Comments on: Tackling a Writer’s Greatest Challenge—Time Management

By: Tackling a Writer’s Greatest Challenge&md...

Tackling a Writer’s Greatest Challenge&md... — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 18:31:39 +0000

[…] There’s no doubt about it, having a full-time job takes up the majority of our waking hours, making writing a challenge. I would suggest making a list of priorities and how much time you’d like to spend on each activity. Once you’ve done that, create a writing calendar of some sort. (I use a separate planner from the family calendar to keep it all straight. Anything writing-related from blog posts to speaking engagements to actual writing, I fill in on this calendar.) […]

By: Weekly Recap | Lindsay Smith

Weekly Recap | Lindsay Smith — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 16:38:23 +0000

[…] Heather Webb on time management for writers. […]

By: hearts everywhere

hearts everywhere — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:51:11 +0000

What I've often neglected in my writing is finding that supportive community. It's online, sure, but IRL, it's harder especially when you're also shuffling two kids around. What I've realized is that we all feel so unique but we come to the Internet world and everyone is like me. This year I finally decided to make it a priority to write. It has to be something that you value above all else and until you make it a choice to ignore the laundry or the dishes because the words need to spill out, it's a hard adjustment. (Especially if the writing is unpaid). I've started a 365 writing this year and it's a major adjustment to my schedule (and my family's). But we artists must persevere. 11 months to go!

By: Julie Glover

Julie Glover — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 15:13:59 +0000

Thanks for these great tips. I've been giving a lot more thought this year to time management, so I was happy to read through your suggestions. I think I'm getting a better sense of changes I need to make.

By: Lisa Ciarfella

Lisa Ciarfella — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 22:47:22 +0000

In reply to Heather Webb. Thanks Heather. I will try the timer for sure! And this is a great idea for a post. I may post about it too...if I do I'll make sure to mention your post here

By: Heather Webb

Heather Webb — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:24:41 +0000

In reply to Lisa Ciarfella. Lisa, try using a timer for your social media usage. It will make you really aware how much time you spend doing it. Spend most of those minutes instead on outlining, getting down words, etc. Good luck! I know how tough it can be.

By: Heather Webb

Heather Webb — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:23:41 +0000

In reply to jamesr403. Thanks, James! It's amazing how we fill the time, isn't it? Thank you for your comment today.

By: LauraDrake

LauraDrake — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 10:08:23 +0000

In reply to Maggie Smith. Maggie, I just clicked over - thanks for the tip - really interesting! I'm going to try it while I write today!

By: Lisa Ciarfella

Lisa Ciarfella — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 06:33:56 +0000

thanks for this. The full time writer deal is me, and i get so distracted and find i need to move a lot more too and take more breaks. I can get caught up in social media, and need to find ways to block it out. I will try some of the ideas above. See what works.
Thanks much!

By: jamesr403

jamesr403 — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 03:49:12 +0000

What a great post! I remember when I was starting out. I had a full-time job, was taking two classes at USC and one at UCLA. I wrote whenever I could. Short blocks of time? The prof is five minutes late, awesome, I can make a note. And that was my first sale, a science fiction story to Analog. i tell this story because now that I am a full-time fiction writer to my dismay it hasn't gotten easier. I use headphones and an iTunes playlist to keep out distractions. I think your tips are all good and plan on putting them into practice. Just as soon as Ii finish today's editing . . . Wait, I probably should check my email first.
All kidding aside, thanks for a really good essay.