We talk a lot around here about optimizing your writing life, especially when things aren’t ideal. Whether you’re juggling kids, caregiving, a full-time job, or just sheer burnout, sometimes the biggest enemy of progress is the myth that “real writing” only happens under perfect conditions.
One indie author recently blew that myth wide open—by writing 25,000 words in three weeks entirely on her phone.
No laptop. No quiet desk. No scheduled writing block. Just thumb-typing (or sometimes dictating) into Google Docs on her mobile device.
Writing “In the Cracks”
She calls it writing in the cracks: using fragmented, unpredictable pockets of time to squeeze in story development. As a mom to a toddler and a newborn recovering from a C-section, she had no time for sacred, uninterrupted writing hours.
But when inspiration struck—often in bed at night, or mid-laundry—she stopped trying to wait for a better moment. She pulled out her phone, opened her Notes app… and the words started flowing.
That small shift led to a bigger realization: Google Docs could give her a smoother, more sustainable mobile workflow. And just like that, she went from scattered notes to serious momentum.
Why Google Docs Worked
- Device Syncing – Seamlessly move between phone and computer.
- Document Outline – Navigate chapters and scenes easily.
- Word Count Tools – Keep an eye on progress.
- Formatting – Basic formatting (bold, italics, indentation) works on mobile.
- Dictation – For those who don’t love typing with their thumbs.
- Offline Access – Works without Wi-Fi if preloaded.
She even added inspiration images and chapter headers using simple formatting tricks and Canva graphics.
Breaking the Rules (And Why You Should Too)
She knows someone out there is already cringing. “You can’t write a real book on your phone!” To which she (and Abby Jimenez, NYT bestselling author and Book of the Year winner) say: “Watch us.”
There are no rules. Just best practices—and the best practice is the one that lets you get the words down.
Takeaway for Indie Authors
This isn’t about Google Docs, per se. (When I do write on my phone, I use the Android version of Microsoft Word.) It’s about challenging your internalized ideas of what “real” writing looks like. If you’re in a rough season, or just need permission to ditch the idealized writing routine, this is it.
- Your writing process can be flexible.
- You can build a book in small, scrappy bursts.
- You don’t need a desk, a keyboard, or even silence.
You just need to start.
Here on PIFW, I’ve long said that writing can thrive in the cracks and margins of your day. This video is a powerful reminder that not only is that possible—it might even be your most productive option in a tough season.
Share Your Process
Have your own offbeat writing hack? A weird-but-wonderful workflow that’s keeping your indie author life afloat?
I want to hear about it!
Drop it in the comments or pitch a guest post. Let’s keep sharing the tools and tricks that make this unpredictable writer’s life actually work.
