Yearbook - A-Z Challenge, Starting & Sustaining A Writing Career

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Inside a yearbook, we expect to find details about what has taken place over the past twelve months. In thinking about the function of a yearbook, it occurred to me that if I dig though my memory bank hard enough, I can remember what books I published in 2014. After that, I draw a blank, at which time I visit Amazon to look at which books were published in what year.

So far this year, I've managed to write out a production schedule for January to June and the other six months are just a bit blurry. That description may sound clinical, but laying out a plan is the only way I get anything done within a pre-set timeline. My writing life has grown more hectic this year, which means I need to take more care to organize what I'm doing.

Along with my writing time and publishing dates, I use Pinterest boards for various projects. The pictures help me keep track of the promotional effort I put into each book in terms of promotional badges and other special promotions.

Right now, the monthly details on books written and published is just that. By year end though, when I'm looking back at what I've accomplished, my schedule will become a yearbook listing all the highlights of 2015.

Have you thought about cataloguing your activities in such a way that you have several years captured in a file or notebook? 

 
Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.
                                              - Paul J. Meyer

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.
                                               - Alan Lakein

10 comments:

  1. I have a notebook that holds my blogging schedule. I could use that for the same purpose.

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  2. That's an interesting idea and something I've never thought of doing. Thanks for the tip.

    TD Harvey
    A to Z participant
    http://www.tdharveyauthor.com

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  3. I try to plan for the year. I keep a little notebook that keeps track of my books and years published. I like making lists.

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  4. I start working on my next year plan in Nov. of each year. If I didn't I'd never get anything done.

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  5. I haven't used Pinterest that much. This was an interesting way to make it valuable to you.

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  6. I use Pinterest a lot, like I have a "board" with nothing but A to Z Challenge blogs that I want to be able to easily access after April. But will have to go to your Pinterest page to see what you mean by promoting and scheduling, because I don't quite get how you use it... Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

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  7. Joined your Thunderclap! Good luck! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

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  8. "Productivity is never an accident." That is so true! Great post and reminder.

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