Do you know what is lurking behind that cornucopia centerpiece?
2012!
Each year the holiday season warps my sense of time so when December 31st arrives, I am surprised – and appalled – to have landed on new year’s eve.
(Why is it important for me to have fresh goals on January 1st? That’s a post for another day.)
But this year I started thinking about my writing goals even before the Halloween candy hit the clearance shelves. (Thank you Nancy J. Nicholson and her reminder that it’s not too early to plan for the new year.) And, I made the decision to eschew my typical seat-of-the-pants writing schedule to make this chart:
(Please, don’t laugh! I feel like I’m showing you my underwear drawer.)
|
Step |
Task | Est. Hours | Est. Weeks |
|
1 |
Idea/Planning* | 45.00 | 3.00 |
|
2 |
Research | 60.00 | 4.00 |
|
3 |
Write Rough Draft** | 120.00 | 8.00 |
|
4 |
Evaluate/Editorial Letter to Self | 15.00 | 1.00 |
|
5 |
Write 2nd Draft | 45.00 | 3.00 |
|
6 |
Beta Reader (write query rough draft) | 15.00 | 1.00 |
|
7 |
Write 3rd Draft or Revisions | 30.00 | 2.00 |
|
8 |
Critique Group (finish query) | 60.00 | 4.00 |
|
9 |
Revisions/Final Edits | 15.00 | 1.00 |
|
10 |
Celebrate/Start Submission Process | ||
| 405.00 | 27.00 | ||
| estimate months – 6.75 | |||
| *3 hrs/5 days wk | |||
| **1500/wds day |
I’d like to complete two 60,000 word manuscripts next year. (Yes, I realize that would require 58 weeks if I follow this chart perfectly. And I realize the likelihood of real life matching this schedule is nil but in general two manuscripts, one year, this schedule.)
And, now you know why I can’t show this chart to my husband because Bridgette-math drives him nuts.
So I ask you, do you think this schedule is realistic?
Monday, November 21st, 2011, 5:00 am | 
A Timeless Education, Writing | 
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November 21, 2011 at 6:57 am
hehehe. It’s really funny how private we can feel about sharing the amount of time it takes us to do something. Almost like sharing our salary. Or our underwear drawer! ;)
How exciting that you’ve been able to plan it all out in your head, though, and feel that you do have the time to get everything done that you want to. And goals are so helpful. Are you going to do all these hours right in a row, or are you going to intersperse them with work on the other project? Breaks are important, too, as I’ve been learning recently!
Anne M Leone recently posted..Friday Random
November 21, 2011 at 9:07 am
Anne, this was so hard for me. I feel like other writers will read my chart and say, “She’s such a lightweight!” or “Psst. She’s crazy. That schedule will never work.”
I know that’s silly but those are the words dancing around in my head.
Excellent point about the breaks. In the spring, I will have four months when I am forced to scale back in order to score standardized tests. It’s a full-time/part-time seasonal work that comes in spurts of 2 or 3 weeks. When I’m scoring, then my writing has stopped completely. I’d like to continue this year just so I stay in my projects.
After a project is completed then yes, I’d take off some time. I learn a lot watching you – which is why I’m always so glad you write about your writing journey – and agree that the breaks are important.
Bridgette Booth recently posted..New Writing Projects: How Much Time?
November 21, 2011 at 9:29 am
Thanks for the blog love Bridget. I like that you’ve broken your projects down to hours. Just remember we’re creative souls. Sometimes we have to give ourselves time to even be creative at what we’re working on. Check out the Power of Three blog today. When life get’s in the way, it’s a great system for getting back on track.
Nancy J Nicholson recently posted..Power of Three
November 21, 2011 at 11:15 am
Thanks for the reminders Nancy. I’m pretty good at being flexible (i.e., creative) however, not always so good about deadlines – hence the schedule. lol.
Where’s the balance, right?
November 21, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Wow. I mean, wow.
My head is spinning at your chart! I have no idea if it is feasible, but I think it’s kind of spectacular in its awesomeness. I especially love that you have time for celebrating! That’s always an important one.
Please let us know how it goes. I’m so excited for you!
Tameri Etherton recently posted..ThanksGIVING with Sheri Fink! Bestselling author of ‘The Little Rose’
November 21, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Oh you’re sweet, Tameri! I do appreciate the encouragement. I’ve never tackled my writing projects like this, but it has helped to sort out the steps and think about how long I need in each one.
Usually I get stuck in Revisionland (or Research Wonderland) for a seriously long time. I do hope this makes me more efficient.
Bridgette Booth recently posted..New Writing Projects: How Much Time?
November 21, 2011 at 7:20 pm
I got tired just reading that! Good for you for being so organized. I’m such a pantser that even contemplating such organization is beyond the realm of possibility for me. Good luck and remember to give yourself permission to change the schedule whenever you feel you need to. Write on!
Patricia Sands recently posted..Let’s keep talking about bullying
November 21, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Patricia – I’ve *never* organized my writing project schedule which I always have enjoyed but meant I’d stay in one area (usually revision) for a silly amount of time. So, I hope having this will give me a more discipline.
Or at least that’s my hope!
Thanks for the good wishes. I doubt I”ll have trouble giving myself permission to change anything – flexibility is a strength. Just not so good at the discipline. . . lol!
Bridgette Booth recently posted..New Writing Projects: How Much Time?
November 21, 2011 at 7:52 pm
I have to say, I totally dig your chart! LOL! I am analytical and very organized and a chart like this would really help me stay focused. Whether I follow the hours to a tee or not, matters little. It’s about having a plan to help keep a person on track. And this would work with my personality.
So whether it’s feasible or not, I am not sure. But you have a lofty goal (which I love and admire), and I think having any plan to move forward is key. As long as it helps YOU feel focused and aligned, then it’ll help you let go and be more creative.
Woot woot – give 2012 HELL!
Natalie recently posted..Death by swimming
November 23, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Thanks Natalie! That’s EXACTLY how I look at scheduling. Doing the work of laying it out forms a plan in my mind and gives me something to work from. I rarely am obsessive about sticking to schedules but like to use them as a template.
I feel so understood! LOL!
November 23, 2011 at 11:43 am
I’m all for planning out a schedule and keeping yourself on track. The week allotment makes sense to me, though I must say I have no idea how you calculated the hours. Whether I’m struggling to write a scene or on fire, time gets away from me! Lol. Good luck with it! Keep the Row80 motto in mind–that when life happens, it’s okay to change your schedule. =)
Angela Wallace recently posted..Howl’s Moving Castle
November 23, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Hi Angela, well the way I calculated the hours is this: 1/2 based on previous timecharts on other projects and 1/2 guesswork.
Since I do freelance work, I always track the amount of time I spend on writing (each project is recorded). I have to know if I’m spending too much time and essentially working for below minimal wage. (It happens!) So I automatically have tracked my fiction writing also. I know that I have problems in revision and in final editing. (I linger there a LONG time.) This schedule is my attempt to exit those areas a little faster.
Thanks for the reminder about the Row80 motto — that’s ALWAYS helpful to remember.
November 23, 2011 at 5:06 pm
I say you give it a shot and we all meet back here a year from now and see how its done…sound good? I think so.
November 25, 2011 at 5:53 am
Lesann – sounds good to me! You bringing the cake and cookies, right? Gotta celebrate. LOL.
Bridgette Booth recently posted..New Writing Projects: How Much Time?
November 27, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Love this idea. I think I’ll work on crafting something like it as well. I popped over here from #Row80… grateful I did!
Julie Jordan Scott recently posted..Desperately Seeking Author’s Homes (& Graves & Homesites & Ephemera & & &) #SOCSunday Rambling
December 1, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Wow. I’m impressed with your chart! I think it’s doable, too. I’m doggedly persistent, but I’ve been much more focused since I put my ms to bed. Currently outlining book three and working on book two. I write faster when I have a road map, but that’s not to say I won’t deviate from the outline. I tend to spend too much time editing what I wrote the previous day instead of pushing onward.
Good luck with your writing!
December 3, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Thanks Jennifer. I spend too much time editing also. In fact, RevisionLand is a murky swamp for me! I was at a conference and several writers (all published) said they followed a schedule like this, but a bit more challenging. I figured they knew what they were doing so I should follow their example. Fingers crossed! Hope it works!
December 1, 2011 at 9:20 pm
So I thought I’m type A but you clearly blow me out of the water! I always figure a page a day will get you far – you’re aiming for three, so good luck! And it’s always better to aim too high than too low.
December 3, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Annette – I don’t think I’ve ever been called a type A personality! LOL! I *do* like a plan. Plans force me to think clearly and make decisions about what I’m doing and not doing. Otherwise, I’ll twaddle along and maybe, or probably not, get close.
I appreciate the encouragement. I agree, it’s better to aim too high and then fall down then aim low. (I’m really good at aiming low!)
December 2, 2011 at 11:32 am
Bridgette, this is seriously impressive! Wow. I really hope you will stick to your plan and at the end of 2012 you can say, “See! I did it!”
Life will, most likely, get in a way and mess you up from time to time, but if you continue forward, you will achieve your goal. I will be cheering you and keeping my fingers crossed, sista.
I just realized that I wasn’t getting your blog updates in my email box. I would have sworn I’ve signed up for it. Gonna fix it now :-)
Angela Orlowski-Peart recently posted..A Good Book Might Be The Best Gift This Holiday Season
December 3, 2011 at 3:41 pm
You’re sweet Angela. I hope I stick with the plan also. It’s a challenge, I know, but I like chasing a challenge instead of wandering around looking for one to find me. (Which is how I’ve done a few projects.) Thanks soooooo much for the encouragement. It helps more than you know!!!
December 28, 2011 at 12:53 am
That’s a seriously impressive schedule, Bridgette, and reading it makes me realize how little I plan things ahead of time, though I should. Think I’ll take a page out of your book and plan out a few modest projects right now.
Wish me luck!
Renee — ramblecrunch recently posted..Merry Christmas from Ramblecrunch
December 28, 2011 at 8:31 am
Well the schedule has yet to be implemented, so we’ll see. I do intend to try it though. :)
I’d think with your lifestyle a schedule would be hard to keep?
Bridgette Booth recently posted..Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, or What I Learned from Row80