Oo I can do a more detailed walkthrough of it but basically I have a google spreadsheet with Date, Start Time, End Time, and Category (brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, pitching). Any time I sit down to write, that is my ritual...I "log in". It helps me stay focused since I'm on the clock. If I pick up my phone or want to go to the bathroom, i have to type in my end date, making it official. That alone helps me stay focused. My spreadsheet calculates the Total Time per sprint. Then, I have a notes column where I might add the scene or chapter #, but Im not as consistent with that.
I've done fancier stuff in the past with word count tracking, but the Hours Logged was most motivating for me, esp. for things like brainstorming and outlining and revising (what I've been doing the past 2 years), where there isn't much word count movement. I would be hard on myself that I wasn't writing enough, and then I'd look and be like OH! I got 3 hours today. Ok, go me. Or I'd be at 2.8 hours and be like finneeee ill do one more quick sprint
Okay, I love this idea! It IS really hard to feel like you’re productive on brainstorming days. So much of writing is not the writing part. Going to try this this week. Thanks for sharing!
Really enjoyed reading this humorously written saga. You’ve got grit! What a grinding process - and your dedication has paid off. Hope to read your books soon!
Hi Caroline! I enjoyed reading about how you found your agent. I'm going to start querying soon and it's great to hear different stories of what can happen.
Your listing caught my eye because you're also writing YA. I haven't been able to find a lot of other YA authors on Substack (which makes sense, because our target audience isn't exactly hanging out on Substack). So I'm glad to have discovered you to follow along with your publishing journey :)
Hi Sarah! So glad you found me! I'm always looking for more YA Author friends, especially in Sci-fi. I agree, there aren't that many of us. I'm on Instagram @carolinedavisauthor if you're on there.
Best of luck with querying! Just be prepared that it's a long haul. Have your emotional support in place and other projects/distractions to keep you from obsessing. Even though you still will, and that's ok too <3 it's nice to have a critique group that is querying at the same time so you can commiserate with each other, review queries, and share agent suggestions
Loved this so much! Thanks for sharing! What’s your method for tracking time spent on projects ? I never do this but would like to.
Oo I can do a more detailed walkthrough of it but basically I have a google spreadsheet with Date, Start Time, End Time, and Category (brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, pitching). Any time I sit down to write, that is my ritual...I "log in". It helps me stay focused since I'm on the clock. If I pick up my phone or want to go to the bathroom, i have to type in my end date, making it official. That alone helps me stay focused. My spreadsheet calculates the Total Time per sprint. Then, I have a notes column where I might add the scene or chapter #, but Im not as consistent with that.
I've done fancier stuff in the past with word count tracking, but the Hours Logged was most motivating for me, esp. for things like brainstorming and outlining and revising (what I've been doing the past 2 years), where there isn't much word count movement. I would be hard on myself that I wasn't writing enough, and then I'd look and be like OH! I got 3 hours today. Ok, go me. Or I'd be at 2.8 hours and be like finneeee ill do one more quick sprint
Okay, I love this idea! It IS really hard to feel like you’re productive on brainstorming days. So much of writing is not the writing part. Going to try this this week. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome, Caroline!
Really enjoyed reading this humorously written saga. You’ve got grit! What a grinding process - and your dedication has paid off. Hope to read your books soon!
Thanks Winky! Stay tuned, but don't hold your breath :p It will happen, but slowly, as I'm learning with this industry.
Hi Caroline! I enjoyed reading about how you found your agent. I'm going to start querying soon and it's great to hear different stories of what can happen.
I just found your Substack through this note listing sci-fi authors: https://substack.com/@alecworley/note/c-18467433
Your listing caught my eye because you're also writing YA. I haven't been able to find a lot of other YA authors on Substack (which makes sense, because our target audience isn't exactly hanging out on Substack). So I'm glad to have discovered you to follow along with your publishing journey :)
Hi Sarah! So glad you found me! I'm always looking for more YA Author friends, especially in Sci-fi. I agree, there aren't that many of us. I'm on Instagram @carolinedavisauthor if you're on there.
Best of luck with querying! Just be prepared that it's a long haul. Have your emotional support in place and other projects/distractions to keep you from obsessing. Even though you still will, and that's ok too <3 it's nice to have a critique group that is querying at the same time so you can commiserate with each other, review queries, and share agent suggestions