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| Computer keyboard* |
I’m on a few deadlines. In addition to editing work, the first book in my series
will release this September 1st, and the second book is due this summer
as well. I’ve had to prioritize and strictly enforce my schedule lately and I’ve
spent hours and hours at my computer, writing and rewriting for my summer
deadline. I have other projects in the works, so the sooner I hand this project
off, the sooner I can work on the others that have been on the back burner.
Prioritizing
So, how do I decide what to set aside during crunch seasons?
How do you decide? For me, I set aside social media, even marketing, until I
can focus on it. I ask myself: what’s due soonest? Timing helps me in many ways—it
both motivates and dictates my schedule. I set aside reflexively checking my
e-mail, and I close all unnecessary tabs and apps/programs on my computer in
order to stay focused on the necessary ones. My family needs my attention, so
they are a priority. Sometimes you have to say no to extra tasks. That’s a hard
one for some of us. I sometimes struggle with that. Even when I say no, I
sometimes feel guilty later, which doesn’t help me focus on work. But our jobs
as writers is important. If we honor our writing time, others will begin to
respect it too.
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| Pansies in the rain^ |
Permission to Take a Break
Summertime is an especially challenging time to have to work
8-12 hours a day, so I do take breaks, which are so necessary. I recommend
finding a peaceful setting to decompress. When the sun moves around the house
to my flower garden, I love to go out and tend my plants. (Here's a photo from one of my hanging baskets on a rainy day last spring.) The warm sun, so different
from my cool home office in the basement corner, feels good. And tending my
flowers makes me happy. I catch myself walking around, smiling from the joy of
a simple hobby. Breaks are also helpful for working out plot points and
overcoming writer’s block. And they’re probably good for our health. We must
take care of ourselves, even on deadline.
Back to Work
The thing about breaks is, you have to set a time limit and
discipline yourself to get back to work. Your book won’t write itself. So, I’ll
take time away for family get-togethers, and meals, and even a trip to the pool
so my youngest gets a chance to swim, but then it’s back to work.
 |
| Praying woman ** |
Best Advice for
Deadline Crunch Time
My writing sessions involve a lot of prayer. Prayers for
grace, help, words, wisdom, insights, for the story to come together, for my
readers, and for God’s glory and message to come through. He honors our prayers
as we write for Him. Sometimes when I know I only have, say, a half hour left
before I’ll be away from my computer for a while, panic will set in, thinking
about all I have to do. Then I ask the Lord to help, and He does. Pretty soon,
my fingers are flying over the keyboard and enjoying the thrill of a scene
coming together in a profound way with word counts piling up.
How about you? What are your tricks for meeting deadlines
and surviving the deadline crunch? I’d love to hear.
Write on, friends!
~~~~~
 |
| Husband Material by Annette M. Irby |
Wyatt Hansen has no fears about commitment, but only three years have
passed since his beloved wife died, and he can't bring himself to break
their annual dinner date—that is until he meets restaurant owner, Lara
Farr. Lara doesn't have time for romance; she has a business to run. At
least that's what she tells herself so she doesn't have to admit that
commitment scares her. But Lara's business is failing, and it just may
take a miracle—or marketing analyst, Wyatt Hansen—to save it. Can Wyatt
rescue Lara’s restaurant, help her overcome her fears, and prove he is
good husband material?
~~~~~
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| Annette M. Irby |
Annette M. Irby is a freelance editor and Christian fiction author who dabbles in gardening and photography. She enjoys spending time with her family and husband of over twenty-five years, and has completely fallen in love with her grandson. You can learn more about Annette by visiting her website or her page here on Seriously Write.
Connect with me at:
Facebook Reader Circle: https://www.facebook.com/groups/252272708574760
Twitter: @AnnetteMIrby
Website: www.annetteirby.com
Book Review Blog: www.AnnetteIrbyReviews.blogspot.com
~~~~~
*photo credit (1st) -- Pixabay.com
^ photo credit (2nd) -- Annette M. Irby
** photo credit (3rd) -- Pixabay.com
