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| Photo by kconnors |
I'm an organized person—usually. I can't work in clutter or with piles of paper or in an area that needs to be cleaned—usually. I read one novel at a time to savor and enjoy and well, not get confused.
Imagine my learning curve when I was in the throes of launching Red Tide while creating a scene list for my third manuscript and then beginning the initial self-edits on my second.
Here's what I learned:
1. If I close my eyes for a minute, I can remember the book I'm supposed to be working on: the plot and what characters populate it, and shove the others away.
2. I don't need to do an intense cleaning of every level of the house as often as I thought. It will survive.
3. If company is coming I know how to herd them where I've done some ridding-up.
4. Clean floors give an overall impression of cleanliness.
5. There's no way to get around the pile of paper that collects relating to a manuscript you aren't working on, or information on the business side of writing. I'll get another file stand when I get a chance, or clean out my filing cabinet so there's actually room for some folders.
6. I need to schedule marketing time. (And figure out exactly what marketing consists of.)
7. I can work on multiple things at once. Sort of.
8. I LOVE WHAT I DO!
I still read one novel at a time. Slowly.
Do you have any ideas about what I should prepare to learn next?
Yes, I learned much of this too, which is why my blog is called Write First, Clean Later. Yet, it's still a challenge for me to outline the next book while writing the current one.
ReplyDeleteOnce you learn how to market, you'll need to learn how to set aside a defined time period to do it. Otherwise, you'll get sucked into the "maybe if I tried this" vortex and never get any writing done.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're doing just fine, Peg! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteL.J., I've always admired the name of your blog. One of these days I'll seriously have to invest in a trial of that philosophy. I wasn't writing at the time I did the scene list… just bang, bang, bang. Zowsters.
ReplyDeleteGayle, I can so see how that could happen. I'll tweet and then go check sales. It's crazy! Writing the next book is the key. Writing the next book is the key. Repeat.
Thanks, Jodie!
ReplyDeleteWhat I've learned: The Process is built by a series of steps, each applied one at a time. Take small ones, don't look ahead or behind, and always move in a forward direction.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing fine :)
Drew, you gifted me my Trust the Process mantra and I'm forever grateful. I now apply it to just about everything.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support.