productivity for writers Archives - Page 2 of 2

Freelance Writing Tasks You Can Do Without the Internet

Posted on April 11, 2012 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Image via illustrationconcentration.files.wordpress.com

There is no doubt about the fact that 21^st century made a writer’s job a lot easier. Maybe the markets became more competitive, but at least now it is so much easier to contact editors, submit queries without waiting for the post office to do its job or wait for a conference to be able to get the editors to notice you (although this is still a great method for this purpose. It is just that you can’t always attend all the conferences you want to due to time, money or place constraints.)

And there is so much that we need to do on the internet – from billing to sending e-mails, from researching the web to updating our blogs…It is so easy to get worked up when our internet connection fails us. Usually this glitch is temporary, and it doesn’t cause that much of a disaster-given that we’ve saved all our work, and we haven’t left anything to the last minute.

But whether the problem lasts for a minute or a day, and whether you experience it in your office or at your favorite coffee shop/co-working space, there is no need to lose your temper or patience. There’s so much you can do in the name of productivity and creativity while you are offline. From organizing your files to taking a break, from making a list of your goals to brainstorming, you can turn the glitch into a productivity fest.

The original version of this article was published on Freelance Switch and is called Freelance Tasks To Do Without the Internet.

Enjoy your list, and save it somewhere offline for a rainy an offline day. : )

You can leave your comment here or on Freelance Switch.

Productivity for Writers: Tips to Increase Your Productivity During Hot Weather

Posted on August 10, 2011 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Writer Productivity in the Summer. Or not:)

August already arrived and yet it is still typically very hot. Oh, I’m not complaining. I always take my summer wardrobe & weather over looking like an Eskimo and a bleak winter.

However extreme heat reduces productivity and the will to work. It might also cause you to stock on iced-drinks and face the wind/air-conditioner, and ultimately making you catch a cold, like the one I’m trying to fight off right now.

Fortunately, applying a few simple tips to your daily life can help you make the best of the summer, while managing to get all your work done.

1) Air- conditioners. Not every house has one, but it is unthinkable for any respectable coffee shop not to use them. If you don’t have air-conditioning in your living quarters, you can always go to the next Starbucks or a similar concept coffee shop where you can work.

You just need to make sure that directly under the conditioners as this will most probably cause you to get sick. Also make sure you bring a sweater with you just in case. After all, outdoors might be hot enough to walk around in your swimsuit, indoors might feel like the North Pole.

2) Fans. Fans are more affordable and a lot less complicated than air-conditioners. However, most of the time, they tend to be less effective. But then again, a fan is the next best thing when there is no wind outside and you feel like the heat is suffocating you. Just make sure you get the cool indirectly as fans can also easily make you sick. I should know, I’m a few hours from taking my prescribed antibiotics.

3) Beaches and pools. If you live near a sea or an ocean, take advantage. Not only swimming will help you get fit, it will also keep you cool and fresh.

And even if you don’t live near a sea, there are usually affordable pools around. Although some people don’t enjoy the pool experience, it is a nice way to energize yourself. For instance my university gym offers a reasonably-priced membership so I go swimming almost everyday. I can work for much longer and much more productively after I swim.

You just need to make sure you don’t get in the sun without protection.

4) Showers. It is all very well to save water and protect the environment, but you can’t restrain yourself from taking regular showers as this will help you cope with the heat, especially if you live in a city where the daily average temperature easily hits 40 degrees Celsius.

You can be careful about not wasting much water, but you can’t survive without getting under the water at all.

5) Cold drinks and lots of water. Drinking lots of liquids is always crucial, especially during hot weather when you lose a lot of water through sweating. Try to make sure you consume healthy drinks, though- such as water and freshly squeezed juices. As simple as this may sound, many people often neglect this or just try to fulfill their liquid needs through fuzzy drinks, which is not the healthiest option.

Try to apply these daily and you will find it easier to work in the summer.

How to Use Our Email Accounts Productively to Avoid Procrastination

How to Turn Procrastination into Productivity: 7 Fun Tips for Writers

9 Productive Things Writers Can Do When They Have a Cold

Intelligent Productivity for Freelance Writers by John Soares -UPDATED

Posted on June 8, 2011 Written by Pinar Tarhan

UPDATE: When this post was published, the book was being sold through John Soares’ website. Unfortunately, he has taken it off the market. However he told me that he’ll be back with an even better productivity resource for writers. In the meantime, you can continue getting your dose of productivity tips from his website, Productive Writers.

It took me a whole week to go through the whole book, and I am not yet finished studying. John Soares’ e-book Intelligent Productivity for Freelance Writers consists of very informative 179 pages, and while the language is flowing enough to finish reading at one sitting, I certainly recommend against rushing through the pages.

Because, like all good e-books, this one needs to printed out. and passages need to be highlighted. You should also return to the chapters that are most relevant and helpful to your life. Without knowing the content, it might be very easy to dismiss this one as “another e-book on productivity”. Don’t make that mistake.

Not only the book is full of wonderfully applicable advice for all aspects of your freelance writing life, it also involves some great insights & tips on writing better (such as how to conduct an interview or when, why and how to work with co-authors) and making the most of your marketing as well. However, please keep in mind that this book is essentially a productivity book, so even the tips on interviewing (people) well or marketing your work are primarily focused on productivity and efficiency.

Content Breakdown- Below are some of the subjects featured on the book:

* Conventional and out-of-the box tips for storing data on multiple locations (as well as the reasons and how-to information for these methods),

* Many valid and relevant examples from the writer’s own writing habits and career,

* Ergonomics (that also includes the time you might feel like going into the woods by yourself!),

* Organizing (your files, your notes, your office),

* Effective and efficient research (online & offline),

* Online & offline networking

* When to hire others to work with/for you (and how to calculate the costs, and what to pay attention to during hiring (actually you can also benefit from this part if you are considering to work for/with other freelance writers as well),

* Goal-setting, and sticking to these goals,

* Managing the non-writing aspects of your life,

* Tips for a better memory

* Faster reading

* Healthy living

* Healthy mind

and more…. Oh, and the book is just $17.

Intelligent Productivity for Freelance Writers is the ultimate productivity book for freelance writers. It includes everything you need to do to become healthier, happier and richer. It is also feels interactive as each chapter features questions to be answered by you. You simply need to have it if you are interested in leading a better life in general.

Please note that I bought this book after reading Anne Wayman’s review, using her affiliate link. I used my affiliate links for this review.

How to Turn Procrastination into Productivity: 7 Fun Tips for Writers

Posted on March 24, 2011 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Procrastination means delaying your actions. Everyone does it. It’s not all about laziness. Some things just always get in the way of a productive day. Sometimes it is your kids, spouses or other relationships. Sometimes there is a chore or an illness. And sometimes you just feel stuck, blocked or tired. So you feel like doing anything but working.

Yes, the Internet is full of articles on how to beat procrastination. But the truth is, we all always procrastinate, one way or the other, whether we can help it or not. It is human nature. I am pretty sure sometimes the motivation is wonderfully great that delaying doesn’t even cross your mind.Take Jake Gyllenhaal for instance. Does it look like he procrastinated when it came to muscling up for his leading role in Prince of Persia? But then again he received an extra 2 million dollars just to build the muscles. Give me that money and see if I ever procrastinate when it comes to dieting…

Below, Jake Gyllenhall as Prince of Persia.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Image via screenrant.com

But hey, for us the regular folk, the motivations and the payouts aren’t always great. So instead of getting depressed and feeling guilty about all the hours and minutes taken from your work, take all those moments and turn them into something useful.

Taking Advantage of Procrastionation: 7 Tips for Writers

1) Movies. Movies are a great method of relaxation. And everyone loves a good movie, right? So lay back and watch it. Enjoy the film and write about what you think about it afterwards. Put it on your blog. Turn it into a research idea. Make that movie count for both fun and some bucks.

2) Music. Almost anyone has a favorite genre. And music is something that is integrated into in our lives and we can create many topics revolving around music. Write about it.

3) Diet breaching and procrastination. Yes, you had sworn you’d never eat that much. But you were upset or happy. Maybe you were just hungry and lazy. Fine. Go ahead. Write about it.

Diets never lose popularity. If you can manage a nice a little angle with some edge, you can query fitness magazines. You can post it on your blog if it is a related topic.

You can even review a diet book you were supposed to follow. Post it to wherever you feel appropriate. In fact, why not make some money with it? Register to Amazon’s associates program and get the link for that book. Place the link in your review.

Now, you have a second income possibility and another reason to promote that article. If it is an e-book, go and look around Clickbank. See how it is doing. And while you are at it, you might decide to write about those books, see which ones you are tempted to try. And then…That’s right. Then you write about it.

4) Out with friends: One of the most popular procrastination method of all times. While you are already out and away from your computers and notepads, just let go, recharge and come back.

5) Hour-long phone conversations with your friends. I suspect this happens more to women than men. Your friends might call to rant about their relationships or just spill their guts about their newest crush. And right there, you just got some nice material for posts on relationships and dating. We all have experience and go through some annoying yet hilarious phases in our lives. I am not saying you write the conversation down as it is and expose your friends. But you might very well use it as an inspiration point. You might not go overbroad as Sex and The City’s Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and base a whole column about it, but you can count those hours as brainstorming sessions and get something out for you.

6) Magazines. Whether you like fun lifestyle magazines or stuff about your hobbies or industries, blindly going from one page to another, why don’t you pay more attention to the headlines? The editor’s note? The masthead? The topics? What got your attention the most?

You never know, you might (and should) try to pitch that magazine someday. Even if you don’t, it is an excellent resource to keep in mind when it comes to take notes on how to grab attention and make more sales.

7) Books. There is quite nothing like a page-turner. Books that make it impossible for you to put it down don’t come out that often. So, don’t put it down.

But keep a (mental) note on what parts you like the most. You can choose to review this book, or you might want to study what made it into a seller. Also look at the publisher. After all, you might have a book manuscript belonging to a similar genre. And now you know at least one other publisher who might see that genre as relevant.

You see, any procrastination method is not to be feared but to be enjoyed and taken advantage of. This way you will have to worry less about your productivity levels. This attitude might even seriously prevent your writer’s block.

But of course if you procrastinate all the time, there is no way you can benefit from it.