Staying on Task-Time Management for Writers

Staying on task is not exactly easy to do, especially for writers. We have, at any given time, several different story lines running through our heads, which include plot points, scenes, character development; ooh I'll add that new twist I thought of as I was falling asleep last night that will make my story that much more interesting.

At the same time we are thinking about our next blog post, possible topics to discuss, how to get more interaction on the blog with readers; ooh I can do a poll and see what readers are looking for in the blogs they follow.

There is also the social media aspect of if it all. I need to post at least once a day to my Facebook author page, interact with any commentators, update my Twitter status and interact with my fellow Tweethearts, check in with my Google+ crew and make sure I'm commenting and sharing as much as possible. Try not to get sucked into Pinterest; ooh there is a Twitter chat tonight on editing I can't miss.

We are always reading, for pleasure, ARCs, beta reading, research; ooh I need to check in on Goodreads and update my reviews of the last three books I read this week. Must review all books and set a good example for other readers out there.

We belong to writing groups online and maybe in person; ooh I need to check in with the Writing Wenches and catch up on assignments and today's headlines, then with Alliance and see what great new resources are listed, then with 10 Minute Novelists to see what talks are coming up, and World Literary Café still has so many resources I have yet to explore.

Now I have twenty minutes to myself; my spouse is in the shower and the kids are in bed, and now you want me to sit down and write?

How in the name of all that is Jane Austen am I supposed to do that?

I spend way more time doing all of the above, which is all to support my writing career, than actually writing or putting word count in on my WIP.

It's hard. Really hard.

Most writers have heard of Nano Wrimo, it's a month long writing sprint to help writers try and meet a word count goal. Many use it to get whole first drafts done on books they are writing. I haven't been able to commit yet. However, one of the fabulous Writing Wenches, Michele, came up with Wencho Wrimo for February to try and keep us all on task and actually get words down on paper. It has been a great motivator. Many of us are using the subgroup to keep track of our daily word counts. Some of the wenches have put in word counts worthy of full length books. I've put in about 8300 words on my summer anthology WIP.

My advice is, when you're in a groove, and the words are flowing, try really hard to stay in the chair and keep writing until it is absolutely necessary for you to move. Turn off all your apps and social sites and only leave your word doc whatever software program you use open. Do not check email, do not glance at your phone when the next Twitter or Facebook status notification hits. Stay and write until you can no longer. You can check your networks once you are done. Keep the TV off. Music tends to help writers focus and block out the rest of the world, so consider putting in your ear buds. Make sure you have a beverage next to you so there is no excuse to get up, and let your family know you're in the zone and can't be disturbed. If you have an office, get a do not disturb sign and hang it on the doorknob. In my case, my family knows when I'm at my laptop with my ear buds in, do not disturb me unless someone has fallen and they can't get up. Keep the distractions to a minimum.

We are not machines. If you are able to write everyday, I applaud you. Honestly, I cannot. I have to spread out my time and take advantage of the word flow when it hits. I'm usually too busy getting my next three blog posts scheduled and all my social networking done in order to sit down and write every day. That is just fact. If I didn't have a day job, things may be different.

Do you have advice for helping writers stay on task? What works for you? Please share your comments below. Thanks for reading.

You can find me and all my links on my website at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

A Writer's Logic

This past Thursday, I had a little minor surgery to remove my gall bladder. It needed to go since it was impeding my ability to consume good food. I did, however, benefit from the lucky side effect of weight loss, which I won't complain about. I'm sore, moving slowly, and it's hard to sleep, but otherwise I'm okay.

Was I concerned about having the surgery? No. I felt confident my surgeon would do an excellent job. Was I worried about taking time off work? No. I have a ridiculous amount of sick time and vacation time because I'm one of those people who never takes it. Was I nervous?

No. I was excited. Why you ask? Because it meant that I was going to be in bed, recovering from said surgery with nothing to do but rest and...write.

Yes, I'm one of those writers who has a full time day job. Between working, family, blogging, social networking, and reading, I get very little time to actually write. Yes, I was looking forward to having this surgery so I would have time in bed with my laptop. Nothing kinky (well maybe on the page), just writing.
Here is what a normal day looks like for me and how I manage my time.

7:30am- Check in on social media and then read on the commute train to work.
8:00am-5:00pm- Day Job (These are my scheduled hours, although I do sometimes work later.)
5:00pm-6:00pm- Check in on social media and read on commute train home.
6:00pm-9:00pm- Homework with son, prepare and eat dinner.
9:00pm-10:00pm- Get son to bed, spend time with daughter/husband.
10:00pm-As late as I can- Last check in social media, blog, beta reads, editing.
If I have time after that, I write.

Yeah. It's tough to find time, so since I'm going to have this down time where I can't work, I'm taking advantage of it. The plan is to finish edits on my novel, work on my current short story, outline two novellas and work on my marketing plan. It's ambitious, so we'll see how much I'm able to accomplish.

I'm really hoping this time is productive.

Do you have an activity that you wish you had more time for? What is it? How do you make time? Can you share any time management tips?

Jennifer Senhaji

Find me online at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

Choosing to Dream, Book 2 in the Sunset Dreams Series coming soon.

Finding Time To Write-Not Always Easy

Finding time to write is not as easy as I say it is. I'm usually one of those writers online encouraging other writers to write as often as they can. I belong to the 10 Minute Novelists Group, which helps time crunched writers find ten minutes here and there to work on their manuscripts. I've got a ton of tips to hand out, many of which can be used while working on Nano projects.
Here are just a few:

• Step away from the t.v.
• Use your smart phone when out and about to jot down notes
• Wait until the household is asleep
• Write late at night or early morning
• Sit down for ten minutes and get as much as you can done
• Do not self edit while writing, you can edit later
• Use breaks at work to get your writing in.

and so on...

Honestly, this month has been kicking my ass. My day job is crazy busy, and I have no time for breaks at work. My son's birthday and my wedding anniversary both hit this week. I'm in the middle of marketing for my holiday short story, Angels in Disguise, releasing December 1st as part of the Writing Wenches holiday anthology, Unwrapping Love. My son was in the Fall Ball Little League Playoffs, which means Fridays and Sundays are baseball. (Since writing this, he played and won the championship game on Sunday 11/16-So proud.)

Oh and did I mention I'm in the middle of moving. Yep, packing up and moving me, my husband and two kids to a new house.

I think the last two weeks I've written three chapters of my WIP, between 3-4 blog posts (I honestly can't remember.) That is about it. Not good. I'm having withdrawals. The important thing, I guess, is to make sure I get back to work on my WIP as soon as possible-to not give up. It's hard being a writer. It's hard finding time when all you want to do, for the one hour you have before you pass out exhausted and do it all again tomorrow, is fall into your bed and catch up on episodes of The Black List and Vampire Diaries. Life gets in the way.

My fellow writers and masters of time management, I tip my hat to you.

Bees are busy? I wish I could fly away and write for a while. I'm picturing a little cottage, stocked with great coffee, food that is delivered, and impeccable internet. Where do you write? Do you have a writer's cave or getaway. Share and let me live vicariously through you.

Jennifer Senhaji
Your Sweet and Spicy Romance Author
www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

Oh and because the Writing Wenches holiday anthology, Unwrapping Love is awesome, think about coming to our release party on December 1st.