September 4, 2011

Spreading Myself Thin, but Enjoying It: ROW 80 Check In

The devil on my shoulder has been winning lately, chuckling every time I sign up for a new challenge. He knows time is not my friend. As much as I love and appreciate the tool that is social media, it is a true time-sucker.

"God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die." Bill Watterson

I have learned so much from blog and writing challenges, but it often distracts from my writing time. I am excited to meet fellow writers in Rachael Harrie's Platform Building Campaign, but I need to work on my time management skills. Since I can't create more time, I need to create focus.


What are your tips for managing time and focusing on tasks? Do you hit a bunch of easy projects first to make progress, or force yourself to sit with your WIP for x hours a day before you touch anything else? Help!

Now to my progress report for A Round of Words in 80 Days:

* Worked several hours on the sequel and will be emailing to Mom by tomorrow. Had to rework some scenes with inconsistencies. (I laugh, last week I put my goal was "Finish sequel"... what was I thinking? It truly was a typo.)

* Posted most days, and posted a review on Mom in Love with Fiction. One more review set to post tomorrow.

* Made good progress on my book club book. I'm looking forward to posting about my experience with an author present. The following month I'm presenting Depression Cookies to the same book club, so I'm interested to see how this goes.

* Editing is going well. I'm so captivated by the book, I'm eager to ask for more chapters. It sure makes editing easier when you enjoy the piece!

Next week's goals:

* Manage time better between WIP and social media obligations. Since I wait on Mom in-between chapters, I'm going to spend an hour writing a day on my new YA project.

* Finish book club book by Wednesday.

* Complete editing and homework assignments. If I haven't mentioned it, I'm taking a great class right now... Get Paid to Write: Become a Freelance Writer. I'm exploring opportunities to write outside of novels and this blog, especially paying opportunities.

* Visit as many ROW 80 and Campaign blogs as I can. I am ready to mingle and learn!

Please check out the amazing writers participating in ROW 80. Many of them will also be part of the Platform-building Campaign.

12 comments:

Deniz Bevan said...

Sounds like you're doing great! Love that Bill Watterson quote, I hadn't seen it before.

Tia Bach said...

Thanks, Deniz. I feel so far behind, but I seem to manage to get that must-do thing out on time so far. Feels like things are slipping through the cracks, though.

I loved the quote, too. ;-) I appreciate you stopping by and commenting.

Fairview said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Returning the favor. Your schedule seems hectic!

Fairview

Robin M said...

Interesting quote. Sounds like you are doing well. Will have to check out the Platform Building Campaign for next year. Sounds interesting.

Em said...

You have reminded me I need to start our next book club book! Thanks for that!

I know what you mean about things online distracting you from actual writing. I am striving for balance especially now I am back at work!

Have a great week!

Tia Bach said...

Fairview, Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to connecting.

Robin, It should be a great experiecne. Rachael's doing another one in February.

Em, Thanks for your comment and for supporting my blog. It's appreciated!

Su said...

Time management? What's that? Alas, I have the same problem!

Tia Bach said...

Su, I wish I had a better answer for time management. I seem to be a better teacher (I'm on top of my kids' time management) than learner. ;-)

Kelly McClymer said...

Welcome to the campaign. I'm right with you on the time management. I try to put out the fires first. Then, if there is some time left over, I eat dessert. The rest needs to wait until it starts smoking on some other day.

One day I will catch up. Or not.

Tia Bach said...

Kelly,

I love it! The fires all seem to be blazing and smoke everywhere these days. I love that you didn't forget dessert. My kind of lady!

Thanks for stopping by!

alberta ross said...

you have no idea how good it feels to be told one will live for ever!! at my age that completly made my day - way hay 2111 here I come - even if I stopped planning new goodies on my life now it would I rekon take me that long to complee - thanks and well done - is your book club on line or real - been looking for online one - as if i hadn't enough to read already with two real ones!!!

all the best for coming week

Tia Bach said...

Alberta, I loved the quote, too. My book club is real, been looking for an online myself. I need accountability to squeeze in more reading.

I always love it when you stop by, and I hope to get up a post about the lovely award you gave me this week. That darn time...