If you could use some help planning your writing schedule, then have I got a treat for you.
Recently, my friend Daria White interviewed me on her podcast Writer in the Making. Many of you know that I teach an in-depth course called Time Management Blueprint for Writers: Transform Your Life and Finish Your Book. In this course, I teach my simple, proven four-step framework for how to become more organized, productive, and creative in all areas of your life, including writing.
I also teach a course called Book Editing Blueprint, A Step-By-Step Plan to Making Your Novels Publishable, a complete step-by-step system that teaches you how to spot the flaws in your novel and fix them so that you can ditch the overwhelm, save time and money, and better your chances of impressing readers, agents, and publishers. In addition, I work with authors one-on-one as a freelance developmental editor and line editor.
Daria teaches a course called the No Time Writer, showing you how to use time-saving techniques to unleash the writer within and discover your unique writing process. Also through her one-on-one premium mentorship, she helps new and ambitious authors discover their unique writing system that works perfectly for them.
As an author of over 10 books and over 300 podcast episodes, Daria has helped more than 100 students from all over the world find the inspiration to finish their first drafts and become one step closer to publishing their books.
As you can imagine, Daria and I have a lot to say on the subject of time management and writing routines. During the podcast episode, we shared our favorite tips on how to plan out your writing year. It was a fantastic conversation packed full of actionable advice about weekly planning, quarterly planning, and how to break down big tasks like editing a book into smaller steps.
Listen to the podcast episode about planning your writing year here:
Stacy Juba, the founder of Shortcuts for Writers, is a freelance editor and online course creator who teaches authors how to simplify the self-editing process and fit their writing goals into a busy life. Her books include the Storybook Valley chick lit series and the Hockey Rivals young adult sports novels.
Do you feel as if there is never enough time to write? Then you’ll enjoy these valuable time management tips from Daria White, an author, podcaster, and online course creator. Below, Daria shares five ways to discover your author rhythm.Â
âThereâs never enough time!â How many times do we say that as authors? âI would write if I didnât have XYZ to doâ or, âThereâs so much going on that I canât make the time.â Itâs understandable. Writing is a skill that needs focus and attention. Whether youâre a fiction or nonfiction author, you need time to organize your thoughts before you type or write it on paper.
What would you say if I told you there was a way to discover your unique writing rhythm? All authors have a unique way of telling a story, but few realize this also pertains to their writing patterns too. Thereâs a way to expect your word count without the guesswork. You donât have to wait years to discover it and you donât have to write 3-4 hours a day. So here are five ways to discover your writerâs rhythm. A system you can use again and again!
#1: Customization
I call this âcatering your timeâ to writing. You can create a schedule that fits your life perfectly. No need to compare yourself to another writer. If you can only write in the mornings, do that. Are you a night owl writer? Do that! I recommend printed weekly plan sheets or an app. Fill out everything you do for the week, i.e. job, family, etc., and whateverâs left over is what I call your âtime pockets.â Should your schedule change the following week, adjust it as needed. Customize it to fit your lifestyle and write!
# 2: Your Writer Average
Whatâs your common number? How many words can you typically write in a single session? 1000 words? 300 words? It doesnât matter as long as you know your number. If you donât know this, especially if youâre brand new to writing, aim for 500 words in 20-30 minutes. Repeat this 2-3 times and see where you land. For me, I can write 500-1300 in 30-45 minutes. I donât worry when I sit to write. I know what to expect. You can too and this number is unique to you! Your progress once you know your personal writing average will surprise you.
#3: Sprinting
Some can interchange this term with fast drafting, but you donât have to sit 3-4 hours writing on your laptop. In fact, once you know your writing average, you can backtrack. For example, you want to write 15K in a week. If you know your writer average is 1,000 words in 30 mins, then all youâd need to do is write 3,000 words for the day. With sprinting, all you need is an hour and a half. Do this for five days and youâll make your 15K goal! All it takes is breaking down the numbers.
#4 You donât have to write every day
As you can see in the example above, I used five days instead of the full seven. Whether you write Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday, donât think you have to write every single day trying to finish your goal. All it takes is strategy. Working the numbers to fit your expectations. Take the breaks when necessary and donât exhaust yourself. Youâre not a lazy writer by resting.
#5: Embrace your true writing process
There will be weeks where you donât hit your goal, and thatâs fine. You may need to take a hiatus to recharge. Itâs understandable. Writing is tough, so donât add unnecessary stress trying to overdo it. When you embrace your unique writing style, nothing can stop you. Knowing your schedule, your average, the times you can sprint, thereâs no word count you canât handle! This is about coming into your own as an author and with persistence, you unleash your writing rhythm!
In conclusion, this goes beyond writing the words, but you, as an author, tapping into your unique writing system. Once itâs discovered, itâs yours and even when you have off days, you donât have to start from scratch. You can pick up where you left off and keep going! You have a book to finish. Itâs time to type âthe endâ and get it into the hands of eager readers!
If youâd like to learn more about this concept of discovering your true writing process, check out my online course, No Time Writer. New and ambitious authors learn timesaving techniques that bring them confidence, peace, and relief no matter their word counts. They embrace their true author identity, unleash the writer within, so that they can finish their first drafts!
Daria White has lived in Texas for most of her life. She disliked reading as a kid. In fact, she almost hated it. However, as she grew up, that all changed. Though she received her degree in healthcare management, Daria kept her writing as a hobby. She meant it to be private and her own way of expressing herself. It never crossed her mind to publish until she was in college. So, she took a chance and self-published. It worked! Starting off as a sweet romance writer first, Daria branched out in 2020 with books in cozy mystery and Christian fiction.
Sheâs also a podcaster (Writer in the Making) and course creator (WIM Plus 2.0) helping new and ambitious authors gain confidence, peace, relief, using timesaving techniques. Sign up for her author mailing list for additional resources.
Stacy Juba, the founder of Shortcuts for Writers, is a freelance editor and online course creator who teaches authors how to simplify the self-editing process and fit their writing goals into a busy life. Her books include the Storybook Valley chick lit series and the Hockey Rivals young adult sports novels.
I love doing interviews on podcasts and YouTube channels for readers and writers. Below, you can find out more about my two latest conversations and how to listen in.
Could you use some time management tips? Then be sure to check out my interview on the Author Your Dream podcast.
Time management is something that a lot of authors struggle with. Host Kenny MacKay and I discussed a number of topics, including effective strategies, time blocking, and automating tasks to help you be more productive.
I had a fun time talking about my sweet and sassy chick lit novel, Fooling Around With Cinderella, and answering five princess-themed trivia questions.
Here is the blurb for the book: When twenty-five-year-old Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderellaâs glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaineâs ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. Secretly dating her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her ungrateful sisters, and defending herself from the parkâs resident villain means Jaine needs lots more than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her kingdom…
Stacy Juba, the founder of Shortcuts for Writers, is a freelance editor and online course creator who teaches authors how to simplify the self-editing process and fit their writing goals into a busy life. Her books include the Storybook Valley chick lit series and the Hockey Rivals young adult sports novels.
This self-paced, comprehensive course will guide you through the process of organizing your life one step at a time so that you can become healthier and happier while boosting your creativity and productivity.
It can feel impossible to balance your dreams with a day job, family responsibilities, household chores, and a never-ending list of distractions all vying for your attention. Everything seems urgent and youâre pulled in too many directions, which can result in fatigue, stress, irritability, and frustration that you lack the time and energy to pursue your passion.
Manage Your Time
Through a series of engaging written lessons and short video tutorials that get straight to the point, youâll assess your life in four key areas: Electronic Clutter, External Clutter, Internal Clutter, and the logistics of Getting Things Done.
Tackling email and social media Organizing your digital files and bookmarks Automating routine tasks Decluttering your home and setting up an inspiring work or writing environment Unwinding, improving focus, and getting into a flow state Handling distractions and interruptions Prioritizing, planning, and breaking down goals into manageable steps Mastering your calendar Pushing through creative blocks and setbacks Nailing your writing or work sessions
Many of you know me as a fiction writer and developmental editor. This course is all about editing different aspects of your life. In addition to the lessons and videos, you’ll get extensive cheat sheets recapping all the key points of the course, a workbook, spreadsheets, habit trackers, and more.
Bonuses
The below bonuses are always included with the course.
5-minute meditation – Unwind with the guided meditation, Pressing Pause, contributed by Melanie Steele. This audio is one of her Monday Meditations for the Writer’s Soul.
4 free Trello boards – Start organizing your life with free Trello templates offered by Brit Poe of Thriving Scribes. Brit, creator of the in-depth course Trello 4 Authors, has shared four boards from her paid program. You’ll get her Day Board, Week Board, Year Board, and Goals and Intentions Board. Â
Writing productivity spreadsheet – Track your word counts with this user-friendly spreadsheet offered by Rahel Wallace, author brand coach and creator of the Indie Author Support: Prosperity Through Community Facebook group.
Stacy Juba, the founder of Shortcuts for Writers, is a freelance editor and online course creator who teaches authors how to simplify the self-editing process and fit their writing goals into a busy life. Her books include the Storybook Valley chick lit series and the Hockey Rivals young adult sports novels.
