I currently have ideas for 15 books at varying stages of development: ten detective books, three science fiction books, a legal thriller, and a war mystery book. Some projects I’ve been working on longer than others. So, where do I start?
As a writer, it’s not uncommon to have many ideas for different book genres. Like many writers, I have a full-time day job to pay the bills. (I’ve been in varying roles with the same organisation for 13½ years.) With so many projects swirling around in my head and a full-time day job, knowing where to start and how to prioritise my writing projects is sometimes overwhelming.
I’m trying to figure out how to choose which projects to finish writing and editing to help me streamline my creative process and bring my ideas to life strategically and in an organised way (while working full-time).
Some projects are more advanced than others. Some have longer draft word counts than others. For example, I’ve already written around 40,000 words in the first book of my detective series.
Do I need to consider completing the project with the highest word count first? Maybe I should prioritise finishing it? Momentum matters! Maintaining momentum is crucial in any creative endeavour, and completing the first book can provide a solid foundation for a series.
By completing the first book in the detective series, I’ll have a tangible product to showcase and establish a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment. This can motivate and inspire me to continue writing the subsequent books in the series.
Completing the first book also allows me to explore the characters and their development and establish a consistent tone and style throughout the series. It provides an opportunity to review and enhance the overall plot arc and ensure a satisfying conclusion.
Of course, weighing the pros and cons and considering my personal preferences and circumstances is essential. If there is a strong urge to start working on other projects concurrently or if I fear losing interest in the current series, it might be worth exploring those alternatives.
When it comes to productivity and managing my workload effectively, should I prioritise my existing projects before jumping into new ones? By tackling existing projects and finishing what I’ve started, I can ensure that my work is completed to the best of my abilities.
One benefit of finishing my existing projects is that I can maintain focus and not become overwhelmed by a growing list of tasks. I can avoid the distractions and disruptions of starting something new by dedicating time and energy to completing current projects.
I need to prioritise my tasks and create a clear action plan to finish what I’ve started. I need to identify the deadlines and deliverables for each project and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This will help me stay organised and focused as I work toward completing each project.
Should I resist the temptation to take on new projects until my existing ones are finished? It’s tempting to jump into something new; doing so can lead to a backlog of unfinished work and increase stress. By maintaining discipline and focusing on my current projects, I can complete them to the best of my abilities before taking on something new.
Finishing existing projects before diving into new ones is important to productivity. By prioritising my workload and creating a plan of action, I can stay focused and avoid being overwhelmed. So, before starting something new, perhaps finishing what I’ve started is the way to go.
Money or passion. What should come first?
If any of my projects have commercial potential (e.g., detective novels), should I focus on those? Business before pleasure.
Should I consider their purpose and potential for commercial success when prioritising projects? If I have projects that have the potential to generate income, such as detective novels or other commercially viable products, it makes sense to prioritise those.
Why? Being a writer – and running a business as a writer – requires financial stability. This is why most writers have full-time jobs (which takes time away from writing!).
By focusing on projects with commercial potential, I can ensure that I’m generating revenue to support my writing business and its growth. This is a practical approach that puts business before pleasure.
Of course, this doesn’t mean I should only focus on money-making projects and completely disregard my interests or passions. It simply means that when I have limited time and resources, it’s sensible to prioritise the projects that can generate income and provide financial stability.
By prioritising projects with commercial potential, I can allocate my time, energy, and resources efficiently. This includes investing in marketing and promotional efforts to ensure these projects reach their target audience and generate sales.
I must remember that prioritising by purpose doesn’t mean sacrificing creative freedom or personal interests. It’s about being strategic and ensuring my business’s long-term success and sustainability. By focusing on projects with commercial potential, I’m laying a solid foundation for pursuing my passion projects.
So, if I have projects that have the potential to generate income, I shouldn’t hesitate to prioritise them. By focusing on these projects first, I’m setting myself up for success and creating a solid financial base for my writing to thrive.
Should I follow my heart? If a specific genre excites me (like science fiction), should I prioritise it?
When prioritising my projects, it’s important I consider my purpose and passion. If there is a specific genre that excites me, such as science fiction, it’s essential to prioritise it in my workflow. By following my heart and focusing on what inspires me, I’m more likely to excel in that area and produce high-quality work.
Prioritising by purpose means aligning my goals and interests with my tasks. If science fiction is a passion, allocating time and resources to that genre is necessary. This could involve dedicating a specific portion of my day or week to researching, brainstorming, and creating content related to the genre. By prioritising passion, I’m more likely to feel motivated and fulfilled in my work.
Of course, it’s also important to consider other factors when prioritising tasks. As I mentioned earlier, like many writers, I currently have a full-time day job to pay the bills. Deadlines for my day job need to be prioritised sometimes.
However, I have some annual leave (and, after 13½ years with the same organisation, long service leave) up my sleeve. It’s probably time to take some of that leave and focus on my writing. I can bring a sense of purpose and enthusiasm to my writing by recognising my passion and prioritising it.
I must remember that prioritising by purpose is about balancing my passions and the demands of my full-time day job. By following my heart and prioritising the genres (and the work) that excite me, I can bring joy and fulfilment to my day. So, if writing is my passion, maybe I shouldn’t be reluctant to prioritise it and see where it takes me.
Creating a priority list will help me work out which projects to complete and in which order.
I already have a master list of all my works in progress, including descriptions. I need to review it, decide which ones are closer to completion, and set deadlines for each project.
I’ve also got a list of future ideas or potential projects. These are ideas that I’ve already brainstormed. By adding them to my master list, I can make sure I don’t forget them and can reevaluate and prioritise them when the time comes.
Updating my centralised list will help me get a clear overview of all my projects and allow me to assess each project objectively. It will also help me work out milestones for each project and give them deadlines. This will help me identify which ones should probably be completed first.
As I work through my projects, I’ll need to set aside some time to review them regularly and update my priority list. New jobs may arise, deadlines may change, and new ideas may pop into my head. I’ll need to adapt my plan and reassess my master list to keep my projects on track.
Once I have my master list organised, it’s time to prioritise my projects. I’ll need to assign each project a priority level, such as high, medium, or low. This will help me focus my time and energy on the most critical tasks and ensure that I am making progress towards my goals.
I must remember that creating a priority list is an important step. It’ll help me manage my time well (or better, really) and focus on high-impact activities. I can increase my productivity with a well-organised list and a strategic approach to my work.
If I organise my project master list based on urgency, financial viability, and personal interest, it may help me streamline my workflow and prioritise my efforts on the most important and impactful projects.
To create my priority list, I’ll need to evaluate each project on its level of completion and set deadlines. Each project’s financial viability will help me set my priority list. Looking at each project’s potential revenue and comparing it to the effort required to complete it will also help me work out which ones should be given higher priority as they directly contribute to economic success.
In addition to the financial viability, I need to consider my interest in and passion for each project. While not every project may ignite my enthusiasm, prioritising projects that line up with my interests can boost my motivation and drive to produce exceptional writing. Projects that I find personally fulfilling can also improve happiness in my writing.
Once I’ve evaluated each project, I can then give it a priority level. I can create a numerical or colour-coded system to indicate each project’s priority level. For example, I may label urgent projects as “Priority 1” and less time-sensitive projects as “Priority 2.” This categorisation will help me visually distinguish between projects and allocate my time and resources accordingly.
I’ll need to regularly review and update my priority list as new projects arise or circumstances change. By creating a priority list based on urgency, financial viability, and personal interest, I can effectively manage your projects and optimise my time and resources.
In an earlier post, I discussed what we can learn from the writing habits of best-selling authors. What can we learn from best-selling authors? Quite a lot!
They have worked hard to get where they are, and it is evident in their writing strategies. But is the writing schedule of a best-selling author achievable if you’re not a full-time writer? From experience, not always. But there are strategies I can put in place to make the most of the time that I do have.
Setting a writing schedule is important for any writer looking to stay organised. While I’ve been able to set aside reasonable amounts of time for writing on weekends, there is only so much time I can set aside. Life gets in the way sometimes: work, grocery shopping, laundry, housework.
One thing I’ll need to do with my project list is figure out how long it will take to complete each project. I can then set a schedule and allocate specific time slots for each project to get them completed.
This SHOULD help me prioritise my writing. But I’ll need to be realistic with my time estimates, so I don’t overwhelm myself or fall behind schedule. Once I know the time required for each project, I can identify the time in my day or week I can dedicate solely to writing.
Creating a routine around writing should help me maintain productivity and avoid procrastination. (Although procrastinators will procrastinate!) If I take the time to plan my projects and work on them consistently during the allotted time slots, even if it is just for a short period each day, this should allow for better flow and Consistency in my work.
Having a regular writing schedule will help me balance my writing commitments with other responsibilities and ensure that I consistently progress on my writing projects. Having a structured schedule can help me stay focused and motivated.
I’ll need to work around my work schedule, family obligations, and other household tasks or activities requiring my time and attention. Once I work out my work schedule and the rest, I can find out how much time I can allocate to writing. Then, I can choose specific days and times to devote solely to writing.
Creating an environment conducive to writing during my writing time will also be “helpful”. It should be a quiet space to focus, eliminate distractions like phones or social media, and gather necessary writing tools or materials.
A dedicated writing space can help me mentally transition into a writing mindset and make the most of my scheduled time. Luckily, as I mentioned in a previous post, I already have that.
After returning from an overseas holiday in January 2020, my flatmate moved for work, so I now had a “spare” room with an ensuite. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. My current employer sent me (and the vast majority of my colleagues) back to working from home most, if not all, days a week, with the rest of the corporate back-office world, with the laptop and peripherals I needed to work from home.
And it’s already organised, thanks to Room Rater! Jessie Bahrey (in British Columbia, Canada) & Claude Taylor (in Maryland, U.S.A.) teamed up in April 2020, just after the beginning of the pandemic, to start rating the rooms from which people were dialling in for interviews on news programmes on U. S. and Canadian broadcast television networks.
They would comment on anything and everything, from lighting, camera angles, décor, and clutter to room depth and composition, the distance of the interviewee from the camera, plants, fans, and cord placement, and then give a rating out of 10. Their spokes kitty, Ella, will also chime in from time to time with news and updates.
Their illustrated book, How to Zoom Your Room, came out on 21 June 2022. Illustrated by Chris Morris, it offers advice (and gives us their amusing take) on how to up your game on creating good lighting, the perfect camera angle, getting rid of clutter, and adding aesthetically pleasing touches.
As I mentioned in my post about cracking the work-at-home setup, I got most of the equipment 4 years ago and have added a few bits and pieces. This is how I’m set up now. I have:
It’s an efficient workspace, but not up to Room Rater’s standards in terms of décor! I’ll need to work on that!
I need to remember that while having a writing schedule is crucial, it is equally important to be flexible and adaptable. Unexpected events or emergencies may arise, and it is okay to adjust my schedule if needed. However, I also need to avoid constantly moving or cancelling my writing time. Consistency is critical to establishing a productive writing routine.
By setting a writing schedule and balancing my writing commitments with other responsibilities, I can ensure that my writing practice remains a priority and that I consistently progress on my projects. I can achieve my writing goals with dedication and discipline while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Completing multiple ideas for books requires trusting my instincts, staying organised, and embracing the journey. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this process, but by following these principles, I can navigate my way to success.
Each writer has a unique process, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. By following your intuition, maintaining a structured approach, and finding joy in the creative process, you can bring your ideas to life.
Stay connected and share your experiences by liking, following, and commenting. Together, we can support and inspire each other on this writing journey.
Trust your instincts, stay organised, and enjoy the journey!
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