Excerpts from Writers Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know Excerpts from the Writers Tricks of the Trade book | Page 20

MORGAN ST. JAMES
been left out? Time to write the next book.
Picture a circus performer up on a tightrope. He has to balance, be-
cause if he doesn’t he will fall into the net below. Then add another
important factor because authors have more choices than the fellow
slowly making his way across the wire. Progress doesn’t have to be a
linear forward or backward effort. However, it still boils down to
one thing: you have to promote the current book, but can’t ignore
writing the next one.
Writing is a business
Learn to treat your writing with the same discipline you would a job.
For many, it helps to actually set up an appointment calendar. I per-
sonally create a “punch list” of things I want to accomplish every
day, then tick them off as they are done. Block in the time to do in-
ternet promotion, live promotion, the time to write, the time for fun
and recreation. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy—
remember that one? Add time to interact with your family, etc. At
first it might seem very rigid, but we learn through repetition and
eventually it becomes habit. The advantage is that unless you are on
deadline, all you have to do is make adjustments when life gets in
the way of doing things the way you planned them. And, be careful
of getting hijacked by social media. It eats up hours faster than a
glutton eating dinner.
Discover a method to stay on track
If that seems too inflexible, develop a method that works for you. A
very wise man I worked for many years ago told me something I’ve
never forgotten: “Any system is a system as long as it works for
you.” Thank you, Richard Zentner! I’ve lived by those words.
One of the worst temptations is to segue into checking internet sites
and other activities that have nothing to do with your promotion
time, and I’m certainly no exception. Picture a vampire sucking the
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