Do you write more in the fall and winter than in the warmer months? I certainly do, which is part of the reason why this is such an important time for me. Self-discipline is definitely a requirement if you’re a writer, and that can be hard to manage. During the summer, we’re exceptionally busy with conventions and social events, and I find that it takes me about a week to get back into a routine if my schedule is disrupted because I’ve been going for a few days.

These next few months are pretty important for me, because this is also the time when I reassess my goals for the year. As you know I’m finishing the revisions for a novel, but I’ve also got a few other things in the works and I’ve been building my local offline connections, too. Getting into a routine not only helps me manage my time, it also helps me be more productive (and less distracted) too.

This is part of the reason why I’m so picky about the planners I choose. A planner has to have room to write and I need to be able to “see” my day. As someone who makes every attempt to be eco-conscious, recycled paper is also important to me, too. I picked up a Quo Vadis Planner a few weeks back and I couldn’t be happier. The weekly planner fits my writing schedule and it’s also good for the environment. It came with recycled paper and allows me to simply buy refills, so I don’t have to worry about finding a new planner that works when this one is used up.

Juggling work with writing is definitely doable for me, but it does take planning and a certain amount of crystal-ball gazing to do it. I have to admit I’m looking forward to the colder months, because I can’t wait to kick up the word count (both personal and work-related) for an exciting fall/winter season.