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writing goals

Writing Process

October 16, 2019 by JoAnna Leave a Comment

 

I don’t know about you, but my writing can be affected by the seasons, or any other distraction for that matter. Perhaps a large part of it is that my other ‘work’ is as flexible as my writing routine. That can be seen as a dream for some and I know I’m very fortunate but like everything, it can also have its downsides. A couple of weeks ago it looked as if Autumn had really arrived, talk of bonfires and dark evenings. However, for the past few days, the days have been warm, almost Indian summer-like with cold nights that have required us to light the wood burner.

Here are four things that I find useful in keeping my writing on track, whatever the season (or distraction, usually animal related) that may be. And given that NaNoWriMo starts in a couple of weeks, I think these are going to come in handy!

Monthly Goals

I’ve always set goals, every year for as long as I can remember. And for as long as I can remember, I’ve never reached the end of that year having achieved them. I’m too ambitious, too full of hope that this year will be the one and therefore I set myself up to fail. Following the example set by another writer with the same dilemma, I’ve been setting monthly goals now for the better part of this year. And they work, for whatever reason I’m getting more done than I’ve ever done. Perhaps it’s more time relevant, more in the moment and I can actually see the progress rather than wishing on a star. It’s also helped by the second hack I’ve employed this year.

Focused Project Days

Again, for all my life I’ve considered myself to excel at multi-tasking. That was certainly true for my younger self as a single mum, having a full-time job and completing a degree all at the same time. Nowadays I’m not so good at balancing all those spinning plates. And what’s more, it didn’t work. Not for my writing anyway. Now I split the weekdays into daily focused projects where I concentrate on one thing at a time. It could be a short story I’m polishing for a competition or editing on one WiP or researching a new one. Occasionally I find myself dipping into something I shouldn’t be but a sharp rap on the knuckles does the trick.

Sweating the Small Stuff

Having said I focus on a daily project, I do spend half an hour at the beginning of the day just getting those small niggly things of my list. The things that may seem insignificant, like replying to an email or some housekeeping admin, watering the pots, tickling the kitties… whatever. If I tick them off my list that’s more headroom for writing. And that can be a good thing.

Daily Free Writing Sessions

For the past two months during the hot weather, I’ve set myself a target of daily, Monday to Friday, free writing sessions. The WA Monday Muse often forms one of these but I’ve also used them as preparations or the start of scenes in my current WiP and most definitely for the project the day. I’ve missed one or two days because of one thing or another. But it certainly has helped in me getting to The End.

What works for you?

Filed Under: Writing, Writing Process Tagged With: creative wriiting, getting things done, novel writing, writing goals, writing organisation

Monthly Goals: September

September 4, 2019 by JoAnna Leave a Comment

So how did I do last month? August is always a tricky one with visitors and the heat. I didn’t have the first excuse this year for the first time in many…😌 apart from the one month a year neighbours.

😊Complete Wolf Moon – this target was my priority and I just hit it as the sun went down on the 31st August. Feeling rather chuffed!

😉Continue with the 15 minute prompts – five days a week which totalled 22 in the month and I managed 19… not a bad return and they did help with #1 target

😊Social Media posts planning for October – writing quotes and prompts are scheduled and I’ve now reached over 400 followers on Instagram… not sure if that’s a good thing or not!

So, being realistic with my goals for last month meant I was able to get them all done, which is a great feeling… here are this months:

The Big Stuff

✔ 3rd Edit of Wolf Moon for line editing via table for me and to Kindle for Simon to read *eeek*

✔ Rainbow Warriors review – start a bullet journal in preparation for NaNoWrimo

✔ Partake in a couple of writers challenges (post everyday in response to a task) probably #Writer Warriors and #FantasyWiPSeptember

✔ Daily Writing Prompts Monday – Friday – I’d really like to keep this up. It’s good for my soul

✔ Update my journal ‘First Draft in 30 days’ to market for NaNoWrimo

and in between

  • Research editor for final draft Wolf Moon
  • Social Media Posts for November
  • Submit Italian Tax Returns!

Let me know what you plan to get up to!

Filed Under: Monthly Goals, Writing, Writing Process Tagged With: instagram, nanowrimo, rewriting, writing challenges, writing goals

March Goals 2019

March 1, 2019 by JoAnna Leave a Comment

Last Month’s Goals (February)

🙂 Publish four parts of Wolf Moon on Wattpad – yay! And I had a couple of lovely comments and secured some more followers. Check out the story and let me know what you think.

🙂 Map out plan for Rainbow books – yay! I’ve organised my story bible and summarised three potential novellas which will be linked but hopefully standalone. So excited about this project.

🙁 Draft fantasy story – almost, I should have been finishing it yesterday and today but have been feeling sorry for myself with a chesty cold and sore throat…

🙂 Schedule and publish 2 posts per week on Instagram account – double yay! I’ve posted every weekday and some weekend days, have increased my followers and am interacting. Also been scheduling posts on Facebook and Twitter and managed a weekly blog… so it feels pretty good.

So what’s in store for this month?

Filed Under: Monthly Goals Tagged With: creative wriiting, getting things done, monthly goals, writing goals, writing organisation

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