My theme for the April A to Z blogging challenge is productivity for creative people.
Who better to offer advice on being a productive creative person than some productive creative young adult authors? Thanks to Gretchen McNeil, Katie Kennedy, Isabel Sterling, and Charlotte Bennardo for sharing their tips.
Gretchen McNeil: “I came up with this method in order to trick my brain into chipping away at my deadlines. I set an online timer for between 12 and 15 minutes, then I just dive into the writing. I don't think, I don't check email or Facebook or my phone. I just type until the alarm goes off. Then I rest. And check email and Facebook and my phone. And think a little about what comes next in the story. I'm not super strict on my down period - 20 minutes or so? Then I take a breath, set the timer, and dive back in. Rinse, repeat. I can knock out 300-400 words per sprint and suddenly, my goals seem manageable.”
Katie Kennedy: "I write on a computer with no internet. So no checking email, FB while I'm writing."
Isabel Sterling: "On weekends, I drop my girlfriend off at work and then write in the local Barnes and Noble for her 4-6 hour shift. While I definitely take breaks, I get way more done this way compared to when I'm home alone with Netflix staring at me from the living room."
Charlotte Bennardo: "Always be doing something every day--if not writing, then editing, outlining, researching, developing the next idea, booking signings, paying it forward, blogging, reviewing, reading... Not only will doing something almost every day help you get things done, it helps you set up a solid routine and puts you in the mindset of working on something even when a novel is finished, or when writer's block hits, or when you're waiting for edits or a response to your submission. Finally, it helps you think in multiple directions."
Katie Kennedy: "I write on a computer with no internet. So no checking email, FB while I'm writing."
Isabel Sterling: "On weekends, I drop my girlfriend off at work and then write in the local Barnes and Noble for her 4-6 hour shift. While I definitely take breaks, I get way more done this way compared to when I'm home alone with Netflix staring at me from the living room."
Charlotte Bennardo: "Always be doing something every day--if not writing, then editing, outlining, researching, developing the next idea, booking signings, paying it forward, blogging, reviewing, reading... Not only will doing something almost every day help you get things done, it helps you set up a solid routine and puts you in the mindset of working on something even when a novel is finished, or when writer's block hits, or when you're waiting for edits or a response to your submission. Finally, it helps you think in multiple directions."
What tricks do you use if you *have* to get something creative done? Offer your own productivity advice in the comments. I provided mine last year for Y:
Y is for Yours Truly: Productivity Advice from Yvonne.
Y is for Yours Truly: Productivity Advice from Yvonne.
RSS Feed
