As May approaches, I’ve been taking a careful look at my schedule. With a calendar in front of me, I start circling and marking important days. Mother’s Day. My birthday (and it’s a significant one this year). A guest blog spot for Carina. My beloved sister’s first Samhain release.
Ask yourself questions.
- Any school duties this month? e.g. Princess Monster just finished the science fair at her school (lucky it wasn’t next month)
- Note when the kids get out of school.
- Any major projects that might require overtime for the Evil Day Job? (Not this time)
- Do I want to take a few days of vacation? (yes, need to schedule with my boss)
- Any dinner dates out?
- Can I pull together a loose menu plan for at least a couple of weeks?
- Any family events I have to prepare food for?
If I were writing 50K for May, I’d cross off days with big events and adjust my daily quota accordingly. To be safe, I’d also give myself a few extra floater vacation days just in case something unexpected comes up. I try really hard to get a little cushion in the first week, writing 2-2.5K each day, because it’s inevitable. The glow will fade, the drive will waver, and it’ll be really hard to keep going.
Most importantly, SCHEDULE YOUR WRITING TIME. Decide now when you’re going to write. Are you going to get up an hour earlier? Write over lunch? Write when the monsters are asleep? Write in 15 minute chunks throughout the day?
Whatever your life, family, and work schedule, make sure you have time in your personal calendar for writing. Don’t commit to a huge writing month without figuring out HOW and WHEN you’re going to pull it off.