Preptober Step 6: Managing Writing Time
We all have busy lives, but if we want to be writers and eventually published authors (in any sort of capacity) we need to learn to manage our time.
It’s the end of October and the Preptober season. If you’re just finding my Substack now, I’ve been sharing ways to get ready for NaNoWriMo. If you missed some posts, catch up here, here, here, here, and here.
In this special edition of Pen & Plot, you’ll learn:
⏳ 3 methods to manage your writing time.
✍🏼 What to do if the 50k word count goal is overwhelming
3 Ways to Manage Your Writing Time
Whether you work a normal 9-5, you’re self-employed, or you’re a student, we all have different yet similar struggles with time management. And some—I know I do—struggle with task prioritization.
Here are my favorite three time management strategies that have helped me, so I’m hopeful they’ll help you too:
The Pomodoro Method
If you’ve ever joined one of my TikTok lives, I exclusively use the Pomodoro Method. Typically, it’s 25 minutes on and 5 minutes off. After 4 rounds, you’ll take a longer break between 15-20 minutes.
Now, there’s no wrong way to do this method. You can choose chunks of time that work for you and your schedule or concentration levels.
This technique is great for promoting concentration and relieving mental fatigue. It’s especially great for open-ended work like studying or writing where there’s no conscripted amount of time for finishing.
My favorite tool is the app Flipclock - it has a Pomodoro feature built in and the added effect of the clockface flipping down is a nice added bonus.
Time Blocking
Time blocking is a time management method where you schedule out every part—or just the work tasks—of your day. By sectioning each part of your day into bite-sized time slots, you’ll be able to take back control of your day.
This method also helps you get a sense of how much time you actually need for each task. Knowing the average time it takes to do the dishes, check your email, fold laundry, and set times for important work tasks will help you figure out how much time you have left over for writing.
If you’re a parent, you can block in your kids’ activities too.
Seeing the visual representation of your schedule in (maybe) color-coded blocks, you’ll know exactly what you need to do, when, and for how long. You’ll also reduce the urge to multi-task and rapidly switch between tasks.
Create a Writing Routine
Establishing a writing routine can help you jolt your brain into knowing that it’s time to write. I’ll go through some of the things I do that help my brain switch to writing mode.
You’ll have to come up with your own and it may be vastly different than mine, and that’s okay. We’re all different and have different ways to get into the swing of things.
When I know I need to lock in, it’s usually early morning or right after dinner. I’ll make sure the dogs have just gone out so they won’t be ringing their bell and interrupting any sort of flow that I get in.
Then, I’ll grab coffee or tea (or if I’m feeling spicy a Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper Zero), light a candle, shut off the ceiling lights, and turn on my lamps. I’ll straighten up my desk, get the books I might need to reference and light a candle. I turn my phone on Do Not Disturb and get to writing.
What changes most for me is the type of music that works—it changes day to day as a lot of your routine might.
Is the NaNoWriMo Goal of 50k Words Too Much?
We all know that the goal of NaNoWriMo is to hit 50,000 words.
That number was apparently chosen at random by the NaNoWriMo founder, Chris Baty. It was also chosen because it’s a reasonable word count goal for one month as it’s 1,667 words a day.
“Winning” or completing NaNoWriMo means hitting or exceeding 50,000 words.
However, it’s not really a rule. And if 50,000 words feel daunting or too steep for you, then don’t stress about the number.
Like there’s a soft alternative to the fitness challenge 75 Hard, you can make your own soft version of NaNoWriMo.
Here are some ideas on how to tweak NaNoWriMo:
Set a word count goal that fits your time needs
Establish a daily writing routine without a constraint of a certain number of words
If you weren’t able to plan during October, use November as your month to plan, do any necessary research, and outline (This is likely what I’ll be doing!)
Ultimately, don’t let the 50,000-word goal intimidate you.
Time Management Resources
Keep the pen moving,
- Kourtney
📚 Is your manuscript ready for developmental editing? Let’s see if we’re a good fit. 📚