I’m often asked how I manage to do everything I do. Do I get fuddle-doddle and confused?
Quite often actually. But don’t tell anyone, that’s my secret.
To the on-looker, I appear totally in control with all my ducks lined up in a neat little row.
So how do I do it?
How do I manage to produce several books a year, write for three blogs, serve on various committees, critique other’s work, mentor new authors, read through and answer over 1500 emails a day, judge writing contests, go to book signings, do on-line promotional tours, attend conferences, teach workshops, keep up with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and all those other PR sites not to mention keeping a husband happy and having time to sleep?
It’s not easy but somehow I manage to get most everything done. All I can tell you, is it comes with practice and careful management. Being able to departmentalize and/or change hats on a moments notice doesn’t hurt either.
Thinking back to the time when I was teaching for a living, I learned I could quickly change hats, guess its stuck with me. That ability pays off when you have friends as critique partners. You might find yourself cutting up with them as a friend, laughing a sharing a glass a wine, until they ask, “how did you like the chapter?”
Suddenly, you find yourself placing the glass on the bar, changing hats and getting serious. Telling your best friend, her last chapter sucked is never easy. Hopefully that friend of yours has learned to change hats just as quickly as you and has a skin made of stone.
I’m getting a little off target (not at all hard for this wordy author) so lets get back to foundation of this article; Managing your time.
I tend to live by schedules, calendars and lists. Not a pleasant thing, but when you become as active as I am, its the only way I can survive and make sure I get everything done I’ve obligated myself for. You must also be flexible enough to change your schedule on a moment’s notice and not forget to pencil in what you bumped.
Again, I’m getting ahead of myself so lets go back to the beginning and I’ll try and walk you through a process which might make your life a little easier.
(1.) Write down the duties your life revolves around.
Example: Husband, children, regular job, writing a book, RWA meetings, conferences, etc.
(2) Pull out a calendar and pencil in those things that you have to attend, i.e., work, school, conferences, doctors – those dates where you have an appointment.
(3) Now closely examine your daily schedule. Where the working person is busy M-F 8-5, your flexible time is going to be limited to weekends and evenings. On the other hand, if you are unemployed, retired or going to school you’ll have an easier time scheduling things you like to do or have to do on your daily sheet.
I’ve recently had to readjust my daily schedule due to a change in my hubby’s work schedule.
Last year, I had the freedom to write, edit, visit with friends, or set meetings M-F 6am to 6pm without worrying about any kind of conflict. I could even take a nap without worrying if I was taking time away from anyone or anything.
This year, Tom’s work schedule was cut back to 3 days a week. Since writing and meetings take so much of my time, I’ve decided to schedule things around his work schedule, leaving us some quality time. As supportive as he is in my writing career, he truly deserves it and more. In doing so, I’ve had to say no to my friends and colleagues when they call me on a moment’s notice on the days he’s free to say “lets go to lunch.” Of course, if its an important meeting, I still make time and Tom graciously understands.
So where does that leave my writing. Last year, I sat at my desk hammering out work M-F in the early morning hours, followed by a rewrites in the afternoon. Tom I would have a dinner and go over my work in the evening. We’d retired early with a book to read and life was good. Twice a month I left him home alone to attend my local RWA meetings. It wasn’t a big deal and it gave him a weekday night or two to do what he wanted.
This year, I still write in the morning although I’ve moved my writing time up a couple of hours on the mornings he’s home, often starting long before the sun comes up. Once he’s dressed for the day, I’m off the computer and ready to begin our time together. My writing process is slower but its doable.
This is just one method of shuffling things around. Of course, the changes you make regarding your writing schedule is going to be up to you and your situation. I have friends who go to school, work, have families and children. No two writers are exactly alike nor is their outside commitments.
The best advice I can give you is to schedule your time wisely, use the hours of the day you are most productive and creative to write then move through the rest of the day doing things which don’t involve that side of the brain. Remember, it doesn’t take brain power to do dishes or scrub the toilet.
If you can try to write everyday even if its a single paragraph or a note to yourself.
Reward yourself for doing a fine job with what you have.
Make lots of lists and mark off your productivity. It will help you get things done.
Don’t put off things to the last minute. Work ahead of your time frame if at all possible.
Quit making excuses for yourself.
Learn to change hats. Its easy to go from wife to writer to friend to critique partner. Just remember who you are at that exact moment in time… and when your done, be yourself.