Essential Writing Tools

Thanks to KAK for posting on Sunday, while I was off at Daytona Beach watching ripped young men from the Embry Riddle Air Force ROTC do crunches. Oh, and being on panels, etc., at the Coastal Magic Convention. Damn, I love my job!

One question - why are my hats all out of order??

I'm going to weigh in on what KAK said, as she rounded things up nicely on our topic this week of our favorite writing apps. It's interesting where she and I do and don't overlap.

Before that, however, I want to address the overall topic, particularly as Jim and Linda have already indicated that they have little to nothing to say on the subject. They use Word and that's it. You'll also note that KAK listed Word first in her post. So did I.

It's important to remember that's because we are all established writers with habits and routines we've formed over years of work. Of course this is kind of a "duh" answer to us. But, it's worth pointing out that this is a question I see A LOT from newbie writers. I think the question arises partly from wanting to do things the best way and partly out of cultural conditioning, particularly in the U.S.

The man and I have a running joke, in fact, about how Americans love to "gear up" for new enterprises. Like the person who takes up biking and has to buy not only the bicycle, but all the color-coordinated gear, from socks to helmet. Or the one who decides to learn to paint and acquires the full-studio set of artistic supplies.

I think we're really inured into thinking that we need special tools to launch new enterprises. So, what are the essential writing tools?

Imma let you in on the secret!

YOU NEED TO HAVE: something to write on and something to write with.

Seriously. I'm not oversimplifying here. The beauty of being a writer is that we can get away with virtually zero overhead. A stubby pencil and scrap paper will get you by. Oh sure, eventually you're going to want to put those words into some sort of word-processing tool, because that's what everyone uses - whether you'll digitally format to self-pub or send to agents and editors.

Given those considerations, my five favorite ACCESSORY tools are:

1) MS Word:
I write in Word, edit, read for crit partners, etc. It's the industry standard and works just great for me.

2) MS Excel:
Me too on tracking All The Things. Submissions, sales, word count, project plans, P&Ls, etc.

3) Dropbox*:
Also on KAK on this one. I write all my manuscripts in Dropbox. It's a great relief to know I can rescue them from anywhere, should I need to.

Now she and I part ways.

4) Alarms and Clock --Windows 365:
I keep this window open for various timed events - 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes. This lets me limit my social media time and pace my writing sprints throughout the day.

5) Calibre:
Terrific for converting, organizing and backing up my ebook library - including my own books. This is what I use to send manuscripts to CPs and beta readers, to send giveaway books to readers and reviewers, and to track what I have. Highly recommend!

Time Managment or The Less than Perfect Writing Scenario

Remember two weeks ago, when we here at the Bordello were discussing the Management of our Resources, and I talked about my minions kids had chores? How I referred to the schedule?

Well, as a working mom with kids, the Almighty Schedule is key.

DO what you are supposed to do, damn it, WHEN you are supposed to do it.

As the title suggests, however, there are less than perfect days. Where boys--and probably girls but I haven't experience in that field--are concerned, that is a capital F Frequently.

I hate playing catch up. I hate the stress, even though I can perform well under it. I prefer to tighten my timeline and create a schedule for myself that has me well ahead of the actual deadline. Incrementally working ahead, so to speak. Of course, I'm a firm believer in Scotty Logic.

If the captain {publisher} asks how long you need to get the ship running {book completed}, and you know that warp core {novel} needs a minimum of 2 hours{3 months}, but you know that there will be inevitable things impeding you, you should ask for more time. "I'll need six hours, captain."

"We haven't got six hours!"

Of course you only need two, but you anticipate problems and ask for six. (**I'm not suggesting you ask for triple the time you think you need, but hours are much shorter than months so the analogy works...) When you get the job done in two and a half hours, you have a half hour to recheck, and you're still looking like a hero done in well under the original time.

So my advice, work ahead so you don't scramble and work sloppy when time grows short.

Better to have time to reflect on the job at the end than to hope your editor will fix the slop you turned in. This IS your dream career, right? No excuses... own that bitch.

Staying focused (aromatherapy or music or whatever works for you), don't allow distractions (turn off FB and the phone), and spending a few minutes thinking ahead of where you are actually at writing wise will help pave the way.

IMAGE: http://teenormous.com/search/star_trek_scotty_t-shirts

Annnd There Went The Schedule...

When my schedules go to crap, how do I get back on track? I'm a plotter, a planner, and a control freak. When shit goes awry for whatever reason, I have a minor conniption (in private, natch), then I remember:  The first casualty of war is the plan. So, how do I regroup and take the hill?

Five Things:

1) Define "Crunch" Time: 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, 60 days. Never longer than that, 'cause of that whole thing about burning the candle at both ends, brains melting, and body rebelling.

2) Prioritize: P0 = Can't Live w/o. P1 = Must do. P2 = Should do. P3 = Want to do. P4 = Outsource.  Not everything can, would, should be done NOW. Some stuff gets pushed to post-panic time; some stuff just doesn't happen. Be realistic. Be honest. Be ruthless.

3) Renegotiate Deadlines: If others are depending on me for a deliverable, then I owe it to them to let them know as soon as possible that I will not make the date. However, I make damned sure the "new" date is one that includes a bit of padding. There is no way I will be late again.
Side Note: I don't waste time assigning blame or crafting excuses. It's not the issue, and no one cares.  They only care about when they're going to get their stuff.

4) Ask for Help: I have the hardest time with this one, but when needs must...I must ask. 90% of the time people are happy to help.

5) Forgive Myself: I despise letting people down. I despise not delivering on a commitment. Doesn't matter if circumstances were/are beyond my control, I still feel accountable. And for all those times the fault truly is mine, I have to accept I'm fallible (mmm crow, tasty), and move on.  FYI,  guilt, panic, worry, and dread are not conducive to productivity.  Let. It. Go.

Buckle up and buckle down. When crunch time is over, you and that next schedule are going to have a little chat about contingency plans and padded dates.

There is No Spoon

by Allison Pang

Several years ago, before I was published, I attended my first RT conference (think about 2009). I'd just finished the draft of A Brush of Darkness, and I was heading off to learn everything I could.

And I remember distinctly talking to the woman at the ticketing counter and she asked where I was going. I told her I was going to a writer's conference and she got that look in her eye and said those famous words "I'd like to write a book someday. I will, if I ever get the time."

And I'm sure most of us have heard variations of that particular line. (Or my other favorite - "Where do you find the time?")

The thing is I don't really know. The easy answer is that if you really want to do something, you will find the time to do it, regardless of how busy you think you are.

But it's a balancing act. The time I probably should be cleaning my house? I'm writing instead. The endless hours of gaming that I used to do? Gone.  You're expecting me to cook? *cackles*

I have to "make" time where I can, and that means sacrifices.

But here's the thing. I'm notoriously bad at keeping schedules. I'm perpetually in disarray. I also never say no to anything (and that is something I really need to learn to do. Someday.)

I've tried marking out the blocks of time thing. I've tried keeping a priority list. In the past that might have worked a little.

 But to be honest, schedules and planning don't mean much for me right now. Chronic pain and fatigue being what they are, I can have the best of intentions as to what I should do and when I should do it  - and then I get there and I realize I don't have any more spoons. That or one of the kids gets sick. It's like a freaking guarantee that if I have 3 hours of time to myself Friday night, someone will come downstairs at 10:15 with a fever. It's almost like if I plan my time out, I'm giving the karma gods a change to fuck with me. If I don't know what I'm doing, they don't know what I'm doing and I can get the jump on them.

So, the best I can really manage is a calendar with due dates and then attempt to meet those deadlines however I can manage. There's a lot less guilt for me that way - this past summer has been a string of productivity failures, simply because I can't fight my body anymore.

That being said - I'll be getting surgery at the end of the month that will put me out of commission for 4 to 6 weeks, so I'm looking for guest bloggers for some of those dates. (I've contacted a few people already, but I will need a some more, so if you're interested, please let me know!)

How to Juggle ... Projects

Be glad I'm not tasked with teaching you to juggle balls, dear readers, ... not even in the tawdry interpretation.

On Sunday, Jeffe the Queen of Spreadsheets posted her very insightful Top 5.

On Monday, James gave us great examples of how to prioritize and renegotiate deadlines.

Today, I'm all about making a manwich with my fellow Whores, so here are my Top 5 Tips for Juggling Projects:

1. Prioritize: Rank your To-Do List. 
1. P0 = Absolutely Has To Be Done Or People/Animals Will Die. 
2. P1 = Should Be Done To Maintain My Happiness. 
3. P2 = Should Be Done To Achieve Personal Growth.
4. P3 = Should Be Done To Maintain Others' Happiness/My Reputation.
5. P4 = Doesn't Have To Happen, But Would Be Nice To Please Me. 
6. P5 = Doesn't Have To Happen, But Would Be Nice To Please Others. 
7. For some reason, this very necessary step is what trips up most folks. While I can write a novella on the topic, suffice it to say the root of success is knowing what is truly most important to you. We are talking about your life, not just the day job or the writing gig. That means no one else gets to define what is important to you except  you.
2. Manage Expectations: Yours and Others. You have your prioritized list. Odds are high that you're unable to do everything on it in the time allotted. Have a conversation with the others affected by your goals and tasks. Stay rational. Don't become emotional. Do not allow the words "you should" or "you must"  to pass your lips. Those are incendiary terms that will bite you in the ass.
3. Negotiate Deadlines: Don't be afraid to take control of your personal schedule. You know the times required and available (if you aren't sure, see Jeffe's Point #4 from Sunday). If you have dependency on someone (say an editor or a CP) and their deliverable dates change, you have the right to renegotiate your deadline. It's the old "a failure on your part does not equate to an emergency on mine." It is one thing to be cooperative and a "team-player." It is something else to be an ulcer-riddled doormat.
4. Commit To The Task: This is about the faffing (thanks, Jean, for my new favorite word!) and diddling away time. Whatever your favorite distraction, remove yourself from it. Get your brain in the game and Do What You Said You Would Do.
5. Say No: Just because someone asks or demands something of you does not mean you have to agree to it. 

There you are, beloved readers, my Top 5 Tips for Juggling Projects. Did/do you have a juggling challenge? What step(s) have you taken to overcome it?

Rule of Three & Managing Time on Social Media

Unless you're Doc Brown hopping timelines in your DeLorean retrofitted with a flux-capacitor, you have to learn to manage your time wisely.  All of your time cannot be spent on effectively participating in social media.

Hey, you have to pee sometime...

...and no phones in the potty.

The Rule of Three lends itself nicely to the topic of Managing Your Time on Social Media. Here are my Top Three Tips:  

1) Pick THREE social media outlets to build your presence. Yes, I am seconding Jeffe's advice from Sunday. Any more than three outlets and you're diluting your effectiveness.Which three? Whichever ones you are most comfortable using.

2) Allot THREE Hours Maximum: Seriously. If you have a habit of losing half your day to GoodReads, Facebook, Pintrest, etc., set a timer for an hour.  Do this two or three times a day, but no more than that. Three hours, folks, is more than enough time to build online relationships. Your revenue is not earned by the number of tweets you send, it is earned by the number of books you sell. The more books you write, the more inventory you have to sell.

3) Choose THREE Conversations: For those of us who are socially stunted, engage in at least three conversations daily. Each day, converse with three people with whom you have not interacted in the past week. This correlates to the corporate advice of eating lunch with a different person everyday. Not only does it widen your network and deepen your knowledge, it encourages you to look at those growing numbers of folks in your Followers and Friends lists. (Note: this doesn't mean you should ignore someone just because you "spoke" to them yesterday. None of us is that stunted, right? RIGHT?)


The Rule of Three, there to help you manage your social media experience. Do you, dear readers, have a Rule of The Social Three you'd care to share?