How I Plan My Writing Time

Writing is hard. Starting is hard. Finishing…that’s the hardest.

I like to consider myself a go with the flow kind of person. I’m not rigid, and I try not to sweat the small stuff. However, I’m very protective of my writing time and get very grouchy when I don’t get it.

It can be frustrating when you have kids who don’t understand that mom sitting at her laptop on the back deck is actually working. Not just playing. Especially when every time they come out and check on me I may happen to be on Facebook.

It’s research, I swear!

Like most mom’s who don’t have a chauffeur, chef, and housekeeper on staff you know it can be very challenging to get everything you need to do done in one day.

As much as I hate getting up early I’ve found that if I don’t get up super early (say 5-5: 30 am) to get a jump start on my writing I’m more likely not to meet my daily goal. I’ve also found I’m much more creative in the morning.

Maybe since I’m still half asleep?

That might be part of the reason, but I attribute it more too the fact that I write before I check email and before most people are up to text, FB me, Tweet me, email me…you know how it is.

When I write before the average start of the normal workday, I don’t worry about any fires waiting to be put out so I can relax and just let the story flow.

When I’m writing a new book, I set a goal of 1,500 words a day/ 7 days a week. That’s a total of 10,500 words a week and if I don’t make the daily word count you bet I make sure to make it up at some point in the week.

When writing blog posts I try to keep at least 2 weeks ahead (ok 2 weeks is the goal – 1 week is more the actual) and schedule time on my calendar to get these written each day. I force myself to work during that time and not use I’m not feeling creative or I’m not in a writing mood to distract me. Let’s face it we’d all like to be independently wealthy and never have to work but we can’t.

SO WE MUST GET IT DONE!

It’s a job and just like a job if you leave work early one day you need to make it up the next. Self-discipline is the biggest obstacle to any writer, blogger, or entrepreneur in general. The self-discipline to do whatever it is you need to do whether you feel like it or not.

I know my best writing time is early. But you need to figure out what’s best for you. Then put it on your calendar and HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE!