I've started using a new system to track my work. Here's a picture:
This highly complex and technology-driven system is called "Post-It Notes on the Bedroom Wall."
The blue note at the top says "October" on it. That's in case I forget what month it is. Hey, could happen ...
The pink note on the left says, "Coming Soon." These are the projects I will be doing that haven't hit my desk yet.
The pink note in the center says, "Working On Now." Yep - these are things I'm working on now. They're almost done.
The pink note on the right says "Done." As each thing is done, I move the green note with the project written on it over to that column.
So this is how I've been tracking my projects for the last couple of months, and it's working really well. It helps me keep priorities straight and to know where I am with each task.
Obviously, my October goal is to get all the notes moved from the left, to the center, and then to the right. When I've done that, I'll have hit all my goals.
What are your goals for this month? Sign up for the challenge by leaving a comment in the trail, and tell me what you want to accomplish this month. We'll do it together!
16 comments:
Ooooooh! I like your system! Colors, post-its, and organization. That's my kind of thing!
My Goals:
1. Finish planning new YA novel
2. Do necessary research on YA novel
3. Write first 10,000 of YA novel
4. Revise 5 chapters in MG novel
Excellent!! Welcome aboard - and I'll be excited to piggyback your challenge with mine. I'm going to be extra productive that week.
Oh, I love this! And I ESPECIALLY love sticky notes! I'll think about my goals and comment when I've got them ready. This is perfect timing, since I'm starting Kilenya Series book four. :-)
I'm scared to make a commitment, but I'm in! I need to keep moving on my latest project:)
Love the post-its! I may have to try that. My goals are to do a first revision pass on Shattered Skies. Revise my Christmas story and plan a new novel to the point where I can start wetting it in November. What have I done so far today? Nada.
BRILLIANT!!! I might have to try that at work and at home.
Cool idea! I might just use it. Very cool.
October goals:
*Finish the last five chapters of my rough draft in the last book of the Twisted Tales Trilogy
*Edit this rough draft and give it to beta readers.
*Put finishing touches on book one and book two and send it (along with book 3) to my content readers
*Edit the last scene in the Raven musical
*Edit some videos for tradework/ get a certain doctor to get back to me to make his comments on the rough draft dvd I gave him, so I can finish that up for him.
*Put together YW activities for this month since I'm in charge.
*Help an eagle scout with his homeless shelter/ writing project.
*Host a general conference get-together with my family coming from Idaho and Washington and for my young women who need a place to watch it.
*Organize a regional Halloween dance for a midsingle's activity.
*film an Alfred Hitchcock type movie for my sister's class (where I'm playing the cool blonde)
*Babysit for my friend who needs NEEDS to get out on a date with her husband.
I think that's it, haha. Yeah, they're not all writing goals, but then I went crazy and this just helped me to organize my month. Go post it notes!
We will survive!!!
Tristi I love your bedroom wall method. This is one of those multiple goal months for me too, although not nearly as many postits on my wall (except for the ideas coming soon column!)
My goals:
1. Finish the novel I started in July.
2. Finish a mother's day essay
3. Write 40,000 words on my next project.
Well-- since 2 of your post-it notes involve my books--that is my main focus of Oct--to get my MS presentable for you. :)
I am gutting the 3rd book of my MG series as I type--well--just before and after. ;) I need to lose about 20K. Wish me luck. :)
My second project is the 1st book of my other series. I just got back from David Farland's Novel Rewriting and he had a lot of great ideas--only now--I have to expand the book AND cut it in half to get to you by the end of the month. :)
I'm looking forward to it actually--but have to finish the other one first.
I love having a deadline--except when it makes me twist in panic. :)
Post-it notes! What a great idea.
I have a big goal for October, and maybe sharing it will help me get it done: Finish my re-write of the book I finished for NaNoWriMo last November, so that I can start my new one this November.
My goals for October include 1) publishing Brownies and Betrayal, 2)finishing the edit/format for client N, 3)Editing Pies & Pistols (I finally have a title!) and getting it out to readers, 4)Writing the short story for Heather M's next anthology, 5)finishing the last few scenes for Lana's story and 6)proofreading and writing a forward/extra stuff for Second Chances. And then there are those pesky things like having chapters to take to critique and episodes to turn in for my next serial story, and the stuff at home and my tile floor and....yeah. Not many goals here!
My goals this month are pretty modest. I'm taking a creative writing class, so that gives me lots of opportunities for uh... writing creatively. *ahem* But aside from that, I'd like to get some outlining done for nanowrimo next month. I'd also like to take a few minutes each day to look in on my manuscript, which is not school related. Also, I'd like to get some sleep, please. Can you do that for me October Challenge?
I want 40K. Period. No excuses. No distractions (besides the baby, of course :) Just do it!
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