Summary: [The following is only a glimpse of the topic … not a transcription]<br> <br> A heads up: At over 13 minutes, this episode is significantly longer than my usual 3-6 minute podcast episodes.<br> <br> You sit down to write only to realize you've got a long list of tasks necessary to the work of writing, but after you check them off your list, you haven’t the word count to show for it.<br> <br> Let’s call these: “Non-writing Writing Tasks.” <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> If you’ve never really thought about this category of tasks or planned for them, you’ve probably felt frustrated. Even though this kind of work is a support or extension of our writing, we can resent it or feel like we’re wasting valuable time. <br> <br> But if we’re going to be the least bit serious about our writing, we’re going to have to do some non-writing, writing tasks. It’s part of the work. It’s actually good news: You’re a writer—you have non-writing tasks to do associated with your projects and goals and deadlines!<br> <br> <br> <br> How to approach non-writing writing tasks:<br> <br> Acknowledge them<br> Accept them<br> Record them<br> Attack them<br> Actually write<br> <br> If you wonder what are some of your non-writing writing tasks, I offer ideas. In fact, one reason this episode got long is because I review a list of non-writing writing tasks for you to listen through and decide which belong on your own master to-do list. It’s a long list. Grab a pen and paper. <br> <br> Some of the resources mentioned in this podcast:<br> <br> 5 Non-Writing Tasks Writers Need to Master<br> 5 Strategies for Writers to Manage Non-Writing Tasks<br> Todoist.com for creating a master list<br> Bullet Journal<br> <br> You can subscribe to The Writing Life with Ann Kroeker with iTunes and Stitcher.
