I have big plans for the next two months, and it means being very specific with my time.
In order to achieve my writing goals, I decided to work on more than one project at once. Yes, I'm multi-tasking, and yes, I'm enjoying it!
When faced with a towering to-do list, I always take twenty minutes to plan what I can delete from the list and how I'll get the remainder done.
First, I determined what would feel like a win each day, and I knew without a doubt that making progress on my most pressing project, we'll call it Book A, would give me that boost. Since I want this done soon, I'm devoting the bulk of my hours to it.
Here's the thing, if I don't make progress early in the day, my mood sours, I inhale chocolate, and I mentally beat myself up. Then the procrastination sets in, and Facebook becomes much more important than work. Oh, and Book A? Grows into a big, ugly bear--one I know I can't defeat.
The solution? Rules!
Here is my list of rules for the next two months. (I'll reevaluate my goals in early April and make a new set of rules then.)
1. After a short session of checking in social media sites and reading e-mail, I block off a large chunk of time for Book A. I also set a deadline for each phase to stay on track and prevent myself from quitting early.
2. Twice a week, I work on my Extra Projects. I set aside thirty minutes to an hour to research, write, or edit these.
3. Late in the afternoon or in the evening, I spend an hour working on Book B, which is in the early stages. Right now I'm working on pre-writing tasks, but soon, I'll be writing the first draft.
4. When Book A is finished later this month, I'll bump Book B to top priority, continue setting aside time for the extra projects, and I'll throw revising Book C into my late afternoon, evening spot.
Honestly, I can achieve more when I make smart decisions. If I only worked on Book A, I would be short-changing myself. Switching gears helps me stay fresh, and I find I'm not as mentally tired at the end of the day because I've challenged myself on different levels.
Do you work on more than one writing project at once? Or does your brain work better with one at a time?
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Showing posts with label tips for writers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips for writers. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Monday, October 1, 2012
WSG 24: Expand Your Bubble
Writer's Survival Guide 24: Expand Your Bubble
Writer.
So many labels apply to that word.
Introvert. Creative. Sensitive. Unrealistic. Starving. Wealthy. Smart...
Unless you have a writing partner, one label stands out. Independent.
Writers have to be independent. No one is forcing us to write. We do it because we want to--because we're independently motivated.
But with that independence comes a side-effect. It's true, no one can do the hard work of writing for us, but too often we drift into a bubble, a bubble of one.
When I'm in a bubble, I miss out on opportunities. I get closed into my own small world. I see things through narrow eyes. I miss the big picture. And my writing suffers for it.
Recently, I expanded my bubble. I reached out to a few writer friends who I'd become lazy with. I purchased a new book on the writing craft recommended by a good friend. I took a workshop from one of my favorite authors. I Skyped with a friend to practice pitching my book. I listened to advice from an editor. I added "Make the Effort" to my goal list.
All of these things were outside of my comfortable bubble. But they improved my writing life. The friends I reached out to strengthen me regularly. The book on writing is giving me new ideas on how to keep the middle of my book lively. The workshop refreshed my knowledge of story structure and the inner journey. The Skyping session gave me confidence to pitch my book. And the advice from the editor came in time for me to tweak my first chapters before it's sent out to the world.
Sometimes expanding our bubbles is hard. Sometimes we don't like what we hear. We wonder why we even bother. But every time I take a chance, I feel better about myself. :)
How do you expand your bubble?
Have a lovely Monday!
Writer.
So many labels apply to that word.
Introvert. Creative. Sensitive. Unrealistic. Starving. Wealthy. Smart...
Unless you have a writing partner, one label stands out. Independent.
Writers have to be independent. No one is forcing us to write. We do it because we want to--because we're independently motivated.
But with that independence comes a side-effect. It's true, no one can do the hard work of writing for us, but too often we drift into a bubble, a bubble of one.
When I'm in a bubble, I miss out on opportunities. I get closed into my own small world. I see things through narrow eyes. I miss the big picture. And my writing suffers for it.
Recently, I expanded my bubble. I reached out to a few writer friends who I'd become lazy with. I purchased a new book on the writing craft recommended by a good friend. I took a workshop from one of my favorite authors. I Skyped with a friend to practice pitching my book. I listened to advice from an editor. I added "Make the Effort" to my goal list.
All of these things were outside of my comfortable bubble. But they improved my writing life. The friends I reached out to strengthen me regularly. The book on writing is giving me new ideas on how to keep the middle of my book lively. The workshop refreshed my knowledge of story structure and the inner journey. The Skyping session gave me confidence to pitch my book. And the advice from the editor came in time for me to tweak my first chapters before it's sent out to the world.
Sometimes expanding our bubbles is hard. Sometimes we don't like what we hear. We wonder why we even bother. But every time I take a chance, I feel better about myself. :)
How do you expand your bubble?
Have a lovely Monday!
Monday, June 25, 2012
WSG 16: Fighting Distractions
Writer's Survival Guide 16: Fighting Distractions
Distractions? What? I would never be distracted while writing. Never.
I wouldn't sit down and click on Internet Explorer, getting sucked into a time warp of Facebook updates and Twitter check-ins. Nope. Not me.
I couldn't imagine blocking off two hours to write, and instead of focusing on my manuscript, hopping up to pay a bill, grabbing yet another cup of coffee, staring out the window, tossing a load of laundry in, and scanning the fridge for the perfect snack. Uh-uh.
Let's face it--no matter how much we love writing--it's a daunting task. Even when we adore our work-in-progress, we still worry the magic will disappear, that we'll hit a major problem midway through, or that we're deluding ourselves and the book really isn't that great. It's natural to allow distractions to keep us from working. I think it's a protective mechanism.
But...
If we want to finish a book, make a deadline, and continue our writing journey, we must fight these distractions!
How? Use as many tricks as necessary.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour. For some reason, anything under 60 minutes doesn't freak me out the way 4 hours does!
- Reward yourself for small successes. You revised for 2 hours? Enjoy your favorite beverage. Wrote another chapter? Read for an hour. Figured out the plot problem you've been stewing over all week? Indulge in a treat. For me, it's chocolate!
- Just say no. Fight temptation! If you routinely lose valuable writing time to social media, make the Internet off limits until a certain time of day. If phone calls interrupt your writing time, use call waiting or have your answering machine pick up.
- Schedule the rest of your life around your writing. Let's say you have one hour every night you know you can write. Maybe it's 8:30-9:30. Don't let anything come between you and that time. If someone "desperately" needs something, say a poster board for a report the next day, or you realize you need to wash a special pair of pants--wait until 9:30. I know it's late. I know it's not the best time, but we have to keep our writing time sacred. No one will do this for us.
- Use an accountability partner. If you're stressed about the amount of time you're frittering away, and it's an ongoing problem--say, you've struggled for a month--enlist a friend to help keep you accountable. Maybe you e-mail her after each session and let her know how it went? Or you keep a log of how long you wrote, and how many times you took breaks, etc...
- Schedule your writing-related activities. Sometimes we get distracted from our writing because we're doing tasks that are truly necessary, yet we aren't sure how to fit them in. For most writers, social media is a vital part of their writerly duties. I block off an hour each weekday morning to check e-mails, my blog, Facebook, Twitter, and my writer loops. If I have a bit of time left over, I read a few blogs. If I have no time left, I move on.
I'll never be able to eliminate all of my distractions, and I don't want to. Perfection ranks low on my list of aspirations! I just aim to do my best with each day. That's all any of us can do!
How do you fight distractions?
Have a wonderful day!
Distractions? What? I would never be distracted while writing. Never.
I wouldn't sit down and click on Internet Explorer, getting sucked into a time warp of Facebook updates and Twitter check-ins. Nope. Not me.
I couldn't imagine blocking off two hours to write, and instead of focusing on my manuscript, hopping up to pay a bill, grabbing yet another cup of coffee, staring out the window, tossing a load of laundry in, and scanning the fridge for the perfect snack. Uh-uh.
Let's face it--no matter how much we love writing--it's a daunting task. Even when we adore our work-in-progress, we still worry the magic will disappear, that we'll hit a major problem midway through, or that we're deluding ourselves and the book really isn't that great. It's natural to allow distractions to keep us from working. I think it's a protective mechanism.
But...
If we want to finish a book, make a deadline, and continue our writing journey, we must fight these distractions!
How? Use as many tricks as necessary.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour. For some reason, anything under 60 minutes doesn't freak me out the way 4 hours does!
- Reward yourself for small successes. You revised for 2 hours? Enjoy your favorite beverage. Wrote another chapter? Read for an hour. Figured out the plot problem you've been stewing over all week? Indulge in a treat. For me, it's chocolate!
- Just say no. Fight temptation! If you routinely lose valuable writing time to social media, make the Internet off limits until a certain time of day. If phone calls interrupt your writing time, use call waiting or have your answering machine pick up.
- Schedule the rest of your life around your writing. Let's say you have one hour every night you know you can write. Maybe it's 8:30-9:30. Don't let anything come between you and that time. If someone "desperately" needs something, say a poster board for a report the next day, or you realize you need to wash a special pair of pants--wait until 9:30. I know it's late. I know it's not the best time, but we have to keep our writing time sacred. No one will do this for us.
- Use an accountability partner. If you're stressed about the amount of time you're frittering away, and it's an ongoing problem--say, you've struggled for a month--enlist a friend to help keep you accountable. Maybe you e-mail her after each session and let her know how it went? Or you keep a log of how long you wrote, and how many times you took breaks, etc...
- Schedule your writing-related activities. Sometimes we get distracted from our writing because we're doing tasks that are truly necessary, yet we aren't sure how to fit them in. For most writers, social media is a vital part of their writerly duties. I block off an hour each weekday morning to check e-mails, my blog, Facebook, Twitter, and my writer loops. If I have a bit of time left over, I read a few blogs. If I have no time left, I move on.
I'll never be able to eliminate all of my distractions, and I don't want to. Perfection ranks low on my list of aspirations! I just aim to do my best with each day. That's all any of us can do!
How do you fight distractions?
Have a wonderful day!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Characters: The Jackie O Factor
I'm fascinated by other people's lives. I read a lot of biographies and autobiographies. Of course these books cannot give a full, accurate picture of someone's life. We're only getting a filtered view. Still, with that said, I can't help but form opinions on the people I read about.
This January I read several books about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and I just read Slim Keith's autobiography. You're probably familiar with Jackie O, but many of you may never have heard of Slim Keith. Both women intrigued me, but after reading about them, I drew my own conclusions.
Jackie O was known for several things--her style, her grace as first lady while John F. Kennedy was in office, her loyalty to her children, her dedication to her privacy, and her love of good literature--she was an editor for many years. She also used her celebrity to champion historical preservation.
Slim Keith, born Nancy Gross, was also held up as a style icon in the forties, fifties, and beyond. Born into a wealthy family, she married Hollywood showbiz producer Howard Hawks, after he divorced his first wife, of course. She later cheated on him with Leland Hayward, top Hollywood agent, and remarried, enjoying a happy union for roughly ten years before he left her for another woman. She briefly remarried a third time, and lived the remainder of her life on her own. She was good friends with many influential stars and authors, including Truman Capote and Ernest Hemingway.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis married John F. Kennedy, soon to be President of the United States. Five years after his untimely death by assassination, Jackie married Aristotle Onassis, Greek shipping billionaire. They enjoyed an easy companionship at first, but later their relationship strained to the point of non-existence until his death. She spent the later years of her life with a live-in companion, still-married Maurice Templesman, a diamond merchant.
Slim and Jackie took the same route to fame. Both married high-powered men who were in the spotlight. These two women shared a keen intelligence, an eye for style, and an unwavering sense of self. The world focused on them because they were glamorous, interesting--worth focusing on.
So many similarities. While still single, these gals hung out with elite, wealthy men. They had their choice in suitors, and they chose--for first husbands--men who lacked the means to share emotional depth. Both of their first husbands cheated on them extensively. It must have been a shock for these young women to realize their picture-perfect marriages were plagued with infidelity. Jackie and Slim suffered miscarriages and still births. Slim had one daughter; Jackie had a daughter and a son (another son lived only a few days). I feel terrible for their difficult pregnancies. As a mother, I deeply sympathize with the heartache they experienced.
But, also as a mother, I found this fact enlightening: both women took multiple, extensive trips while their young babies stayed home, and they continued to travel sans kids their entire lives. Both employed nannies and governesses and later sent their kids to boarding schools. Jackie even went on record as saying (I'm paraphrasing) if you bungle raising your children, nothing else you do matters much.
I'm sure they did love their children. But in my mid-western, middle class, late-century upbringing, I can't imagine having my mother jet-setting around the world while I'm home being raised by a nanny and later being sent off to boarding schools. How much mothering is going on if you're never around? Hmm...
Yes, I'm judging. And, yes, I'm thinking of the non-stop, exhausting job motherhood is to most of us moms. Have I fantasized about two weeks in Paris with no kids, my sister, and unlimited funds? Oh, yeah!
These women hung out with top entertainers, artists, and diplomats. Flirting was going on--you only need eyes. I can see it in the pictures. When you're admired by the world, you're not going to be content withering away unnoticed while your hubby is cheating on you with every showgirl who walks his way. Playing with fire? You betcha.
Then there were the odd choices in marriage. Slim flat out admits she married her third husband for financial security. Jackie never did admit it with Aristotle Onassis, but let's face it, she wasn't marrying a billionaire old enough to be her father for anything other than security.
Do I have a point?
Sure.
If the character in your novel grew up in a wealthy, high profile environment, she's likely going to have very different views about parenting, education, and security than the average person. She might have been raised primarily by nannies. She might think traveling to Paris for the weekend quite normal. She may have a deep-seated need for financial security, and if she isn't prepared or equipped to earn it herself, she may be willing to marry for it.
Even if your heroine is more enlightened, her mother may have experienced all these things. This affects the heroine's attitude, her values, and her desires. Or maybe her father still has a bit of that old sixties swing in him--the good ol' boy club where you marry a classy woman but cheat on her every chance you get?
And think twice before having this type of character naturally fall for Joe Blow, the mid-level accountant for a tax firm. She's used to being around entitled, rich, plenty-of-time-on-their-hands men. Yes, she may find Joe's integrity appealing. She might long for a man who will honor his commitments and pour his heart into making her happy--but will she trust him? Will she even notice him? And will her expectations be dashed when their first date isn't a jaunt to Paris? When he presents her with a smallish diamond ring instead of the Hope diamond?
I'm not saying all high profile, wealthy people live like this, but read enough biographies of women and men from the forties to present day, and you'll see how common it really is. Hey, I subscribe to UsWeekly. The infidelity hasn't changed at all. Neither has marrying for celebrity, money, or security.
Do you enjoy reading biographies? Who has fascinated you recently?
Have a terrific weekend!
This January I read several books about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and I just read Slim Keith's autobiography. You're probably familiar with Jackie O, but many of you may never have heard of Slim Keith. Both women intrigued me, but after reading about them, I drew my own conclusions.
Jackie O was known for several things--her style, her grace as first lady while John F. Kennedy was in office, her loyalty to her children, her dedication to her privacy, and her love of good literature--she was an editor for many years. She also used her celebrity to champion historical preservation.
Slim Keith, born Nancy Gross, was also held up as a style icon in the forties, fifties, and beyond. Born into a wealthy family, she married Hollywood showbiz producer Howard Hawks, after he divorced his first wife, of course. She later cheated on him with Leland Hayward, top Hollywood agent, and remarried, enjoying a happy union for roughly ten years before he left her for another woman. She briefly remarried a third time, and lived the remainder of her life on her own. She was good friends with many influential stars and authors, including Truman Capote and Ernest Hemingway.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis married John F. Kennedy, soon to be President of the United States. Five years after his untimely death by assassination, Jackie married Aristotle Onassis, Greek shipping billionaire. They enjoyed an easy companionship at first, but later their relationship strained to the point of non-existence until his death. She spent the later years of her life with a live-in companion, still-married Maurice Templesman, a diamond merchant.
Slim and Jackie took the same route to fame. Both married high-powered men who were in the spotlight. These two women shared a keen intelligence, an eye for style, and an unwavering sense of self. The world focused on them because they were glamorous, interesting--worth focusing on.
So many similarities. While still single, these gals hung out with elite, wealthy men. They had their choice in suitors, and they chose--for first husbands--men who lacked the means to share emotional depth. Both of their first husbands cheated on them extensively. It must have been a shock for these young women to realize their picture-perfect marriages were plagued with infidelity. Jackie and Slim suffered miscarriages and still births. Slim had one daughter; Jackie had a daughter and a son (another son lived only a few days). I feel terrible for their difficult pregnancies. As a mother, I deeply sympathize with the heartache they experienced.
But, also as a mother, I found this fact enlightening: both women took multiple, extensive trips while their young babies stayed home, and they continued to travel sans kids their entire lives. Both employed nannies and governesses and later sent their kids to boarding schools. Jackie even went on record as saying (I'm paraphrasing) if you bungle raising your children, nothing else you do matters much.
I'm sure they did love their children. But in my mid-western, middle class, late-century upbringing, I can't imagine having my mother jet-setting around the world while I'm home being raised by a nanny and later being sent off to boarding schools. How much mothering is going on if you're never around? Hmm...
Yes, I'm judging. And, yes, I'm thinking of the non-stop, exhausting job motherhood is to most of us moms. Have I fantasized about two weeks in Paris with no kids, my sister, and unlimited funds? Oh, yeah!
These women hung out with top entertainers, artists, and diplomats. Flirting was going on--you only need eyes. I can see it in the pictures. When you're admired by the world, you're not going to be content withering away unnoticed while your hubby is cheating on you with every showgirl who walks his way. Playing with fire? You betcha.
Then there were the odd choices in marriage. Slim flat out admits she married her third husband for financial security. Jackie never did admit it with Aristotle Onassis, but let's face it, she wasn't marrying a billionaire old enough to be her father for anything other than security.
Do I have a point?
Sure.
If the character in your novel grew up in a wealthy, high profile environment, she's likely going to have very different views about parenting, education, and security than the average person. She might have been raised primarily by nannies. She might think traveling to Paris for the weekend quite normal. She may have a deep-seated need for financial security, and if she isn't prepared or equipped to earn it herself, she may be willing to marry for it.
Even if your heroine is more enlightened, her mother may have experienced all these things. This affects the heroine's attitude, her values, and her desires. Or maybe her father still has a bit of that old sixties swing in him--the good ol' boy club where you marry a classy woman but cheat on her every chance you get?
And think twice before having this type of character naturally fall for Joe Blow, the mid-level accountant for a tax firm. She's used to being around entitled, rich, plenty-of-time-on-their-hands men. Yes, she may find Joe's integrity appealing. She might long for a man who will honor his commitments and pour his heart into making her happy--but will she trust him? Will she even notice him? And will her expectations be dashed when their first date isn't a jaunt to Paris? When he presents her with a smallish diamond ring instead of the Hope diamond?
I'm not saying all high profile, wealthy people live like this, but read enough biographies of women and men from the forties to present day, and you'll see how common it really is. Hey, I subscribe to UsWeekly. The infidelity hasn't changed at all. Neither has marrying for celebrity, money, or security.
Do you enjoy reading biographies? Who has fascinated you recently?
Have a terrific weekend!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Your Tips to Streamline Your Writing
Last week I shared the tips I use to streamline my writing process. You can read about it here. I asked you to share your tips, and boy, did you. I loved the creative responses.
Are you ready for them?
I've divvied them up into different classifications.
Edible:
Join me on Friday to set one goal!
Are you ready for them?
I've divvied them up into different classifications.
Edible:
- Eat chocolate
- Have a glass of wine
- Coffee--lots and lots of coffee!
- Use an egg timer
- Form a critique group
- Finish one session with direction for the next
- Daydream about book at night to jump start the next day's session
- Visualize next scene before writing
- Write at an "unplugged" computer
- Keep a writing log
- Set up your writing materials as a reward for doing an unpleasant chore
- Keep a journal for ideas
- Write down goals before social networking
- Don't let anything interfere with writing time
- Keep your goals front and center--written down in front of you
- Review outline before bed
- Pray
- Write through storms, write in storms, write about storms, and wait for the rainbow
- Write through the fear
- Free yourself from goals and expectations
- Be quiet and listen when necessary
- Reward yourself after writing
Join me on Friday to set one goal!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Simple Ways to Streamline Your Writing Life
Today, I'm sharing tips that have streamlined my writing life, and I'm begging you to share yours too.
What simple tips do you rely on to keep moving forward with your writing? Please share! I'm going to compile the list for one of next week's posts.
Join me on Friday to set one goal!
- Ritualize your writing sessions. By that I mean, start in the same way each session. Give your brain a trigger that it's time to get started. For me, I spend 30 to 45 minutes each morning going through e-mails, blog comments, and social networks before switching computers to write, revise, or plot. By doing this, I release anxiety about staying connected, and I free my brain for creative work.
- Have a plan of attack. Before each session, briefly think about what you want to achieve during that block of time. Sometimes you'll get more done, sometimes less, but planning gives your brain a runway of where to go.
- Don't stay away too long. When you take extended time away from your project, it grows into a monster in the closet. Suddenly, the book you loved becomes a horrific beast in your mind. Even if it's only for ten minutes, chip away at your task regularly.
- Ignore how you feel. When you feel excited about your new book, write. When you feel like pulling the covers over your head, write. Don't let your feelings dictate your productivity. Athletes can't skip practice because they're feeling insecure, and neither can we.
- Find supportive writing friends. You'll weather the ups and downs of the writing life if you have friends who get it. Your spouse, sister, best friend, and co-workers might not always have the words you need to hear, but other writers deep in the trenches will. I've met amazing writers through blogging, local writer's groups, and conferences. By cultivating friendships with them, I know I always have someone to turn to when my hope fails. And it's rewarding to be able to help them when they're struggling.
What simple tips do you rely on to keep moving forward with your writing? Please share! I'm going to compile the list for one of next week's posts.
Join me on Friday to set one goal!
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