Priorities

Over the last few weeks I have been looking at my priorities. Ensuring I am focused on the right areas and not trying to do too much. I am often tempted by new project ideas and I find that I can start to get a bit bogged down. Then it all becomes too much and I’m not able to work on anything, let alone complete it.

That is my main aim for this year – to get some projects finished.

This is particularly important for my current novel. I always want to be a prolific writer. I have loads of ideas, stories and characters begging to be written. Some of them will blossom into whole books and some not, some short stories and some blog ideas and some ideas will never make it onto anything other than scrap paper because that is where they belong.

Back to my novel. I spent years (lots of years) writing my first novel and I live in fear of it taking me just as long with this one. If that does end up being the case then I’m a long way from the next novel, and the one after that. And that is not what I want.

So I am prioritising my writing workload in the attempt to get more finished – so that I can start more. Are you still with me?

I have a range of things going at the moment and have recently picked up some more, in a slightly different field for the joy and experience and it is helping someone out.

Initially I had listed in order of importance my writing priorities. But when I read over them, they are all important for the longer term and all of them will need some time devoted to them to get them finished. Some will require more than others.

So in no particular order:

-          Novel one submitted to an agent

-          Novel two completed and ready to send to readers group

-          Writing opportunity

-          Master of Arts (Writing)

-          Regular blogging

I had read the suggestion that all projects should be finished before adding anything else to the list. I can see the sense in that, but some of these projects are ongoing and it would mean that I couldn’t do anything else for at least a couple of years. It may be that I should break them down to smaller chunks, such as just the next stage for each and then add or change as I go.

If I did that the list would look like:

-          Novel one submitted to an agent

-          Novel two – complete redraft/edit of first five chapters

-          Interview “Hero”, draft articles

-          Complete Masters Unit for SP1 – weekly tutorials; major assignment

-          Write blog draft for posting – weekly

But then even as I type this, I can think of better ways, different deadlines for different components. I have a weekly task list; and I have a daily task list. I think I am better working towards my main priorities in the first list my way until they are done. Every week is different too and I believe in being flexible. Some weeks I can get a little ahead with my study; some weeks I may have nothing to write for the “writing opportunity”; or with family pressures and life in general sometimes it isn’t always possible to keep to the planned schedule.

I try. I am writing every day. I am constantly thinking about my writing projects and what I can do. Some dedicated time this weekend and the first item will be ticked off the list. It may come back on, depending on the outcome of the submission, but it will be done.

I’m already tempted to add other things to the list. But if I am aiming to get things finished then I need to focus on what I have first. I have tried to set the outcome to a point where I need to rest, or I can’t do anymore until I have feedback. Then I can use that time to fit in other opportunities and projects.

I just have to continue writing.

Happy Scribbling

(Photo: www.applestooranges.ca)