New writers who struggle to get their first book written often feel like it is the only and the last thing they’ll write. It just seems like so much effort. I know I did. Despite the fact that visions of being a prolific writer, danced in my head like fantasies.
I’m here to tell you that eventually that first written work will be like a seed that sprouts and turns into many written pieces. Prolific writing can be in your future. Though I dabbled in writing short articles and stories and submitted them to editors on speculation, my writing work began to multiply once I came online and began to publish my writing on web pages.
The other day my contact writer with a Christian Writers Group in Saskatoon (which I have only ever attended once) asked me what writing projects I was working on, so she could share it with the group.
I dashed off an email rattling off how I seem to be writing constantly, all day, and every day of the week. It gave me a bit of a jolt to see it down in black and white. I guess I AM a prolific writer right now, even if it is not bringing me multiple streams of income.
Not meaning to brag, but just to show you (I know lots of writers and would-be writers are reading this) - that as words flow from you in one area, you are likely to become more productive in others, here’s a peek at my writing agenda.
Novel-writing;
This year I am taking off two half days a month to work on a sequel to my novel. I’m hoping to get the first draft finished this year.
I write pretty well all day long, almost every day of the week, but have to be
flexible to drop agenda when family matters pre-empt.
Mon-Fri;
7 am - write out my devotionals with intent to publish later.
9 am. - I work on my blog articles and e-books. The RoseBouquet blogs are promised for Wed. mornings, and eAction for Thurs. mornings.
10 am. - web articles/sales pages to sell my novel, “Ruthe’s Secret Roses”
11 am - business site, and eBay efforts (which includes web copy)
2 pm - renovating/updating the RSR site which often involves re-writing copy
3-5 pm - email answering, which often includes long mentoring emails.
Evenings:
Mon - dedicated to Western Tract Mission. About 3-4 nights four times a year are spent on desktop publishing the quarterly newsletter, Reflections. It falls to me to write the feature and any pages we can’t get others to do. Between those spells, I work on their web site and write press releases, or whatever needs writing.
Tues - is for paying clients, as in web design or editing & proof-reading for others. Since I don’t always have clients I donate the free nights to building sites for missionaries. I’m on the 3rd one.
Wed - is for writing my own original freelance articles, book reviews, etc. with an eye to getting them published.
Thurs - is for personal correspondence (some friends still use pen/paper), and longer email answers to mentorees.
Fri - bookkeeping (not really writing, but necessary, eh?)
Weekends;
Sat - My domestic day. When I flop with exhaustion from housework, I try to tackle more kids’ books for my great-nephew and niece. I’ve promised a series and have got the first one done as a Christmas gift this last December. That’s in the afternoon.
Evenings, I work on genealogy data and print and bind books for those who prefer them that way. I make the odd sale every once in a while. There’s also a web site and a blog to keep up, but they are a little neglected of late.
Sun - afternoons are for prayer journaling, and evenings I write long emails to missionary friends.
Obviously, I did not jump into that all at once. Gradually I added more and more to my agenda. Now I have to give up something to add anything new.
Just start somewhere, and like the child Topsy, your writing life will grow and take on a multi-faceted personality.
To read sample chapters of my book online, start at the index page
To order the e-book to download and read on your computer;
Order Page (or if you email me, we can make a deal and I’ll send it to you on CD).
To order the softcover paperback go to Booklocker
