What, wait, that was a month and a half ago? Where has the time gone? Reading the entries from my fellow MMM bloggers, others are feeling the crunch of time, especially time that we want to dedicate to our writing. We've had conferences, and illnesses, and new babies, all encroaching on our writing time.
Which to say, we have lives.
At the end of the month, I'm presenting a time management workshop in Shreveport Louisiana at the North Louisiana Romance Writer's convention. I have 45 minutes to say something meaningful.
Last month I gave my chapter a shortened version of my training. 30 minutes to list out Lynn's Top Ten ways to find more time for BICHOK (butt in chair-hands on keyboard) method of writing. I was surprised when two of my critique group members mentioned using one or more of my tips to gain more writing time. I wasn't surprised to find that the tips were successful for one, and not the other.
What works for me as a writer, especially one with a day job with a long commute but no kids at home, may not work for a young mom with babies or a dad with kids in competitive soccer. But its a start.
As part of my session at NOLA, I'm starting the session with a goal setting or clarifying exercise. The entire exercise is a bit different than below, but let's play today.
What, if it doesn't get done before you go on to your choice of afterlife options, would you regret not doing? (For me, this answer has changed over the years.)
What, if it didn't get done this year, would you regret?
What, if it didn't get done this month, would you regret?
And finally, what are you doing today (or this week) to reach for at least one of the items above?
Share your answers with us.
Lynn
9 comments:
Interesting and thought-provoking, Lynn. Best wishes with your goals. I have a word goal, 'balance.' I am working to balance a number of life responsiblities. I'm doing well. However, I forgot to add in sleep. :)
-R.T. Wolfe
I wish I could attend the conference and hear your entire presentation, Lynn. I like this exercise and it gives me some focus for long and short term goals. I am trying my hand at a mystery right now and it's very different than my pantsers approach. My regret would be to not complete it whether or not it's published. I just love the genre!
Great questions, Lynn -- very thought-provoking. How will I respond? "Gosh, Radine, you'd better fire up your rockets and get going!"
I love writing, but I don't think I'd have any regrets if I didn't make my goals. To me there are so many more things in my live that are more important.
Hmmmm....good post!
My goals are way behind where I inended them to be by this time this year.
Last year, I was on fire. This year, a slow burn. Been rejected twice by places I thought I had a good shot.
Just keep going forward.
I do want to finish editing Blessing or Curse, but ---
In the meantime I've been doing promotions that take up a lot of time. The last one for Girl of My Dreams was very successful, so now I feel obligated to keep promoting that book and ride it out for a while.
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
Hi RT - Balance is hard. I think like D'Ann, I went deep last year into writing and forgot a few things. This year I'm hoping for better balance.
Betty - I'm so looking forward to talking mysteries with you. As soon as I finish this bull rider book, I'm spending a few weeks revising my newest cozy.
Radine - I love the beginning of the year, it's so full of promise.
Marilyn, so nice to hear your life is filled with joy, including your writing. I would regret not reaching a higher level (in my craft) if I had to give it up now.
D'Ann - I hear you. I swear writing is like crack. You get one hit, you want a bigger one. At least I do. LOL Stay strong sister, you'll find your stride. And I hear it really doesn't get easier for any of us.
Morgan, isn't promo a time suck? I want to be doing more, but I want to be writing too. And working out. There's only so much time in a day.
Post a Comment