| This is a compilation of some things I have | | | | and wrote until about 7:00. All my children liked to |
| already said to you. But it's about this time when | | | | sleep in and for years, this was a guaranteed time |
| some people realize that time management may | | | | for peace and quiet. It is still my favorite time to |
| be a problem. It's also about this time that you | | | | write. I usually write all morning and make the |
| need a break from more input on what should go | | | | afternoons a time to enjoy life. In the evenings, I |
| into a novel. So here is what I know about time | | | | plan. It's a good time to think things through |
| management. | | | | because sometimes the subconscious takes over |
| NOTE: You should manage your time on a daily | | | | and gives you insights while you sleep. |
| basis as well as within each writing session. | | | | Within each session |
| Daily | | | | It is essential that you not try to write a novel in |
| If you decide every day when or if you will write, | | | | a day. When I began, I suffered from this |
| you will have problems. You will waste time and | | | | syndrome. I'd have the entire novel in my head. |
| energy debating with yourself whether to write | | | | Needless to say, it is impossible to write a novel |
| this morning, or leave it until the evening or | | | | all at once. Like any journey, it has to be done |
| whether you should watch Oprah instead and | | | | one step at a time. |
| write after her show is over. You become | | | | I like to break the job down into manageable bits. |
| wearied by the debate and put off writing for yet | | | | I figure that my novel will have 300 pages, 100 |
| another day. Do that enough times and you'll | | | | scenes, 20 chapters. Of course, this is just a |
| never finish your novel. | | | | guideline -- the end result can be quite different. |
| Establish a regular writing time. Once the decision | | | | But I need a starting place. |
| is made for you, you can use your time | | | | I write a description of a scene on an index card |
| creatively -- writing. | | | | and when I begin, I like to write the first chapter |
| Treat your writing time as an appointment with | | | | and the last chapter. I pick out the scenes that |
| yourself. A side benefit of this is that your family | | | | belong in these chapters. So when I sit down to |
| and friends will begin to respect your writing time. | | | | write, I take one of the 10 scenes for those |
| Be careful not to blame other people for | | | | chapters and begin. All I have to do that day is |
| distracting you from your writing. It is up to you | | | | write that scene. |
| to place value on your writing and the time it | | | | Of course, in writing a scene, other thoughts |
| takes and make it clear to others that you have | | | | come to mind and over time, the book does |
| a commitment to yourself which you must keep. | | | | grow. The original plan is necessary to keep you |
| There are the distractions you cannot ignore. | | | | writing. Otherwise, you're staring at the blank |
| Most of us have a household to deal with and | | | | page wondering what to do next. |
| obligations to other people. Chose a time that | | | | You don't need to make a list of 100 scenes. But |
| works for you -- a time when other people don't | | | | you do need an outline. |
| absolutely have to have your attention. | | | | If you don't have time to write, take a look at |
| I'm a morning person and when the children were | | | | how you are spending your time now. |
| at home, that is when I wrote. I got up at 4:30 | | | | |