How I Organized My Writing Process
Writing a book is hard work, but getting organized makes it easier.
For this blog post in video form, please head to my YouTube channel or check the bottom of this post.
Writing a book is hard work. I remember after my first one I said I would never do it again, and here I am, waiting for my second book to be published in just under two months!
A great idea is just the beginning of the book-writing process. In today’s blog, I’m sharing my secrets on how I organized my writing process, so you can apply them to your own.
How to Organize Your Writing Process
You don’t need to quit your full-time job
My schedule is slightly hectic. I do consulting for business looking to improve efficiency and get organized; I teach undergrad business courses and an MBA class; I write books about organizing; I share my advice and tips consistently on my social media channels; I sell products that I know will make your life more efficient; I speak at corporate events and conferences (like one I am organizing now in Whistler with another #girlboss, stay tuned); I facilitate workshops; I collaborate with media for articles and TV appearances, I manage my rental property in the Bahamas; I help my parents run their resort business; and I am helping develop a tech startup that designs video games for the construction industry.
Needless to say, I am busy! And amongst all of these projects, I still managed to write a book.
Clearing your schedule is not a requisite for writing a book—being efficient, however, is.
It’s all about time management. Learn how to effectively manage your calendar, batch your tasks, and prioritize your to-dos. Revisit previous blog posts to learn more about optimizing your time management.
Dedicate time daily
This one is straightforward. To write a book, you need to write. Simply schedule one hour a day to write—no need to set aside an entire day or week.
When I was writing my book, I had very tight deadlines so I dedicated two hours daily to writing, six days a week. I would always write between 9-11 p.m. For some reason, my writing flowed at this time, and it’s also when I have fewer distractions. Find a time that works for you.
Use a Timecube
This is a little hack that I have found so helpful. Seriously, this cube keeps me on track. I don’t know what it is - something about the number staring at me keeps me focused on the task at hand until it beeps.
I hope these tips will help you organize not only your writing process but any tasks you have!
As a special thank you to my viewers, I’m giving you a chance to win a spot in my Masterclass this fall valued at over $1,500. I’ll be teaching you how to organize your way to making seven figures. All you have to do is pre-order my second book, Decluttering For Dummies, and save the receipt for a chance to win!
Next week, I’ll be sharing how I organized my upcoming book tour and marketing!
Read more: 3 Efficiency Tips for Project Management
