Aiming for Success: Tasks for Writers
Writing is a business. While most of us adore it because of the creative aspects, if you intend to work as a professional and earn some salary from it, there are certain actions that need to be taken to keep the process moving forward.
This is a suggested task list for writers. If you are having problems managing your writing time, or knowing what needs to be done, this may be helpful.
Daily Writer’s Tasks:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1. Declutter your working area
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. Read to absorb word useage and gain new ideas
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. Assess what you have written, proof read. Take a break then do it again with fresh eyes.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4. Write
Weekly Writer’s Tasks:
Take an artist’s date. Read, visit somewhere inspiring, browse through a library or research a related, or new topic to give you inspiration.Put new ideas or snippets of information you need to remember into a notebook, scrapbook or index book so they aren’t lost. Programs such as OneNote or Circus Ponies Notebook are great for that.
Update your accounting records and pay your business related bills.
File any records, odd bits of paper or other miscellanea lying around your desk or computer.
Follow up on outstanding invoices owed to you and queries without replies.
Find a new market opportunities and locate their submission guidelines.
Network to promote your work and find new resources you can utilise. However, wisely limit your social networking time. It will rob you of the real work you need to be doing: writing.
Plan and schedule promotional activities such as give aways, guest blog spots and speaking engagements.
Give yourself a pat on the back for what you have achieved and enjoy some rest!
Weekly Review:
Plan what you need to do next week. Are there deadlines you need to adhere to?
Review the progress of your projects. Write down what needs to be done next.
Double back-up your computer files. Sync mobile devices.
Virus scan your computer.
Fix any broken or faulty equipment. Once your computer is backed up, update your software.
Ensure you’re well stocked on stationary and computer supplies, such as print cartridges, so you can work without being forced to stop.
Business Sense!
Karen Rose Smith has written a number of excellent posts on treating your writing as a business. You can find them here:
Karen Rose Smith
1. A Lasting Career, part 1: “I have been fortunate to have books published for 20 years and I hope to continue for another 20. I’m often asked–What is your secret? There is no one secret. But there are a few concepts to keep in mind if you want a long-lasting career as an author. Examine your creative urge to write. A long-lasting author must have two important qualities–passion accompanied by perseverance.” http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/lasting-career-part-1_20.html
2. A Lasting Career: http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/pt-2-lasting-career.html
3. Treating Writing like a Business Part 3: http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/pt-3-lasting-career-treating-writing.html
4. Agents and other Professional Contacts: http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/lasting-career-part-4-agents-and-other.html
5. Handling Rejection: http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/handling-rejection-treating-writing.html
Please check her blog for more related posts. I know Karen has kept publishing them well after the point at which I stopped here. They are a gold mine! http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com.au/ She is also on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/karenrosesmith and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Rose-Smith/113599841764
The photos in this post are paid for and licenced to me. They are Copywritten. You may not save them or use them for your own purposes. You can purchase them from iStockphoto.comThis article is Copyright Cate Russell-Cole 2012. All rights reserved. It may not be reproduced in any medium, in print or digital format.
Filed under: Blogging, Food For Thought, Resources, Writer's Recovery Community Post, Writing Tagged: business, get ahead, Karen Rose Smith, market, organize, schedule, success, tasks, writer, writing
