tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post2051104216187160746..comments2024-02-10T08:16:04.203+00:00Comments on Minxes of Romance: Kate Hardy's Guide to Time Management for WritersRomy Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989655739656698541noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-82876379143952692822010-09-05T20:20:58.017+01:002010-09-05T20:20:58.017+01:00Romy - LOL! (I'm going cold turkey on caffeine...Romy - LOL! (I'm going cold turkey on caffeine again this week. Going to be, cough, interesting...)<br /><br />Suzanne - glad it was useful.<br /><br />Jane - I did try using the clock on the computer, but I ignored it. Kitchen timer is loud and can't be ignored *g* Good idea about rewards. (I do that for revisions. So many pages and I can have a square of chocolate....)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-55899123408599126502010-09-05T02:43:08.450+01:002010-09-05T02:43:08.450+01:00A kitchen timer is a great idea for play-time, tha...A kitchen timer is a great idea for play-time, thanks for that suggestion. I actually use an alarm clock when time is short and I want to go on Twitter or check my emails first thing. (Otherwise I look up and it's noon!!) But a kitchen timer is easier to set for short amounts of time and I don't have to re-set it afterwards for 7am or whatever.<br /><br />I've always written in chunks. I'm too restless to write for hours straight through. And i like to reward myself. Another 500 words and I'll ... etc.<br /><br />Great post.Victoria Lambhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12815205146430944184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-88241008803634783592010-09-04T21:39:09.259+01:002010-09-04T21:39:09.259+01:00Time management is one of my biggest downfalls (wh...Time management is one of my biggest downfalls (which probably explains why I've arrived so late to comment on this post) so thank you very much, Kate, for your terrific advice. <br /><br />XSuzanne Ross Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08561888635304578484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-79927218006081923722010-09-04T21:34:57.854+01:002010-09-04T21:34:57.854+01:00Unplug the internet?! Next you'll be telling m...Unplug the internet?! Next you'll be telling me to take out the coffee drip!<br /><br />Seriously, this post has been really useful Kate. When you put it like that it sounds so do-able.Romy Sommerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14989655739656698541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-38116813062037402602010-09-04T14:52:35.355+01:002010-09-04T14:52:35.355+01:00Jan - honestly, it's much easier and less scar...Jan - honestly, it's much easier and less scary than people think. (Just... got to be disciplined *g*)<br /><br />Julie - yeah, it needs discipline. (Or working on the iPad because then I have to switch out of Pages completely before I can go into Safari, and that makes me feel guilty *g*)<br /><br />Lacey - glad you enjoyed it :)<br /><br />Maisey (waves back) - glad you enjoyed it. (And yeah, it's more like 9 to 2.30. If I don't get the "Mum, I forgot my PE kit/guitar/swimming kit/homework, I'll be in trouble, pleeeeeease can you bring it?" *g*) And LOL on getting your DH to unplug the modem!Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-69887481420183447052010-09-04T08:28:05.128+01:002010-09-04T08:28:05.128+01:00Kate, *waves* fab post!
*laughs hysterically* nin...Kate, *waves* fab post!<br /><br />*laughs hysterically* nine to five...hhahha...would that I had ONE child in school...<br /><br />Yes, timers are excellent. So is my hubby unplugging the wireless modem and hiding it. And as long as I don't sneak my BlackBerry in the office with me...that works. Me? Waste time? NEVER.Maiseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852983445607331991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-61232770259648749242010-09-04T02:33:17.009+01:002010-09-04T02:33:17.009+01:00Great post Kate! Thanks so much for sharing :)Great post Kate! Thanks so much for sharing :)Lacey Devlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05716109142743069204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-16207417149057026812010-09-04T00:42:45.180+01:002010-09-04T00:42:45.180+01:00Switching off the internet really does work...but ...Switching off the internet really does work...but I'm rubbish at doing it. About thirty minutes after unplugging the Air Port I'm back on the floor plugging it in again to see what people are talking about on Twitter...<br /><br />Still though I think that breaking down writing into chunks is totally the way to go, and I, like everyone, am in awe of your time management skills!Julie Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15548233186449498920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-33059021068994180352010-09-04T00:11:24.216+01:002010-09-04T00:11:24.216+01:00Great advice, Kate! You make it all sound so simp...Great advice, Kate! You make it all sound so simple!JVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02783071559844087762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-4466833971122373822010-09-03T19:52:05.217+01:002010-09-03T19:52:05.217+01:00Joanne - glad they're helpful. But do use them...Joanne - glad they're helpful. But do use them as a tool to help rather than something to beat yourself up - doesn't work for everyone, so take what's helpful and ignore the rest :o))Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-27866776580838296522010-09-03T19:51:00.487+01:002010-09-03T19:51:00.487+01:00Lorraine - yup, switching off the email definitely...Lorraine - yup, switching off the email definitely works. (If it's switched off on you by an ISP playing up, though... that's another matter!)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-72131968428407568812010-09-03T19:50:06.641+01:002010-09-03T19:50:06.641+01:00Heidi - you're such a sweetie - thank you! I d...Heidi - you're such a sweetie - thank you! I do think it's a matter of finding out how you work and tweaking things to suit you/make your life easier. (I can't do pantstering because it freezes me - and I know others who come out in hives at the idea of planning - definitely vive la difference!)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-86018564704834287462010-09-03T14:57:16.494+01:002010-09-03T14:57:16.494+01:00Kate, I am in awe! Thanks so much for visiting wit...Kate, I am in awe! Thanks so much for visiting with the minxes today and sharing these fabulous tips, I def need to have a more structured approach to time management. <br /><br />JoKathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17241471777598194240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-81508927562311452902010-09-03T12:54:39.414+01:002010-09-03T12:54:39.414+01:00Thanks for all the useful tips Kate. Your RNA work...Thanks for all the useful tips Kate. Your RNA workshop was fab, I've found setting a limit on time sucks helps, as does switching off my email!Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10619384647331952483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-77545448462345120082010-09-03T12:41:33.348+01:002010-09-03T12:41:33.348+01:00Kate, as you know I worship your time management s...Kate, as you know I worship your time management skills. I'm an owl hare according to your fab workshop at the RNA this year... And knowing that has really helped my productivity in the last few weeks. My biggest problem though is that I still seem to write in circles, however much I try to plan - with me it's always a process of trial and error (and usually more errors so lots of trials) so for every 10K I write, about 5k has to be discarded.... ARghh... Which explains why I'm nowhere near writing 6 books a year. But you give me hope... BTW am loving Red wine and Your Sexy Ex!<br /><br />Heidi xHeidi Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14925778214874519424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-79779088537883345212010-09-03T10:47:32.412+01:002010-09-03T10:47:32.412+01:00Maya - sorry about the gap in reply, had to fetch ...Maya - sorry about the gap in reply, had to fetch gingerbread from oven. LOL on being a chronic researcher. Trust me, the kitchen timer is brilliant for that! And me too on the return to school. I love spending time with my two, but structure makes such a difference...Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-66369208240602279412010-09-03T10:34:56.935+01:002010-09-03T10:34:56.935+01:00Rach - nine to five? Yeah, I wish, too! ;o)Rach - nine to five? Yeah, I wish, too! ;o)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-11279637227060587032010-09-03T10:33:36.749+01:002010-09-03T10:33:36.749+01:00Sally, I owe Michelle Styles so much for that &quo...Sally, I owe Michelle Styles so much for that "writing in chunks" advice - and it really does work for new stuff. (Doesn't for revisions, as I need to immerse myself in them - that's where I have to admit taht my time management fell down, this summer!)Kate Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-86593820060295997102010-09-03T10:24:49.884+01:002010-09-03T10:24:49.884+01:00Thank you so much for your solid advice, Kate! I a...Thank you so much for your solid advice, Kate! I admit to being a chronic *cough-researcher-cough*, literally spending hours on the internet when I should be writing. That said, when I get going I can get quite a lot done in one sitting. But I'm so looking forward to the kids returning to school so I can have some sort of writing structure once they're in bed (I'm an owl). <br /><br />MayaMaya Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04678010385699279149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-60995218745561564002010-09-03T09:42:32.798+01:002010-09-03T09:42:32.798+01:00Really useful advice,Kate, especially on the issue...Really useful advice,Kate, especially on the issue of children! <br /><br />The school day is a lot shorter than many would think isn't it? Nine to five? Ha, we wish! <br /><br />Lots of love,<br /><br />Rach.<br />XXRachel Lyndhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12654991023927933796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2126642202567930486.post-62651312258109613302010-09-03T09:19:36.127+01:002010-09-03T09:19:36.127+01:00Great post, Kate. I particularly like the advice a...Great post, Kate. I particularly like the advice about writing in chunks. I do this a lot, because sometimes it can be difficult to dedicate hours of unbroken time to writing, but if you break it into chunks, you have absolutely no excuse!Sally Clementshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00126442284080778860noreply@blogger.com