Note 179 – Trying to multi-task as a writer

I have so much work on at the moment with my main job and my freelance writing career, that I sometimes struggle to work out what would be the best use of my time.  Maybe it will help if I lay all my ‘freelance writing tasks’ on the table in a list:

1. I set myself the challenge to learn a new writing tip daily and blog about it to teach others.  I enjoy this and am committed to this blog and my readers.  That’s 1-2 hours a day to research, write and edit a 200-600 word blog post. 
2. There’s my Daily Writing Tips online freelance writing course (which I am falling behind on).  I desperately want to focus my time on the suggested techniques for others to recognise me as a writer (and of course there’s the ‘how to earn money’ bit as well!).
3. A company called OpenLeaf have presented me with writing and blogging opportunities amongst other things.  This will make money for me once everything is set up – but I need to spend more time working on this (follow this link if you want to read My OpenLeaf Journey blog).
4. I have produced an article for Technorati but it’s been rejected.  They’ve been nice about it though and said that I just need to amend it to make it into a ‘news’ or ‘news opinion’ article.  I need time to think and plan that.
5. I have other blogs that I want to update – both personal ones and work ones.
6. I’d like to start guest blogging to get my writing noticed on established websites or blogs.
7. I need to make the best use of my Google AdSense account.
8. I would love to spend more time on my website, ensuring that I present myself and examples of my work in the right way.

I’m sure there are other things I can’t think of right now, but just writing down everything has made me feel better.  What I do know is that I have come a long way in six months since starting this blog.  Back then, I only had a couple of things on my list ‘consider writing articles for magazines’ and ‘finish writing my book’ (which I completed in August this year and it’s currently being reviewed by OpenLeaf Publishing). 

Things have spiraled out of control since then, with life presenting me with so many opportunities which I am very grateful for.  I should be happy with what I have achieved since 30 April 2011 when I opened this blog mywritingnotebook ready for Note 1 on 1st May 2011.

The way forward

I have a writing plan right here above me and as long as I manage my time effectively there is no reason why I cannot achieve all of the above.  It’s not just about making lists – it’s about prioritising what my most important tasks are on that list.

Thanks for listening!

This blog post forms part of my writing challenge. Don’t forget that you can subscribe to receive my daily blogs by email so that you don’t miss any. Just click ‘sign me up’ on the home page. Alternatively you can follow my blogs on Twitter or my ‘Tips and Luxuries‘ Facebook page. Requests for future blogs (punctuation/grammar/writing tips) are always welcome.

Until tomorrow…

Sandra
Freelance writer
Please visit www.sandramadeira.com for more information on my services as a freelance writer.

My writing challenge

My other blogs:
Sandra’s space
My OpenLeaf Journey

My Tips and Luxuries website
(includes the introduction to my upcoming book ‘A Gift for Stressed and Busy Parents’)

Twitter: @madeirasandra @tipsandluxuries @OpenLeafJourney

Reference list:

Daily Writing Tips – www.dailywritingtips.com
OpenLeaf Publishing – www.OL-Publishing.co.uk
Technorati – www.technorati.com
Google AdSense – www.google.com/adsense

Related articles

• Note 174 – How writers can earn money using Google AdSense (mywritingnotebook.wordpress.com)
• Note 167 – How to write for Technorati (mywritingnotebook.wordpress.com)
• Note 161 – Your web presence as a freelance writer (mywritingnotebook.wordpress.com)