Planning, Implementation and A Valentine Challenge

Friday, July 20, 2012


Some things are so simple. Stuff we know, but forget as time goes by. I subscribe to the Daring to Live Fully blog, but usually skim the articles. Yesterday, I read a post on strengthening the willpower, and it talked about getting enough sleep, meditating for ten minutes, exercising and eating better. Stuff I know, right? 

Somehow, reading the explanations behind our behaviour patterns put my mind in a different place, and I recognize once again why I’m low on productivity. I never get enough sleep. No matter how many times I resolve to get to bed early, I hardly do, which results in low-grade exhaustion all the time.


Marci Baun, my publisher at Wild Child Publishing, has been helping her writers to view writing as a business, taking into account things like productivity, planning, and implementation of goals and targets. I lift my hat to her for being helpful and pro-active. New writers in the group will be grateful, because I remember not having a clue what to do about marketing when I signed my first contract.

These past two weeks, I’ve had more time to explore on the internet and it’s amazing the number of books that some authors have out there. I look at myself and the half dozen completed books on my hard drive and the other half dozen in various stages and I wonder why I can’t get as much done as I should. The irony is that I used to write more before I sold one book. Now, I only write under pressure. Not good.

Lists work for me, but I start them and never follow through. It’s way past time to look beyond the current project and the next and focus on the big picture. I don’t see myself working for someone else forever. I’ll be putting Marci’s strategies into play, getting some rest (boy, do I need that) and moving on from there.

Last night, I did something out of the ordinary; I turned off the computer and read a book. Didn’t take me long and the story swept me into Africa and a romance between two stubborn people. The author, Kiru Taye, is part of the Romantic Friday Writers Group. She’s good great at creating sexual tension. Wonderful stuff in a romance.

Enjoy your weekend. I’ll be spending some time at the drawing board, mapping out my business plan.

19 comments:

  1. I know what you mean. I get sick a lot sometimes because I don't get enough sleep or enjoy myself enough because I'm too obsessed with trying to finish and self-publish my first books and also promoting myself and helping other writers. It's hard to remember to take care of myself so I can be at my most productive.

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  2. And also very hard (sorry, I forgot to mention this!) to see how much work other authors have done and feel like I need to be catching up to them.

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    1. E.B., I think this gets me too and I forget that I need to enjoy my own journey. There's a truism that says nothing happens before the time, but I'll believe that as long as I keep on track with what I'm doing. Also, it kinda doesn't makes sense to rush headlong into publishing and not take time to enjoy each step. I'm reminding you of something I tell myself. Don't wreck the only body you'll ever have. :)

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  3. I'm beginning to feel as though I'm working for myself and not just writing a book. But, I'm getting better.

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    1. Well done. Thinking about writing as a business will help you stay focused. Enjoy the weekend!

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  4. I think we all get a little obsessed during the writing process. I'm doing that tonight. I hope to shut off my computer by 9 and finish Dark Fever by Karen Marie Moning.

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    1. Hey, Ciara,
      Hope you get through with that. I read another book this evening. That was unscheduled, bu it felt good to take a break.

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  5. Joy, You and I seem to be on the same page. I never get enough sleep, I got way more writing done before publishing, and I didn't turn on my computer yesterday either. Opting, instead, to read and spend time with my kiddos.
    I have so many manuscripts on my hard drive, too. But I haven't written new words since January. I need to take your suggestions and take a look at my big picture, too.
    BTW...I plan to write the review for DISTRACTION this weekend.
    Susan

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    1. Yes, we do seem to be on a parallel path. I encouraged the people in my workshop today to write a plan. I'm going to do the same thing and work with that plan. I'm breaking it down in small tasks and moving forward. But before that, I'm going to bed early tonight.

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  6. If I don't sleep enough, I can't write much. Good post. J.L Campbell, I have tagged you on my blog. I look forward to reading more about your latest book. Ciao.

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  7. Great post Joy. Glad you lost yourseld in Kiru's book. Sounds like time well spent away from the computer.

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    1. I did it again on Friday. Read a whole book and finished another one yesterday. I guess there are seasons for everything. Today, I'm in editing mode.

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  8. I really need to do that more often, turn of the comp and read a book. Paper is so much easier on the eyes. :)

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    1. True that. After a while, the pc takes a toll on my sight and gives me a headache.

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  9. I definitely need my sleep, but I think the big thing for me is getting enough exercise. I always feel better after exercise, it's just finding the motivation to do it.

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    1. I'm right there with you Lynda. Motivation is what's missing for me half the time where exercise is concerned. :)

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  10. I've had the not-enough-sleep problem for a couple months, but I'm finally catching up, so I hope that goes away real soon.

    I love when a book sweeps me away :)

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    1. I have a couple of eye bags that seem to have moved in permanently. I'm hoping some rest can move them along.

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