Naomi Dawn Musch

     So many ideas! So little time! With writers having to invest vast numbers of hours promoting their material these days, building a platform, networking, and continue self-educating, not to mention exploring new venues for publishing in this fast-paced, technology driven world of ours, that time has to be measured into given slots, or there ain't nothin' gettin' done.

     And those ideas; they keep coming! Ideas for blog interviews, ideas for reviews, ideas for stories, ideas for contests, ideas for places to submit, ideas for growing a web presence . . . It's all a little bit mind,er -- time -- boggling. Especially if you want to throw a little real life into the mix. You know, cooking dinner, doing the laundry, hanging out with that guy you married and those kids you had. (It's kind of easy to get caught up in virtual verses real living.)You may even have a day job that you have to juggle in there, too.

     So how do you do it? How does it all come together in such a way that you aren't lost in the possiblities, or worse, so overwhelmed that you just waste away the little time you have surfing the web?

     Self-discipline is the first rule of writing. You have to get the ol' butt to stay in the chair for a segment of time. You have to limit the time you spend responding to your emails. And you have to get your shoutlife updates, your tweets, your statuses, and so on, under control.

     It helps me to do my emails and messaging first thing in the morning. I'm best if I only allow myself the time it takes to drink 2 cups of coffee. I'm still in my pajamas. After that, I'm revved up to go outside and do my farm chores.

     After chores, exercises, and a shower, I'm ready to write. But on what? Should I tackle the rewrites to chapter 8? Should I post a new blog? What about that article I've been procrastinating over? I can't do it all, that's for sure. So I have to impose a strict schedule. It's best, when I go to bed at night, to think ahead to which project demands the most attention. I'm a planner. Spontaneity is for my characters. Planning keeps me from wandering all over the place. It keeps me focused and productive.

     When I've finished a goal for the day, THEN I allow myself to tweet or change my statuses on Facebook, or to browse online pictures from my brother-in-law in China. I'm on track.

     Later, if time allows, I go back to more writing. Usually, this time it's on somethine "fun", something that I don't absolutely HAVE to get done. I also use this time to web search publishers, read online articles and newsletters, or go over class notes from the latest ACFW course.

Self-discipline works. Create time slots. Plan ahead. Write on!