Thanks for sharing your process/experience here. I’ve been dreaming up a fairly large project for months but haven’t yet had the courage to begin because it just seems too big. This is a very helpful framework for thinking about large projects!
This is helpful advice for any writer. I have a “day time job” and can’t focus on writing full time. In addition, I often let day to day cares and distractions use up what little discretionary time I have - mostly as a way to justify procrastination. The approach you’ve outlined in the article is a sensible and easily implemented method to making progress toward writing goals.
Are you by any chance the Joel Miller I knew in rural central Mass in the mid to late 80s? With glorious butterfly collections & a majestic ancestral bill fish mount?
Joel, this was almost stressful to read! I am confident that you can meet this deadline with room to spare! The fact that you are still writing here while juggling your book is quite astounding. You have also given me motivation, and a helpful framework, to rise to meet a very tight deadline for an anthology that Peco and I are planning to publish. Looking forward to reading the next update :)
It’s funny you say that: I got a little stressed re-reading it when I was editing it :)
I sort of feel like I’m working at a fever pitch right now. The good news is that I’ve got help from a lot of others, including folks here writing guest posts!
Your approach makes sense. When I was out walking this morning, I started thinking about how far I had to go and it was demoralizing. Then I thought, "Hey, you're almost to the halfway mark." As I reached each nearby landmark, the walk went by quickly. I'm looking forward to your book - when you're taking preorders I'll be there!
Yes, it works great for any endurance activity, especially running and walking.
Thanks for your interest in the book! It’ll be so much fun to share with the world—especially when I know some of the people in that world, such as yourself!
I like the small area framework. I think I have been subconsciously using it on some of my projects, cycling through motivational statements to see what sticks at any given point.
Re: your book, I'll be looking forward to reading it. My company is not good at writing things down so as to transmit information to new folks. Yesterday, I was on a meeting where it came up "you know, we keep having to teach new teams how to go out and do this thing, and everybody does it a little bit differently because there's no standard, and it's really not that different from year to year so we should just write it down so people can reference it." "Yeah! Let's do that!"
We had just reinvented the handbook. I almost died. 🤣
I like reading about process, so I enjoyed this post very much. I'm thinking about what you said and thinking about how I might might apply it to projects of my own.
Thanks! I’m glad it connected. I’ve found the small area principle very beneficial. I wish I knew about it when I was a professional editor, working regularly with authors. I would have used it to counsel them on a regular basis. It’s surprisingly simple and effective.
Seriously cannot wait to read this book!
Thanks for sharing your process/experience here. I’ve been dreaming up a fairly large project for months but haven’t yet had the courage to begin because it just seems too big. This is a very helpful framework for thinking about large projects!
Thanks, Shannon! It should be out about a year from now—fall 2025!
I hope you hit it buddy! You can do it. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, man! I’m gaining on it!
This is helpful advice for any writer. I have a “day time job” and can’t focus on writing full time. In addition, I often let day to day cares and distractions use up what little discretionary time I have - mostly as a way to justify procrastination. The approach you’ve outlined in the article is a sensible and easily implemented method to making progress toward writing goals.
Enjoyed this and will share it. Keep on keeping on, Joel!
Great strategy & support - Thank you !
Are you by any chance the Joel Miller I knew in rural central Mass in the mid to late 80s? With glorious butterfly collections & a majestic ancestral bill fish mount?
Love it. You’d be surprised what you can finish if you hang in there a plod away.
A few pages every night, or every morning.
Keep at it and those pages add up.
Can’t wait to read it, Joel!
Joel, this was almost stressful to read! I am confident that you can meet this deadline with room to spare! The fact that you are still writing here while juggling your book is quite astounding. You have also given me motivation, and a helpful framework, to rise to meet a very tight deadline for an anthology that Peco and I are planning to publish. Looking forward to reading the next update :)
It’s funny you say that: I got a little stressed re-reading it when I was editing it :)
I sort of feel like I’m working at a fever pitch right now. The good news is that I’ve got help from a lot of others, including folks here writing guest posts!
Your approach makes sense. When I was out walking this morning, I started thinking about how far I had to go and it was demoralizing. Then I thought, "Hey, you're almost to the halfway mark." As I reached each nearby landmark, the walk went by quickly. I'm looking forward to your book - when you're taking preorders I'll be there!
Yes, it works great for any endurance activity, especially running and walking.
Thanks for your interest in the book! It’ll be so much fun to share with the world—especially when I know some of the people in that world, such as yourself!
I like the small area framework. I think I have been subconsciously using it on some of my projects, cycling through motivational statements to see what sticks at any given point.
Re: your book, I'll be looking forward to reading it. My company is not good at writing things down so as to transmit information to new folks. Yesterday, I was on a meeting where it came up "you know, we keep having to teach new teams how to go out and do this thing, and everybody does it a little bit differently because there's no standard, and it's really not that different from year to year so we should just write it down so people can reference it." "Yeah! Let's do that!"
We had just reinvented the handbook. I almost died. 🤣
LOL. That’s hilarious. The more things change . . .
I like reading about process, so I enjoyed this post very much. I'm thinking about what you said and thinking about how I might might apply it to projects of my own.
Thanks! I’m glad it connected. I’ve found the small area principle very beneficial. I wish I knew about it when I was a professional editor, working regularly with authors. I would have used it to counsel them on a regular basis. It’s surprisingly simple and effective.
Divine intervention helps sometimes.
I cannot wait to read this book! I'm so intrigued...!