TRACIE MOMIE
  • HOME
  • BOOKS
  • Design
    • Services
    • Work
    • Testimonials
  • Events
  • About+Contact
    • Press Info

Tracie's Blog

5 Tips for Finding Time to Write

10/26/2017

5 Comments

 
Picture
(photo courtesy createherstock)

(This post is the first of three in a special series for aspiring authors)
One of the number one questions people ask me when they find out I've written multiple books is, "How do you find the time to write?" Then they usually offer up their own barriers to carving out time. They're too busy, they work full time, they spend all weekend at their kids sports events, etc. 

And while these are some very valid obstacles they are also excuses. I believe in the old adage, where there is a will, there is a way. If you are an aspiring author you HAVE TO MAKE TIME TO WRITE. There is no way around it- no magical potion that can help you skip ahead. You've got to make it a priority and if you're committed and passionate, you'll find a way otherwise you'll find excuses because maybe you're actually afraid to write. There are several barriers that keep you from even attempting to write and I'll address those in my blog post next week.  But this post is about carving out time to write. Here are some tried and true tips that even the "busiest" individual will find useful:

1. Set an appointment on your calendar- You can get up thirty minutes earlier each day or go to bed thirty minutes later and use that time to write. It doesn't seem like a lot of time but if you do it daily it adds up. You can also make time during your lunch hour a couple of days a week; instead of going to lunch, find a quiet conference room or walk to a nearby park or just sit in your car. Bring your laptop, tablet, phone or even note pad and capture your ideas, thoughts, dialogue, etc.

2. Maximize your time- Every day for almost an hour I am sitting in school pick up lines (two different schools).  Some days I bring my laptop and while I'm waiting I write instead of scrolling through social media. If you are at the doctors office or dentist office or getting your oil changed. . .anywhere you will have a thirty minute to one hour or longer wait you can write! Use the Notes app on your phone or Evernote app, email yourself what you've written and just cut and paste it into your manuscript later. 

3.  Use your voice- Most smartphones have a function where you can talk into your phone and it will convert to text.  If you are sitting in traffic or have a super long commute each morning, why not open a Note or email (set this up before you start driving!) and press the microphone icon and start talking. You can speak the words instead of writing them.  It will seem weird at first like you're talking to yourself but after a while you'll find a comfortable rhythm. It's almost like you are recording your book in audio form.  I will warn you that sometimes the voice command hears words WRONG but they are minor mistakes that you can go back and correct after the fact.  Just be sure this isn't a distraction and that you are still paying attention to the road. 

4. Find a writing buddy- If you have friends that you normally hang out with on the weekend, grabbing brunch, shopping or seeing a movie. . . find out if anyone in your friend group is also an aspiring writer, if so, instead of simply meeting for brunch make it a "working" brunch. Bring your laptops, tablets, phones or notepads and instead of catching up on the latest gossip just bask in the quite solitude while you work on your respective manuscripts.

5. NaNoWriMo- (National Novel Writing Month) Although this only takes place once a year in November, it is a good way to hold yourself accountable. I wrote the bulk of my first book by participating. Participants sign up and make a commitment to write a whopping 50,000 words for the entire month of November! Let me tell you it's no easy feat, you basically have to be committed to writing 1,667 words per day to reach this goal. But the feeling (and bragging rights) of being a NaNoWriMo "winner" is amazing!  Not to mention your book is practically written at the end of it. 
What are some of your tried and true tips for finding time to write?
Picture
5 Comments

5 Tips for Getting Things Done

12/10/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture

I've mentioned in previous posts that I tend to procrastinate and usually it's because I'm being lazy. But there are times, more often than not, that I am on fire and getting a ton of stuff accomplished. Here are some of my sure fire tips for getting things done:
     1. Handwritten lists- I swear by handwritten lists. Even though I might type out a note on my phone every now and then, I typically stick to old fashioned pen and paper. I often write my lists in a small tablet or planner. There is something about writing things down in my own handwriting that helps my brain make a connection to its importance. After you write your daily list of to-do's make sure you put it in your purse, computer bag or wallet to keep it with you for reference throughout the day. 

     2. Reminders on your smart phone- Often I have so many irons in the fire that something may get left off of my handy dandy list. That's when I pick up my phone and say, "Hey Siri, remind me at 2:00 to call Patty." or  "Hey Siri, remind me to respond to Harold's email." I also use the calendar function and alarm function on my phone for important reminders as well. They each have an alert system to send a pop up or audio tone to remind you at whatever date/time you select. 

     3. Distraction free zone/hours- There are days when I am facing a serious deadline, so I designate certain times as "distraction free". I enable the do not disturb feature on my phone and then I leave it in another room, so that I am not tempted to click on my Instagram, twitter or Facebook apps. I also enable my phone alarm for an hour or two and I work free of distractions during the time allotted before taking a break. 

     4. Accountability partner or reward- I have used accountability partners in the past and it is a great way to hold your feet to the fire. If you tell someone, "hey, I'm going to have this document finished tomorrow by two o'clock" and you know they are going to call you and want to see the document, it makes you work harder to keep your word. Or you can have someone call and check on you and ask about your progress on an important project a few times during the week.  I also love the reward system. When I meet a deadline I set for myself or I accomplish something pretty amazing, I treat myself to a massage, pedicure, flowers, fancy lunch or even a new book! I know I can technically get that stuff anytime I want but it's so much sweeter to have a reason for the treat!

     5. Just do it-I personally LOVE the feeling of accomplishment. When I work on something–to know it didn't even exist before or it was a challenge that I overcame- it gives me goosebumps and makes me vibrate with excitement. Conversely, when I procrastinate, I feel like crap. Seriously, if two days pass and I've put off something on my list, I feel like I've just wasted two days of my life for no real reason and I'll never get that time back. So I usually just do it. Whatever it is- at the very least I get started right then and there because I know tomorrow I'm going to be filled with regret if I don't.

Picture
0 Comments

Entrepreneur Music Playlist

8/24/2015

0 Comments

 
I love music. I specifically love old school music. Mainly from the 80s.  Hip hop, pop, rock. . .most of the music from that decade was fun and energizing. I've created a playlist with some of the songs from that time period (some are more recent) that I listen to when I'm working. They help motivate me to get my day started and keep me productive. Although I have to admit, I do have the urge to get up and dance every now and then.  

It's no coincidence that this list has song titles that entrepreneurs can relate to. . . Enjoy!


Entrepreneur Work Mix from mzm40 on 8tracks Radio.


Picture
Track Listing:

  • 1 
    Ain't No Half Steppin' - Big Daddy Kane
    2 This Is How We Do It -Montell Jordan
  • 3 Workin' Day and Night- Michael Jackson
  • 4 Walking On Sunshine- Katrina & The Waves
  • 5 Can't Nobody Hold Me Down  -Puff Daddy & The Family
  • 6 Try Again- Aaliyah
  • 7 Wanted Dead or Alive- Bon Jovi
  • 8  Boom Boom Pow- The Black Eyed Peas
  • 9 Karma Chameleon-Culture Club
  • 10 Don't Believe The Hype- Public Enemy
  • 11 E.I. Nelly
  • 12 The Glamorous Life- Sheila E.
  • 13 Thinking of a Master Plan- YZ


Picture
0 Comments
    Picture
    Picture
    Writer. Reader. Designer. Creative Spirit.

    NEWSLETTER
    SIGN UP
    Nothing I Can Say
    LATEST RELEASE

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    My Reading List

    Picture
    Visit My Shop for Cool Tees!

    “I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.”
    —Harper Lee

    Picture

    Book Recommendations

    Tribes

    Picture
    BLM Girls
    Picture
    Brown Girl Bloggers

    Archives

    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Ad
    Advice
    Ageism
    Art
    Audio
    Authenticity
    Author
    Backup
    Blogging
    Book
    Books
    Bucket List
    Business
    Business Tips
    Challenge
    Change
    Charity
    Communication
    Community
    Creativity
    Criticism
    Curated Stuff
    Decisions
    Design
    Dinner
    DIY
    Dreams
    Education
    Encouragement
    Enthusiasm
    Entrepreneur
    Event
    Events
    Excellence
    Expectations
    Expertise
    Fashion
    First Book
    Food
    Freelance
    Fun
    Girlboss
    Giveaway
    Goals
    Graphics
    Growth
    Hacks
    Happiness
    Health
    Holidays
    Htxaab
    Human Resources
    Humor
    Ideas
    Inspiration
    Inspiraton
    Instagram
    Jealousy
    Joy
    Life
    Limits
    Marketing
    Meditation
    Motherhood
    Motivation
    Move On
    Music
    Nbbf
    Netflix
    New Year
    Nothingicansay
    Parenting
    Passion
    Peace
    Periscope
    Photography
    Problem Solving
    Procrastination
    Productivity
    Purpose
    Random
    Reading
    Relationships
    Relaxation
    Resources
    Review
    Routine
    Selfcare
    Shop
    Snippet
    Social Media
    Success
    Summer Blog Series
    Support
    Tbt
    Teamwork
    Television
    Tips
    Travel
    Vacation
    Video
    Vision Board
    Waxing Poetic
    Wearebooked
    Web Design
    Wordless Wednesday
    Workshop
    Writing
    WWM

SITE MAP:   Home | Books | Design |  Events | About+Contact 

​Tracie Momie Creative | ©2012- 2022 | All Rights Reserved
Term & Conditions
  • HOME
  • BOOKS
  • Design
    • Services
    • Work
    • Testimonials
  • Events
  • About+Contact
    • Press Info