I will be the first to admit that I never have time to write. Between the day job, family obligations, and all the marketing involved in selling and promoting the books I currently have out there, it seems I need more hours in the day to get everything done. So, how the heck do I find time to create a story when I have a million balls in the air? Good question. I'll let you know when I figure it out.
Just kidding.
Sorta.
Maybe just a little.
Ack.
It's hard. It really is. It's especially difficult convincing friends and family that your time on the computer isn't just hours spent social-media surfing and watching YouTube videos of laughing babies.
So, while I'm not perfect in keeping to a writing schedule, I've seen major improvements in productivity by following the steps below. Hopefully this post will give you hope rather than stressing you out even more. Breathe, friend, breathe.
1. Invest in a Good Planner
Say "hello" to my little friend.
I'm telling you right now, your planner will be your best friend. Some people like to do the whole electronic calendar thing, but not me. I do better when I have a tangible notebook in my hand that shows me all the beautifully color coordinated things I need to do for the upcoming weeks and months. Something about better memory retention. I don't know, it just works for me.
However your brain functions, you must first admit that with a hectic schedule, if you don't put it in writing, you're definitely going to forget it.
I bought this planner at Target on sale. It's a school calendar meant for students, but I love that I get a monthly calendar as well as a daily calendar so I can map out what I need to do each day rather than a quick generalization. There are also some great scrapbook-ish type calendars you can get at Hobby Lobby that are really cute and utilize stickers. I'm all about the stickers!
2. Make a Schedule You Can Follow
The No. 1 reason carefully planned schedules fail is that we try to cram in too much in one day. So, to avoid the pit of despair where you find yourself rocking in a corner because the sky is falling and you can't get up...set achievable goals.
For instance, unless you are one of those insanely gifted writers who can spit out 10,000 words a day and have a 75,000 word novel finished in a week, do not say that you are going to write a full-length novel in two weeks. You need to give yourself time.
I've learned that my sweet spot is 2,500. No matter how hectic my life is, I know I can sit down and spin out 2,500 in a little over an hour. So, if my new book needs to be 65,000 words, I give myself 30 days to write it. I use Scrivener, which has a handy little project target window that keeps me on track. Do whatever works for you.
Why 30 and not 26? Because I always make sure to give myself one day off every weekend. It's my selfish day where I don't touch work and take the free time to read, recharge, and spend time with my friends and family.
Which leads me to my next tip.
3. Don't Overwork Yourself
The best inspiration for writing comes from living. Don't get so caught up in pumping out the next Great American Novel that you forget to take time for yourself. Designate a day to spend with your friends and family. Go to that movie you've been wanting to see. Take that drive in the mountains you've been meaning to do. Watch that little league baseball game you promised your nephew you'd attend. Take time to be present in your family's lives. Most importantly, take time to preserve your sanity.
via GIPHY
4. Plug in With a Writer's Group
Okay, so this is probably the most crucial step of them all. You need to be involved in a network of authors. Writing is a solo job that often makes us feel isolated. Being able to meet regularly with other authors who are in the same boat as you is worth its weight in gold. I can't tell you how many times I've been stuck in a plot, explained it to my writer ladies, and BANG, problem solved. Use the braintrust a writer group provides. You will find that by being around other writers who are publishing books and making things happen, it will motivate you to keep on writing and make your own things happen.
via GIPHY
5. Just Keep Writing
Last but not least, keep on writing. If you know you're going to be away from your computer on a writing day, take your tablet, iPad, or notebook with you and use those little lags of time in between activities to jot down more of your story. Heck, I've even worked through a complicated part of a story by using the Memos app on my phone. Don't silence those creative thoughts, because if you do, they'll eventually disappear.
Writing isn't a hobby. We don't do it because we want to but because we have to. Make it a priority in your life. Otherwise, all those unwritten stories will never give you any rest. Keep on doing what you're doing, and stand true to the voice inside of you. It will never steer you wrong.
via GIPHY
Just kidding.
Sorta.
Maybe just a little.
Ack.
It's hard. It really is. It's especially difficult convincing friends and family that your time on the computer isn't just hours spent social-media surfing and watching YouTube videos of laughing babies.
So, while I'm not perfect in keeping to a writing schedule, I've seen major improvements in productivity by following the steps below. Hopefully this post will give you hope rather than stressing you out even more. Breathe, friend, breathe.
1. Invest in a Good Planner
Say "hello" to my little friend.
I'm telling you right now, your planner will be your best friend. Some people like to do the whole electronic calendar thing, but not me. I do better when I have a tangible notebook in my hand that shows me all the beautifully color coordinated things I need to do for the upcoming weeks and months. Something about better memory retention. I don't know, it just works for me.
However your brain functions, you must first admit that with a hectic schedule, if you don't put it in writing, you're definitely going to forget it.
I bought this planner at Target on sale. It's a school calendar meant for students, but I love that I get a monthly calendar as well as a daily calendar so I can map out what I need to do each day rather than a quick generalization. There are also some great scrapbook-ish type calendars you can get at Hobby Lobby that are really cute and utilize stickers. I'm all about the stickers!
2. Make a Schedule You Can Follow
The No. 1 reason carefully planned schedules fail is that we try to cram in too much in one day. So, to avoid the pit of despair where you find yourself rocking in a corner because the sky is falling and you can't get up...set achievable goals.
For instance, unless you are one of those insanely gifted writers who can spit out 10,000 words a day and have a 75,000 word novel finished in a week, do not say that you are going to write a full-length novel in two weeks. You need to give yourself time.
I've learned that my sweet spot is 2,500. No matter how hectic my life is, I know I can sit down and spin out 2,500 in a little over an hour. So, if my new book needs to be 65,000 words, I give myself 30 days to write it. I use Scrivener, which has a handy little project target window that keeps me on track. Do whatever works for you.
Why 30 and not 26? Because I always make sure to give myself one day off every weekend. It's my selfish day where I don't touch work and take the free time to read, recharge, and spend time with my friends and family.
Which leads me to my next tip.
3. Don't Overwork Yourself
The best inspiration for writing comes from living. Don't get so caught up in pumping out the next Great American Novel that you forget to take time for yourself. Designate a day to spend with your friends and family. Go to that movie you've been wanting to see. Take that drive in the mountains you've been meaning to do. Watch that little league baseball game you promised your nephew you'd attend. Take time to be present in your family's lives. Most importantly, take time to preserve your sanity.
4. Plug in With a Writer's Group
Okay, so this is probably the most crucial step of them all. You need to be involved in a network of authors. Writing is a solo job that often makes us feel isolated. Being able to meet regularly with other authors who are in the same boat as you is worth its weight in gold. I can't tell you how many times I've been stuck in a plot, explained it to my writer ladies, and BANG, problem solved. Use the braintrust a writer group provides. You will find that by being around other writers who are publishing books and making things happen, it will motivate you to keep on writing and make your own things happen.
5. Just Keep Writing
Last but not least, keep on writing. If you know you're going to be away from your computer on a writing day, take your tablet, iPad, or notebook with you and use those little lags of time in between activities to jot down more of your story. Heck, I've even worked through a complicated part of a story by using the Memos app on my phone. Don't silence those creative thoughts, because if you do, they'll eventually disappear.
Writing isn't a hobby. We don't do it because we want to but because we have to. Make it a priority in your life. Otherwise, all those unwritten stories will never give you any rest. Keep on doing what you're doing, and stand true to the voice inside of you. It will never steer you wrong.
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