My scattered brain has trouble keeping up with writing, blogging, studying and teaching lately, so I'm lucky to have a friend like Denise Covey to remind me today is the Insecure Writers Support Group day!
It's not surprising that I almost (and sometimes do) forget to post for IWSG each month, I've always had trouble working on multiple projects at once. My mind becomes distracted by all my other to-do tasks. Now I've been introduced to a new time management system that seems to work well, perhaps you'll get some use out of it too.
Focus Days.
Jillanne, a friend from Vannguard Writers, explained that she juggles multiple novels by giving each a focus day. I like this idea, because I also need to focus on my current studies for my Master of Letters that I'm undertaking through Central Queensland University. Basically, each writing project is given a day, and on that day, I don't let myself wander into research for the other projects. Now I can't spend a whole day on writing, as there are other tasks I need to attend to, such as marketing, sales, writing workshops, studies, teaching, etc, etc. Instead I allocate roughly half a day to each novel. I split my day into sections. Here's my current schedule (the blank spaces are for notes on what I've accomplished or what my goal is for that day).
I leave Sunday off, because if I scheduled EVERY day, I would be exhausted!
Undead Kev News
I'm running a blog tour for my new novel Undead Kev. There are some very cool prizes, including a Kindle!
If you'd like to sign up, the post and details are at: http://charmaineclancy.com/undeadkev/
Now I know there's the whole Blogger versus Wordpress issues for some people, so I'll also post the details and sign-up link here in the next day or two.
Ho ho Charmaine. Did I also give you the idea of posting your chart?! Very pretty. I'd faint if I put all my projects on a chart. I'd rather quietly plug along so my brain doesn't get too frazzled.
ReplyDeleteLately WP isn't letting me comment. I'm practically giving up on trying. There are some blogs that let me. I wonder what they do differently?
All the best with the Undead Kev giveaway!
Denise
Denise you're so organised, you probably don't need time management tools like this. And I don't know why WP and Blogger can't just live in harmony, but until they sort out their differences, it's easier just to repost on both sites.
DeleteI like this idea!
ReplyDeleteI am retiring from teaching at the end of this year, and I wondered how I was going to organize my writing next year when I "write full time." I was afraid I would end up scatterbrained and accomplishing not much of anything. I will see if this works for me!
Good luck Dianne, I find I have to try something new about every 6months to keep my attention.
DeleteSouns like a good way to write multiple books and give each the attention they need. I may have to try it.
ReplyDeleteOoh, that "focus days" chart is such a great idea. I hope it helps you accomplish heaps! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the idea and do this once a week with blogging and commenting. It works for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette