VERSATILITY

How I manage multiple unrelated creative projects and do them all justice

As a full-time author and freelance writer, on any given day I may be called upon to write content completely unrelated to the other projects already on my table, including the novel I am currently working on. This is because I enjoy writing about a variety of subjects and consider myself a versatile writer. It would drive me nuts to write about one thing all the time.

It is extremely important to mentally compartmentalize each project, and fully understand its unique purpose, parameters, and objectives. This is necessary to be able to focus on each task completely, to prevent the bleeding of information, style, or voice from one into another.

Depending on how busy my calendar is, I accomplish this in a variety of ways. Here are some of the strategies I use to ensure autonomy between projects:

1)      Scheduling

The first priority is to block out time each day for writing my novel. This time is set in stone barring any unusual demands or an emergency. Ideally, a minimum of four hours is preferable. This still provides four to eight hours of time to devote to other projects. (I will work anywhere from eight to twelve hours each day.) Then, I block out an appropriate amount of time for each freelance project, also set in stone. These time blocks are the pillars of my workday. If I do not adhere to them rigidly, the structure of my schedule breaks down, and things can become chaotic and even overwhelming. When freelance projects are light, I am more than happy to spend additional time on my novel.

2)      Separation

I never move directly from one project to another. The mindset usually needs to be different for each one, and there needs to be a mechanism to transition properly from one to another. This is analogous to “cleansing one’s palate” when sampling different foods or wines.  I accomplish this by taking fifteen to thirty minutes between projects, while still remaining productive. These transition times are when I accomplish administrative tasks, write and return emails, open snail mail, update my calendar, pay bills, or have a meal or a snack. On most days I will also take thirty minutes at midday, and in the early evening (if I’m still working) to relax and do absolutely nothing to clear my head. 

3)      Isolation

        Interruptions are the biggest threat to my productivity. If I am deep in the creative zone and my phone buzzes, or the doorbell rings, or someone comes into my office, bad things happen. A great thought vanishes. Momentum slows. Flow stops. It’s like if you are driving a race car and you have to stop for a train. I find it is imperative to have a private, somewhat secluded workspace, where I can close a door and completely shut out the outside world. I have telecommuted since long before Covid and have always had an office in my home that was used almost exclusively for that purpose. When I had limited room, such as when my children were growing up, I might share a space but would ensure it was mine alone during the workday. I know some writers who will move around, have their laptop on their knees on the sofa, in bed, or on the back patio. This doesn’t work for me.

4)      Mood

This strategy is more personal and may not work for everybody. I almost always listen to music while I write. When I was growing up and going to school, I always listened to music when doing homework or reading. This did not distract me but somehow helped me focus even better. When I am writing, music propels me forward in a way and it can put me in the ideal frame of mind for the subject matter. I choose different genres of music that, for me, align with the tone and style of the particular project. I often listen to classic rock (my favorite) for my novels, sometimes heavy metal when working on fast-paced action scenes or a thriller. Classical goes well with topics such as philosophy or spirituality. I like jazz if I am writing about travel, entertainment or sports. But to each their own.

These are some of the strategies that have worked successfully for me. If you are a writer, I would be very interested to learn about how you stay productive and juggle your workload. What personal methods do you utilize to achieve success? Please comment and share.