Comments on: The Caffeinated Writer’s Guide to Getting It Done

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:01:00 +0000

That's why I've worked phone calls into my fees. I don't mind taking their calls if it's critical. That time, however, is compensated. It's part of doing the job for them, in my view.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:08:04 +0000

For me, it's no phone calls. I got rid of the cellphone, and the landline is OFF when I'm working. If someone schedules a call - which is charged, in 15 min. increments -- I turn it back on.

Otherwise, if you need to reach me, email me.

90% of the phone calls are nothing more than a waste of time, a way for the caller to feel like he's doing something. If you're going to waste my time, it will cost.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 16:54:05 +0000

Lucky duck. Sounds like the worst of it missed you. We were double-digits below zero, with wind chills down to -50. Our warming trend arrives today, with an expected high of 10...but up to the 30s by this weekend. Yay!!

Knowing my next gas bill will probably be at least $250 is a good motivator to redouble marketing efforts.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 13:25:27 +0000

I think we got the brunt of it yesterday, Paula. It went from 4 degrees up to 12. Today, it started at 12. We're expected to be in the low 60s by Sunday.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 23:27:59 +0000

Lori, once the Polar Vortex reaches you, 10 degrees will sound toasty! We were thrilled to get up to 1 above today…which of course means it's headed your way. Sorry about that!

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 17:56:01 +0000

Good practice, Anne.

Warm is the challenge today -- it's currently "up" to 10 degrees.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:55:54 +0000

In addition to lists and allocating time I also occasionally actually time how long it takes me to do x… although after all these years my estimates are pretty good I do like to double check myself once in a while…

Stay warm and off the ice!

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:51:30 +0000

List lovers unite! Same here, ladies.

Cathy, that works for me, too. If it's in front of me, I'm less inclined to ignore it.

Paula, that works well for me, too. Yesterday I managed a huge chunk in a large project in just over an hour. I hit the timer and ignored everything else because the timer was running. Psychology works!

Gabriella, LOL! I love the "you're crazy!" response. Good idea to push back on the deadline when you know it's not going to work, though. :)

By: Gabriella F

Gabriella F — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:13:36 +0000

I do much the same as you, Lori.

I write a list of all my upcoming deadlines, in chron order so I know what I have to focus on and the time cushion I have to work with.

I don't formally time myself, but I do have mental time frames. For example, I'll plan to finish x project by noon and get y project done by 3. Or I'll leave an entire day to write a feature.

I also don't plan phone calls on days I have to write. That leaves me big chunks of those days uninterrupted, making it easier for me to concentrate.

Finally, much like you, I talk to clients. This ties into the first point of listing my projects. If a client says, as one did on Dec. 3, she'd like to have an article done by Jan. 2 (over the holidays, when nobody's available?!), I can quickly scan my workload and immediately say, "You're crazy!"--in an ever-so-polite way.

People wonder how I can work out of my home and stay motivated and on track. It's all about planning and organization.

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:02:24 +0000

You fared better than I did with ice. We had an ice storm two weeks ago when the guest dogs were here. Had them out and it was rainy and not slippery. An hour later one of them needed an extra trip out. We went out the front door and I discovered the cement steps were iced over when I fell down them. Luckily I had a thick coat on and only bruised an elbow.

We're in the deep freeze, but no warm weather in front of it. Snow, more snow and temps plunged last night. Today our high temp is supposed to hit -14. After taking my dog out at 9:30 this morning I checked and the air temp was -18 and the windchill was -45. I don't even want to know how cold it got overnight. Scariest part? We're several degrees warmer than the coldest parts of the nation. But as long as the heat's on, one day of this is way better than dealing with ice.

I live by lists, but when I have multiple assignments, like now, I dedicate specific times of day to them. Early morning is for correspondence and LOI follow ups. The pair of assignments I have to wrap up for one client will be my focus in late morning and into the noon hour. The afternoon will be devoted to working on the new assignments from Favorite Editor.