By Brenda Dempsey
Time Isn’t the Boss of You: Mastering Time for Writing and Publishing Your Book
Time. It’s the invisible framework of our lives, ticking away as we rush to meet deadlines, juggle responsibilities, and chase our dreams. But what if we told you that time isn’t fixed? That, like a masterful author, you can craft your relationship with time—collapsing it to achieve more or stretching it to find the space you need to breathe?
At BBP, we know that time constraints can feel like the villain of the story, especially when writing and publishing your book. But here’s the twist: time is your ally—once you understand how to manage it.
The Construct of Time: Is It Real?
Here’s the thing: time is a construct. Humans created clocks and calendars to measure change, but those measurements don’t control the flow of creativity. When we stop viewing time as a tyrant and see it as a tool, we gain control over it.
The pressure to “stay on schedule” can feel overwhelming in writing and publishing. But the key isn’t racing against the clock—it’s learning how to bend it.
Collapsing Time: Get More Done Without the Stress
Collapsing time isn’t about working faster or harder but working smarter. It’s the art of focusing your energy on what truly matters, cutting out distractions, and taking aligned action.
How to Collapse Time While Writing Your Book:
- Focus on the Big Picture: What’s the ultimate goal of your book? Is it to establish authority? Attract clients? Leave a legacy? Keeping your “why” in mind ensures every writing session is purposeful.
- Batch Tasks: Group similar activities—like brainstorming chapter ideas or editing drafts—into focused blocks of time. Switching between tasks eats up energy and stretches the process unnecessarily.
- Say No to Perfectionism: Your first draft doesn’t need to be flawless. It needs to exist. Give yourself permission to write imperfectly; editing is where the magic happens.
When you collapse time, you achieve more in less time—not by rushing, but by being intentional.
Extending Time: Creating Space for Creativity
Sometimes, you need to slow the clock. Writing and publishing a book isn’t just a to-do list; it’s a creative journey that requires space to think, dream, and refine.
How to Extend Time for Your Book:
- Set Landmarks, Not Deadlines: At BBP, we don’t believe in rigid deadlines that stress you out. Instead, we provide landmarks—key moments to keep you focused and on track without the pressure. This approach allows flexibility for when life throws curveballs.
- Prioritize Rest: Creativity flows when you’re rested. Schedule downtime into your writing process to recharge your mind and prevent burnout.
- Embrace the Contingency Plan: Life happens. Kids get sick, laptops crash, and inspiration ebbs. Building in buffer time ensures that emergencies don’t derail your progress.
Extending time isn’t about procrastination; it’s about giving yourself the grace to create at your best.
Mindset Shifts: Reclaiming Control of Time
To truly master time, you need to shift your mindset. Here are three changes that will transform how you approach writing and publishing your book:
- From Scarcity to Abundance:
Stop thinking, “I don’t have enough time.” Instead, tell yourself, “I have all the time I need.” This simple shift puts you in a mindset of control, where you’re actively choosing how to spend your time rather than feeling like a victim of it. - From Stress to Focus:
Stress scatters your energy. Focus channels it. When you’re overwhelmed, take a deep breath and ask, “What’s the one thing I can do right now to move forward?” Then, do just that. - From Deadlines to Milestones:
Deadlines feel rigid and unforgiving. Milestones feel like achievements. At BBP, we encourage you to think of your book’s progress as a journey with key landmarks—moments to celebrate and recalibrate rather than stress over.
Are Deadlines Necessary?
Ah, the great debate: are deadlines helpful or harmful? For many authors, deadlines create unnecessary stress, turning a creative process into a race against the clock. However, the structure is essential to avoid aimless drifting.
That’s why at BBP, we prefer landmarks: flexible yet focused checkpoints that keep you moving forward without the pressure of hard deadlines.
For example:
- Completing your book outline by a specific month.
- Submitting your first draft within a set window.
- Launching your book around a target season.
These landmarks ensure progress while leaving room for life’s unpredictability.
Why Flexibility Matters
No one’s creative journey is linear. There will be days when words flow effortlessly and others when writing feels like wading through mud. Flexibility allows you to adapt without guilt.
Emergencies, writer’s block, and creative detours are part of the process. By building contingencies into your timeline, you can pivot without panicking.
At BBP, we work with you to create a roadmap that balances structure with freedom, ensuring you stay on track without sacrificing your sanity.
Why Energy Is Key
Time and energy are intertwined. When your energy is high, time seems to expand; when it’s low, every minute drags. That’s why managing your energy—through self-care, mindset shifts, and celebrating small wins—is just as important as managing your schedule.
Take Control of Time
Here’s the secret: time doesn’t control you—you control it. By collapsing and extending time where needed, shifting your mindset, and working with flexible landmarks, you can stay in control of the writing and publishing process.
At BBP, we’re not just here to help you write and publish a book. We’re here to help you enjoy the journey, master your time, and create brilliance.
So, authorpreneur, are you ready to take charge of time and make your book a reality? Let’s make it happen. You drive, we navigate, and together, we accelerate your success. 🚀