How To Produce and Not Go Down in Flames

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Janet here. I'm excited to have Margaret Daley in Seekerville today. As you'll see from Margaret's post, no one is more qualified to talk about productivity. As a bonus, she's brought some hunky "heroes" with her AND she's giving away two of her latest releases. Here's Margaret!
 
As soon as I figure that out, I will be able to write a postabout how to do it. What I am going to tell you is what I've been doing, butI'll tell you that doesn't mean it has been easy. In fact, it has beendownright hard at times. I have managed not to go down in flames--yet. But I'vebeen close. You can only juggle a full schedule for so long before it affectsyou. So as I talk about producing, keep that in mind. For many years I taught full-time and wrote three books ayear. When I retired four years ago I upped that amount. My writing became myfull-time job. I began to write five books a year. Recently someone asked mehow I did it. I have always wanted to have something to do. I'm not sure I knowwhat to do with too much free time, but come January I will have more time onmy hands when I step down from being on the ACFW board as its president. Afterfour intense years I'm looking forward to having some time to read again forpleasure. I've missed that.
One of the main things you can do to produce consistently issetting priorities. You need to decide if you want to write books and how much.It needs to become a priority. You have to sit down in front of the computer(or whatever you use to write on) and write. Most of the time I write everyday.By doing that, it is easier to stay in the story. I set a word count for theweek. If I get it done before the week is over, I can take a day off. Thatinspires me to work during the week, but you know how it can be. Some days thewords just don't come. By doing a weekly word count instead of a daily one, Idon't get upset as often if I don't make my word count. That helps keep myspirits up which is important.
 So the key to producing one story after another is to writeconsistently and make it a priority. But how do I keep myself from going downin flames? Take a break when you need to. Try not to wait to the last minute towrite a book. Give yourself enough time and spread it out over weeks--months.Try not to send yourself into a panic mode too many times. It will take itstoll on you if you do it too often.

When you start to feel yourself burning out, step away forthe time being. Do something different--totally different (like the above picture--toobad the male is a cutout--now the bottom one is a little better when I was atRomCon). Change up your routine. Forget your story for a while (sometimesharder to do than say). Know when to step back from writing (not the last twoweeks before a book is due) and when you should write (near your deadlinebecause it is important to make your deadline whether self-imposed or contractimposed). If you haven't sold a book and don't have a deadline, give yourselfone. It's the same as setting a goal. When you do set that goal, pretend it isas serious as a deadline of a sold book. We need goals to keep us writing. Weneed the why we are doing something. And it is always good to establish a solidwork routine. That will make it much easier when you do sell that first book.

 There is one last tidbit to keep you producing your stories(okay maybe two). When you hit a brick wall and we all do from time to time,brainstorm with others what is bothering you about your book or what isblocking you. If nothing else, talk it out with yourself out loud if you can.Hearing it often helps me find a solution to what I need to do next. Or if thatdoesn't work, I go back and read what I've written so far. It often sparks thenext direction I need to go. Another trick is to look at the main characters'back-story. Sometimes I need to add more to his past to mold a more in-depthcharacter for my story. I often tell a writer if you feel you don't have enoughplot for your story, look at your characters and dig deeper into who they are.
 
But the bottom line if you want to produce is sit down andwrite--every day if you can. I love seeing people reading and enjoying mybooks. I want my books to make a difference in people's lives. What are somethings you do to keep yourself writing even when you don't want to?
 
  Margaret is giving away a copy of Christmas Stalking and Shattered Silence. Leave a comment to be included in the drawing.    Christmas Stalking blurb:
 
Bodyguard Ellie St. James has one objective:protect her client…without letting her know. Pretending to be Rachel"Winnie" Winfield's assistant lets Ellie stay close, but there's anunexpected complication—Colt Winfield. Winnie's grandson wasn't in on theplans, and the suspicious marine biologist isn't easy to fool. When the truthcomes out, so do more threats to Winnie's life. Trapped on a Colorado mountain,Ellie and Colt must trust each other to guard Winnie and find the stalker.Before this Christmas becomes their last.
 

Shattered Silence:
A serial killer is targeting illegalaliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a localpolice officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders. 


 While the case brings Cody and Lilianaever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. AsCody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bringpeace to the area, what they uncover isn’t what they expected. Will Cody andLiliana’s faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?
 Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-three books,has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance andlove. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with asuspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule herhousehold. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.