I could do these things randomly, whenever the mood takes me. But what if the mood never takes me? That would leave me with these things still not done. So I'm thinking of putting my life on a schedule. Not really my blog, 'cause I can't stand to be all regimented like that, at least not for too long at a time (one month's worth of it in April for the A-Z challenge is fine by me, but after things like that I totally need a break from routine!):
So here's a rough outline for how I could potentially organise my life, around my writing goals and everything else:
- Monday nights: Revise a Chrysalis Experiment story
- Tuesday nights: Yoga class, then edit/transfer into iPhoto at least 100 photos
- Wednesday nights: Edit a chapter of any given novel that's being worked on
- Thursday nights: Write at least 1000 words on one of the unfinished novels you're trying to finish
- Friday nights: Write a song!
- Saturdays: Work on any of the above that isn't yet done, or repeat any of the above, or be a couch potato watching DVDs all day...until arvo/evening when you go for a 4km walk on the beach followed by a swim (sans shark attack)
- Sundays: (repeat of Saturday's activities) and write a blog post (if one hasn't already been written)
This leaves the latter part of Fridays and Saturdays for whatever partying activities I may be required to get up to, and also allows for my full time job and my need to procrastinate and waste at least some of my time on fruitless activities like vegetating on the couch.
It doesn't, however, account for the monthly activities I will be aiming to get up to, such as posting at least one Globetrotter post here per month. I think another was attempting to write at least one book review per month. Yes, only one per month. Like I said, being too regimented has never worked well for me.
Do you guys have plans for how to spend your free (a.k.a. writing-related) time?
Here it is the night of Jan 1st and I have made no resolutions! I'm with you, I need to get organized. *cracking whip* And I'll do it first thing in the morning, lol.
ReplyDeleteAre writers just naturally unorganised, or is it just all the writers I know?! Sounds like a good plan, and I really hope you manage to stick to it. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteSounds good. My one and only plan is to get back to my Tango dancing now that I have my medication under control - can't wait!
ReplyDeleteLxxx
Sounds like a great plan to find balance. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAnd, Happy New Year!
I keep my writing life organized with a journal filled with weekly to-do lists. It works well, and I think I need one too for all my photographs needing desperate attention and organization!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!! Going to do some blog commenting tomorrow, for now it's sleepy time!! Damn holidays coming to an end! ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the organization. I like to make a list of what I need to do each month and cross things off as I accomplish them.
Getting organized feels so good, especially if you can stick to your new goals. Here's hoping 2012 is great for you, Trisha!
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya! I need to organize writing into my life better :) Good luck and I'll be right along there with you!
ReplyDeleteI plan to write everyday. I'm one of those people that has to do something everyday or I get out of the habit.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Best of luck on your resolution to be more organized. My biggest resolution was (is) to take back control of time.
ReplyDeleteShould be easy enough, eh? ;)
Anyhow, enjoy your plan and please do avoid those sharks on Saturdays! (shudder)
The new year always seems to bring out the organizer in me too. I'm resolution free this year, but I am claiming space to follow my heart.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in 2012.
Kari Marie, I'd neeeeeeever make an actual resolution. hehe. Just quiet goals I'm not telling anyone I am going to try and achieve. haha
ReplyDeleteI totally like the idea of having each day of the week dedicated to something. I may just steal that idea. ;) Good luck getting organized!
ReplyDeleteI just posted my writing goals on my blog - and one of my other goals right now is to learn to use my camera better :)
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question about Good Reads - not yet! I have heard about it and just haven't had a chance to go check it out yet :)
"sans shark attack" - that part is very important!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to make a schedule like this, but I never know what after hours school work I'll have to do. There could be marking, or setting tests... it's different every week. But your schedule looks great, and I hope you manage to stick to it and make it work for you :-)
Organizing PCs can be a drag. Took me half a day to clean out the hard drive (after 3 years of cluttering). I like the routine you've set up.
ReplyDeleteI plan to write whenever I can. :)
RE: your blog comment - the thing I love about ROW80 is that you set your own goals, so it's not making that much of a difference in what your already doing - well, except the bloggy check ins I guess... If you don't want to join in this round they do four a year :)
ReplyDeleteSo interesting how different things work for different people. You plan sounds more balanced than mine, but I get such bad tunnel vision that I just have to do one thing at a time. Sounds like you've got a good system, though,so good luck! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI make a weekly list and get everyone to help me. Your list sounds doable so good luck!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! In honor of my blog's first anniversary, I have an award for you on my site. Stop by to share the magic. Hugs.
LOL at the shark attack comment!
ReplyDeleteI'm leaving a couple hours (and up to an hour more, if I really need them, though that will cut into blogging time) for rewrites each day. I really want to get them done, and I'm resolved not to slack off on them. Time will tell how long that works. :P
I don't do well with plans, so I've stopped imposing most of them on myself. I hope this list helps you reach your dreams of organization.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I wish I was this organized because I certainly need to be. I have so much to do but after I get home from work I always opt for being a couch potato. You have the right idea though. Maybe if I just do a little bit every night...
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a beach to walk on. I cannot offer any help on this subject. I am the most unorganized person in the world, I am not exaggerating. I really don't know what to do. I cannot remember New Year that I have not vowed to finally get organized. It never works. I have tried paper calendars and agenda, computer programs, to do list, I own every app and GTD available and my life is still cluttered. I have an amazing legal assistant who keeps my law office organized and without her I would be a bag lady, but for home and personal life I am still searching. If you manage to master the fine art of organization, please do share. I wish you the best of luck.
ReplyDelete@Melissa - well, I'm sure I will master it...for maybe 5 days, then everything will go to chaos again. haha. We'll see. I will let you know if I find some miracle cure for being disorganised! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for stopping by :)
You have to leave space for free time or go nuts!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much for big changes in my routine but I will admit my blog is more structured than my free time.
Aww, you sound like me. These are the sorts of schedules I come up with when I feel overwhelmed/unsure whether I'm achieving anything. Currently, my list revolves around editing, blogging and a volunteer project. I've got to remain focused on the editing!
ReplyDeleteI've got photo editing on my list, as well. I haven't used iPhoto before, but have access to it; I should probably try it out?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals! I once made a list like that for my household chores, and have been thinking of doing the same for writing/photography.
You sound way more regimented than most and definitely more than I am. You'll get tons done which is no surprise. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Your plan sounds solid. I sometimes get the urge to digitalize everything but I also like to pour over memorabilia ... at least I've cleaned up the study so good work can happen in 2012 :)
ReplyDelete