16

Sep

How to Organise Your Work in Freelance Writing

Many freelance writers juggle several projects at a time. For example, I have a set number of pieces I want to accomplish this week. This includes completing my articles for Falcon Writers;  reviewing a novel for a publishing company; contributing articles for several websites; and if I get the time, continue work on my novel which has been gathering dust for some weeks. Thankfully, I don’t have a day job or family to throw into the mix. Life is busy and I do not want to halt work on my novel for another week.

As a freelance writer, you may have a busy week of your own. You need to prioritise your time and organise your work in such a way that you are not overwhelmed.

So, how can you organise your work to maximise on productivity?

Prioritise your work. Concentrate on the pieces that need to be in by a set deadline. This doesn’t mean that you should forget about the rest of your work but once you have met the deadline, your mind will be rested and more focused on the other pieces of writing you have or want to do.

Timetable your tasks. Use a calendar to allocate time for each of the tasks you have to do. Seeing a plan of action in black and white is good for the mind. It provides clarity for your mind and gives you the ability to focus  without getting anxious that you don’t have enough time to do all you need to do.

Use a notepad. Occasionally you run out of inspiration which can be a nightmare when a deadline is looming. Having a notepad handy is a good way of jotting down ideas when they come to you. I often have ideas when I am lying in bed or walking so a notepad is handy to take note before I forget them. The notepad could be a traditional (retro) pen and paper version or a mobile phone and tablet which will have similar functions such as Evernote. Having a set number of ideas at hand will keep your inspiration flowing. Imagine never running out of ideas ever again.

Find your writing space. It is a good idea to write in a place where you will be uninterrupted. This may be a room in your house or even your car, cafe, or library. You need to find a place to write where you are comfortable. Many freelance writers work from home but you need to physically move to a place which is your designated writing spot, free from any other distraction. Once there the serious business of writing can begin. Get into the zone of ‘going to work’ and treat your freelance writing as a job you go to.

Prepare for the next day. At the end of each writing day, do the following to help you start the next day fresh:

-Tick off the tasks you have completed.

-Tidy your desk.

-Check your calendar for the next day’s plan and organise what you need before your day ends.

This way you will be able to start the next day with everything you need and begin to work immediately. Being prepared physically is being prepared mentally.

I hope you have a good and productive week with your freelance writing.