5 Time Saving Tips For Writers

We all struggle with how to squeeze a writing career between other life responsibilities. Even after we’re contracted and published, most of us won’t be able to quit our day jobs to write full time. In fact, now that I’m contracted, I’m finding l have to shove even more writing responsibilities into my limited time.

Today, debut author, Erica Vetsch will share some of her tips on managing a writing career while trying to juggle a myriad of other jobs. Erica has been writing for five years and has been under contract for the last year. She’s currently working on her sixth contracted novel.

In a typical week, Erica homeschools her two teenaged children, does the books for the family lumber company, and until quite recently was one of the primary care-givers for her terminally ill mother-in-law. She’s also active in her local church leading a bi-monthly women’s Bible study.

Her first book recently released and she is even busier with marketing efforts. I asked Erica how she possibly manages to get everything done in a day! Here are Erica's top 5 time saving tips for writers:

1. Realize I can’t do it all, and some things I used to do I can’t do anymore. Cross-stitching, something I love to do, has fallen by the wayside simply because I don’t have the time. I can’t be a dabbling writer. It has to have a high priority, therefore I have to sacrifice some of the things I love to do.

2. Streamline where I’m able. I make out a grocery list and menu every Monday morning and grocery shop while my kids are at piano lessons. I bunch my errands, so I don’t have to drive into town too often during the week. I try to group appointments all on one day if I can, to save time.

3. Give my children chores to do. I’m a firm believer in kids doing chores. They take so much of the burden off me, especially when I’m on deadline. Laundry, cooking, vacuuming, dusting. They have a daily list of chores they are responsible for, and they also step up when I call on them for extra help.

4. Turn off the Internet. Email, Facebook, Email, Twitter, Email, and did I mention how much I love email? Don’t let the Internet become a tyrant. When I set a word count to accomplish, I always get it done faster and better if I’m not constantly checking to see if anyone loved me enough to send me an email.

5. Prioritize and find a schedule that works. Because I have several things I have to do, I do those first. In the mornings, I homeschool and work on the bookkeeping. In small snatches I catch up on blog reading and email correspondence. I also try to get in my time on the treadmill in the morning. Fortunately, my kids are old enough at 17 and 13 for me to set them to work without needing to monitor them every second. Afternoons are my time to write and edit. I guard that time and treat writing as my job.

Thank you for sharing with us today, Erica! I love the idea of guarding our writing time and considering it a job. If we're serious about publication, then we really do need to get into the mindset of viewing our writing as a JOB.

We show up at the keyboard just like we would show up to the office. We work diligently and productively the same way we would if we had a boss looking over our shoulder. We set working hours and we stick to them.

Sometimes all it takes is a switch in mind frame--no longer seeing our writing as merely a hobby, but as a job--one that is as important as the others in our lives.

Are there any of Erica's tips that you need to practice more? Or do you have other time saving ideas that you could add to the list? I'd love to hear them!

Here's a little bit about Erica's book: Duluth, Minnesota in 1905 boasts more millionaires than any other U.S. city. Tycoon Abraham Kennebrae intends to marry his grandsons off to three of the wealthiest heiresses in town and allow Kennebrae Shipping to gain control of Duluth Harbor. Tempests rage, in the board room, the ball room, and on treacherous Lake Superior. Will hearts and helms survive? Will God prove Himself sovereign over wind, waves, and weddings?

For more information check out Erica's blog: www.onthewritepath.blogspot.com or to order click here.

Finding An Agent: Tips From Christina Berry

As a single mom and foster parent, Christina Berry carves time out of her busy schedule to write about the heart and soul of life. She lives with her family in rural Oregon. The Familiar Stranger is her debut novel. She’s visiting today to share her tips for finding an agent.

1. What was your agent-hunting experience like?

Let me check my file. (You all DO keep a file, right? The IRS considers a file of rejections to be proof your writing is a career and not a hobby. Casual writers don’t get rejections!)

All told, we submitted to agents nine times before receiving an offer of representation. I say “we” because my mother, Sherrie Ashcraft, and I were pitching our joint projects and were a package deal.

We first submitted to Natasha Kern in 2002, garnering our first agent rejection. Our last rejection came from Steve Laube on August 3, 2006—the very day the Van Diests asked for our full manuscript!

2. Every writer dreams of getting The Call. How and when did you get your Call?

It’s a little hard to remember exactly how that call played out because I’ve been with the Van Diest Agency for three years, which is a testament to their belief in my writing. I often hear stories of agents and authors parting ways when a sale has not occurred within the first year.

Let me jump in my time machine and go back … back … back to 2006 … I’m pretty sure we wore leg warmers and had huge bangs with side ponytails then, right?

My mother and I pitched a book called On the Threshold to Sarah & David Van Diest at the Oregon Christian Writer's Summer Conference. They told us to run through the entire plot, then asked to keep the proposal. Unusual, but definitely a good sign.

The next day, just as Randy Ingermanson was promoting his workshop from the podium ["What do we want to do? Create a Powerful, Emotional Experience in our reader." Yes, we want PEE], Sarah Van Diest poked her head between our shoulders and said, “That’s what you did for me.” Despite knowing the plot, she had cried in the first chapter of the book.

The Van Diests requested the full manuscript shortly thereafter and offered a contract within six days, which was before several other interested agents could even reply.

I read their email at about 2 AM. The adrenaline rush hit so hard and stayed so long, I only got about an hour of sleep. I remember lying in bed with my eyes refusing to close and my body literally humming.

3. What tips do you have for writers searching for representation?

• Follow agent blogs. It amazes me how much Chip MacGregor, Wendy Lawton, and Rachelle Gardner (among others) share about the business on their blogs.

• Attend conferences. If you don’t meet with potential agents, how will you know if you “click” or not?

• Hire a professional editor. Getting an agent is almost as hard as finding a publisher these days. If spending some money now takes your craft to the next level and garners the attention of an agent, isn’t that money well spent? Consider it getting a jump-start on your publishing career.

• Accept feedback. If you are fortunate enough to get ANY feedback in a rejection from an agent, thank the Lord and pay attention to what he or she has said.

Summary (Jody here): It's interesting to note that Christina and her mom looked for an agent for approximately four years. Four years is a LONG time!

While we're waiting on agents, it's often hard to know what's causing the hold up. Sometimes it's the nature of the game; there are so many factors outside our control (poor economy, busy agents, tall slush piles, etc.). However, sometimes our stories just aren't ready; agents are rejecting our work because we need to improve our writing skills.

If only we knew what was REALLY going on with those manuscripts we've sent out, then we'd have clearer direction on how to proceed. Have you ever been frustrated by the agent-hunt delays? If you're waiting for agent responses, do you have any guesses on what is causing the hold up?

Thanks to Christina Berry for sharing her agent story! Here's a little more about her debut novel.

The Familiar Stranger: Craig Littleton has decided to end his marriage with his wife, Denise, but an accident lands him in the ICU with fuzzy memories. As Denise helps him remember who he is, she uncovers dark secrets. Will this trauma create a fresh start? Or has his deceit destroyed the life they built together?

If you would like to learn more about Christina visit her here:
http://www.christinaberry.net/
http://www.authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com/

My First Author Interview!

Today, Keli Gwyn, of Romance Writers on the Journey, is interviewing me. Please swing by and leave a comment. You'll not only find out the nitty-gritty about me, but you'll have the chance to win a prize too. What more could you want? ;)

Thanks to those who've already stopped by! You've helped this newbie feel a little less alone in cyberspace.

Click here to read the interview: Meet Writer Jody Hedlund

Have a wonderful day!