When my book club met at my house a few days ago, I was surprised and pleased at all the questions they asked about what my typical writing day is. I thought I’d share it with you.
I’m usually at my desk by 7am, butt planted firmly on my balance ball. I either write or edit for the next three to four hours before taking a break to look at e-mail, Facebook and Twitter. If there is anything I need to respond to, I do it in small increments in what is left of the morning. By small I mean 15-minute segments. And I use a timer. Otherwise, social media becomes a sinkhole I don’t 
emerge from for hours. Lunch, usually a walk to clear my head, and back to work in the afternoon with an emphasis on social media. I respond to all Facebook posts directed to me. I spread my promotions for my books in up to 40 different groups throughout the week. Yes, I’m anal enough to have a schedule for which groups I post in when.
Twitter follows. I use nearly 30 different #hashtags to raise awareness of my books. I set aside 18 minutes each day to set up a week’s worth of tweets in a Twitter storm about my books, giveaways, special sales, etc. Late in the day, when I’m nearly brain dead, I set one Twitter storm for a friend’s book. I try and promote books I’ve read or authors I like or members of my literary agency or publisher. I pay it forward.
When I stop around 6pm, I turn off all electronic toys unless I’m reading on my tablet. I don’t look at Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or anything else. I do answer the phone and respond to texts. Other than that, I unplug.
The next day, I wash, rinse and repeat. I do this at least six days a week.
Now that I look at what I do, You’ll notice I don’t work late at night. I don’t sit with a cigarette clenched between my lips, head tilted to keep the smoke from my eyes. I don’t keep a bottle of Scotch on my desk. What I do is write.
I don’t see that exciting “life of a writer.” I see a hard-working writer who works her butt off to put words on paper that you might like to read.
Care to join me??
Hi Betsy, Thanks for writing about your day. I always wondered how writers manage their time–writing, editing, blogging, FBing, tweeting, instagramming. It seems endless and overwhelming. Your post was very instructive. Thank you. Ellen
I’m not always able to keep to a rigid schedule, Ellen, but I do my best to work equally on writing/editing and marketing so as not to lose momentum. It’s endless. It can be overwhelming. That’s why you see I don’t do anything on Instagram and very little on Pinterest. Just no time, although there is value in all tasks. Write on, right now.
Would you like to be added to my email list? I try to send out something every couple of months. No spamming… (No is an acceptable answer…)
I signed up for it yesterday! I’m looking forward to you e-mails.
I spread my promotions for my books in up to 40 different groups throughout the week. Yes, I’m anal enough to have a schedule for which groups I post in when.
Twitter follows. I use nearly 30 different #hashtags to raise awareness of my books. I set aside 18 minutes each day to set up a week’s worth of tweets in a Twitter storm about my books, giveaways, special sales, etc.
This is gold.
Hi Lynn, glad you think it’s gold. I have a newsletter that comes out every two months (right now). I may move it to monthly soon… Would you like to be on it? (No is an acceptable answer…) – Betsy