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Welcome Author Ali Winters. Let's see what she's got to say!
Finding the Focus
Publishing is a long, long, long, process. I wish it was as simple as waking up in the morning with a bright and shiny new idea bouncing around in my head. Pounding away at the keyboard until it was all out on "paper" and then hitting publish.
I suppose one could do that, but many of us are perfectionists and want to put the best versions of our books out there for readers.
There's so much more to the process than most would think from the outside. There are the multiple rounds of edits, proofing, formatting, etc. For self published authors, and let's face it, even many traditionally published authors, there's also connecting with fans, promoting, setting up ads, beta readers, cover design, and so on and so forth.
So, who doesn't dream of being as productive as possible? I mean we all have deadlines, whether they are contractual or self-imposed. And I don't know about you, but I hate missing deadlines.
A problem that I have struggled with over and over was lack of focus. Either I never get around to sitting down, or I sit down and do everything under the sun except write. Or, I start and then the smallest thing can derail me.
It's taken me a while and a lot of trial and error to find something that works.
It's my hope that something in this blog post helps you out. If not, don't give up. Keep searching for the thing you need. Take stock of what's worked for you in the past and what hasn't. Maybe you'll end up creating a whole new way of focusing that could help many others like you.
So here are a few tips and tricks that have helped me be more productive with my time. Perhaps you'll find one that helps you.
Create a ritual.
No, nothing crazy like sacrificing books, pens, or your archnemesis to the writing gods. But set a routine that is the same every time you sit down to write.
Drink the same drink, tea, coffee, whatever your taste buds want, listen to the same music, sit in the same spot, light a candle. You get the point. Just do the same thing every time you mean to write.
No, it won't become habit the first time, or the second, or the third. But give it two weeks, a month. Test it out. But keep at it, and whatever you do - don't alter it. At least not any time soon. If it works for you, then keep at it. If you want to alter it, do so slowly over time. Nothing big, or you will lose that routine.
No, it won't become habit the first time, or the second, or the third. But give it two weeks, a month. Test it out. But keep at it, and whatever you do - don't alter it. At least not any time soon. If it works for you, then keep at it. If you want to alter it, do so slowly over time. Nothing big, or you will lose that routine.
Create a schedule.
This has always been something that was hard. I'd go through dozens of different scheduled and stick to them for an hour. But once I wrote it down, everything changed. My productivity went through the roof.
It was still hard to stick to at first, but it helped endlessly and it allowed me to add in much needed self care without guilt that I wasn't sitting at the keyboard typing like mad.
I have a planner and every week I have a set number of main goals that I spread out through the week. Then each morning I write my goals for the day. Big and small. And when I’ve completed one, I put a check mark next to it. At first I would have the unfortunate habit of giving myself more to do in a day then was realistic. So I started bumping things to the next day. Every once in a while that still happens because something’s take longer than expected.
It was still hard to stick to at first, but it helped endlessly and it allowed me to add in much needed self care without guilt that I wasn't sitting at the keyboard typing like mad.
I have a planner and every week I have a set number of main goals that I spread out through the week. Then each morning I write my goals for the day. Big and small. And when I’ve completed one, I put a check mark next to it. At first I would have the unfortunate habit of giving myself more to do in a day then was realistic. So I started bumping things to the next day. Every once in a while that still happens because something’s take longer than expected.
Sprinting.
Don't panic! Not like... running or anything.
Timed writing sprints.
For me doing 20 minute sprints with 10 minute breaks or 25 minute sprints with 5 minute breaks have worked the best. It's enough time to get words on the page, but not so much that I feel like it's never ending. It makes the hard days easier. And on the easy days, it reminds me to breathe and take a break.
Try them out. See which works for you.
Make Music
Create a play list. Either one that you listen to for every book you write or a new one for every, series, or for every book to get you in the mood for that story. It could be an entire play list or just one song that fits the mood of the book or chapter you’re writing and have it on repeat. The sound can both put you in the mood of the book while also functioning as white noise to cancel out other noises that might pull you away from your writing.
I do all of the above. Depending on my need for new music. I have an overall play list just to write to, but I'll make a play list for every book. Those in the same series are also combined. I tend to pick a song that fits the chapter or scene that I'm writing and have it on repeat until I'm finished with it. Then I'll move on to the next song that fits the next scene or chapter.
I do all of the above. Depending on my need for new music. I have an overall play list just to write to, but I'll make a play list for every book. Those in the same series are also combined. I tend to pick a song that fits the chapter or scene that I'm writing and have it on repeat until I'm finished with it. Then I'll move on to the next song that fits the next scene or chapter.
Bio:
Ali Winters is the USA Today bestselling and award winning author of The Hunted series, as well as an amazon and international bestselling author. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest where she developed her love of nature, animals, and all things green.
For as long as she can remember, she’s been mesmerized by the extraordinary world of books and fantasy. There has never been a time when stories were not begging to be told, either by drawing, photography, or writing. With encouragement from one of her favorite authors, she jumped in head first, to pursue the career that had been calling to her since the day she opened her first book. She has a deep love for coffee, tea, warm blankets, dogs, creating art in any medium she can get her hands on, and family.
For as long as she can remember, she’s been mesmerized by the extraordinary world of books and fantasy. There has never been a time when stories were not begging to be told, either by drawing, photography, or writing. With encouragement from one of her favorite authors, she jumped in head first, to pursue the career that had been calling to her since the day she opened her first book. She has a deep love for coffee, tea, warm blankets, dogs, creating art in any medium she can get her hands on, and family.
Book Links:
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/authoraliwinters
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/ali-winters
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