Writing Tales, Triumphs, and Tribulations: Focus

December 06, 2004

Focus

It is a Monday morning -- which means that it is just after my writing group meeting, which today really meant Christy and I discussed how much we haven't been doing and tried to get excited about doing more despite the upcoming holidays which zap motivation with all their tryptophane.

What I realized as I came to meet her this morning (with my little to do list that I had only scratched barely at) is that there is JUST TOO MUCH TO DO. I have spread myself way too thin. I am trying to get more magazine articles; I have given my heart over to this novel; I would like to finish the non-fiction book proposal I've been working on for, um, years; I have promised the Melton Foundation that I would pull together an alumni magazine for them; I am trying to market the Einstein A to Z book and I am under the impression that I should, like, have a social life too.

I have gotten scattershot with what I am attempting to do. I need to bring down my projects substantially -- focus on just a few things. Of course, I realize even as I write this that I can't limit myself quite as much as I would like. I have articles that I have promised people I would write, and all the things on my list are important. But there are at least a few things I can do. I don't need to reinvent myself as the biggest bestest magazine writer right now. I have been making that too much of a priority -- and it's ok to focus on the stuff that really has my heart, i.e. the books. I still need to finish the articles that I haven't written (and ooh boy, all the checks from everything I've written in the last two months came in this week, and isn't that NICE!) but I don't need to see that as my main raison d'etre.

And, I'm sorry, but the social life. . . I actually work well at night -- why not claim a few nights a week just to write??

Posted by karenceliafox at December 6, 2004 10:35 AM

Comments

Yes, it DOES sound like you need to narrow your focus in order to write more effectively. Doing a little bit on five separate projects only means five projects move slowly, but throwing all your effort behind one until its finished will help you blast through your list much more quickly. Or, at least, that's the hope.

I'll cross my fingers for you. And cross yours for mine! I've been entirely too remiss in my own writing duties of late.

Posted by: James at December 7, 2004 11:22 AM

Thanks for the finger crossing! I can really understand why people just choose to hole up for months at a time to write and just jettison everything else. I'm sure it would help immeasurably!

Posted by: Karen at December 7, 2004 05:34 PM

Definitely. I envy those who have the time/money to go to writers' retreats and just WRITE in an isolated cottage, or something.

Posted by: James at December 9, 2004 10:13 AM



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