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I ask this because for me, this year is a strain. I have a certain commitment to holiday rituals. I make candy and cookies, box them up and send them out. I make my own Christmas cards. But now, November is NaNo. I’m behind schedule on the cards.
I only have a few days now to make, package and mail. I’m falling behind and I’m stressed.
Adding to the stress, I need to edit, revise and finalize a series. And design and produce book covers. Keeping in mind I don’t know how to do what needs to be done with the covers. The series first book has been scheduled to be released late January.
Now, I have admittedly bitten off more than I can chew. I need to revise my ‘production’ calendar for Christmas cards. And probably revise my future schedule on release dates for books.
What are you encountering? How are you handling it?
Hugs! I hear you 100%. I started in September with a “release a month” schedule starting October to build up enough of a backlist so I can start being noticed. I’ve managed two releases (a romance novel and a fantasy short story), and am working on the December SF novel, but it’s been a real strain to get all the pieces done. I’m planning to stretch the schedule starting next year, because it’s just not doable. Yes, Muse Conf, NaNo, Thanksgiving, and the upcoming stuff for Xmas/Chanukah aren’t helping
.So, yes, recognizing that the schedule was too tight is important. Remember that you’re in this for the long haul and revise as necessary to keep going strong (your schedule as well as your books that is).
She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/I had hoped to get our next anthology out last month. Complications with the long-view story made that impossible. Now it’s the holidays and, frankly, I can’t do it right now. I look at ‘what’s the consequences of not getting something done’. For me, the consequences of putting the anthology off until life is saner are pretty mild. So, that’s what I’m doing. The stories will still be there when I get back to them.
–June
A very good way of looking at it
. I had planned a different release for November, but the edit turned out to be much more complicated than expected. Rather than put it out before it was done, or skip November all together, I put out a 7k short story instead.She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/Yep, as I expected the FM crowd has obstacles and are dealing with them.
For me. Next year my Christmas Cards will be designed and done in October. For me part of the holiday build up was the designing and making of the cards but really, I love sending hand made cards. I can make them any time and still send them after Thanksgiving.
The cookie and candy making really needs to be closer to the beginning of December. I want people to receive them and enjoy them while they’re still fresh. And as a bonus for those I send other gifts to, like my Mom, they get to put something under the tree earlier.
Finally. As a project manager by trade, I strive to get a project done on time and on budget and for me, with as little stress as possible. Missing mailing dates makes a big stressor. So, my plan is to always plan my activities to accommodate mailing times. I’m taking big, deep breaths. I don’t have the schedule tweeked just right yet. Every year is a new chance.
I realized today I should probably start my present shopping, even if I haven’t finished the current novella-in-progress.
Thanks. The answer would be it’s working out. In the final stages of my SF release.
She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/I have a pinched nerve in my wrist – cannot user right hand as more than a hook or brace. Can’t really hold a pen (if I write 1-2 sentences, I pay for that the rest of the day). Typing with my left hand and an occasional peck from one of the less disgruntled fingers.
Typos galore. Driving me nuts to try to find, correct them.
This began 23 Nov – earliest appointment I could get with specialist is New Year’s Eve…
Threw all schedules and goals out the window for now, until I know more – although have already made a few small steps to begin training myself to write with left hand. At least I get to relax a bit with pen on paper, but not much help with typing.
May have to scrape the cash together for Dragon. I hate trying to learn new software. Excuse the gloom. I use my right hand for much more than writing. Can’t lean on right hand / arm – a lifelong habit to get close enough to see things. Can’t do anything by feel with right hand. Wracking my entire body to do anything. Leaft shoulder already sore. So am going craaaazzzzy…
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