Happy St Patrick’s Day
Excellent Advice
Busy Week and New Reviews
Also worked through the proofs of two more of my forthcoming educational titles, which are looking good. I love seeing my book babies being brought to life.
Have just updated Aussiereviews with eight new reviews.
My favourite in this batch is Heart of Gold, by Michael Pryor. What a great fantasy read and even though I hadn’t read the first instalment in this series, I really felt drawn in by it.
Enjoy the reviews.
Finishing Up
I also finished my proofing of my new nonfiction Frogs book, which is looking really good and is due out from Ready-Ed Publications in May. Today’s task was to write a blurb, which I’ve just emailed off to the publisher.
It always feels good to get things finished. Next it’s back to work on my verse novel, which I’ve tried to set aside these past couple of weeks, even though the main character has continued to talk to me, and I’ve found myself jotting down bits and pieces at irregular intervals to satisfy her. I’m also trying to put the finishing touches on a new picture book manuscript which is working out well.
Then there’s a new book of printables to get started on for Ready-Ed, and a dozen other ideas clamouring for attention in my over-crowded head. It’s great to be busy. Speaking of Ready-Ed, my newest book with them, Assembly, continues to sell well. It’s always nice to know that people are buying (and, especially, reading) my books.
Life’s good.
Weather, Multi-Tasking and Lists
Still, all the other things got done. Dinner was cooked, served and eaten. The washing was brought in and sorted and put away. The files got uploaded. The Murphlets went to bed happy, and I have an idea for the WIP.
All this got me thinking about how I juggle my writing tasks. A lot of multi-tasking happens there too. On a typical writing day in the past week I have checked and answered emails, answered phone calls from schools wanting me to come and visit, proofread a manuscript that’s just about ready to go out, marked assignments, written book reviews, read books, researched online, blogged … Did I mention I’ve actually written, as well? Other writing task that come up from time to time include sending out submissions, chasing up submissions, praying about submissions (lol), promotion, looking for new markets – the list is almost endless.
Multi-tasking is good. Multi-tasking is fun. There is never time to be bored when there are so many different things to be done. Variety is, as they say, the spice of life. But, just like my missed weather report, trying to do many things at once means that sometimes things can be overlooked. It is easy to have a deadline sneak up on you, or forget to reply to an email, or to let a manuscript gather dust rather than sending it out somewhere new.
These things have all happened ot me at different times. That’s why I keep a list next to my computer. I list all the things I hope to achieve in my week, from the number of reviews and blogposts I want to write, to people I need to contact, the number of writing sessions on my WIP, and submissions I need to follow up on, promotion opportunities I need to grasp, and whatever else needs to be done. I allow myself some flexibility. I don’t work down the list from top to bottom. I work on what seems the most pressing or the most achievable in the time I have on that day. I cross things out as they’re done, so I can see how much I’ve achieved and, when the list is mostly crossings, I start a new one. Oh, there is one rule I have set for myself. I must write every day, whether it’s my WIP or something new that needs my attention, or revisions. If I don’t write, I cease to be a writer.
I might miss the weather, but a simple organisational tool like a list does help me to make time for the things I need to do in my writing life. And in the end, who cares how hot it’s going to be? Knowing we’re in for a scorcher doesn’t change anything.
PS
I’ve just finished updating Aussiereviews with 14 new reviews. Enjoy.
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