Would-be authors claim they want to write a book, but in fact they want to have already written a book. Writing is hard! Author Joseph Heller once said, “Every writer I know has trouble writing.” And he’s not the only one who has alluded to the difficulty of writing. Stephen King’s quote, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work,” … [Read more...]
The Productive Sprint
Note from Cathy: NaNoWriMo is coming soon, and the following post from Leo Babauta contains excellent advice for getting a lot done in a short time. Why not try a 'productive sprint' to get your next project done, whether for NaNoWriMo or any other time? In the past two weeks, I’ve written more than 45,000 words, including 10 posts for Zen Habits and Sea Change and 30 … [Read more...]
Finding Time to Write
Are you wondering when you'll find enough time to start writing? If so, I have good news and bad news. The good news is, you'll never have more time than you do right now. The bad news is... well, that is the bad news. Time is never "found." Time can only be "made." If you decide to wait until your kids are in school, or in college, or you have enough money to quit your day … [Read more...]
Trying to Do It All: Priorities for Authors
Authors must promote their books to be successful, and the more they promote, the more likely success will come, but while the process can be exhilarating, it can also be exhausting. Here are some simple tips for authors to keep things in perspective and manage to enjoy rather than be overwhelmed by being an author. Recently, one of my fairly successful author friends said … [Read more...]
Ruthless Time Management
Clients are always so curious about how I manage to get it all done. And it's no wonder because now that I see it all down on paper, it does seem like a lot. But, before you think I've got it all figured out, let me be very transparent with you. I have a crazy number of emails in my inbox, many of which need answering. And every so often, a few things fall through the cracks. … [Read more...]
Time Mastery
One of the biggest obstacles to success is something that shouldn't be an obstacle at all. It's the perception that there isn't enough time to do everything in your business you want to do. I say perception because the reality is quite different. You can find the time, manage more projects successfully, and keep on top of all the details and to-do's if you have a good … [Read more...]
How to Manage Your Time as a Writer
It's easy to romanticize the life of a writer, but writers know it takes hard work and perseverance to succeed. You not only have to write, you have to research, query, self-edit, and market yourself on a regular basis. Writers often feel overwhelmed when faced with all these tasks. The following tips will help you better manage your time. Set boundaries. Let your family, … [Read more...]
Finding Time to Write
Many people have great ideas for books. But most people never actually write their books. The reason is time. It’s not lack of time, but the perception of lack of time that holds many people back from writing. Breaking down that time barrier to make every spare minute your friend is key to becoming a writer. “I’d like to write, but I just don’t have any time.” How often … [Read more...]
Making Time to Write
How long does it take to write a book? That’s like asking “how much is a car?” It depends on a great many things. According to Brenner Information Group, on the average, it takes 475 hours to write fiction books and 725 hours to write nonfiction. Subscribers to Writer’s Digest magazine spend 12.64 hours writing each week. Beginners spend seven hours a week and advanced writers … [Read more...]
Pamela Dodd – Author Interview
What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it. The 25 Best Time Management Tools & Techniques: How to Get More Done Without Driving Yourself Crazy is a no-fluff, easy-to-read compendium of the best advice on how to manage time better, get organized, and stay focused and in action. What readers seem to like about the book is that it is not a cumbersome time … [Read more...]