Podcast 16! Time Management and tips on Sub-Ops

We writers are not immune to the trouble time can cause.

It used to be that years ago we spent a ton of time writing things down on calendars or writing things down in day planners, but those fell victim to the ascension of the smart phone and laptops. 

Ask yourself this critical question. What time of day do you best write? I know it seems like it wouldn’t matter. I had the same feeling myself. I mean, really why would it matter when I am putting pen to paper? Well, it does.

I work best in the morning. My real no-go times are around 2:30-4:30. That two hour time period, I am likely to stare at my computer screen and get nothing done. That is not to say I am actually that productive later in the evening. As a matter of fact, I really have a hard time doing any work on my current work in progress at night.

The afternoons seem to be a sweet spot for writing podcast scripts. And yes, I do write a script. If you ever decide to do a podcast, I just want to reinforce the importance of a script. Unless it is an interview segment, but even those must have a script as well, so you let the interviewee know what questions you are going to ask before you ask them.

After dinner, around 7:00, it’s editing time. I am not sure why it is, but I have a better go at editing in the evening than I do during the day. I have tried to do it first thing in the morning, but it is an utter and complete failure. So, editing is an evening activity for me.

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And we are back. Now I know that there are few things which scare me more than the idea of having to schedule something. My friend and award-winning author, C.J. Ellison, actually puts together a whole series of planners which help people keep their writing straight. If you are a planner, then these things are for you. Check them out, they are amazing. I am going to leave a link in the show notes for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/PlotYourWork/

Now, I secretly envy her organizational skills, don’t tell her that. I can’t do that kind of organizing thing generally speaking. I like my hap-hazard style. However, there are some things that I absolutely need to schedule.

Next is the all-mighty sub-op. A sub-op is a submission opportunity. When you see a submission opportunity, put it on your calendar right away. The last thing you want to do is see something you are really jazzed about then forget to hit the submit button on your e-mail.

Do your homework when you first see it come up. Publishers put together a list of things they want to see when they post something like this. So, save yourself, and them, some additional steps and make sure you are putting it in the correct format. This is critical. Most publishers will literally hit the delete key if they see anything not sent in the right format. 

Also, take time to look at what they have already published and try to write in such a way which will appeal to them. If they say no ghosts, then no ghosts. If they want only stories about lesbian goldfish who want

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