The Golden Pencil: The Freelance Writer’s Resource

Moving Between Projects.

by Anne Wayman on May 16th, 2007

A friend just emailed me asking how I switch from one project to another. She’s finding that what she calls her main ghostwriting contract is taking all her energy, leaving her feeling like she can’t get other work done.

Some of my ability to shift from project to project is simply practice. I’m not sure, but I suspect in the beginning of my writing career I was in the same position she’s in now.

So how do manage more than one project at a time? Some of it is planning. I know I can’t dig deeply and write well on any project for more than three or four hours a day, sometimes a bit less, sometimes a bit more – but if I want to write well tomorrow, I’ll limit my time today.

1. I have only one major project at a time. That’s usually a ghostwriting contract. I have other writing things going on like this blog, the jobs, etc., but they don’t take a ton of time.
2. I schedule that time. Four hours is actually blocked out on my calendar five days a week.
   I’m willing to turn off both the radio and the phone during that time – I don’t always have to, but often I do.
3. I’m also willing to let my smaller projects slide if I need to.
4. When I switch, I focus. That’s always hard to describe, but when I work on the major project that’s what I do. Oh I may make another cup of coffee, or step outside for a breath of fresh air, but that’s about it. I usually don’t check email either, although I might if I’m expecting something interesting or important – but briefly.

Some of this is native talent, but most of it is practice, discipline and a fear of having to take a regular job.

So how do you handle multiple projects?

Write well and often,

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POSTED IN: Musings From A Freelance Writer