I Don't Have A Lot Of Time, But...

Several days ago, I mentioned creating a schedule for myself. I quickly discovered that, while I can easily create one, I wouldn't stick to one. LOL

Since then, however, I've found a method that works for me. I've begun working in 60 minute increments followed by a 60 minute break. I even have a timer that sits next to my computer to keep me on track. I still don't have a particular start time, but at whatever time I do start, I make sure that my timer is set. Occasionally, I've really been into a project and have not wanted to stop at the designated time. In those cases, I reset my timer for another 60 minutes and keep writing for the whole extra 60. Then, when I do break, I do my best to set my timer for another 60 minutes so that I'm prompted to get started again after a brief rest. In all honesty, I don't always come back from my breaks, but most of the time I do. Overall, though, it's helped me add some structure and discipline to my day. So, while I'm not quite there yet, I have been able to get a lot more accomplished and remain a lot more focused throughout the day.

Another thing that is helping me tremendously is to stay off of my favorite message boards during the daytime hours. When I started the timer thing, I was allowing myself to visit AbsoluteWrite.com and WAHM.com during my hour-long breaks (as well as other non-writing boards and blogs that I enjoy hanging out on). And, even though, most times I'd get back to work after an hour, what I found myself doing was ONLY working one more hour as I was longing to get back to various topics on the boards. :) I was justifying doing so by the fact that I learn so much from other writers on these boards, but after a few days, I had to be honest with myself...I was procrastinating. So, as of yesterday, I'm trying a new discipline which only allows me to get on my favorite boards at night. Last night, I scheduled myself for after 10:30p, but starting tonight, I think I'm going to bump that time up to 9p instead.

The discipline is paying off too. I had a lot of unfinished articles that I needed to wrap up and edit and a list of new article topics that I've been able to tackle now that I'm better focused. I'll be doing a lot of querying and submitting next week as a result. Yay!

Oh, and I keep forgetting to update everyone on the freelance position I landed a couple of weeks back. I shared with you how I was offered a contract that I wasn't even close to being satisfied with and that I immediately voiced my concerns to the magazine. I also told you how I was told to disregard that particular contract as it was sent by mistake. Well, they sent me another one that was a little better, but not quite what I could agree to just yet. I revised it a great deal and returned the revisions to them while making it clear that I'm ready to sign and submit (I have several articles ready) if we can agree on the revisions. At that point, I was asked to be on their Executive Committee and told that they will review the new terms and get back to me. I told them that we can discuss the possibilities of me joining the EC after we shore up the contract details. It's been 2 days and I haven't heard anything back yet, but I'll keep you posted on the details as they develop.

I just want everyone reading this to understand the importance of, not only reading your contracts, but making adjustments in areas where you can't agree. I don't know how all of this will turn out, but I do know that it will work in everyone's best interest, either way. We're self-employed professionals, not employees...if we don't like the agreements as they're presented to us, we don't have to agree! If we take this approach, from the beginning, I'm optimistic that we'll have a much better time in this business in the long run.

There's more to blog about, but I'm really hungry right now and you know I'm on this hour break thing, so my tummy is winning the battle between writing and eating right now. ;)

Here are a few quick links to paying eZines open to freelancers before I go (you didn't think I'd leave you without a little further exploration, did ya?):

http://www.cyberguidelive.com/writers.html

http://www.dfire.org/

http://www.entrepreneur.com/Home/HM_Static/1,4472,writers_guidelines,00.html

http://www.guidepostsmag.com/writers_guidelines.asp

http://www.cog7.org/BA/NowWhat/

http://www.passageway.org/

http://www.transcendmag.com/get_published.htm

http://www.womensenews.org/ (request guidelines on site)

http://jflmedia.com/

http://www.jvibe.com/ (request guidelines on site)

http://myhero.com/myhero/go/create/index.asp

http://www.teensforjc.com/teens/authors/register (needs teen writers)

http://simplejoy.org/guidelines.htm

I can't personally vouch for any of these (yet), but they're all on my list of markets I've looked into and I understand them to all be paying markets. On some, the guidelines are available online, but for others, you'll have to shoot the editor a request. You may also want to find out if a query is necessary or if manuscripts can be sent directly. Remember NOT to submit emailed queries or manuscripts as attachments, but to copy and paste them in the text of your email.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and that next week will be our best ever.

Take care and God bless!

~BabyBlogger