, I'll work on it over several evenings to get it finished, but that's only for things like, the last 5 chapters of a novel. I'm otherwise flexible.
See Also: Why Rigid Writing Schedules Are for Privileged Men
Writers Who Inspire Her Darker Stories
Shirley Jackson. I don't know a lot about her life but I know that she was banging out bestsellers with 4 kids at home and a husband who was never around (nor did he want to be.) Her kids say she was always laughing and got dinner on the table every night. I have so much respect for that woman.
Other than Shirley, I found Stephen King's On Writing to be a very influential book. I'm not a fluffy writer, so it was refreshing to have a fellow writer tell me that fluff is unnecessary.
The work of Daphne Du Maurier inspired me to even consider writing. She was regularly dubbed as a romance author (nothing wrong with romance of course) but that was so inaccurate. Her stuff is dark! I love that she refers to each novel as 'a phase' that she was going through. I can relate to that. I'm 100% into something or 0%. There is no in between.
In writing, I have to say that Michele Bardsley is just fantastic. She's my mentor and has really helped me get to grips with self-publishing ins and outs. I am so lucky to have her. I really could have done with a Michele Bardsley in every other job I've had, but then I probably wouldn't have ended up writing fiction. It is what it is.
My family are my biggest influence. I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for my husband and my kids. My six year old is very proud of me, and tells everyone that 'Mummy's a real author.' She also thinks I'm rich because of it though. If only she knew!
The Power of Creative Independence
Why She Avoids Traditional Publishing
I once read the acknowledgements of a mainstream horror book after thinking the story was a bit lame and to my horror, the author said something to the agent and editor along the lines of 'thank you for taking this story and transforming it into something amazing.'
That highlighted traditional publishing for me and made me run a mile in the other direction. I don't want anybody changing my story. I'm all for feedback, but the idea of someone making tweaks to fit my book into a current trend offends every inch of me.
How Physical Activity Fuels Creativity
The more I run, lift, walk or whatever, the more ideas I have.
It's not just the case of getting ideas but it helps me process what I already have. I suppose working in my chaotic family home with 3 little kids helps me realise how much I want to write.
If it was quiet and I had all day to myself, I'd probably procrastinate more. Time restrictions really push me into maximum efficiency when I do get a free minute to write some microfiction or enhance a chapter.
How Serialising Her Novels Shifted Her Approach
I've published weekly serials for my first two novels (and I hadn't even finished them before starting 😄), but I probably wouldn't have written them if I wasn't doing the serial. I like the gentle pressure.
Staying On Track and Conquering Distractions
I focus on one project at a time. I used to be all over the place but now it's controlled.
For example, I'll only work on one novel at a time and if I need a break or a palette cleanser, I'll write other things like microfiction or a short story, but they are rewards or activities, so I'll always come back to the novel. I think this has really helped me to stay focused.
I don't think I'll serialise all of my novels going forward (I've done two already) as I think I've finally overcome the hurdle that is getting a book finished, but I will definitely consider it if I can't stay on track otherwise.
Knowing there are people anxious to read the next chapter really gives me a kick up the backside, and I love the 'live' element. It feels like being at a club and saying 'this is my new single' and watching them enjoy the new music. Substack is really special in that way.
Tools for Creative Inspiration
Notebooks. I like to write down interesting facts, thoughts I've had or dialogue for characters. I'll also outline a novel in my notebook, just to see the ideas. It's less intimidating than opening a blank document.
See Also - Joan Didion's Thoughts on Journaling
Thanks, Hanna!
Check out her books of Oceanus and The Spider.
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This was another very insightful piece into the working/creative process of a writer. The notebook comment resonated among other things here and I found this quite motivational in a lot of ways in general.
I relate to so much of this! My kids are in school now so I have a different workflow but when I had babies I remember walking the halls of the apartment building at night with a tiny girl in a front carrier while typing maniacally in gdocs on my phone. 😂 We do what we gotta do!