Where does the time go? It has passed far too quickly since my last blog, but there are good things happening here in the world of AJ Benson. I have overcome some major hurdles in revising my storyline for The Sword of Ferbandey and making sure my magic system is consistent.

So, I am ready to

I want to look at time from two perspectives for this blog: how time passes within a story, and how an author can stop time from slipping away!

Here are 8 great ways to stop time from getting away from you and not feeling productive because of it:

1. Slow down. Savor. If you are trying to squeeze in too much in your short 24 hours a day or 7 days a week, STOP. Take time during lunch to note the crunchiness of the salad you are munching, pay attention to the cozy warmth of your minestrone, and pause as the sweetness of the chocolate chip cookie you saved for last passes over your taste buds.
2. Prioritize what you want to focus on–the big rocks.
3. Keep a log for 3 days
4. Plan for how to get things done in certain timelines (time management)–this means identifying what needs to get done, and blocking out time for those priority tasks
5. punctuality–keep your dates
6. Turn off the screens (except the one which you are using for your novel)
7. While each day you have 24 hours, after work, sleep, driving and activities like them, you only really have 5 to put to use for other priorities.
8. Recruit others to help clear some of your calendar.