5 Quick Creative Writing Exercises for Busy Mamas

If you’re reading this, you know how hard it is to make time for writing as a mom. After changing diapers to cleaning up messes and helping with homework and cleaning up more messes, it’s not always easy to dive into a writing project and find your flow.

But as a mama writer, writing is probably what you need to keep your sanity.

So you have to let go of the pressure to create something amazing and lean into the idea of playing with words. Doing a creative writing exercise is enough to remind yourself that you’re a writer. Here are a few quick ways to practice writing when you find a 5-minute window in your day.

1. Did/Saw/Heard/Doodle

This creative writing exercise comes from the great Dani Shapiro in her book Still Writing. It’s simple, fun, playful, and takes only a few minutes.

Draw a four-square grid on a sheet of paper. In one quadrant, write Did. In the next quadrant, write Heard. The bottom left quadrant, Saw, and the last corner, Doodle.

Then, thinking of only things that came up in the day you’re in, write 7 things you did, 7 things you heard, 7 things you saw, then, for fun, draw a doodle inspired by one of the things you wrote down. (Your doodle can also be a never-ending spiral if you’re scared of drawing, like me.)

I love this activity because you really can fit it in every day. It’s kind in that it doesn’t require you to think in full beautiful sentences or plot lines. This practice is helpful for letting you slow down, reflect, and be more mindful. You can also use this as a warmup before starting a writing session, because it helps get your pen moving.

2. I Remember…

This activity is another one out of Shapiro’s inspiring book (seriously, go check it out!). Simply open a notebook and start writing sentences that begin with “I remember…” and let your mind fill in the rest. Each sentence must start with that phrase, “I remember.” There’s no restriction here to go in order or follow the same thought. Shapiro says it’s natural that our memories aren’t exactly a narrative told in order, but it’s more interesting to see what memories are associated with others and what connections you make here.

3. Tell a Classic Story from Another Character’s Point of View

While this is meant to be a fun, low-pressure creative writing exercise, this activity is commonly done in the literary and film world. You could find a gem of an idea that you have to chase down out of doing this exercise.

Pick a favorite classic story of yours or even the last book you read. Take a scene or chapter and tell it from the viewpoint of the antagonist or a supporting character. Imagine how different Harry Potter books would be if they the reader was in Ron Weasley’s head all along!

4. Write a Letter to Your Younger or Older Self

Think of a time at least five or 10 years back when you really struggled with something. What would you, your older and wiser self, go back and tell that person? How would you sum up what you’ve learned, and what advice would you give? I think this type of writing is helpful for developing those thematic statements you find in a good book, where the words hit on exactly the right message and feeling without generalizing. Those distinct messages have to start somewhere.

While you’re at it, write a letter to your future self, too. Author Hal Hershfield says in his book, Your Future Self, the more you connect with who you’ll be 10 years from now, the more likely you are to do things that benefit that person. Writing a letter to your future self can help you feel closer to the you 10 years from now, meaning that maybe you’ll show up now to do the writing she wants you to have done.

5. Write a Good Social Media Caption.

I hesitate to give this exercise because spending time on social media is the last thing I want to do after a busy day of momming. However, as a writer, I think it’s good to share our written words often, and writing a full blog post doesn’t quite fit in that limited “quick 5-minute window” that we writing mamas are lucky if we have in our day.

If you are going to be scrolling or looking at social media, take the opportunity to write out a creative post. Maybe you share a fun picture from your day, or a throwback, or anything you like. Instead of sharing a few emojis with a one- or two-word phrase, tell a story about your picture. Throw a joke in there. Start a creative conversation.

Social media doesn’t have to be a time-suck. It can be a creative outlet for busy mamas who need space to write and share their ideas. Play around on there…with caution.

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We hope these activities help you stay active with your writing, no matter how little time or energy you have. Let us know if you try any of these creative writing exercises and which is your favorite!