How this law applies to writing:
· Time Sucks: You know what I’m talking about. Facebook. Twitter. TV. Email checking. Web surfing. These activities can be gigantic time sucks. Get a timer or set an amount of time for yourself for these simple pleasures. If you do this, you'll free yourself up to dedicate time for your writing. Do it. Be ruthless.
· Great Writing Sessions: Some writing sessions are more productive than others. Know when is the best time for you to write, and when is not. Are you a night owl or an early bird? Know yourself well with regards to this advice. You will generate roughly 80% of your writing in the best 20% of your writing sessions. When you have a great day of writing, take notice on the factors that make it productive, and try to repeat those factors in all of your writing sessions.
· Not-so-great Writing Sessions: A small number of your writing sessions will be far more wasteful than the rest. What happened in these sessions? Distractions? Wifey or hubby knocking on your office door? Pets demanding attention? Do the math and figure out the factors that prevented great writing sessions. What can you do to fix these sessions in the future?
· Writing Quality: Pretty much 20% of your writing will be of a high quality. That's the good stuff you should publish. The other 80% will be crap. Buck up. It happens to the best of us.
· Know Your Audience: What’s selling for you? Your audience will vastly prefer some 20% of your writing. Know this. Embrace this, especially the enthusiastic reviews. Then create more stories like it. It should drive more success your way.
· Creating Ideas: You'll think up 80% of your best ideas in 20% of the time you dedicate to creative activities. Figure out what puts you in these highly creative states and try to recreate those conditions every time. Was it the music you were listening to? The tea or coffee you sipped? Perhaps it was incense you were burning. On the flipside, you'll trash 80% of your time spent generating new ideas. Maybe that time would be better spent on editing, reading or other activities.
· Productivity: Some days will be more productive than others. Period. Exploit those days by pushing yourself to write as many hours as you can. Make the most of it and you may complete more work in one day than in several average days.
· Book Sales: A cold, hard fact. 80% of book sales will come from 20% of authors. This explains why the publishing industry tosses huge amounts of money at a small number of authors while it ignores great work from everyone else. Life’s not fair for those in that 80%.
· Success and Failure: Some 80% of your written work will likely fail to gain an audience. However, all it takes is one major success to turn that percentage around and claim your stake in the publishing world. Grow a thick skin and keep trying.
Image: 123RF stock photo 12485192
Wonderful summary, Sharon. I'm sure many authors will find this post helpful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat - I need this advice just as much! Especially when it comes to time sucks! Cheers!
DeleteBRAVO, Sharon! Excellent post that tells it like it is!
ReplyDeleteThis from a lady who always tells it like it is! You're a great teacher, Sloane! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThanks for the reminder and the butt kick.
ReplyDeleteMost times, I need to kick my own butt and get back to work! Cheers, Grace!
DeleteExcellent stuff that's easily forgotten! Working hard does not necessarily equal working well. Thanks for the post, Sharon!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to copy this one and nail it to my screen. (Does that hurt the computer?) Very good advice, Sharon. And definitely a keeper.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! I do notice there are times when I simply can't write a darn thing. I'f I'm honest with myself and realize it's just not going to happen, I'll switch to reading or something needing less brain power. However, I really need to start paying attention to those times when I'm on fire! What was it that helped create that momentum? I also need to give myself license to ditch some other things and let those creative juices flow as long as I can. Kind of like when you're on a random cleaning kick - you don't want to waste it so you just keep cleaning while you're in the mood. Same rule should apply here, and our friends and relatives will just have to get used to it! :)
ReplyDeleteWell said, Dusty - it's funny family doesn't bother you when your cleaning! And a big thanks to Alan and Cordelia for their kind comments! Now, back to work, the lot of you!
ReplyDeleteOMG, too funny about the first law - Time sucks... I got the link to this blog while wasting the last hour checking email instead of editing my book! LOL
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog Sharon but I am now shutting down email adn getting back to my book!
Are you at MNM this year? I will be but missing Sat to go to a wedding! You know you're dedicated to an event when you try to squeeze a wedding into the mix! LOL
Julie Achtermeier
Hey, Julie, you bet I'll be there, but like you, I'm missing Saturday for our Lake Association's 40th Anniversary. I'll be there Friday night, Sunday and Monday! Looking forward to seeing you there! Cheers!
DeleteSo true! I like the comments about using a timer. I do this, and it works! And about how 20% of your work will be really popular. I'd say that's about right after having a bunch of stuff out there. I have a handful of hot sellers. The rest sell either okay or not much at all to my chagrin. Some genres just aren't that hot, even with great book covers, blurbs, etc. I write what I want, and I balance that with writing stuff that I like to write and that I know will sell. ;)
ReplyDelete20% of the bloggers I follow make 80% of the most sense I read - and you're one of them. Thanks for another great post.
ReplyDeleteI found myself nodding throughout this post. You're a wise one, Sharon. You teach me so much. :-)
ReplyDeleteLisa, Derek and Amaleen - thanks for popping round and adding your great comments. I'm timing this, so I must take my leave...
ReplyDelete