J is for Juggle

Just out of curiosity, how many projects can you juggle? Most of you are pretty experienced at handling a spouse, kids, housework and/or jobs and other life things—but how many writing projects can you manage at the same time?

Several of my writer friends juggle multiple contracts. The author I just interviewed has four series going, all with different publishers. That means she has four different deadlines for completing each novel, deadlines for her revisions—and she has to create blurbs and excerpts for each novel, approve covers and numerous other things for editors and the promotion department. She will have to read her novel (each of them) no less than three or four times–looking for errors or making minor corrections. She can’t miss any of those deadlines because each department is on deadline too.

Even if you have plans to indie publish, you have to deal with covers, blurbs, excerpts, blog hops, author interviews, Facebook parties and sending your pdfs for reviews—not to mention creating that list of reviewers and arranging speaking engagements. I’m sure there are other things I’ve probably forgotten or don’t know about.

Hey gals, remember when housewives were humorously called “domestic engineers?” We were in training to become entrepreneurs.

I don’t know about you but I’m sort of an out-of-sight-out-of-mind sort of person. Once I finish my book, it’s out of my mind. And if I don’t write things down–preferably in a planner or on a calendar–I’ll forget. Some authors keep a journal for each book they write. They record everything, and I mean absolutely everything that has to do with their book: names of characters, hair color, eye color, ages, professions, as well as all promo info. Everything! That sounds pretty wise to me.

Let’s use excerpts as an example. Your publisher is going to ask you for a short blurb, a longer blurb and an excerpt from within the book.  Remember, if you’re like me, once you get to the end of your story the excerpt is the last thing on your mind.  Why not find your excerpt as you write your book. There will be scenes you especially love. Make note of them; put them in an email to yourself or a book journal as you journey to the end of your story. It’s better than having to scan through your entire manuscript looking for an enticing excerpt for the inside cover or the Amazon page. Be prepared.

Some authors keep a secret Pinterest board for each book they write. Your traditional publisher will often ask for pictures of your characters as well as scenes that might be used on your cover. Be ready. Have ideas.

I promise you the notes you keep in a book journal or on a Pinterest board will come in handy when you start creating promotion too. You’ll need a lot of blogging topics!

Writing is fun but we shouldn’t kid ourselves that it isn’t work. It’s to our advantage to be as organized as we can be. Let’s not add to the chaos by procrastinating or being sloppy.

So tell me, are you organized and methodical by nature, or do you need to work on your juggling skills? Feel free to share some time-saving tips with us.