by Sandy Kirby Quandt @SandyKQuandt

Tackling writing tasks can overwhelm. At least that’s been my experience. Instead of looking at writing as a process of many small steps, I have a tendency to look at it as one gargantuan task which needs completed. Write the book! 

When I look at writing in that way, the project seems insurmountable. A mountain too high to climb. Instead of looking at the mountain peak looming overhead, perhaps it’s best to look at the step in front of us, and then the next, and the next, and the next. Before long, we’ll find we’ve reached the summit, tackled each task, and completed the project that once intimidated us. 

There are several steps I’ve found which help tackle writing tasks. At the most basic level, we need to know our ultimate goal. Do we want to write a blog post, devotion, article, poem? Write a short story or book? Once our goal is established, break it down into a list of smaller tasks. Evaluate what task should be done first, or what we have the time and resources to accomplish right now. After we figure that out, prioritize our remaining tasks. 

Break the project down into smaller, one-day-at-a-time-size tasks. I look at the large picture-finish the book. From there, I work backwards to see what it will take to accomplish finishing the project in daily, weekly, and monthly increments. 

I’m a huge list maker. The problem I have, though, is I write tasks on my daily list which are impossible for me to complete in one day. When that happens, the tasks I was not able to get to are moved to the next day, where I already have a full list. It’s easy for me to become discouraged, since my to-dos start stacking up like airplanes on the tarmac waiting to take off. So, we need to be realistic in what we can and can’t complete in any given time. 

I admire writers who complete a first draft and edits in six months or less. Or who publish a book every year. I’m not one of them. We should write to our strengths. At the same time, we need to be mindful not to use a weakness as an excuse not to push ourself. 

With the goal of finishing the project established, evaluate what tasks need completed first. What do we have the time or resources to accomplish right now? Do we need to spend time studying a particular aspect of the writing craft before going any further? Do we need to spend time brainstorming? What about time spent researching our topic or market? And of course, there is the time spent composing our thoughts and writing them down. 

As we consider these things, we need to make sure we leave margin in our calendar for life events and appointments that have nothing to do with writing. God, family, friends, writing. In that order. 

Some final thoughts to consider. 

• Prayerfully evaluate your schedule and abilities. 
• Ask God for wisdom in breaking down large tasks.
• Ask a close friend to help keep you accountable to meet the goals you set. 
• Perseverance is as important as planning when it comes to tackling writer tasks.
• Schedule your most difficult tasks close to the beginning of a project to prevent procrastination. This comes from a major procrastinator extraordinaire.
• Celebrate the wins. Don’t discount even the smallest forward progress. 
• As you celebrate, remember to praise God for every success. 

No matter how long it takes to tackle your writing tasks, remember, Jesus is right there with you every step of the way, cheering you on to completion.  

What steps have you found that help tackle your writing tasks?

Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer the goal. Elbert Green Hubbard

I wish you well. 

Sandy

Sandy Kirby Quandt is a former elementary school educator and full-time writer with a passion for God, history, and travel; passions that often weave their way into her stories and articles. She has written numerous articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children publications. Her devotions appear in two Worthy Publishing compilation books; So God Made a Dog, and Let the Earth Rejoice. She has won several awards for writing including the 85th and 86th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition in the Young Adult category, First Place in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Children’s Literature 2016 Foundation Awards, First Place in the 2017 Foundation Awards in the Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Flash Fiction categories. Looking for words of encouragement or gluten-free recipes? Then check out Sandy’s blog, Woven and Spun. When The Way Is Steep