Tag: productivity

World Wide Writeathon Fundraiser & NESCBWI Conference Registration

March 18, 2022 / Katie L. Carroll

Lots of irons in the fire going on here! I’ll be making a very exciting book announcement soon, so stay tuned for that. I’m also getting very close to being able to share illustration and cover news for my upcoming picture book MOMMY’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I also have a lot of book release news cooking for next year (I know it’s only March, but publishing thinks ahead!).

Today, I’m highlighting two upcoming events that are of interest to fellow writers. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 10 a.m. (ET), you can join me, Julie Zantopoulos, Katlyn Duncan, and Amber McManus for the World Wide Writeathon Fundraiser Sprint. Grab you WIP and get some work done with us!

The charity for the sprint is Rescue.org and our fundraiser will help the fleeing families of the Ukraine. Learn more about the charity here: https://help.rescue.org/donate/ukraine-acq.

The second event is the New England SCBWI 2022 Regional Conference , which takes place April 29 – May 1, 2022. Registration opens today! The theme is “find your star, let it shine.” This conference is once again virtual, so you can attend from anywhere (and in your pajamas if you’d like).

I’ll be teaching an intensive workshop called “What to Expect When You’re Self-Publishing.” I’m really excited to share what I’ve learned about this booming sector of the publishing world and give attendees a guide to start their own self-publishing journey.

There are a ton of other amazing workshops and keynotes from a distinguished group of kidlit creators, including Jane Yolen, Padma Venkataraman, Tara Lazar, Heidi Stemple, Rajani LaRocca, and John Parra. Check out all the workshop options, faculty bios, and registration on the NESCBWI conference page.

You can always check out my Events page for all my upcoming author events and don’t forget you can now buy ebooks and signed print books directly from me on my Purchase Books page. What have you been working on lately?

White Noise Recommendations to Write Faster When You’re Feeling Unproductive

April 6, 2021 / Katie L. Carroll

Writing during the pandemic has been really different. I know some writers who have felt productive because they’ve had more time to focus on writing (lucky them!), but many others, like parents, who haven’t been able to fit in writing time. Then there are the writers who may have the time but can’t find the focus.

This was from the days when I used to write at the cafe…the good old days!

I totally get it! At the beginning of the pandemic when the of five us were home all the time, I thought it would be a long time before I figured out a way to fit in writing.

But then I talked to a friend who had been getting up early to write and I (virtually) joined in on her sessions. Naturally, I blogged about this in “WIP Update: Witchy Middle Grade & a Fear of Asking for Help”.

This was back in June 2020, and since then I’ve basically written and revised an entire 59,000-word middle grade novel and worked on a few smaller pieces as well. It’s a level of productivity I couldn’t have imagined achieving this time last year, but I’m not here to brag about this (even if I am proud of it!).

I’m here to say that it’s okay to be unproductive, especially when facing a global pandemic. I basically did a whole webinar with tips on how to be more productive as a parent writer (which is good for any busy writer) where I also tried to help listeners feel okay about not writing. You can watch it for free or check out any of the other Indie Author Project Expert Sessions if you have the time. 😉

One thing that has really helped me to focus has been listening to some kind of white noise. I find music with lyrics can be distracting while I’m writing. But instrumental music that has the right mood to fit what I’m working on or white noise is perfect for keeping my internal editor in check and my mind on task.

So let’s get to those white noise recommendations already!

Spotify is my go-to app when I want thematic instrumental music. There are a ton of pre-made playlists that you can use search for. For my witchy middle grade, my favorite was “spooky instrumental”. When I write fantasy, I’m partial to this “Fantasy Board Gaming” one.

For something more like white noise, I turn to YouTube. For spring, I’ve been listening to this “Spring Rain Sounds” one. When I want to feel cozy, I enjoy fireplaces and thunderstorms, like this Royal Library one.

My most recent discovery is a site called I Miss My Cafe where I can channel those cafe writing sessions I used to have. You can choose which sounds to listen to, from the barista calling out orders to other customers chatting in the background to street ambiance, and pick your volume. There is also Coffitivity, which isn’t as customizable but good nonetheless.

What do you like to listen to while writing or working?

Recognizing Different Kinds of Productivity

June 21, 2017 / Katie L. Carroll

I’ve been feeling particularly unproductive this year, in part because I haven’t been doing much drafting. It’s my favorite part of the writing process and the one that creatively feels the most fulfilling. I feel whole when I’m in the midst of a draft and able to lose myself in the process of adding words to the page.

The other part of feeling unproductive is being pregnant. With the bad colds all winter long, the morning sickness for the first half of the pregnancy, and the fatigue and swelling that’s come with the last trimester and warmer weather, I haven’t exactly been racking up the work hours. I get that my limits are temporary and necessary right now, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t frustrating as well.

So I’m trying to recognize other ways I’ve been productive this year. The obvious one is I’m growing a baby (no small feat!). I’m also bringing a book baby into the world in October with my middle grade adventure PIRATE ISLAND. I’ts the first time I’m self-publishing a book, and I’ve learned a ton about the process this year, much of which I’ve enjoyed…even when it’s slightly frustrating and takes more time than I had hoped.

Then there are those other little guys (The Boy and The Prince) who demand so much of my time. The Boy flourished in kindergarten and is on his way to being a big first-grader. The Prince is learning and growing so much and will start preschool in the fall. I’ve been doing my best to spend as much quality time with those two before baby (a.k.a. The Gentleman) comes.

I’ve been working on a picture book, doing some freelance work, and working on other small projects as well. Then there’s the veggie garden (we picked our first peas of the season the other day), prepping for baby (six months worth of laundry washed, sorted, and folded and new mini-van purchased), blogging, and all those other things that require time and attention (grocery shopping and dinner, I’m looking at you!).

So, yeah, I think it’s fair to say that I’ve been as productive as I can be with the time and energy I have right now. And it’s important to recognize that (even blog about it) to validate that I’m doing stuff…even if it’s not all the stuff!

What kind of productive have you been lately?