People ask us how to make better use of their writing time more than anything else.
These questions come in different forms: how to find more time, how to make best use of it, how be productive (and not get distracted) - the list goes on and on.
But the secret to time management according to writer Oliver Burkeman is understanding that time is short and we have little control over it. That is not a reason to despair, but a liberating idea. We asked him how he writes within limits. Read his 15 top tips to try when time isn't on your side.
This week we're also delighted to share a guest post from novelist J.P Choquette who reveals how she wrote her first book in just 15 minutes a day - proving that it's not necessarily the amount of time you have, rather it's what you do with it.
And finally, if being time poor isn't your problem but rather you're feeling blocked because you have too much time in. We have some advice for you too.
Keep writing ❤️
Bec and Chris
PS. The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted that our newsletter is late this week. Irony of ironies, we ran out of time yesterday after a computer glitch. We are only human after all.
✍️ Try this: Spontaneous writing
We often find that folks think they need very long stretches of time in which to write but in reality, they can be productive in far shorter periods. We can fall into fixed patterns of thinking and the way to break out of those patterns is to experiment and try something new.
That is where spontaneous writing can really help. It's largely about a change of mindset - there is no set way to do it. Simply be prepared to grab snippets of time to write or just to think about your project.
Are there pockets in your day that you could nudge your writing forwards? Train journeys, time in between meetings, when the kids are out? Make sure you have the right tools to hand - a notebook, a phone or tablet - so you can hit the ground running. We'd love to know if this approach helps - have a go and good luck!
"I'm really lazy and writing is really hard. I don't like to do hard things."
– Fran Lebowitz
👀 What we're reading: How to market a book by Ricardo Fayet
Whether you plan to self-publish or have a deal with a traditional publisher, the responsibility for marketing your book tends to fall on you - sorry about that! But just like writing and editing, marketing and promotion is a skill that needs to be learned. As one of the founders of the writing community and book platform Reedsy, the author of How to Market a Book knows a thing or two about how to do that. Available as a free Kindle edition, Fayet's book is a comprehensive guide to the business of book marketing. While there's a lot in it and initially it feels a little overwhelming, I like the fact that he urges you to choose the channels and approaches that work for you. Don't try and do everything, he suggests, just get good at doing a few things well.
I found his tips about selling on different platforms helpful and his insight on mastering the dreaded Amazon algorithm will be vital when we start marketing our book. Our copy will be well thumbed when the time comes I predict!
😍 5 things we love
#1. Ascend the throne: We binged Netflix series The Chair set in the struggling English department of a US university. Anything ring true for our academic readers we wonder? Here's an article that explains more.
#2. All about me: Novelist Octavia Butler describes herself as "an oil-and-water combination of ambition, laziness, insecurity, certainty and drive" in her 1979 bio.
#3. Never too late: In her 30's, Anne Youngson wrote a book in her lunch breaks at work. It stayed in a drawer. Then she retired, wrote her debut, it was published when she turned 70, and was shortlisted for the Costa Prize An inspiring story.
#4. Agony uncle: We love Mason Currey's Subtle Maneuvers newsletter and advice column where each week he addresses the hope and fears of budding writers. This edition is especially epic.
#5. It's been a while: Now many of us are gingerly getting used to being around actual other people, Nicole Donut has some essential advice about 'In Real Life' writing groups. In case we've all forgotten.
🤔 Too true...
Thanks to the excellent Liz & Mollie and their Insta inspo! Check them out.
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Breakthroughs & Blocks is an email newsletter from writing productivity coaches Bec Evans and Chris Smith, co-founders of Prolifiko.
Subscribe to get fortnightly coaching tips and advice and news of our latest coaching plans and courses. Find out more about Prolifiko.
