Ninja Captain shares his time-management skills

Today, I have the pleasure of hosting a close blog buddy of mine: Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. He is the author of the successful Cassa Trilogy: a space opera, which is on the Amazon’s bestsellers list. Alex will share his time management secrets with us.

Time Management, Ninja Style!

I joke that I use clones to get everything done. But really, it’s just me. I’m one lone Ninja balancing work, family, writing, blogging, music, and life.

Learning to juggle everything hasn’t been easy. I’m not a natural multi-tasker. I still manage to make it work though.

Here are some of the things I do to manage my time without the use of clones:

Blogging

·         I’m fortunate that I can blog from work. I perform my duties on one computer while blogging on another. (And often while watching a movie on a third!)

·         I keep my regular blogger buddies in a separate folder in my reader so I can access them quickly

·         I stick to a schedule, blogging Monday-Wednesday-Friday. This gives me a break in between so I don’t burn out.

·         Posts are planned in advance and as I find new items, I add the links to the appropriate file in Word. (Then I don’t have to go back and search for something.)

·         I have a calendar and keep track of all blog events. (Be terrible to miss my own blogfest!)

Writing

·         Guest posts are written well in advance. (Mostly so I don’t forget!)

·         When working on a manuscript, I block out two to four hours every evening. It doesn’t matter what else is happening in the world – that is my time to write.

·         I’m a lazy writer, so I take advantage of NaNo and similar challenges. (Gives me the motivation I need because I hate to lose.)

Life in general

·         I don’t have kids, but I do have a wife who needs attention. We eat dinner, play games, and see a lot of movies together. My freedom to do so many things is a testimony to the strength of our relationship and good communication. (It also helps that my wife has the patience of a Saint.)

·         I’m also a guitar player in a band and practice a minimum of one hour a day. Knowing others are depending on me not to suck motivates me to schedule time.

·         I know when to take breaks and enjoy life rather than let it control me.

I know my pace of visiting over a hundred blogs a day is something a lot of people can’t fathom. Then again, there are those who write a story every month, read several books a week, or home school their kids. We all have situations and challenges that are unique, just as we all possess different strengths and talents. We have to find what works best for us.

I think it all comes down to what a person really wants to do with his time. If it’s a priority, we’ll find a way to make it happen.

With or without the use of clones!

Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, his third book, CassaStorm, will be released September 17, 2013.

Thank you Alex, for letting us into your time-management secrets. Hopefully, we will be able to accomplish a little of what you so effortlessly do everyday.

Guest post with Author Alex J.Cavanaugh

Today, I welcome a very talented writer  who is also my blog buddy, Author Alex . J. Cavanaugh. Alex is one of the most generous of bloggers, and a selfless writer I have met online. He is the author of two very successful novels: Cassa Star and Cassa Fire. He is always ready to help other writers. Alex will help make our writing journey easy with many useful tips.

Rachna graciously asked me to do a guest post. She was specific with her request – must be writing related. Now, anyone who knows me is aware that my blog is the last place to go for writing tips. If I started posting writing tips it might take some of you years to recover from the damage. So instead I will offer a few things that just might make the journey easier.

Don’t follow trends

Write what you enjoy. Write the story you want to read, even if it’s not a popular genre right now. (When I was writing CassaStar, everyone said science fiction was dead. I wrote it anyway.) The timing may still not be right when you finish, but you can hang on to it until the trend cycles around again. Besides, if you’re not writing what you really enjoy, your lack of passion will be evident in the words. If it doesn’t excite you, it won’t excite anyone else.

Use critique partners

The idea of sharing our work with others can be scary. But what a difference it makes! Critique partners are a fresh set of eyes. They can direct you by making suggestions and finding mistakes. You might not realize you used the word “that” five hundred times in your manuscript, but your critique partners will notice. And you don’t just learn from the critique of your work – you learn by critiquing your partner’s work. Double bonus!

Listen to fans

We’re not just writing for us – we’re writing for our fans. They become just as invested in the characters. Plus they are the ones who will fork over the bucks for our next book. Individual reviews and responses aren’t as important as the overall picture, though. When the same issue or request is repeated often, take note. Maybe you’re too detailed or world-build too much. (Maybe you’re like me and don’t do enough!) Maybe the fans are all hoping you’ll go a certain direction in the next book. (“There WILL be a female character in the next book, right?”) Write the story you want but be sure to make the fans happy.

Let your blog be true to you

Your blog is a representation of you – your personality, tastes, style and attitude. You need to be true to yourself on your blog. (Unless those things are all bad. Then you might have a problem.) Yes, we want people to like us and read our blogs. But if we’re not posting with passion, no one will care anyway. There’s no standard formula for a writer or author’s blog, either. (Mine’s about as unconventional as they come!) Whatever your angle, have fun with it.

Support others

The greatest part of blogging is the support we get and the support we give. Generosity and encouragement go a long way. Writing isn’t a competition. There’s room in this world for all of us. If we’re willing to share in the joys of others without expectation of reciprocation, it always comes back to us. Supporting others is as simple as leaving positive comments on other blogs or shouting out someone’s accomplishment on your own blog. It’s all about friendship and what we’re willing to give.

Those are the best writing tips this Ninja can offer! Now, where’s my Hot Tamales?

Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of Amazon Best Sellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Thankyou Alex, for sharing your views with us. Here is wishing you loads of success in life.

P.S .If any of you have not yet met Captain Ninja (Alex) you really are missing a wonderful friend. Change that, by following him ASAP.