Feeling Overwhelmed with Your Work Load?

First drafts, research, edits – it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There are steps you can take to get through it.

• Write it down – I often make lists of everything that’s causing me stress. There is something about getting it from your mind to paper that helps keep it in perspective.

• Start with something small – I love Dave Ramsey’s snowball method for paying off debt. He recommends you start with the smallest debt. Once you pay that off, you work on the next smallest debt. Why? It builds momentum. If you’re working on a large project, start with something easy to get your momentum going.

• Don’t get caught up in the details – Have you read every craft book on Amazon? Have you done so much research on your topic you could fill a library with the information? You don’t have to know everything you think you could possibly need to know before you begin a project. Sit down and do it.

• Make it fun – Is there a scene you’re really excited to write? Write it or use it to push you through the tough scenes. Introduce a new character. Add something silly. Do something to kick start your creativity. If it doesn’t work, you can always cut it out later.

What helps you complete overwhelming projects?

Julie Jarnagin writes contemporary romance and is a self-proclaimed plotting addict. She earned a B.A. in Journalism/Professional Writing from the University of Oklahoma and is a member of America Christian Fiction Writers. She is the author of three Barbour / Heartsong Presents novels: Canyon Walls, Canyon Crossing, and Canyon Cafe. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and four-year-old son. To get more writing tips, visit her blog at www.JulieJWrites.blogspot.com.

Julie Jarnagin

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