Love this topic, which has been a major focus of my year and goals thus far. I have enjoyed reading through the comments here about where others are at...so many relatable struggles and good questions. I just signed up for the 2/28 masterclass, can't wait!
A few things I'm looking forward to and/or would love to see covered
*This idea of a "content calendar" -- how you define that, what program/framework you use, etc... I tend to burn out when I set goals that are too lofty or time specific and tend to do better working off an overall "list" of things I hope to knock out that day/week month, and getting in even a little time at my desk most days. BUT - I want to be less "last-minute" when it comes to things like what I'm going to write about for my next Substack etc... I often wait for inspiration to strike when I'm down to the wire, which can be good or bad. : )
*Splitting time between projects in various stages (e.g. edits for agent vs keeping momentum going with new WIP)
*Micro vs Macro goal-setting in regards to how we view our time and fill our calendars
*Wanting to be a good literary citizen but also knowing when to say no (e.g. I've stopped eagerly offering to review query letters for every querying newbie I cross paths with, because I need to better protect my time, though I WANT to be able to help others in this way and feel I'm good at it.)
Adding--I've recently been pursuing co-working dates with friends where we meet up and each work on whatever we're doing, and also have been doing some Zoom online writing dates (WFWA has a robust calendar for this--free for members!). Both have been wonderful motivational tools for me as I am someone who thrives on accountability and struggles with discipline/making the most of my time when no one is watching. :)
So looking forward to next week's class and conversation!
I have a question about when your 'day job'/your non creative writing life is also intellectually and emotionally taxing. I'm a single mom and so have had to be good at time management. What really has begun to hit home as I get older (I'm 46) is that making space for my creative life is not just about setting aside time, which I know how to do, but about having emotionally recovered and recharged from other demands (for me, teaching and other work responsibilities) so that I have enough internal leisure to show up to the page. It's like I know how to make the hours, but struggle with the internal space. Hoping that makes sense. Thank you!
That makes total sense. I'll go over my own solutions in class but in case you can't join us, the takeaway is that I am religious about not working on the weekends and I make Monday and Tuesday my busiest days creatively because (thanks to not working on the weekends) that's when I'm the most rested and ready to go. I front load each week with the hardest tasks accordingly and leave the easiest and mindless stuff for the end of the week-- which includes grocery shopping and tidying up. At the beginning of the week, we can all survive on cheese and crackers for all I care-- my creative work comes first in the week's beginning. that's the short answer but I'll go over calendar plans in the actual class!
This is super helpful and validating and really confirms my internal rhythms. I also rest HARD over the weekends, and find myself incredibly irritable and angry at work tasks on Monday that feel to me to 'waste' this precious creative state that it has taken me a couple days to cultivate! Thinking about how to take what power I have over my Mondays and Tuesdays. And I'm sorry to miss the class--Wednesday nights are the one evening per week I teach or I would be there.
Video is available for enrolled students afterwards if that interests you. If not we'll hopefully catch you at the next one. Thanks for sharing the above.
So many of these comments and responses are validating! I want to give a special shout out to Courtney for acknowledging caring for a sick and/or aging pet. Fortunately I'm not in that situation currently but have been and it's really hard and sad.
I’ve had a long career as a personal growth writer with a biz around that work and also a biz coaching writers. I’ll be querying my first novel early next year 🤞and trying to gauge how much time to spend on nudging my platform toward the novel. I’ve been getting a lot of different advice about effort and trying to gauge how much time to spend on it.
I have the same question, @Jennifer! I was convinced I needed to share and have a platform, but have also heard I “only” need a good book, if I’m writing fiction. I’m currently a bit confused.
You need a great book-- that matters more than anything, and you need a way/ways to connect your writing with an audience outside of any efforts from your publisher. That's the platform part. What that connection vehicle is will look different for people-- it could be a podcast, a newsletter, a reading series you host, a column you write for a local paper, it could be a personal network through work or a friendship with a really influential person. You don't need to have "influencer" level social media numbers but you do need a way or a plan to have a way to connect with your readers.
Hi Courtney, I have a full time job as a journalist and I have a book coming out in August (my second book but first novel). While I'm very grateful for the both in my life, my journalism job (editor for a wine mag) is totally unrelated to my book (literary fiction). I know from last time that the next six months will be super busy (and last time I didn't have a FT job!). Do you have any advice on juggling FT work and launching a book? Or resources I can turn to if I'm time poor but have a bit of disposable income to invest in making it all work? Thank you so much for everything you do!
Oh wow- you have a lot going on. Congrats on the book! In terms of resources, Katie Boland is a secret weapon type of person who is like a tour manager/tour inventor slash publicist slash genius. She put together a teaching tour for me for "Before and After the Book Deal." She's super picky about who she takes on so send me an email with a paragraph explaining more of what your book is about and what you're hoping to happen for it and I'll send it on to her (I'm at thequerydoula@gmail.com). Managing journalism with a book publication is frankly....going to be hard! You can't really be "off" as a journalist or out of pocket-- but if you can isolate maybe 2 hours each day (or an hour here and and hour there) where you are truly unavailable unless it's an emergency, that might be a start? Perhaps hiring an assistant for the lead up to your book could be good and...say yes to quality opportunities but not quantity opportunities. If you've already had one book out, you probably have a sense (somewhat, I know you are switching genres) of what you enjoy and don't, what's worth your time and not. Maybe you're a podcast person or a guest blog person or maybe you hate these things...make sure the things you say yes to make you happy or fulfilled or advance you toward some goals, otherwise it isn't worth it! Good luck!
I'd love to know your advice for how much time to dedicate to the querying process. I've done two rounds of 10-15 agents each and am gearing up for a third round (with the goal of about 6 weeks in-between each round). Should I be sending more queries at a faster pace? I want to make sure the letters I'm sending are personalized and it takes me hours to find agents that I feel are a legitimate good fit for my work.
I got actual rejection letters from the 1st round but the 2nd round...crickets. I know this is par for the course but it's honestly deflating and makes it difficult for me to find the motivation to send out more letters when I could be investing that time and effort into my Substack, or creating community in real time.
Thoughts on juggling this part of writing with other writing endeavors? Should I go all in or keep slogging away?
This is such a great question-- I think I will use it for a dedicated Substack post down the road because it's not so much about time management as understanding silence and rejection. If you've queried 30 agents with only rejections and silence, that's a decent indication that there is something off in either your letter, your opening chapters, and/or the whole concept/premise/timing of the book that's just not landing. It would probably be more worth your time and efforts at this stage to hire someone to help diagnose what isn't working than to continue querying for querying's sake. I do this kind of thing, I believe that Amy Shearn does as well, Leigh Stein gets into this kind of stuff as does Jane Friedman, who also does consults. Here are the services I offer: https://www.courtneymaum.com/coaching Amy is at https://www.amyshearnwrites.comhttps://www.leighstein.comhttps://janefriedman.com
I've tweaked my query letters each round and worked with a developmental editor before I began querying but I do feel kinda stuck. Would you recommend getting help with just the query letter itself or having another pair of eyes for more developmental editing? I want to be intentional about how I'm spending my resources and time during this process (while also trying to enjoy it? Ha!).
Just the query and the first five pages so you can get a sense of how the package is "landing" in front of agents, would be my rec! A developmental edit on the whole thing isn't what you need right now, IMHO.
Thoughts on how to juggle writing goals with careers with chronic illness? In good weeks, I work all week (academic) and stick to my weekend morning writing habit. But the writing is what goes out the window first when I get sick. So far, I just try to have grace with myself. There's only so many spoons. But if you have any tips or insight I'd love to hear.
I'm struggling with this right now too. Tending to my body and the rest it needs while also wanting to invest in my creative projects. I'm using some spare mental space to imagine a world where artists don't have to earn breaks or vacations, where creativity isn't subject to the grind of capitalism. I believe it's possible! Or, at least that's the sort of readership and support network I want to cultivate on my journey.
Grace is what I use (I struggle from insomnia which perhaps doesn't classify as a chronic illness but it certainly feels like one.) A detailed out-of-office with the questions I most commonly get asked or resources people request most frequently is a godsend. And of course-- if bags of money can fall from the sky, having an assistant or ambassador would certainly help. Aside from that, people should gravitate (when possible) toward work places with understanding, inclusive superiors and colleagues for sure.
Oof. Where to begin. New mom working in tech dodging the layoff gauntlet while trying to become an author over here!
For those of us with only small increments of time to write, do you have any recommendations for how to maximize that time? Sometimes I struggle to immerse myself in the scene before the time is up.
Second, how do you divvy up time between revisions and starting a new project? I'm feeling torn on where to dedicate my time.
Oof indeed! I do, but this is a long and nuanced answer-- I'm not sure if you can join us in class (or watch after) but most of the class will be about this ;)
Oh I am here for this! My questions (challenges) that we can talk about in class:
- Do you have tips for people (like me) who feel paralyzed in the headlights of a much too long To Do list and will welcome the distractions of work/childcare/Instagram/anything to relieve the anxiety of tackling tasks?
- And maybe this is a harder question: Let's talk about self-worth when it comes to making time for yourself and your practice. Do we feel entitled to taking this time to write or make art? Do we feel we deserve it?
I'm using a good old Excel spreadsheet for word count while drafting my novel and an Excel workbook as a content calendar for my history Substack. Is there a better tool for content that's not Scrivener? (We aren't well-matched)
What do you work in? I just use the word count on Word ;) I'm not a Scrivener gal and I've never used tools like that-- I just use Word, notes and notepads, and I scream inside my head as needed.
Thank you! I work in Word and use a physical notebook for story journaling-- the Excel is to watch drafting numbers add up. Screaming inside is also a handy tool!
I'm curious how you structure your time/energy between all the things relevant to your writing life that aren't typing words on the screen. Specifically, how we know it's time to attend conferences or join associations like WPA, WFWA. I'm now convinced we have to "act as if we're ready" before we get a book deal (or this is my impression - I promise your book is in my TBR so apologies if you've said this or have said the opposite!), but/and as people who have all the things you mention (sick parents, kids, jobs), even once we give over more and more of ourselves to this pursuit, I'm struggling to figure out which things within this general pursuit get my time and attention.
Oh, one more thing. Maybe you can't answer it, but I'm curious if you - or any other readers here- have thoughts about friends. I'm an introvert and I like people, with a preference for one-on-one vs a big group. I'm involved at my kids' school (in what I perceive as a meaningful way with boundaries). Some people want more of me than is available, especially in group settings (e.g., moms' night out). I have a long-distance bff to whom I speak on the phone weekly and an in-town bff I try to see on weekends with our families. I feel full/sated. And yet, I also feel like I'm often turning down lunch, a spontaneous play date, hours to do things I genuinely like with people I genuinely like and respect. I recognize this is 'good' problem, but if you have comments on showing up for your community and protecting our time as creatives - I'm all ears.
Kelly, I can relate to so much of this! I am 40 and have definitely gotten better at creating stronger boundaries around what I say yes to, particularly social engagements that don't fill me up (I'm declined MANY moms nights out!). I, too, have a long distance close friend I am in touch with regularly and a handful of friends locally I am intentional in making time for. I have really gotten serious about protecting my time! Lately I've been leaning into what I call 'parallel tasking' as Courtney mentioned in one of her replies here -- I love meeting up at a coffee shop with a friend, each bringing our laptops and working on whatever we want/need to get done, in good company. :) Also a big fan of writing conferences and retreats for this same mix of productivity/socializing with like minds!
This is definitely something I will talk about in class. I don't know your age, and you don't have to tell me, but at 45 years old, I'm done with saying yes to things that don't actually make me happy or complement my values especially because I'll resent those activities or people, which is a fail/fail for all involved. I follow the rule "if it's a maybe, it's a no" and when I say yes, I mean it. I'm not a canceler- which makes me feel less stressed than the opposite, because I just don't give myself the option of backing out (why would I, when it was something I gave a strong and hearty "yes" to.) Over the last ten years I've certainly shaved people out of my life-- even had friend breakups-- because I just didn't need them, they didn't make me happy. Did they need me? Maybe, but I'm not a fast food restaurant you know? Give your best where you can and say no when you know that you can't give your best to something or don't want to.
I am a 42.5 year-old-non canceler. I never say "let's get lunch." This is so helpful and validating, Courtney. I really appreciate it. I like your 'maybe means no' philosophy. Very much appreciated. Your Substack is such a nice pocket of the internet.
Thank you! And also, like you, I don't say "let's get together" or "let's get drinks" if I don't mean it or don't want to, because what a waste of everybody's time to put meaningless words into the world. More and more often, I'll say to friends-- do you want to come over with a task you need to do and we'll do these things together? Or I'll go on walks with friends instead of drinks or even meals. I'm actually doing a crafting session tonight-- a friend is coming over to make Valentines and I'm continuing with my New Year greeting cards. Yes, these holidays are behind us. Who cares-- it's 2024 and we're all running behind ;)
Do anticipate ever plan to offer Turning Points retreats at different times in the year, like during the summer or spring break? I'd love to apply, but I'm a teacher and can't take a week off during October. All the other districts in my area get a fall break, but mine doesn't!
Thanks for opening comments to free subscribers today. I’m currently re-reading Before and After the Book Deal. (Third time!) I am a “before” person and the book is super inspiring.
I’m considering signing up for the time management class but not sure if it’s a fit because I DO have time to spare; it’s energy I’m lacking. As in, when I get time, I’m so exhausted from work and chronic health fatigue and brain fog that I’m useless. I’m not sure if my issue is time management or energy management or some magic mash-up of both.
And having chronic health issues means advice involving getting less sleep is a hard no for me.
Do you think the class would be a fit? No worries if not—the blurb doesn’t promise to address any of this, so I don’t expect it, but want to check. Thanks.
Sorry for my late response-- my WiFi has been down since Saturday. Yes! The class would be a great fit for you because we'll mostly be discussing psychological impediments to work. finding joy in tasks we don't feel joyful about and mental obstacles like that. I think you will enjoy it.
Without knowing your health issues, and at the risk of giving you offensive or unusable advice, or both, I have seen miracle cures by people taking up running. Or walking, then running. Same advice for writing. Walk. Then run : )
Thanks Richard! I've been a runner since I was a teenager and am mostly a run-then-walker now and I run around in the morning to get my body moving, my husband calls it "running the dog." I think I'm going to take up swimming again-- I used to really enjoy it.
The beauty is you slap on shoes and go out the door. Hey Courtney this thread inspired my latest post if ya want to check it out. Thank you and luck writing.
Would love to hear your thoughts on how motherhood has changed your writing/work schedule! I love my dedicated/regular practice and am terrified how babies will change it (and exactly what to ask for from my partner to support me on that)
Oh, we will be devoting quite a bit of class to that if you can join us! But the quick answer is: you need some savings and/or family or friends who are like family. Both my husband and I have family who are all plane rides away, so until we moved to a small town where we started forging deep connections (and our child got a little older) I have no idea how I would have accomplished anything if I hadn't had enough saved for daycare. Another tip is get the child onto the daycare lists while they're still in the womb. We have a 3 year waitlist at our local place. (Sorry if this is stressfll/scary news to hear!)
The social media question is interesting - I find myself on social media after a long day of "regular job" work when my brain is fried - and I don't have capacity for writing anyway. But social media doesn't do the mind-body restorative work of say going for a leisurely walk, or reading a book, or otherwise relaxing things. Which probably maybe makes it less likely that I do eventually find the clear-headed time to write.
@Molly, I’m not saying it’s perfect (eg, if my husband wanted took an entire weekend day to fix a bathroom fan, it would not be cool), but I found a lot to like about Cal Newport’s ideas in Deep Work and his other books. This is going farther back, but same for Jaron Lanier’s You are Not a Gadget. Having said all that, I’m starting to think my relationship with my ‘online self’ shares similarities to mine with my sibling - we might drift closer and farther apart and sometimes it takes more effort than others but it’s here to stay so it’s worth giving some thought to.
My fix for this is to schedule social media time, the way you would a yoga class or something. When you're in that timeframe, you can rabbit hole away but outside of those defined time slots, you can only dip in and out.
Great topic! I LOVE that your class is focused on people recognizing what works for them. That really is the only effective time management approach, from what I have seen.
I've been coaching writers on this for 24 years and what I have learned is that commitment + flexibility is what works in the long haul. It took me 19 years😮 to realize that setting up a schedule "I'll write on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00 - 10:00" rarely sticks longer than 2-3 weeks. Every week is different, or as I like to say, The Shit Will Hit the Fan. The biggest strength we need to cultivate is getting back into the writing flow with little drag or self-recrimination.
My commitment now is one hour on weekdays and Friday mornings for a mini writing retreat of 2 hours. My goal to get another draft done by April 11 helps me stick with it and flow when the specific times don't work. If I don't make a session, I ask myself, when will you make up this time? The flexibility - yesterday I was just too tired to get in an hour of focus. I got about 30 minutes in. That counts, and I accept that as a win.
Okay, blah blah, enough about me and what I have learned.
My question is about content calendar creation. I've used them to varying levels of success. I am setting up my content calendar for my novel's Substack in Notion now.
How do you keep a sense of freshness about your ideas if you don't write them right away?
Do you use categories for your topics to stay organized and how does that help you?
Do you use software or just a plain ole scribbled list?
Thanks, Courtney. Your classes look great and I will attend the ones I am available for!
I love these Cynthia! I also have questions about content calendars. I’m trying to set one up and hating the rigidity of it. Do I really need one? I like to write about what is moving me at the moment.
Love this topic, which has been a major focus of my year and goals thus far. I have enjoyed reading through the comments here about where others are at...so many relatable struggles and good questions. I just signed up for the 2/28 masterclass, can't wait!
A few things I'm looking forward to and/or would love to see covered
*This idea of a "content calendar" -- how you define that, what program/framework you use, etc... I tend to burn out when I set goals that are too lofty or time specific and tend to do better working off an overall "list" of things I hope to knock out that day/week month, and getting in even a little time at my desk most days. BUT - I want to be less "last-minute" when it comes to things like what I'm going to write about for my next Substack etc... I often wait for inspiration to strike when I'm down to the wire, which can be good or bad. : )
*Splitting time between projects in various stages (e.g. edits for agent vs keeping momentum going with new WIP)
*Micro vs Macro goal-setting in regards to how we view our time and fill our calendars
*Wanting to be a good literary citizen but also knowing when to say no (e.g. I've stopped eagerly offering to review query letters for every querying newbie I cross paths with, because I need to better protect my time, though I WANT to be able to help others in this way and feel I'm good at it.)
Adding--I've recently been pursuing co-working dates with friends where we meet up and each work on whatever we're doing, and also have been doing some Zoom online writing dates (WFWA has a robust calendar for this--free for members!). Both have been wonderful motivational tools for me as I am someone who thrives on accountability and struggles with discipline/making the most of my time when no one is watching. :)
So looking forward to next week's class and conversation!
Super glad to see you signed up-- I'm noting down all of the above!
I have a question about when your 'day job'/your non creative writing life is also intellectually and emotionally taxing. I'm a single mom and so have had to be good at time management. What really has begun to hit home as I get older (I'm 46) is that making space for my creative life is not just about setting aside time, which I know how to do, but about having emotionally recovered and recharged from other demands (for me, teaching and other work responsibilities) so that I have enough internal leisure to show up to the page. It's like I know how to make the hours, but struggle with the internal space. Hoping that makes sense. Thank you!
That makes total sense. I'll go over my own solutions in class but in case you can't join us, the takeaway is that I am religious about not working on the weekends and I make Monday and Tuesday my busiest days creatively because (thanks to not working on the weekends) that's when I'm the most rested and ready to go. I front load each week with the hardest tasks accordingly and leave the easiest and mindless stuff for the end of the week-- which includes grocery shopping and tidying up. At the beginning of the week, we can all survive on cheese and crackers for all I care-- my creative work comes first in the week's beginning. that's the short answer but I'll go over calendar plans in the actual class!
This is super helpful and validating and really confirms my internal rhythms. I also rest HARD over the weekends, and find myself incredibly irritable and angry at work tasks on Monday that feel to me to 'waste' this precious creative state that it has taken me a couple days to cultivate! Thinking about how to take what power I have over my Mondays and Tuesdays. And I'm sorry to miss the class--Wednesday nights are the one evening per week I teach or I would be there.
Video is available for enrolled students afterwards if that interests you. If not we'll hopefully catch you at the next one. Thanks for sharing the above.
Oh yay!
So many of these comments and responses are validating! I want to give a special shout out to Courtney for acknowledging caring for a sick and/or aging pet. Fortunately I'm not in that situation currently but have been and it's really hard and sad.
I’ve had a long career as a personal growth writer with a biz around that work and also a biz coaching writers. I’ll be querying my first novel early next year 🤞and trying to gauge how much time to spend on nudging my platform toward the novel. I’ve been getting a lot of different advice about effort and trying to gauge how much time to spend on it.
It’s making me a little crazy. 😵💫
I have the same question, @Jennifer! I was convinced I needed to share and have a platform, but have also heard I “only” need a good book, if I’m writing fiction. I’m currently a bit confused.
We will figure it out.🥰
You need a great book-- that matters more than anything, and you need a way/ways to connect your writing with an audience outside of any efforts from your publisher. That's the platform part. What that connection vehicle is will look different for people-- it could be a podcast, a newsletter, a reading series you host, a column you write for a local paper, it could be a personal network through work or a friendship with a really influential person. You don't need to have "influencer" level social media numbers but you do need a way or a plan to have a way to connect with your readers.
Thanks!! I for sure have that now. And yes the great book part working on that 😵💫😬
Hi Courtney, I have a full time job as a journalist and I have a book coming out in August (my second book but first novel). While I'm very grateful for the both in my life, my journalism job (editor for a wine mag) is totally unrelated to my book (literary fiction). I know from last time that the next six months will be super busy (and last time I didn't have a FT job!). Do you have any advice on juggling FT work and launching a book? Or resources I can turn to if I'm time poor but have a bit of disposable income to invest in making it all work? Thank you so much for everything you do!
Oh wow- you have a lot going on. Congrats on the book! In terms of resources, Katie Boland is a secret weapon type of person who is like a tour manager/tour inventor slash publicist slash genius. She put together a teaching tour for me for "Before and After the Book Deal." She's super picky about who she takes on so send me an email with a paragraph explaining more of what your book is about and what you're hoping to happen for it and I'll send it on to her (I'm at thequerydoula@gmail.com). Managing journalism with a book publication is frankly....going to be hard! You can't really be "off" as a journalist or out of pocket-- but if you can isolate maybe 2 hours each day (or an hour here and and hour there) where you are truly unavailable unless it's an emergency, that might be a start? Perhaps hiring an assistant for the lead up to your book could be good and...say yes to quality opportunities but not quantity opportunities. If you've already had one book out, you probably have a sense (somewhat, I know you are switching genres) of what you enjoy and don't, what's worth your time and not. Maybe you're a podcast person or a guest blog person or maybe you hate these things...make sure the things you say yes to make you happy or fulfilled or advance you toward some goals, otherwise it isn't worth it! Good luck!
I'd love to know your advice for how much time to dedicate to the querying process. I've done two rounds of 10-15 agents each and am gearing up for a third round (with the goal of about 6 weeks in-between each round). Should I be sending more queries at a faster pace? I want to make sure the letters I'm sending are personalized and it takes me hours to find agents that I feel are a legitimate good fit for my work.
I got actual rejection letters from the 1st round but the 2nd round...crickets. I know this is par for the course but it's honestly deflating and makes it difficult for me to find the motivation to send out more letters when I could be investing that time and effort into my Substack, or creating community in real time.
Thoughts on juggling this part of writing with other writing endeavors? Should I go all in or keep slogging away?
This is such a great question-- I think I will use it for a dedicated Substack post down the road because it's not so much about time management as understanding silence and rejection. If you've queried 30 agents with only rejections and silence, that's a decent indication that there is something off in either your letter, your opening chapters, and/or the whole concept/premise/timing of the book that's just not landing. It would probably be more worth your time and efforts at this stage to hire someone to help diagnose what isn't working than to continue querying for querying's sake. I do this kind of thing, I believe that Amy Shearn does as well, Leigh Stein gets into this kind of stuff as does Jane Friedman, who also does consults. Here are the services I offer: https://www.courtneymaum.com/coaching Amy is at https://www.amyshearnwrites.com https://www.leighstein.com https://janefriedman.com
Thank you for these resources and this reframe!
I've tweaked my query letters each round and worked with a developmental editor before I began querying but I do feel kinda stuck. Would you recommend getting help with just the query letter itself or having another pair of eyes for more developmental editing? I want to be intentional about how I'm spending my resources and time during this process (while also trying to enjoy it? Ha!).
Just the query and the first five pages so you can get a sense of how the package is "landing" in front of agents, would be my rec! A developmental edit on the whole thing isn't what you need right now, IMHO.
Thoughts on how to juggle writing goals with careers with chronic illness? In good weeks, I work all week (academic) and stick to my weekend morning writing habit. But the writing is what goes out the window first when I get sick. So far, I just try to have grace with myself. There's only so many spoons. But if you have any tips or insight I'd love to hear.
Esme Wang also has a bunch of writing resources specifically for people dealing with limitations like chronic illness.
Yes yes! Esme is great.
Sweet I'll look them up!
I'm struggling with this right now too. Tending to my body and the rest it needs while also wanting to invest in my creative projects. I'm using some spare mental space to imagine a world where artists don't have to earn breaks or vacations, where creativity isn't subject to the grind of capitalism. I believe it's possible! Or, at least that's the sort of readership and support network I want to cultivate on my journey.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Yessss
Grace is what I use (I struggle from insomnia which perhaps doesn't classify as a chronic illness but it certainly feels like one.) A detailed out-of-office with the questions I most commonly get asked or resources people request most frequently is a godsend. And of course-- if bags of money can fall from the sky, having an assistant or ambassador would certainly help. Aside from that, people should gravitate (when possible) toward work places with understanding, inclusive superiors and colleagues for sure.
Oof. Where to begin. New mom working in tech dodging the layoff gauntlet while trying to become an author over here!
For those of us with only small increments of time to write, do you have any recommendations for how to maximize that time? Sometimes I struggle to immerse myself in the scene before the time is up.
Second, how do you divvy up time between revisions and starting a new project? I'm feeling torn on where to dedicate my time.
Oof indeed! I do, but this is a long and nuanced answer-- I'm not sure if you can join us in class (or watch after) but most of the class will be about this ;)
Oh I am here for this! My questions (challenges) that we can talk about in class:
- Do you have tips for people (like me) who feel paralyzed in the headlights of a much too long To Do list and will welcome the distractions of work/childcare/Instagram/anything to relieve the anxiety of tackling tasks?
- And maybe this is a harder question: Let's talk about self-worth when it comes to making time for yourself and your practice. Do we feel entitled to taking this time to write or make art? Do we feel we deserve it?
YES. Such important questions. Good for you for voicing them. See you in class! xo
I'm using a good old Excel spreadsheet for word count while drafting my novel and an Excel workbook as a content calendar for my history Substack. Is there a better tool for content that's not Scrivener? (We aren't well-matched)
What do you work in? I just use the word count on Word ;) I'm not a Scrivener gal and I've never used tools like that-- I just use Word, notes and notepads, and I scream inside my head as needed.
Thank you! I work in Word and use a physical notebook for story journaling-- the Excel is to watch drafting numbers add up. Screaming inside is also a handy tool!
I'm curious how you structure your time/energy between all the things relevant to your writing life that aren't typing words on the screen. Specifically, how we know it's time to attend conferences or join associations like WPA, WFWA. I'm now convinced we have to "act as if we're ready" before we get a book deal (or this is my impression - I promise your book is in my TBR so apologies if you've said this or have said the opposite!), but/and as people who have all the things you mention (sick parents, kids, jobs), even once we give over more and more of ourselves to this pursuit, I'm struggling to figure out which things within this general pursuit get my time and attention.
Oh, one more thing. Maybe you can't answer it, but I'm curious if you - or any other readers here- have thoughts about friends. I'm an introvert and I like people, with a preference for one-on-one vs a big group. I'm involved at my kids' school (in what I perceive as a meaningful way with boundaries). Some people want more of me than is available, especially in group settings (e.g., moms' night out). I have a long-distance bff to whom I speak on the phone weekly and an in-town bff I try to see on weekends with our families. I feel full/sated. And yet, I also feel like I'm often turning down lunch, a spontaneous play date, hours to do things I genuinely like with people I genuinely like and respect. I recognize this is 'good' problem, but if you have comments on showing up for your community and protecting our time as creatives - I'm all ears.
Kelly, I can relate to so much of this! I am 40 and have definitely gotten better at creating stronger boundaries around what I say yes to, particularly social engagements that don't fill me up (I'm declined MANY moms nights out!). I, too, have a long distance close friend I am in touch with regularly and a handful of friends locally I am intentional in making time for. I have really gotten serious about protecting my time! Lately I've been leaning into what I call 'parallel tasking' as Courtney mentioned in one of her replies here -- I love meeting up at a coffee shop with a friend, each bringing our laptops and working on whatever we want/need to get done, in good company. :) Also a big fan of writing conferences and retreats for this same mix of productivity/socializing with like minds!
This is definitely something I will talk about in class. I don't know your age, and you don't have to tell me, but at 45 years old, I'm done with saying yes to things that don't actually make me happy or complement my values especially because I'll resent those activities or people, which is a fail/fail for all involved. I follow the rule "if it's a maybe, it's a no" and when I say yes, I mean it. I'm not a canceler- which makes me feel less stressed than the opposite, because I just don't give myself the option of backing out (why would I, when it was something I gave a strong and hearty "yes" to.) Over the last ten years I've certainly shaved people out of my life-- even had friend breakups-- because I just didn't need them, they didn't make me happy. Did they need me? Maybe, but I'm not a fast food restaurant you know? Give your best where you can and say no when you know that you can't give your best to something or don't want to.
I am a 42.5 year-old-non canceler. I never say "let's get lunch." This is so helpful and validating, Courtney. I really appreciate it. I like your 'maybe means no' philosophy. Very much appreciated. Your Substack is such a nice pocket of the internet.
Thank you! And also, like you, I don't say "let's get together" or "let's get drinks" if I don't mean it or don't want to, because what a waste of everybody's time to put meaningless words into the world. More and more often, I'll say to friends-- do you want to come over with a task you need to do and we'll do these things together? Or I'll go on walks with friends instead of drinks or even meals. I'm actually doing a crafting session tonight-- a friend is coming over to make Valentines and I'm continuing with my New Year greeting cards. Yes, these holidays are behind us. Who cares-- it's 2024 and we're all running behind ;)
Do anticipate ever plan to offer Turning Points retreats at different times in the year, like during the summer or spring break? I'd love to apply, but I'm a teacher and can't take a week off during October. All the other districts in my area get a fall break, but mine doesn't!
Thanks for opening comments to free subscribers today. I’m currently re-reading Before and After the Book Deal. (Third time!) I am a “before” person and the book is super inspiring.
I’m considering signing up for the time management class but not sure if it’s a fit because I DO have time to spare; it’s energy I’m lacking. As in, when I get time, I’m so exhausted from work and chronic health fatigue and brain fog that I’m useless. I’m not sure if my issue is time management or energy management or some magic mash-up of both.
And having chronic health issues means advice involving getting less sleep is a hard no for me.
Do you think the class would be a fit? No worries if not—the blurb doesn’t promise to address any of this, so I don’t expect it, but want to check. Thanks.
Sorry for my late response-- my WiFi has been down since Saturday. Yes! The class would be a great fit for you because we'll mostly be discussing psychological impediments to work. finding joy in tasks we don't feel joyful about and mental obstacles like that. I think you will enjoy it.
Without knowing your health issues, and at the risk of giving you offensive or unusable advice, or both, I have seen miracle cures by people taking up running. Or walking, then running. Same advice for writing. Walk. Then run : )
Thanks Richard! I've been a runner since I was a teenager and am mostly a run-then-walker now and I run around in the morning to get my body moving, my husband calls it "running the dog." I think I'm going to take up swimming again-- I used to really enjoy it.
The beauty is you slap on shoes and go out the door. Hey Courtney this thread inspired my latest post if ya want to check it out. Thank you and luck writing.
I relate to this so much, Liz.
See my comment to Liz above in case this inspires you to join us!
Would love to hear your thoughts on how motherhood has changed your writing/work schedule! I love my dedicated/regular practice and am terrified how babies will change it (and exactly what to ask for from my partner to support me on that)
Oh, we will be devoting quite a bit of class to that if you can join us! But the quick answer is: you need some savings and/or family or friends who are like family. Both my husband and I have family who are all plane rides away, so until we moved to a small town where we started forging deep connections (and our child got a little older) I have no idea how I would have accomplished anything if I hadn't had enough saved for daycare. Another tip is get the child onto the daycare lists while they're still in the womb. We have a 3 year waitlist at our local place. (Sorry if this is stressfll/scary news to hear!)
lol fully hoping the time management class will change my life. And since you’re a pro, how to manage fatigue is an issue for me.
Also:
Time management for someone with an erratic schedule.
Finding motivation for unpleasant, but necessary tasks.
When to delegate and outsource.
Social media addiction sucking time.
Any useful automations you’ve discovered.
I also really love learning and sometimes I just want to learn all day instead of doing more important work.
The social media question is interesting - I find myself on social media after a long day of "regular job" work when my brain is fried - and I don't have capacity for writing anyway. But social media doesn't do the mind-body restorative work of say going for a leisurely walk, or reading a book, or otherwise relaxing things. Which probably maybe makes it less likely that I do eventually find the clear-headed time to write.
@Molly, I’m not saying it’s perfect (eg, if my husband wanted took an entire weekend day to fix a bathroom fan, it would not be cool), but I found a lot to like about Cal Newport’s ideas in Deep Work and his other books. This is going farther back, but same for Jaron Lanier’s You are Not a Gadget. Having said all that, I’m starting to think my relationship with my ‘online self’ shares similarities to mine with my sibling - we might drift closer and farther apart and sometimes it takes more effort than others but it’s here to stay so it’s worth giving some thought to.
My fix for this is to schedule social media time, the way you would a yoga class or something. When you're in that timeframe, you can rabbit hole away but outside of those defined time slots, you can only dip in and out.
Thank you for these! I'll make sure to cover all or some of these in class! See you there.
Great topic! I LOVE that your class is focused on people recognizing what works for them. That really is the only effective time management approach, from what I have seen.
I've been coaching writers on this for 24 years and what I have learned is that commitment + flexibility is what works in the long haul. It took me 19 years😮 to realize that setting up a schedule "I'll write on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00 - 10:00" rarely sticks longer than 2-3 weeks. Every week is different, or as I like to say, The Shit Will Hit the Fan. The biggest strength we need to cultivate is getting back into the writing flow with little drag or self-recrimination.
My commitment now is one hour on weekdays and Friday mornings for a mini writing retreat of 2 hours. My goal to get another draft done by April 11 helps me stick with it and flow when the specific times don't work. If I don't make a session, I ask myself, when will you make up this time? The flexibility - yesterday I was just too tired to get in an hour of focus. I got about 30 minutes in. That counts, and I accept that as a win.
Okay, blah blah, enough about me and what I have learned.
My question is about content calendar creation. I've used them to varying levels of success. I am setting up my content calendar for my novel's Substack in Notion now.
How do you keep a sense of freshness about your ideas if you don't write them right away?
Do you use categories for your topics to stay organized and how does that help you?
Do you use software or just a plain ole scribbled list?
Thanks, Courtney. Your classes look great and I will attend the ones I am available for!
I love these Cynthia! I also have questions about content calendars. I’m trying to set one up and hating the rigidity of it. Do I really need one? I like to write about what is moving me at the moment.
Same! I've been trying to write a paragraph or so when an idea comes to me so I have a seed when I go to write the whole thing.
These are excellent questions! So excellent in fact I might have to dedicate a post to them!