SiteRW Makeover #2: Deadlines and Travel Writing
by Jen A. Miller
Last time I posted an update about my fun fun RW Makeover, I was just about to head to the Philadelphia Phillies home opener. Well, it’s past the all-star break, Chase Utley broke his wrist, and I’m about to throw in the towel on that season.
But the calendar almost turned to August means one thing for me: my book’s just about due. A quick reminder: I’m writing a travel guide to the South Jersey shore, a book that now has a name! The South Jersey Shore, Atlantic City to Cape May: Great Destinations. It’s being published by Countryman Press in spring 2008.
I’ve learned a lot in the process, mostly (duh) about travel writing. But I’ve also learned a lot about priorities and time management.
To start, I’ve used Linda’s advice about not checking email that often. I can’t cut down to only twice a day like she has, but not looking for that little “new email” sign on my inbox has kept me more focused on the task at hand.
I’ve gone back to making daily tasks lists e.g. here’s what I need to do today. Then I go through the list, slashing something off the list when it’s done. I try not to stray from that list because, again, it’s a time suck.
Now on to priorities. I signed up for the RW makeover because I wanted to write more about books. It’s something I’ve had to cut back on while writing my own book because, well, I have a deadline for this one. So I’ve been much more selective in what review projects I’ve taken on. It’s given me the chance to figure out what kinds of books I really like to read instead of pitching everything and anything to any book editor I can find, because those are the only books I’m going to read right now. What have I learned? I’m not that big fiction fan. Instead, I like interesting non-fiction titles, like one I reviewed for the St. Pete Times. I also just turned in a piece about a vampire book to a regional magazine — another one I enjoyed reading because it was just so damn interesting. I think that figuring this out will help me when I’m back at book reviewing and writing-about-books.
I also started a blog. I know that might seem like a time suck, and at times it is. But it’s a blog that will be used as a promotional tool for my book, and I’m starting amass a readership now (so read it!). It’s also a spot for me to vent a smidge about the process of travel writing, which can be fun, lonely, stressful and exciting at the same time.
So enjoy the summer while it lasts. I’m about to slash “post on Renegade Writer” off my task list. Up next? Call mom. Gulp.
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