Schedule Your Writing Time
June 10, 2008 by Anne Wayman
Filed under Jobs
Even though sometimes I have trouble getting my own writing done, I am really good about getting the work done for my clients on time. The other day someone asked me how I was able to manage meeting multiple deadlines.
It’s really simple, or at least it seems that way to me. If you were to look at my daily calendar, you’d find my writing time is actually blocked in each day. Not only that, it’s blocked in by project. So, for example, today I have:
- Blocked out the time between 7:30 and 9 for writing on my book – yes, more than an hour, but I’ve got to make at least one phone call (also scheduled) and I want time to fix breakfast… so it’s really only about an hour.
- 9-10 this morning is scheduled for one client’s book.
- 2-3 this afternoon is time for a second client’s book.
The gap in Tuesday’s schedule is 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the clay studio, including lunch and some shopping.
It’s only about three hours of writing, and I like to get at least four in most days. Four is also about all I can do consistently and keep going day after day.
Write well and often,
Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Anne,
I think that one of the most interesting points that you make is that you can only write for about 4 hours a day. I used to think that I needed lots and lots of time to write poetry until I realized that I couldn’t spend that much time writing even if I had it. Working a full day as a writer would be like lifting weights all day long.
Instead, I am trying to give myself time to *think* so that when it is time to *write* I have something to put on the page.