SPA Girls Podcast – EP280 – Scheduling Like A Superstar
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Trying to figure out how to finish your book? Keep getting distracted or discombobulated? This is the episode for you!
We break down the processes we use to plan and schedule a book, from start to finish, including everything from booking a cover designer to working with your editor. We show how easy it is to get your writing done, when you know exactly how much you have to write and by when. Join us for another information packed episode…
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February 25, 2021
I listen to your podcast every morning. I’m slowly working my way through the list.
I started a bullet journal, in January and by journaling, I realized I cannot write until my daily chores are done. I scheduled listening to podcasts while doing exercise before 8 a.m., From 9-10 I schedule my chores, cooking breakfast, feeding the dogs, starting dishes, supper in a crockpot, laundry, bills, and urgent calls from 9 to 10.
Then two hours from 10-12 noon for unexpected stuff(like my furnace dying when we had temperatures below zero. Got a new one ASAP, major budget dent.) (recently I’m actually writing from 9-10- I’ve approached chores as a daily task to get done ASAP).
I’ve been scheduling writing from 9-1pm) break, then editing my previous day’s work from 1-6pm). I’ve found I’m writing 2K to 3K each day.
I’m verbose (former tech writer, and a teacher) as you can tell, and editing tends to delete all the vague and abstract words, sticky sentences, repeats, too many personal pronouns starting a sentence, and PAST TENSE! lol) I definitely want to take your new class, keep me posted.
Yesterday’s disaster unexpected was a boil water alert. So from 9-10 I was busy boiling drinking water in every pan and all burners bubbling away, like one of the witches in Macbeth.
Today as you can tell I’m starting my writing at 9 am despite unforeseen complications. Using my bullet journal, I know what is most important each day. Writing and editing number one. I find by editing what I blurted out the previous day, 3K words, 2k of which I can use, and 1 K of my verbose flowery darlings. But dictating is fun because I can say anything without worrying about (oops that’s one of those pesky vague and abstract words) grammar.
I run it through Grammarly to tighten it up, and last long detailed run thru (oops vulgar use through for formal writing) Pro-write to tighten it up (oops another one).
I just love propositions at the end of sentences, like “Come in.” Must be an American thing, Your accent is charming, I love it.
February 25, 2021
I forgot to tell you. I do all that before I send the manuscript to my editors, and ARC readers.
My first book took me 5 years from conception to published book. I read tons of writer books, several classes, some great and some Bleah. Your recommendations are spot on.
The second book took 2 years, more learning, and now I know exactly how much time I research (always tidbits), plot (2 weeks) Plotter, dictate DRagon (2 months), write (2 months) read out loud AI & Scrivner & Grammarly, edit (2 months) Pro-Write Grammarly and AI, send to editors (1 month), another round of changes from an editor and ARC readers, read out loud AI & Grammarly & Pro-Write then Publish in D2D, Amazon, and Ingram Spark.
I’ve found that the AI voice in Windows 10 helps with flow and catches little bloopers.
I’m scheduling Book 3 for 1 year. My future goal is 2 books a year.