Keeping track of time
Whenever I am working on a project (and especially when I am working on a challenge like the 100 Days of Making Comics challenge, or my modified writing challenge), I find it super helpful to use a timer to keep track of my hours worked (since I charge by the hour for my freelance work), and to remind me to take breaks.
There are several timer apps and options out there, from your smartphone to productivity apps for your computer like the one that I use on my mac: Be Focused Focus Timer. I have the free version installed, which is perfect for my needs. I usually just run my work sessions for the maximum of 25 minutes with a 5 minute break in between. But if I wanted to really keep track of my productivity, I could take advantage of the report setting that is included in the app.
You can adjust the time of the intervals, how many intervals you will run in a sitting, and the length of the breaks in-between. For my 30-/60 writing challenge I usually just keep working through the 5 minute breaks so that my total time spent working on the novel adds up to the 60 minutes I have set as the challenge requirement.
So how many intervals did I manage today?
I wasn’t able to get to my writing time until late this evening, but I did squeeze it in. Two 25 minute sessions of plotting (working through the breaks!) and a little bit extra for some extra research at the end.
Tonight I tried something different–I needed to work out how the two main characters felt as they both boarded the same plane, so I used the table function in Scrivener to jot down side-by-side notes for each of them. I wasn’t sure if I was going to include just one point of view for this part of the story, or two. But after writing it, I think that I will probably do both POVs as scenes–although the heroine’s will be mostly exposition at the end of her last scene. Here is a screenshot of my side-by-side notes:
Very rough pre-draft outlining here. But I am happy with the progress I made this evening, which also included researching flight times, noise-cancelling wireless earphones, and first class amenities. 😀
I hope your November writing is going well. Happy writing!
–Karyn