Are you writing just to write, dabbling as such, for no one’s
eyes but your own? That’s okay if that is all you are in it for. Many writers
get immense joy from simply putting words to paper
But many writers would also like to see their work published,
they’d like to see an income, and they’d like to call it their most career, their
work, their calling. The first, second, third… every time an author hears about
someone reading her work, every time she sees her byline and especially every time
she collects a check for the work, it is an amazing thrill.
If you want the thrill on top of the joy then you have to be
able to produce those words AND handle the business end of finding publishers
and collecting payments; in other words, promotion, marketing, negotiating and keeping
records.
Time management and discipline will help you combine that
creative/artistic Left brain and the organized/business Right brain. Use caution
though, most Time Management advice is geared more for the standard 9-5 office
job and while the tips may be useful they have to be modified appropriately.
Here are some of the best pieces of time management and
writing advice from professional writers; these are ideal for the at-home
freelance writer:
Don’t FIND the time to write, MAKE the time. And when you sit
down to write, just WRITE. Don’t make phone calls, write emails, scan FaceBook
or get your household chores done. Take the first five minutes to review your “plan”,
know what your goal is, and tend to the tight deadlines first. Stress because
of missed deadlines will not help creativity. List your deadlines on an online
calendar which will email you timely reminders. You don’t have to write an
outline for every writing project but you should have a clear idea of where
your story/article is going so that you can stay on track. If you notice a
pattern of writing preferences at specific times, such as advertorials in the
morning and fiction at night, make a note of that and try to work it into your
schedule.
Minimize your distractions. If you can find a relatively
private place to work where household antics won’t interfere, then grab it. If
you can ask for assistance from another household member to run interference
(sit with the kids while they do their homework, etc.) then take advantage.
Other ways you can arrange uninterrupted writing time is to work for an hour or
two after everyone else has gone to bed, or get up early and do the same thing.
If your children go to school and your spouse has an out-of-the-house job, plan
your work day around that. Let the answer machine pick up the phone — if you
are worried about missing an important call check your caller ID or, if you
have the option, set a designated ring for the can’t miss people.
Make time to nourish and replenish yourself. Eat real foods,
not junk snacks, and stay hydrated. Make sure you get adequate sleep. And
remember to take breaks during your work day and actually walk away from your “desk”
to relax, watch a TV show (no more than half or one hour), walk around the
block, take time on a treadmill. You need to make sure your body as fuel and
the endorphins are flowing. Taking a break from work should not be filled with
household chores just because you are at home. If you don’t stay nourished you
will feel your energy and thought process waning.
Take time every week, at least 30-minutes, to learn about
your craft. Take online webinars, read writing blogs read other works in and
out of your genre, and join an online writing group to share discussion and brainstorm
with other professional writers. Staying on top of the industry and continually
honing your skills will help keep your writing fresh. Designate promotion time
on a weekly basis as well using social media, blogs and emails so you don’t “disappear”
from potential fans and readers.
Writing
Exercise: Set your
timer for 30 minutes and WRITE about anything, don’t worry about grammar or
spelling. Write whatever thoughts are in your head at the time.
Writing
Prompt: What do you
like to write and why? Do you enjoy reading the same genre? What genre have you
NEVER tried writing? Why?
Challenge
Assignment: Keep a journal
for one week, list WHEN you write, WHAT you write and how well you are meeting
actual and self-imposed deadlines. Be sure to list any conflicts that kept you from
accomplishing what you wanted to do. After the week create a schedule that
takes into account when your strongest writing happens, what challenges you
have to work around (and possible solutions), and include your personal
feelings about your accomplishments (be kind to yourself). The following week
tweak this initial plan and keep repeating until you have developed a comfortable
and productive working schedule.
