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There is something I realized while doing the A-Z Challenge. I've discovered a writer's worse enemy. You want to know what it it? It is . . . TIME.
The clock never stops ticking. There's never enough time to write, edit, rewrite, edit some more, create new ideas, tell new ideas to go away, publishing, promoting/marketing, and we might want to spend some time with family and friends along the way. Time is the enemy, but it's one we have to live with.
If you make time for one thing, then time for something else suffers. What is a writer to do?
I can't speak for all of us, but I had to set some priorities. I can't be everywhere and do everything because I just don't have the time.
In writing, I've decided to focus on one project at a time. I have stories I want to self-publish as well as novels to edit in the hopes to submit them to agents/publishers. I definitely have more ideas than time, so the one project at a time will help. In May, my focus is on Pull of Gravity. I plan to take my time writing and editing it to make it the best it can be. When it gets close to time to publish, I'll announce a release date. Then I'll move on to the next project on my list.
In freelance editing, I've decided to not take on new clients for a while, except a couple I've already talked with about editing. I want to do the best for the clients I have and make time for my own work too.
I will make time to read and review books on Surrounded by Books Reviews, but I'm not going to open for more review requests until I'm finished with the review books I have. It's not fair to me or the authors waiting for reviews to take on more than I have the time for.
May is my transition month to a summer blogger schedule. From June through August (at least, although it could be longer if it works out well), I'll be blogging three days a week instead of five. Hopefully it'll give me more time to do other things, like enjoying summer and spending time with my family.
Maybe I'll have some time to relax a bit.
Time doesn't stop, but we can find ways to use our time wisely.
How do you use your time?
Don't forget that Defying Gravity is still free through Friday!
24 comments:
I never have enough time, that's for sure. Something always suffers. This month, it will be my kids. Lol
One project at a time is all I can handle, which is why I haven't been writing for a while. I'm ready to make that a priority though.
That's so smart to always assess your goals and prioritize. I always have a major project that takes the majority of my time, then maybe smaller ones on the side.
Man, isn't time pesky? I could really do with a time turner. I feel like a cartoon right now, with my legs spinning under me, but my body not moving. Way too much to do for the time available!
Most of my time seems to be spent playing Skyrim ...
I'm a big fan of organising and structuring my time as best I can. Giving myself time limits to do certain things before moving onto the next to increase my productivity.
It seems a number of us are asking the same question this morning! I'm looking for answers as well.
Laura
Laura's Fantasy Blog
I always have to remind myself to do one project at a time otherwise I get overwhelmed and panic. Nothing gets done then.
Most of my time seems to be spent playing solitaire. I mean, writing. Always writing...
And while I don't think time and I are friends, I personally think I'm my own worst enemy so if Time's yours, I think you're doing everything right.
I try to make priorities but there's never enough time in the day. I am a firm advocate of adding at least two more hours to the day.
It's funny, I've been thinking about the same topic! The A-Z Challenge was such fun but it did wear me out, and I'm trying to figure out a schedule that will work for me and allow me to meet my goals for May. Right now I am feeling kind of burned out! I have lots of books I want to read too, including yours. So I definitely need to prioritize and figure out a schedule for myself, time can be a real killer.
Time is a big issue for me, I tend to get fragmented very easily. My first two priorities are to self-pub on Amazon/Smashwords my flash fiction compilations.
Then the rest of May I will concentrate on my romance WIP.
I also have to pare down my list of blogs that I follow...too many from A-Z that won't carry forward for me, plus need to drop some RVing and Motorcycle blogs I used to read when I had more....TIME.
Great post. Time is definitely my enemy. I wish I had more time. I need to cut back on blogging too.
I agree with you. It seems like there's never enough time for everything. I'm scaling back on some stuff as well. Hopefully time will begin to free up.
I was going to spend my lunch hour re-assessing where I've been putting my efforts lately, because it certainly hasn't been to my MS. Naturally, in true Me fashion, I ran out of time to take a lunch hour.
Sigh.
Something has to give. I'm just not sure what.
Oh, yes. Time is my biggest enemy, too. There are a few times when I feel on top of it -- like I'm a surfboarder cresting the wave.
Today is not one of those times.
Cherie, time is a huge challenge when blogging or writing. One thing I learned from the challenge is not how to make time to blog, but how to make time to visit other blogs. I think it makes me a better blogger by being exposed to interesting and challenging content like yours. Thanks for the insight.
Lately, my time has been spent catching up. Once I got behind, it's taking so much more effort to close that gap. But I'm amazed by all that you find the time to do.
There's a lot of time in this post! I'm praying for "elastic" time right now... I'd really like it to stretch so I can get some things finished!
time is so elusive! its gone before you know and what did i get done? ah! time management should be a class in school!
There's never enough time :( Like you, I have had to prioritize!
I spend my time mainly mucking about. It's very sad. I must get a grip.
I'm trying to organize my time better--and making time to walk each day, which at least means my characters have time to talk to me.
Great post, Cherie! Seems I've been battling time my entire life. It has a way of crawling by when I'm eager to get to something else, and racing ahead when I'm enjoying myself.
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