Slow, Busy, and Routined

Hey! I know it's been awhile, unfortunately I don't have much to give you as far as book updates goes. I'm working on a preliminary book trailer and various cover concepts I can put by my publisher once we get that far in the process, granted most of that is just me playing around. I do know that Nicole MacDonald is setting up a portion of her blog with author interviews and she graciously offered me a slot later on. That woman is the most awesome, albeit only, Kiwi I know. Her first interview is coming up soon, so watch and check her out! Her book, The Arrival, is also available for free (at least I think) for a limited time, so grab it while you can.

Now I will proceed to explain myself through varied, albeit still vague, excuses on how a combination of work, school, and social life have deprived me of time to hop on the computer and interact with you fine people. As a result of these colorful blockades, I've had a new-found revelation for how to organize the scheduled chaos and fit in the things I want/need to do.

Lists and schedules!

Making lists and schedules that is. If you grew up under my mother, these organizational tools were taught through colorful charts and magnets, then the cold black and white of printer paper and ink. Didn't everyone have a system of some kind as a kid to help you learn when to brush your teeth, brush your hair, do your chores? If you're anything like me, you developed a knack for personal hygiene and that's about it. Even as an adult, I struggle to budget my time without these methods. It was always the neat kids who cleaned their rooms on a regular basis and had a ton of extracurricular activities to work around who seemed to master the art of "life management"--either that or their overbearing mothers did all that work for them.

It is only now, as an adult, that it has finally dawned on me that these basic tools are so valuable for the organizationally incapable! And if one sticks to them, they can open up a whole world of less stress and security. Grocery lists are invaluable for the forgetful who can't remember if they needed eggs or strawberries for that special cake. Shift schedules, if written down and put on a fridge grid, can prevent a slew of lateness for the not so punctual. The art of planning can help fitness, writing productivity, and after all that someone can sit down and use the time they have left to either be spontaneous or relax.

So, if you're anything like me and your brain wants to be in too many places at once and you don't have a knack for mentally compartmentalizing your life, I invite you to join me in sticking to a set routine and seeing where it takes you. I've made my lists and will post them on my mini-fridge after I finish typing.

Now, for those more seasoned at this whole "planning" business, any tips? Stories? Anyone else struggling with a chaotic life who have some other ideas? Do comment! :D