Do you wish you had more time to do the things you’d like to do? In our writers’ group meeting, we discussed writing tools which can help us to save time and get more done.
This inspired me because in 2019, writing has dropped off my radar. I don’t have hours to write. Although I’ve had spare minutes here and there, I haven’t used them for my writing.
That brought a realization: planning is essential to maximize your time.
Writing tools: plan first
If you want to use your spare minutes for writing, you need to plan for it. That was my downfall. I’d have ten minutes to half an hour of waiting time. I could have used those minutes to write, but write what?
1. Plan, brainstorm, and research with Trello (free)
I’ve used Trello in the past. I came back to it, because one of our members suggested using Trello for storyboards. Another suggested using it for planning and research.
Since I always have lists of things I want to research for my Regency series, I created a Research/ Reference board in Trello immediately.
Trello’s also brilliantly for planning and ideas — you can add attachments to any card, so you can send photos to any board.
2. Access your files wherever you happen to be (free)
Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive… With so many options to store your files in the cloud, you can take your writing with you so you can write anywhere.
Google Drive and Dropbox offer some storage for free. If you have Microsoft 365, you also get free storage. It’s worth checking your subscription apps to see which ones come with free storage; many do.
3. Get inspired with audio: music and podcasts
It’s easy to lose your motivation to write. Music can help, and so can podcasts for writers.
Numerous websites will create MP3s from your own writing too. Listening to an MP3 helps you to get back into a writing mood and write, even if you only have five minutes.
Did you know that short story of 5,000 words can make more money than a 60,000 word novel?
A Regency time travel romance... What if you could escape across time, and find your soulmate?
Pure evil dispatches gorgeous Tara Ballantine across the centuries, to Regency England. Tara lands on Adam Jervoise, Earl of Hillingworth -- literally -- as he's riding through a bluebell wood.
Hillingworth is handsome, rich, and kind. He's also set to propose to an heiress.
When Tara realizes that she's falling in love with the earl, she fights the feeling.
At 24, not only is Molly Ballantine stunning, she has two sisters she loves, and a wonderful career. Then her eldest sister Tara vanishes, and her life disintegrates.
Molly's life is about to become even more chaotic. She wakes up in a brothel with a man who's too good-looking for her peace of mind.
22-year-old Priscilla Ballantine wakes up 200 years in the past, naked in the arms of handsome aristocrat, and master spy, Dominick de Roche, Lord Bellemieux. Priscilla's accused of spying, and is in danger of summary execution. She can't help thinking that she wouldn't be in such a mess if Dominick de Roche hadn't mistaken her for one of his contacts...
