A Pantser Finds Peace in Organization by Jodie Bailey

Even if you're one who approaches life and writing by the seat of your pants, you can set goals. Author Jodie Bailey shares her experience. -- Sandy

Jodie: Several years ago, there was a commercial for insurance that said, “Life comes at you fast.”  As I sit here at a borrowed desk in a back corner of my daughter’s school, trying to cram in some writing time, I can say that’s been my life lately.  Since January 1, it feels like everything has come from left and right to interfere with writing.  It would be crazy easy to let work slip into the background, then to look up in June and realize I’ve got nothing to show for six months.

The funny thing is, this is the first year I’ve actually worked at creating goals.

Yes, the dreaded G word.

Believe me. I know.  I’m not usually this organized.  I’m a “seat of the pants” chick in writing and in life. Goals? That’s too structured. Not for me.

Last year, I fell into a rhythm of doing what HAD to be done and nothing more.  My career sat still.  All of those ideas I had--revamp my website, write a new series, amp up marketing—had disappeared.  Sure, I’d met all of my deadlines for two years.  I had books coming out, but that was it. Growth? Nope.

So I called one of my best writing friends and said, “Let’s do this.” 

In December, we sat down and hashed out yearly goals.  I broke mine down monthly.  Every Monday, we talk to hold each other accountable.  I found a great planner at Spiffyway on Etsy. I have a “must do” list every week in order to stay on track, broken down by day.  Doctor’s appointment on Friday? Don’t put more than one or two quick things then.  Kiddo out of school on Tuesday? Keep it free or keep it light.

Far from feeling regimented, it’s great! Especially on days like today, when I lost two hours to random stuff nobody saw coming.  Instead of being frustrated, I looked at my list and found focus instead of fluster. 

Like this blog post.  I’m not home like I’d planned to work on my novel, and the interruptions here are many. I swapped this blog post for tomorrow with my word count goal for today and I’m still accomplishing work. (It’s probably a little sad how insanely happy this makes me.)

Even better? The stress is dropping. I no longer look at the mountain of stuff I have to do and jump into the middle on Monday, my brain screaming, “This must get done now!” One day at a time. And days off? They’re real. “There’s nothing on the list today, so go have some fun without thinking about work.” It’s been two years since that happened.

Think it’s too much? Try it for a month and see what happens. Prayerfully ask God what He wants then go for the list.  Trust me. This reformed “seat of the pants” girl is loving the ironic freedom that comes from structure.

How do you go about organizing your writing goals?

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Jodie Bailey writes novels about freedom and the heroes who fight for it. Her romantic suspense, Crossfire, won a 2015 RT Reviewers Choice Award and her contemporary romance, Quilted by Christmas won a 2014 Selah. She is convinced a camping trip to the beach with her family, a good cup of coffee, and a great book can cure all ills. Jodie lives in North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, and two dogs. Visit her at www.jodiebailey.com,


Dead Run

Kristin James's morning run turns deadly when she's attacked by a stranger who's after something her deceased soldier brother stole overseas. Her neighbor Sergeant First Class Lucas Murphy steps in to help her and won't let her brush the attack under the rug. He'll do everything he can to keep Kristin alive, but he can't tell her that he's under orders to investigate her link to her brother's misdeeds. Kristin has no idea what the bad guy is after and doesn't want to believe that her brother wasn't on the straight and narrow. But as evidence against him piles up, can they catch the criminals without becoming the next casualties?

When God Makes Your Hobby Your Job by Jodie Bailey

Jodie Bailey

Do you think of writing as something creative or therapeutic to do when you have the time? Or do you view it as a calling and a job? Jodie Bailey shares what happened when God confronted her on the place he wanted writing to have in her life.  ~ Dawn

When God Makes Your Hobby Your Job

I was reading a friend’s blog yesterday. She was actually my daughter’s kindergarten teacher, and we bonded, though I’m pretty sure her high school memories lean more toward the Backstreet Boys than New Kids on the Block. You hear what I’m saying?  (Hint: I’m old.) 

At any rate, we share a bit when it comes to writing. See, I spent my whole life writing for fun until, one day, God whacked me over the head and said, “I gave you a gift.  What exactly do you plan to do with it?” Hm. Good question. 

She’s facing the same thing. I can remember her, YEARS ago, saying to me, “I’m not a writer.” And yet… she kept putting words on paper. I’d have told you the same thing. “I’m not a writer. I just like telling stories.” So deep in denial was I that, when God told me to make this a career, I tried to write Bible studies. I struggled for a year until a friend said, “I was praying for you, and God said to write about a real person.” I immediately thought, “God wants me to write about Eleanor Roosevelt?” (Why I thought her by default, I have no idea. Just goes to show how my brain works. It should scare you.)  Then I realized He wanted me to tell my faith story… through someone else. The instant I turned to my first love of fiction and started forming a character, the words that hadn’t come for an entire year flowed. Two books in under six months.

And then I got an agent. And this became work. Guess what? Writing for fun is not the same as writing for work. It’s not the same at ALL. Writing for fun is an outlet. Writing for work can make you cry. Like, real tears. 

The truth is, there are days when I pout and whine and try to bargain with God. “I’ll feed rabid alligators if you’ll let me out of writing this book.” (That’s my default ugly job.) But He tells me no. And those days happen less frequently as I follow His lead.  I have found that when I start my day asking Him to guide my fingers on the keyboard, it goes a whole lot better than when I try to go it alone. 

But here’s the thing…  When God makes your hobby your job, well, you’d better find another hobby so you have something to do for fun.

Oh, writing is fun. I love it. It’s the core of who I am, and to stop doing it would be to deny myself. But realize… when God calls you, Satan sometimes tries to answer. You will meet resistance, even from yourself. But that’s okay. That’s when you know you’re right where you’re supposed to be, doing what God called you to do. Then, even on those days when the words are a chore, you walk away fulfilled and yes, maybe even shedding happy tears.

 

Quilted by Christmas

Quilted by Christmas

When Taryn’s grandmother faces a medical crisis, she asks Taryn to sew an heirloom quilt for her cousin’s wedding.  Taryn is forced to accept the help of Justin Callahan, the man she once loved.  The problem is, Taryn still loves him, but she has a secret that will drive him away forever.

Jodie Bailey writes novels about freedom and the heroes who fight for it. Her novels include Freefall and Crossfire, from Love Inspired Suspense, as well as Quilted by Christmas, from Abingdon Press. Her devotions have appeared in Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home and Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler. She is convinced a camping trip to the beach with her family, a good cup of coffee, and a great book can cure all ills. Jodie lives in North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, and two dogs.

To learn more and connect with Jodie, please visit www.jodiebailey.com