OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
Some of the most common emails I receive every day include: How do I find the time to write? And how do you get everything done?
While I don't write a book a month (at the moment!), I do get quite a lot done!
I published 4 new books in 2014 in ebook and print, plus I had another one completed and on pre-order, so technically 5 books in total. Plus, I published books in German, Spanish and Italian, as well as several in audio format, resulting in a total of 19 new products for sale in 2014.
Plus, a lot of blog posts and podcasts which I hope you found useful 🙂 So today, here are some of my tips on productivity for writers and a resource I think at least some of you will find useful.
(1) Schedule your time
We all have 24 hours in the day, and we all have to balance the real life stuff with the writing. Before I was a full-time author-entrepreneur, I would get up at 5am and write, then go to work. After the day job, I would come home and get on with building my online business. We got rid of the TV so I would have more time to create, and I spent every weekend working. I was so focused on leaving my job that I cut out everything that got in the way. I was driven to schedule my time incredibly well in order to fit everything in.
Now, as a full-time author-entrepreneur, I still have to schedule everything. You might have noticed that I blog, podcast and speak professionally, as well as writing books. It's just as hard to get everything done, let me assure you!
So I'll admit to being a chronic scheduler! But seriously, it is the only way I get anything done.
I use a Filofax – yes, a physical diary that I use to schedule my time. I write down blocks of time for writing, speaking prep and delivery, for podcasts, recording audio and other phone meetings. (I never answer the phone unless a meeting is scheduled!)
Of course, I have slots for personal time with my husband or family trips, medical stuff, friends and ‘real life,' and of course, sometimes I get things wrong 🙂 But overall, I rely on this kind of scheduling to get everything done.
(2) Reward yourself
Those of you with children may have used behavior charts, where they get a star or a sticker every time something good is achieved. Rewards for good behavior can actually work really well!
Well, that's what I do for myself these days!
I have a wall calendar (see left) on which I write my word count or pages edited every day and I get a sticker if I go over 2000 words.
It's just a paper calendar – nothing fancy – but seriously, it works!
My creative muse is a child – she wants to play.
She loves to color stuff in and also likes stickers, the shinier and more colorful the better. When I realized this, I bought myself a coloring book (Johanna Basford's Secret Garden) and pens, as well as a massive pack of stickers 🙂 If I'm finding the writing difficult, I give myself 5 minutes of coloring, which is fun and relaxes me enough to continue.
(Sharing this makes me sound like a nutcase – but hey, whatever works, right!)
(3) Become accountable
This blog has kept me accountable since I started writing it in Dec 2008. Every year, I have posted my goals and what I've achieved. I also post my annual income reports on the anniversary of leaving my job, plus I share what I learn along the way, so you know I am working my butt off!
So you guys are partially my accountability. But I also have several accountability partners.
These are people who I skype or meet with every month and we hold each other accountable for our progress. We go through the list of what we said we would do that month, and we kick each others' butts if we haven't done it.
One of these is also a thriller writer, so our goals are thriller specific and related to income from fiction. Another is more like a creative mentor, and she asks me questions that relate more to staying true to my Muse.
Then I have an accountability partner who has a completely separate kind of business, and we challenge each other on content like the podcast and blog, as well as overall financial goals. We even have a competition now, where the loser has to pay for a spa day – now that's motivating!
I also have a coach who I have calls with several times a year, when I want to take things to another level.
Time goes by so fast that if you don't schedule these kind of check-points into your life, you won't achieve anything.
In my day job, a year would go by and I would wonder what the hell I had achieved except for 12 pay checks.
Now I measure my life by what I create, and I can only do that by being accountable.
(4) Set deadlines
If you sign a traditional publishing deal, you will have a timeline for your drafts, revisions and then for publication. You know what you have to do by when.
If you are going the indie route, you need to set these for yourself.
When I wrote my first novel, I set a deadline for my birthday. I wanted to hold my book in my hand on a specific date. I made it by a month later, but having that date in mind helped a LOT for getting things done.
Since then, I have speeded up the process somewhat, but I still set rough deadlines. On my wall I have one page A4 that has the priorities for each month roughly planned out.
For example, January has:
- Publish Gates of Hell in ebook and print (DONE – launched Jan 5)
- Finish first draft and edit novella, One Day in New York. Send to editor by end Jan (DONE)
- Record audiobook of Business for Authors. (Time is scheduled with the studio so I will have all the raw files done.)
- Start pre-production on Deviance, London Psychic Book 3. (Research trip done, but lots still to do)
If I haven't done all these by the end of the month, then I am behind on my deadlines for each book.
I also split the tasks into product per book, so you see here that I have print, ebook and audiobooks underway on various products.
I also love the pre-order function that we have available to us now on Amazon, iBooks and Kobo, as well as NOOK if you use Draft2Digital. Once the book has been edited, I put it on pre-order while I do the final proof-read, which helps me with a hard deadline for completion.
(5) Spend more hours in the chair
We all know what we have to do.
It's simple but it's not easy. Like diet and exercise.
More hours in the chair actually spent WRITING will produce more words on the page.
Dean Wesley Smith is one of the most prolific writers out there, but he points out that he doesn't do anything spectacular in terms of word count per hour. What he does is spend more hours in the chair, and he does it every day.
This relates to point 1 – you need to schedule the time, and then you actually need to get it done.
Get black on white.
BONUS (6) Decide what you really want.
Perhaps this is the most important thing.
At the end of the day, we all have 24 hours in the day. We all have people we love, that we want to spend time with. We all need to pay the bills. We all need to eat and exercise, and clean and do chores and see friends … and … and …
But you get what you focus on in life.
If you really want to write that book, you will make the time.
If you want to prove that you can finish a manuscript, you will make the time.
If you want to be a full-time author and make a living with your writing, you will have to make the time.
What are your productivity challenges when it comes to writing? You can share your difficulties or tips in the comments below.
Top image: Flickr Creative Commons In search of lost time by Alexander Boden, Deadline alarm by Jonathan Bliss,
Rick says
i really need to do the 5 a.m. thing and get up and get writing. Thanks for the inspiration. Always enjoy your posts.
Joanna Penn says
It’s hard – but it’s worth it!
Lisa Rose says
Inspiring as well as nostalgic. The chair thing though was tough to beat.
Meg says
I like your ideas for accountability and recording your aims monthly. Currently, I have yearly aims – it would be beneficial to break these down, so I’ll do that!
My biggest problem isn’t chair time. It’s making the best use of it. Frustratingly slow progress lately – a thousand to a few thousand words per day for many hours sat in the chair and averaging about 1000 words an hour. Far from my best and means I am making appallingly inefficient use of time. Need to kick it up about ten notches! I’ll try target setting & finding a way to be more accountable for productivity for February to see if I can improve this drastically.
The colouring book idea made me chuckle, it’s so random! But whatever works to get the words out. I usually go do chores for a break, but perhaps something more creative would be better (and far more enjoyable)!
Best of luck with your February goals. 🙂
Joanna Penn says
I only do 1000 – 2000 words per hour – so for me, it’s just more hours in the chair 🙂
and also I will be trying beats this year – more structure so less time thinking about what I’m writing per session. Have fun!
Rick Jantz says
Hi Joanna. When you get beats figured out will you be posting something? I’ve tried to follow Johnny and Sean but it’s just not sinking in yet. Any additional resources would be greatly appreciated.
Joanna Penn says
I’ll certainly post something when I get that part sorted – I will be doing a video about my process pretty soon though 🙂 Keep an eye out here!
Cindy Hiday says
Stickers and coloring appeal to the part of me that sometimes wants to be less adult. Appeal to the child and the rest will follow. I believe I can honestly make this work. Thanks, Joanna!
Joanna Penn says
Have fun with the coloring, Cindy!
Randal Long says
Hi. I’m not a blogger, but I’m working on a non-fiction work I’d like to take to publication. Will this link provide me with the steps to publish and/or self publish?
Joanna Penn says
Yes, that video course will take you through the process – you can also read this: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/01/15/how-to-publish-a-book-101/
and this: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/publishing/
Yasmin says
Hello Joanna, Thanks for your informative posts. You mention your audio books on your post. I am preparing to endeavor into this process shortly. Would you mind sharing your experience with producing those and how important are they for your portfolio? Any pointers for production? Thank you!
Joanna Penn says
Hi Yasmin, I’ve done an extensive post on audiobooks before here: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/05/01/audiobooks-acx-marketing/
also, in terms of importance, read this post on rights: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/01/07/know-your-rights/
I’ll be doing a post on recording in the studio when it’s done – should be by end March.
Selena Silcox says
Great advice as always, Joanna. I kicked my writing into overdrive about 6 months ago when I set myself some deadlines, particularly around the planning stages of my book. Giving myself a limited amount of time to complete the summary and beats made me focus only on that. The book that eventuated, including a publisher-requested rewrite, was the fastest I’d written a book in nearly three years, which was extremely satisfying.
I find I fluff around a lot when I haven’t set my schedule. Since I’ve started scheduling my time, particularly my social media and online time, I’ve made more progress than I would have imagined at the same time last year.
As you say, ‘You get what you focus on in life.’
Joanna Penn says
That’s great Selena – it’s amazing how fast time passes unless we set those deadlines!
Cyd Madsen says
Oh, goodie. Another nut case. I have a ceramic castle on my desk filled with stickers and bows and treats I put on my cork board for a day’s good work. The shinier the better; the more child-like the more pride wells up from my belly. But I don’t use coloring books. I’ve been doing what’s now called Zen doodles to space out and let things fall in place, even if that place is the trash bin. I may switch to coloring books because, as Selena said, it’s so random and sounds like so much oddball fun.
This is my first year on my own, on my own terms, and I do struggle getting it all organized (especially the blog–ugh). The one thing that’s set in place is waking up between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. then writing until 8 a.m. No alarms, just 10 ozs, of water downed before bed to get me up and running early. When I’m working I sleep on the couch so there isn’t a cozy bed tempting me to return. That also helps keep me on track so I can get to edits and sleep in my bed again. It’s the best deadline motivator I’ve found. I’m hoping to refine this process in 2015 🙂
The Filofax looks like heaven. I’ve been looking for ages but haven’t found anything that’s not tailored for the school year. Thanks again for the guidance towards something helpful. I have tried accountability with others and find it only works for me if it’s a specific project that’s extremely demanding. Anything else and my rebelliousness kicks in. Instead I get lost in the woods on a daily basis and have to face myself without defense. The silence and solitude can be brutal, unkind task masters.
Joanna Penn says
Oh yes, a gathering of creative nutcases 🙂 we should all go hang out in a writer’s retreat somewhere – you can have the sofa 🙂 I’ll keep the bed! Glad you like stickers and things too. I always have to go into the kids department to find them!
The Filofax is definitely old school – but works for me!
Belinda Pollard says
Joanna, I LOVE the idea of the colouring books. What do you colour with?
I’ve got a whole set of Conte pastels in a cupboard here (the pencil type)… maybe I need to dust them off.
I’m sure the brain science people would have a lot to say about why colouring works for you. It’s visual, kinaesthetic, rhythmic and kind of soothing at the same time. It’s surely accessing different parts of your brain, and stimulating the ol’ synapses.
As for the productivity thing, I now finally have my first novel in my hand, because I made a public commitment on my blog to publish by Christmas 2014. I found that I just moved forward much more deliberately on it because there was a Deadline (or indeed, a set of deadlines). I am in awe of how much you achieve with all your publishing adventures, and hope to move just a little closer to that zone myself this coming year.
Joanna Penn says
I just have some coloring pens, Belinda – with a thin tip one end and a more paintbrushy end on the other 🙂
Congrats on your novel – public commitments make a big difference and it looks like your blog has a good audience now – which makes it all the more public! All the best with a creative 2015!
Phoenix Grey says
I like your calendar/sticker idea. I, too, find that a rewards system helps me with many things. I just never thought to apply it writing before. I think I might give it a go. 🙂
Julie Day says
I have a Mslexia diary that I write all my talks down for, when I email my lists, when I send stories out. Might start writing down how many words I write in what time in it, too. It’s on my computer desk in front of me now, and I can move it when I write so I can account for my writing. Have you tried an app called ‘Forest: stay focussed’? I am thinking of using that.
Zee says
Hmm I might have to use that calendar idea.
I have yearly / monthly big goals, and daily to-do lists. I often don’t quite meet my own deadlines, but I still produce at a pace I am happy with. It works for me.
My blog, twitter, and my pride are the best places of accountability for me!
Tolulope Popoola says
Thanks so much for this blog post Joanna! I have been slacking a bit lately with my writing goals, what with juggling motherhood and trying to build my publishing business. I got sidetracked, and towards the end of 2014 I was thinking about how I needed to refocus on my writing and manage my time better. Thankfully, I read an article about outsourcing, so I will be outsourcing my boring and time-consuming tasks so that I can free up more time to actually create new stuff! This blog post is so timely as well. I need to seriously schedule my time so that I make the most of every valuable hour I’m seated at my desk. Deadlines will definitely help me as well.
Joanna Penn says
Great! My next podcast interview is about VAs and outsourcing 🙂 Overwhelm is a common problem!
Care says
I’ll be honest, I stole the sticker idea. I keep them in my daily calendar and as soon as I reach my daily goal (a modest 500 words per day), I stick a little star into it. It’s so silly, but it works!
Joanna Penn says
It totally works 🙂
ED Martin says
I also use public accountability to stay motivated. Every year I set myself goals and post them on my blog, then provide quarterly updates of my progress. It’s a lot harder to not do something when I’ve told the world I’m going to do it.
My biggest challenge is finding time to write. I work fulltime and go to grad school fulltime, plus have a kid, so I’ve cut out pretty much everything that doesn’t matter or HAVE to be done. It’s a struggle some days to find time to get my school work done, let alone time to write creatively. I keep a notebook with my all the time and jot down scenes and notes while at work so that if/when I do actually have time to write, I can actually get words out instead of spending time contemplating what I’m going to write.
Joanna Penn says
It sounds like you have a great process, ED! With juggling so much, even getting some ideas down every day is a great start – maybe once you’ve finished grad school, you’ll have some more time!
David J Delaney says
Great advice and you definitely get out what you put in. Thanks Joanna.
Claire Ng-Martin says
Hello Joanna,
I have been following you for a short while and find your advice and experiences invaluable. The biggest question in my mind has been “how does she find the time to do it all??” and you have answered it in this blog post.
I’ve been setting up three separate ventures for over a year and have taken far too long trying to establish some kind of structure that will enable me to dedicate sufficient time to each one. As a result, I still feel in a mess and completely unproductive! But I will be taking a leaf out of your book with calendars, diaries, forcing my myself into a chair for plenty of bum-on-seat time and more. One step that I have just put in place is a monthly blog of what I’ve achieved (and my first post went out yesterday!). Working towards specific goals is tremendously helpful.
I look forward to reading more of your blog!
Claire
Joanna Penn says
I’d also add FOCUS, Claire – it may be that you need to focus on one venture for a whole year and then see where your bandwidth is for another.
Saying NO is something I need to blog about as well! All the best!
R. M. Webb says
I’m going to need to get myself accountable again. I tried a new approach while writing my second book, going for speed. Instead of carefully putting words on the page, I just wrote what came out – faster, faster, faster!
I certainly fished the book quickly, but the whole second half was bonked and needed to be taken apart and completely rewritten. I’m going to miss my (self-imposed) deadline and I’m disappointed.
That’s putting it mildly.
I removed all the pressure of goals and timelines in an attempt to spur on my creativity. I think it’s time to put those goals and daily expectations back into play. I’m so eager to get this book completed, I really don’t have the words (at this early pre-coffee hour) that do the feeling justice.
Thank you for this post! Just what I needed.
Joanna Penn says
I hope you find the balance you need, RM!
Mighty says
Hi Joanna, thanks for posting about this. I’ve finally completed two nonfiction drafts last month, after working on them for over 3 months. One went to a traditional publisher and I’m just about to edit the 2nd one and self-publish it online. I’m also stepping up my writing game and write 7,500 words per week. So far so good. I’m on track with my word count goals last month and this month.
Just a question. How long does it usually take you to write 2,000 words? How many hours do you usually spend “butt-in-chair” everyday?
Joanna Penn says
If I know the outline of what I’m about to write, I can write 2000 words in about 1.5 hours – but I also do a lot of research. I find I can’t do more than 4-5 hours of fiction work a day because it is very tiring. My butt in chair hours depend on what phase of the book I’m in – e.g. research means trips etc, first draft = butt in chair, as does editing but less word count in the latter.
But this is my full time job – my butt is on the swiss ball a lotta hours every day 🙂
Donna Cook says
Wonderful! I freaking love your coloring book idea!
I’m an author and a freelance book editor. Balancing is a constant battle and requires, as you say, being very clear about your goals. I’ve had to make peace with the fact that, as long as I still have kids at home, part of my goals include spending time with them every day and getting enough sleep every night so I’m not a crazed grouch. It’s hard not to get all the writing time I’d like, but I keep telling myself it will be different in a few years when the kids are grown. I’ll easily gain five hours a day.
Think of all the writing I can do in five whole hours!! Drool…
Joanna Penn says
You can always get some coloring time in with your kids 🙂
Donna Cook says
Good idea!!
Rebecca Butler says
Self-Publishing School says it is closed. But taking names on waiting list. I may go to Jim Bell’s Knockout Novel, though it’s not specifically self-publishing. Thanks for your succinct and valuable list. –RB
Joanna Penn says
Self-Publishing School opens up a couple of times per year, so you can get on their list for next time, for sure 🙂