SPS-412: Time Management for Authors - with Mark Dawson 

These solo shows are gold dust. Plain talking from someone who has a proven track record in selling huge amounts of books. Excellent!

Words of wisdom from the hayloft. Thanks, James.

Thank you so much for this, Mark! I really needed this episode.

Good episode, thanks! I needed to hear the advice about writing every day, even if it's just 500 words.

Current editions of Microsoft Word now come with a dictation feature. It is pretty good as far as getting sords correct, not always, but at least you can get the words down, and a lot of them, then go back and correct typos, misheard words, etc.

Thanks for the insights, Mark. I’ve been struggling this year-I have 19 books, none of which has received any love from me once published. Always onto the next book. After attending 20 Books Vegas in 2022, I came home inspired. 2023 has been my year to give my books the attention they deserve. I’m now happy with fresh, series wide covers, blurbs that work, going wide, and creating audio versions. Now I am building a Shopify site-a learning curve, for sure. So…. I only wrote one book in 2023. A book I’m happy with, but, only one? But-no beating myself up about it. Since all my editing contracts for this year are done-I’m now down to site building before I jump into ads to all platforms-which is a change of lanes-writing in the am (the fun part) then the admin side (the necessary part) in the pm. Giving myself permission to write again feels good. Yes-it’s my own fault I found myself in this position, but I’m working my way out of it, and am seeing the light at the end of this tunnel. 2024 will see all my books wide, a site I’m proud of and a good balance between writing and admin. Hearing your routine has put a stamp on this for me. I’m headed in the right direction. Love your podcast!

Thank you so much for this! I've been struggling with time management, and this really helped me just stop, take a breath, and figure out some ways to rework the load.

Regarding getting distracted by social media, recently I bought a plug timer. People usually use them to time when their outdoor lights turn on. I have plugged my modem into it and my internet turns off at 3:00 a.m. and then back on at 3:15 p.m. . That, along with leaving my phone in the bedroom has been incredibly effective at removing my distractions. 😁

this was great, thanks! - Vesta

Super helpful, Mark. Thank you. How do you incorporate editing into your day? Is it part of the morning creative session? Do you edit the last book while writing the next? Or do you write the first draft, then edit, then move onto the next book when it's all done and dusted? Thank you.

Speeaking of time management, your complete and LONG re-route about Chatgpq was a total topic DERAIL ftom "time mgnt for authors." Jeez, why did you do this? Mention it, say it will be a future topic and Get To The POINT of the episode. Jeez, the weeds you got me/us tangled in!!!