Time Management

image by jean-louis zimmermann

I am working on so many projects simultaneously, I feel a bit overwhelmed.  In order to be as efficient as possible, I'm needing to write "to do" lists and set priorities...but sometimes, when my brain goes into overdrive, it simply freezes...like a deer in the headlights.  And then of course, I freeze, and feel like I can't move forward.

My projects are creative ones...lots and lots of writing.  Because I am a writer.  That's what I do.  Some of the stuff I'm working on is actually more creative than other stuff, so I am definitely using two different parts of my brain.   But at the end of the day, all I'm doing is dealing with the art of crafting words.  Plays, articles, blog posts, course outlines, cover letters...it's all words, words, words.  And as much as I love words...instead of having this constant running stream of words flowing through my brain, I sure could use a brief bit of quiet. There's so much noise in my head these days...I need to turn down the volume.

I truly believe that we create our own lives, and I have definitely created my life as a writer.  I welcome all the opportunities that are coming my way, but I also treasure the moments when I can put down the dictionary and the thesaurus, close my eyes, and see images rather than words.  I am a pretty cerebral gal, and usually think in terms of words and phrases---that in itself is not a good thing or a bad thing, it's just who I am. 

But I do wish I thought more in images...I wish my brain were more cinematic...sometimes it is...in my dreams it is...I see movies in my mind from time to time, and that actually helps me a lot when I'm constructing plays or short stories. But mostly I think in terms of ideas and concepts...sounds kinda boring, but actually if you were inside my head, you'd realize it's not boring at all. Trust me on that one!

Wow...I have really gotten off topic here...but I guess it's okay for my mind to wander like this.  After all, it's 3AM and I've got the rest of the day to prioritize and utilize my fabulous time management skills.  Yes, I'm writing a blog post at 3AM so I can write other stuff later in the day.  On a Sunday.  Freelancers never have a weekend.  I don't mind...I like what I do...but it would be nice to spend a Sunday flitting away the day looking at pretty pictures....

Please tell me--how do you organize your time?

A Word or Two About Writing

Photo by Gonzalo Barrientos

Ask any writer about the writing process...go ahead...ask them. Say somethin' like, "Hey you...writer...tell me about your process..."
For every writer you ask, you'll get a different answer.  Every writer has his or her own way of going about things.  Maybe the arrangement of things on the desk has to be just so.  The cup of coffee has to be on the right side or the left side.  It has to be 5AM.  Or 2PM.  Some writers have to wear the blue, hemp "writing" hat in order to get any work accomplished...(so, okay...that's me!) Some writers have to write longhand.  Others can only write on a laptop.  And others still are die hard old school worker bees and must write on a typewriter. 

Oh, my goodness, the list goes on and on.  But from what I understand, most writers, myself included, do engage in the dance of procrastination.  For me, I am mostly writing these days in the morning.  When a good idea comes to me in the night, while I'm sleeping (and it often does) I'd better get my butt up and write down the idea, otherwise it is lost forever.  I've tried  to talk myself into believing that the idea is SO good, so lucid, that it will be there in the morning.  It never is.  NEVER.  Maybe a remnant of the idea, but only if I'm lucky.  I'm usually not!

I can think of a million things to do that have nothing to do with writing prior to plopping down and getting to the task at hand.  The funny thing is, once I'm IN it...once I've started, and I'm engaged, I love writing.  Don't get me wrong, it's hard as hell.  Mostly rewriting is hard.  Writing is fun.  Rewriting is ARDUOUS.  I love that word.  That's why I do this.  I love words. 

Photo by Billie Hara

If you want to write for a living, then you have to treat it like a job.  A job you love...but a job nonetheless.  You can make your own hours, you can write whenever you want, where ever you want.  You can wear your pajamas, or your sweats or a suit and tie for that matter.  But you need to set goals, and be disciplined, and write EVERY SINGLE DAY!  It's like exercise.  You have to do it every day to see results.  To get better at your craft.  Sure you need a break now and then.  So take a break...I'm not stopping you.  But it's essential to keep those wheels greased!

There are tons of books out there on how to write.  But I say, if you want to write, don't read about it...DO IT!  If you do want to hear what the pros have to say, here's a couple of suggestions:

•  Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.  Even if you don't want to be a writer, you should read Anne Lamott. She's amazing, adorable, humorous...I love her.  Read everything she's ever written.  You'll be glad you did.
• And of course, I must recommend my main man, Mr. Stephen King.  His book On Writing shoots from the hip.  He tells it like it is, doesn't sugarcoat it.  Before I die, please let me meet Stephen King and thank him for the hours of reading pleasure (and terror) he has given me.  But in On Writing, he was very much my teacher, and there is no finer teacher than the master himself!

DISCIPLINE.  Say it with me. DISCIPLINE!  Good!  Because that's what it takes.  Just write!  Not every word has to be gold.  Not everything you create has to be read by somebody else.  But if you want to write...if you want to call yourself a writer, then be a Nike ad, and JUST DO IT!

Thank you for your attention during my diatribe.  Now write me a comment...that's a good way to get started!