Now that I have to spend more time on promo, because I've finally got something new to promote, I have to spend more time online than ever before. And that leads to lots of distractions that can easily waste my writing time.
The biggest is email. I'm now a member of 5 large email loops that I try to keep up with as much as I can, but just reading all the posts could take me a day and a half.
My strategy to deal with this is to take turns paying visits to the major promo loops I've joined. Sometimes it's hard to keep all of them straight. I've decided not to start actively promoting on the new loops until I actually have something available to buy. It's too easy to forget that great excerpt after a few days, if you can't buy or put in on a wish list immediately.
Also, I'm trying to keep up the social aspect of replying to others on my loops, but it gets harder every day.
I try to stay offline until late in the morning, when I'll take a quick peek at my email, then stay off for the entire afternoon, coming back on after dinner.
So far, it seems to be working and I'm able to get some writing and edits done each day.
How does everyone else deal with promo and email eating into writing time?
7 comments:
Susan, I know exactly where you're coming from! I try to divide my writing day into "sections.": early morning before the kids get up, I check my e-mail, answer what needs to be answered, send out promo stuff. After the kids are at school, I write and/or edit and/or research.
Problem for me is, some of my best sources of research live in different time zones, so even though I try not to check my e-mail too often, when I'm waiting for an answer, I just can't resist. It also keeps me up WAY too late at night, and tempts me to surf the 'net while I'm waiting.
Distractions...
What I do is I don't even turn my computer on until late in the morning, then between 8 and 9 pm, I turn the computer off.
If I stay on later than 9, I have trouble sleeping.
And it's easier to resist just checking something real quick when the computer's off.
First time visitor and enjoyed the comments. I had not thought taht authors got so many e-mails but I guess it is a problem. I try to limit the groups I belong to so I have less e-mail.
JWIsley@aol.com
the promotion end freaks me out... a little[or lots, depending on the day]. I think it's smart to hold your cards close until you're ready. Just having your name out there and your blog available is key.
I'm at your blog... nuff said. LOL I like free stuff though. couldn't help myself. :D
Thanks for the comments. Be sure to check back next Monday to see if you're the winner.
I'm a little bit like Cynthia when it comes to this, Susan. I have to keep checking back to see if my west coast co-workers or fellow writers are online, and once I open up the e-mail, half an hour is easily sucked away before I shut it down again. LOL. All those little "five minute answers" add up.
I get up early and try to work and answer e-mails before becoming a hermit until about noon. Some days it works, other days... not so much!
I feel your pain, Susan. I'm a slave to all the loops and e-mail and still can't catch up. Finding writing time is the tiny jewel hiding somewhere in my office.
Before I was published, a published friend of mine said, "The work doesn't end when you sign the contract. It's just starting."
In my naivety, I thought she was kidding.
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