Budgeting Time
I teach full-time and write like a madwoman when I can. Staff, students, and teachers were told not to report to school for one month on March 13. That date has been extended endlessly. I am still working as a teacher. I post assignments and information for students, and I miss the kids as well as the camaraderie with my fellow teachers.
When this quarantine began, I had very unrealistic expectations. I was working on two WIP, and I had some insane idea that I would finish them both within a month. Well, I was never one to rest as an underachiever, so I also figured I'd start another romance with a pandemic in the background. Needless to say, I have not finished any of these works. I HAVE made a great deal of progress, but I have not FINISHED any. The books require a great deal of research, and that's where budgeting comes in.
Oh, did I mention I have a full-time husband. My husband and house also require my attention. We have no maid. I cook and clean my own house. I work in the garden. He's someone I will not neglect, and we take walks and communicate over coffee.
So how to budget time? I have to check on student progress every day. To do this efficiently, I check emails and student work at least three times a day. I spend maybe an hour each time. I then work on promotion through my various social media outlets. I allot certain days to write and read. I devote the better part of my day to them. Most importantly, I DO NOT BEAT UP ON MYSELF when I don't finish everything. Unless you sit at the desk all day and have no other life, you will not finish a book in a week--not one at least that requires research. I no longer beat myself up but try to budget my time. .
When this quarantine began, I had very unrealistic expectations. I was working on two WIP, and I had some insane idea that I would finish them both within a month. Well, I was never one to rest as an underachiever, so I also figured I'd start another romance with a pandemic in the background. Needless to say, I have not finished any of these works. I HAVE made a great deal of progress, but I have not FINISHED any. The books require a great deal of research, and that's where budgeting comes in.
Oh, did I mention I have a full-time husband. My husband and house also require my attention. We have no maid. I cook and clean my own house. I work in the garden. He's someone I will not neglect, and we take walks and communicate over coffee.
So how to budget time? I have to check on student progress every day. To do this efficiently, I check emails and student work at least three times a day. I spend maybe an hour each time. I then work on promotion through my various social media outlets. I allot certain days to write and read. I devote the better part of my day to them. Most importantly, I DO NOT BEAT UP ON MYSELF when I don't finish everything. Unless you sit at the desk all day and have no other life, you will not finish a book in a week--not one at least that requires research. I no longer beat myself up but try to budget my time. .
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