Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Time Management for Writers--Part One

Writer Wednesday

If you're like most writers, this isn't your full-time job. You may work outside the home. You might have children to care for. You might have a sick family member that takes up much of your time.

Whatever it is, not many writers have the luxury of writing ten hours a day to crank out that manuscript. Here are some tips to help you manage your time better, and find more time to write:

1. Set goals for yourself--daily, weekly, monthly. Write them down. Make them realistic so you don't overstress yourself.
2. Prioritize your goals according to importance and deadlines.
3. Plan and schedule your time based on your goals. For example, if you know you have to get a 1200-word article to your editor by the tenth of the month, don't plan a dinner party for the night before.
4. Review your goals on a regular basis and reprioritize as necessary.
5. Match your activities to your working style. Are you a morning person? Then don't plan your writing time in the evening when you are physically and emotionally drained.

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