Here it is, my most honest writing tip: If you want to write, schedule it. But how do you schedule writing time so it actually works and you don’t rebel against it? There are two angles, plus one VITAL thing to remember.

But before we get to that, let’s get honest. NO ONE likes it when I say scheduling writing time is my best tip. They literally roll their eyes at me (as if I can’t see them doing it).

 

I know, I know.

It’s so unsexy. So boring.

And as a proud lifetime rebel, it feels a little dirty to support the most well-touted advice ever. I mean, this is the same old crap that everyone, from your high school teachers to life coaches to neuroscientists, always advises.

I want to tell you there’s some obscure, inspired, little-known trick to writing that will instantly release all your genius in a lightning bolt of uber mega incredible awesomeness.

But there isn’t.

The “trick” is boring.

It’s old news.

It’s scheduling.

Blah.

Angle 1: Big picture scheduling

Today, I am sitting down to schedule my personal writing project.

I started writing my psychological thriller last year. I consciously set it aside for the first part of 2022, as I knew I’d be working hard on a client’s book for this first quarter. And I planned, last year, to pick this back up in May.

That is part of scheduling. Look at the angle of big picture time frames.

I chose to set aside my project for the months that I knew work would be busy. I knew I’d be on vacation in April, so I decided not to schedule writing time then, either.

But I also set a deadline for getting back to it: May 1.

May is really close now! So it’s time to decide how I’ll fit in my personal writing time.

Angle 2: Little picture scheduling

The second angle involves getting down to daily and weekly scheduling, and I have a few options.

  • I could choose to write Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. 

  • I could designate Saturdays as my personal writing days, and do a big batch six-hour session once a week.

  • I could decide I’ll write for 20 minutes a day, whenever I can squeeze it in, with no set time.

Notice the common thread here?

I get to choose.

This is MY decision. And that is the vital thing to remember.

I can make scheduling as hard core or loosey goosey as I like. So can you. IT’S YOUR DECISION.

Personally, I tend to rebel against a lot of structure, so I’m pretty sure I won’t choose set times for my writing.

I will commit to creating the thing I want in a way that suits my personality, though. I’ll probably go with option three.

But I’m not deciding yet. I gave myself until May 1, so I’ll probably set my schedule around 11 p.m. on April 30. That’s how I like to roll!

I will choose a schedule for myself, though.

I get to choose. I will choose. I will roll my eyes at this boring little writing trick, then turn around and make it my bitch.

What about you? What choice will you make—big picture and little? Email me let me know.

Thanks,

Liz “I’m Choosey” Green
​​Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing

 
 

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