Using Planners to Track Writing Goals

 When it comes to writing, it’s so easy to procrastinate. I’ll start when I have time, I’ll start after I've  taken that class, I’ll start after I: “fill in the blank.”  There’s always going to be another reason to delay.  

Over the years I’ve talked to many people who want to write. Usually as soon as someone learns that you're an author, they express their own desire to write. They feel they have a lot to say, yet they hesitate. What’s stopping them?

When it comes to my own writing, I’ve often asked myself the same question! Sure, there are times when life gets busy or other things come up. If you have health challenges or work and family responsibilities (or any other things to manage) finding time to write might seem like a luxury.

Now that we're only weeks away from a new year, it's easy to look back on what wasn't accomplished over the past months. But that's not helpful at all. So what's a better idea?

Lately I've been trying out planners to stay organized. Too often I end up writing down ideas on stray pieces of paper. Or writing a few things in the Notes app on my phone. That doesn't work because I usually end up forgetting all about those notes. 

Though I like the feel of using a pen on paper, I've been experimenting with digital planners as well. Both print and digital planners are extremely popular, so you'll have a huge selection to choose from. 

There are even YouTube channels where planner collectors will show off their latest planners and accessories. I'm not at that point yet - and most likely won't ever be. But you don't have to become a planner expert or be perfect at planning. When it comes to tracking ideas and publication dates, even a basic journal will do. Just do what works best for you. 

As far as print planners, lately I've been using the Passion Planner. They come in different sizes and include pages for personal development as well as tracking your schedule. 

For digital planning, two that I've been trying out are Goodnotes and Notability. You can use the templates included, or buy them (along with digital stickers). I'm not sure that an digital planner is the best for me just yet, though it would be handy. 

My hope is that with my print and digital planners, I can keep track of my writing and stick to deadlines. Of course procrastination doesn't completely go away. But if I can make planning fun, instead of being a chore, it will be a big help. 

 

Paranormal Excuses and Rationalizations

I hate to be late. 

I’m an early-bird, over worrier, plotter and planner when it comes to tasks. That’s why being late for my post today makes me wince. Especially when the summer seems to be flying by with record speed and I seem to have used up all excuses about why I’m not as on top of things as I usually am. 

Therefore, it must be something more. Something magical or sinister that’s interfering with my timeliness. It seems I haven’t used up all my excuses after all. Not if the reason or excuse for being late is due to something paranormal.

My post is late because…

•       As a vampire I mix up night & day
•       I sprained my wrist mixing my cauldron
•       The only date I remember is the full moon
•       I planned to time travel back & post it early
•       I lacked the ability to type with my paws
•      The devil made me do it…really
•       I was busy writing new spells
•       Someone cursed me & I had to reverse it
•       It got lost when I sent it telepathically
•       I was blinded by my aura
•       I accidentally ate it while in my shifter form
•       The ghost kept me up & I was too tired 

Don't Be Too Late for This Sale

My post might be late but it’s not too late to catch this .99 cent sale for Not a Chance if you hop on your broom, teleport or get those fingers on the keyboard before the sale magically disappears.

 NOT A CHANCE is on sale for .99cents for a limited time.

Not a Chance in book #2 in The Enchantlings series, so if you want to start Hope's journey from the beginning then don't forget to pick up Destiny Calling—two books for under $8.

Hope just wants to be normal—too bad that will never happen.

The last thing Hope Hallows wants is to become the latest headline. Living in a town that likes secrets, she prefers to keep hers hidden. Avoiding a nosy reporter’s questions about her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with a single touch, and those who crave this bliss, is nothing new. But having her brother’s annoying girlfriend, Berta, go missing is—especially when it makes Hope suspect number one. 

As a triplet, her resemblance to her beloved dead sister causes her family to grieve even more, and her escalating supernatural skills makes Griffith, her half-human-half-Oppressor boyfriend, wary. He wants to put his unsavory past behind him—this could include Hope—since her abilities remind him of the Underworld. 
In her desperate search to find Berta, she stumbles across a tunnel. Phantom voices within whisper that evil has been waiting for a new leader—and isn't she lucky, they've chosen Hope.

Get Your Copy of NOT A CHANCE for .99 cents today!

Share Your Favorite Paranormal Excuse in the Comments

About the Author:
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four

seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

Prepare to Promote Before You Finish the Book

Most authors realize very quickly that finishing the book is only the start of the journey. Marketing 

Taking advantage of our Halloween decorations last year for promo.

and promotion are a huge ongoing part of the writing journey that most authors would prefer to avoid.

Because often preparing to promote a new release, while marketing past books, and finding time to write (and having any kind of a life!) can become overwhelming.

I discovered this the hard way with the release of my first book years ago, and have worked since then to streamline the process. Since finding more time in the day seems to be an impossible task, my best bet is to squeeze additional time out of the hours I have by multi-tasking, or ramping up my organizational skills. 

1.     Start with Organization- Make a folder for your book on your computer, even if you don’t have the title yet, to keep all the information in one place. Be sure to label appropriately so you can easily identify the most recent copy. (I’ve learned this the hard way–more than once!)

2.    Tweeting & Pinning– While you’re doing final edits, save those lines that jump out on a separate document to use as promotional tweets, graphics and other media to entice readers. 

       Make Pinterest boards specific to each book and share pictures that inspired the story, links to information relevant to the story (such as if the heroine has a medical ailment, or save pictures from the time period or location of your story).

4.    The Making of the Media Kit– As you surmount each baby step in the birth of your latest book, don’t wait to start your media kit until everything is done. Develop your media kit template and then as each piece is completed begin to add in the cover, the blurb, the tagline, keywords, tweets and links so it’s not so much to undertake when you’re overwhelmed once release time arrives. 

      It will save you time if it’s ready to go once you’re ready to send information out for promotion on blogs and book reviewers.

5.    The Inside Scoop- Don’t know what to share in your newsletter while you’re waiting for your new release? Share the process of your book. Where you were inspired for the story, photos that might be tacked upon your inspiration board, let them have first dibs to the intricate workings of the author mind and let them see things first such as the cover, excerpt and release dates. 

Creepy picture that helped inspire my upcoming release NOT A CHANCE. 

      Everyone wants to be the one with inside information and it allows them to get excited with you as you wait for your new release. 

6.    Recycle- Recycling isn’t just good for the environment. It can save you time if you do it with your marketing material. If you’re participating in Facebook, or other promotional parties    with other authors, develop graphics (I use Canva) related to prior books and your upcoming  release. Recycle these posts ongoing as you schedule tweets, on your blog, Facebook page, or newsletter. 

 

 

Be Marketing All the Time

It’s often difficult for authors to have a marketing mindset, or some tend to market heavily when they have a new release and then you don’t hear a peep from them until the next book. 

One of your older books can still be new to someone. Don’t neglect ongoing marketing even when you don’t have a new release coming out. Being prepared with organized information at your fingertips can make the process easier and less time consuming. 

Share Your Tips for Ongoing Promotion Tips 

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four

seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook& Twitter

Cluttered

"Three Rules of Work: 
Out of clutter find simplicity; 
From discord find harmony; 
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." 
Albert Einstein 

I’ve always been suspect of a person who has nothing on their desk. I remember sitting with an operations manager whose desk had a phone and desk blotter, nothing else, nada.

Not my desk. I have a blotter but that’s where the similarity ends. Being an empty nester, I waited about a year before I commandeered my daughter’s room, cleared out the last remains of her childhood, and made the room my own. It was fun to decorate just to please me. My design was simple, books. I surrounded myself with them, floor to ceiling. I did put in some necessities, a corner desk for the computer, printer, and a phone. I decided on a large library table, sitting catty corner, would be my work area. It seemed fitting with all the research and resource books I usually had stacked or scattered about.

My desk is usually covered with a small stack (or two or three) of paper/files for my different projects, research books (the ones I’m reading for pleasure are in a pile next to the sofa), a lamp (I hate using the overhead), pictures of the family, my favorite picture from the mound at Warwick Castle (for inspiration), and a bud vase with some tired lavender one of the kids brought back from a class trip (I did mention I’m an empty nester, a sentimental one). Then there’s the odd stuff that seems to magically appear, a news article my husband has left for me to read, a stress ball in the shape of a heart and my gold star paper weight for my first sale. It’s really a comfortable room.

Things seem to gather on my desk. Eventually I take time to sift through it and put things in their proper place whether that’s filing, rearranging, or tossing it out all together. Sort of like my writing.

I used to have a ‘clean as you go’ theory. Clean as in edits that is. Whenever I picked up my writing I would read the story from the beginning, no matter how far along I was. I’d look for the weak words, put in the five senses, etc. I always found something to edit. One day I laughed out loud. I had over 125 pages written, if I started from the beginning each time I’d spend more time reading than writing. Geez, I’d never finish the story. 

Now I use my cluttered desk theory. Put it all down, then tackle the edits and rewrite.  I’m organized, to a point, but find myself working to get the story written and not really worrying about overused/weak words or verbs, using the five senses, tightening up sentences, making certain all the hooks are in place, reviewing and editing the Point-Of-View, combing through for show vs. tell, well the list goes on.

In essence, I’ve de-cluttered my desk as well as my writing. What does your desk look like?