Can You Consistently Write 500 Words a Day?

THE DREAM
Imagine if you could crank out 500 words every single day. Let's say you were working on parenting magazine articles. You could easily get one article done every week (1,000 words is a long one) with time to edit, research, then submit. Every. Single. Week. That's 52 articles a year working for you as passive-ish (you still have to send invoices)/residual income in the form of REPRINTS.

This could also translate into several blog posts per week (one day to get those 500 words out and one day to edit/research/create graphics).

This could also mean 50 days to 25,000 words of a book. Even if you then take another 50 days to work on a cover, get the book proofread, make sure it is all coherent, etc., you have a book in 100 days.

Let's say you're a blogger AND a magazine writer AND a book author. In just ONE YEAR, how many books, blog posts and articles could you knock out if you could just make sure to sit down and get 500 words written every day?

THE PROBLEM
Time. Time is always the problem. And interruptions. And life in general, intruding with its obligations like laundry and dishes and cooking and hygiene and weddings and funerals and parties and errands and clogged toilets and car problems. Oh, and sometimes also those cute children running around and also sometimes that pesky little thing called a full-time job that pays the bills while we chase our writing dreams. And yes, I do realize that even when my kids are grown and gone from the house, I will still have lots going on pertaining to them.

THE SOLUTION
Have you tried dictation using your smartphone? Not some fancy machine and not even some fancy app. I'm just talking about maybe using the Notes app on your iPhone that comes pre-installed. I am a huge fan of walking outside for my FitBit steps while writing at the same time by dictating my articles and books. I feel super amazing on those evenings when my 8-year-old has soccer practice and I can walk the track ... he's happy and I'm getting exercise while getting work done.

I also dictate while driving, which I know might be controversial, but before I got a phone I was writing all my notes long-hand in my lap on a notebook. Tell me which is more dangerous! I don't actually look at the screen while I'm dictating, which often makes for some funny untangling of words later on, but I can just talk and talk stream of consciousness style, and end up with something I can work with later.

When the file is done or when I get home, I just send the note to my email box. Then I grab it and put it in the correct project file on my laptop (you might be more progressive and use Google Docs).

You could dictate while nursing your baby, while making dinner, while folding laundry or waiting for your kid to get out of a drama rehearsal.

*This post was 511 words and I cranked it out super fast over our Homeschool Lunch Break, then edited later.

I would LOVE to hear how this works out for you or if you already do it!

The Nifty 15 by Honoree Corder and My 100 Days Chart

I have a new writer girl crush and her name is Honoree Corder. You can check out The Nifty 15: Write Your Book in Just 15 Minutes a Day here and then I suggest you also follow her on Amazon so you always know when she comes out with something new. While I'm driving home from taking my teens to jobs and countless activities, I am also reading/listening to her Prosperity for Writers and You Must Write a Book.

Here's the review I left for this book, but please know that I am also planning on applying this to my article writing as well. Fifteen minutes a day carved out just for that purpose would yield an article every couple of weeks pretty easily. That could mean 12-24 articles for your stable of articles every year, depending on if you are writing quick regional parenting pieces or longer, national pieces that require queries. Every single year! You are not some flash in the pan writer ... you are in this for the long haul and you need to write every day to keep up the habit.

"Just the kick I needed. Yes, I already have a couple of books I have self-published and I did those in increments of whenever-the-baby-is-sleeping or early-in-the-morning until I couldn't think anymore. Lately I'm finding it harder to focus and needed a set amount of time to just sit and do it. And know that I had done it that day and that I didn't have to do anymore. But once I get started, it's like sex ... you get going and you want to keep going. I'm excited to see what happens with each of my projects in 100-day sets. I found a 100 days of school graphic/game that I printed out to color in each day that I do what I'm supposed to do. I'm actually coloring in every 15 minutes I do. I could do days or increments, either one works to make progress. I just like to see that I'm doing SOMETHING; otherwise it's easier to only do my proofreading work or find excuses to watch Scandal. Rock on, Honoree! Moving on to your next book and the next ... thank you!"

So instead of making my own thing from scratch, I Googled "100 Days Writing Chart" and came up with a 100 days of school chart! It printed a little grainy but it will work for my purposes. If I miss a day, I have to write for 15 extra the next day. I printed one out for each project. I'd love to have a full hour a day to work on 4 different projects because it's hard for me to focus on just one thing to completion, but we all work differently :-)

Write for Babybug Magazine -- Submission Writers Guidelines

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Thank you for your interest in writing for Cricket's family of award-winning children's magazines! We welcome submissions from writers of every level of experience, and we assure you that your manuscript will be read and reviewed when submitted. Unless otherwise noted, we consider all submissions for all our kids' magazines, so if you submitted an article for publication in SPIDER, we may deem it more suitable for LADYBUG, CRICKET, or another of our publications.

 Submission Guidelines for BABYBUG magazine for babies ages 0-3

BABYBUG, a listening and looking magazine for infants and toddlers ages six months to two years, is published by Cricket Magazine Group. BABYBUG features simple stories, Mother Goose rhymes, short poems, words and concepts, illustrated in full color by the best children's artists from around the world.

BABYBUG measures 6-1/4" x 7", contains 24 pages, and is printed in large (26-point) type on high-quality cardboard stock with rounded corners and no staples. The paper and colors are non-toxic.

Editorial Director: Alice Letvin

Managing Art Director: Suzanne Beck

Published: monthly except for combined May/June, July/August, and November/December

Price: $33.95 for 1-year subscription (nine editions)

Manuscripts

Stories: very simple and concrete; 4 to 6 short sentences maximum

Poems: rhythmic, rhyming; 8 lines maximum

Nonfiction: very basic words and concepts; 10 words maximum

Activities: finger plays, parent/child interaction; 8 lines maximum

Art

By assignment only. Artists should submit review samples of artwork to be kept in our illustrator files. We prefer to see tear sheets or photoprints/photocopies of art.

If you wish to send an original art portfolio for review, package it carefully, insure the package, and be sure to include return packing materials and postage.

Author-illustrators may submit a complete manuscript with art samples. The manuscript will be evaluated for quality of concept and text before the art is considered.

Rate: $500/spread ($250/page).

We purchase all rights; physical art remains the property of the illustrator and may be used for artist's self-promotion.

Comments

Before attempting to write for BABYBUG, be sure to familiarize yourself with this age group and read one or more past copies of the magazine.

PLEASE DO NOT QUERY FIRST.

We will consider any manuscripts or art samples sent on speculation and accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Submissions without a SASE will be discarded.

Response time: Please allow 6 months for manuscripts and 3 months for art samples.

We do not distribute theme lists for upcoming editions.

Submissions from outside the U.S. should include an International Postal Reply Coupon.

BABYBUG normally purchases the following rights:

1.    For previously unpublished stories and poems, BABYBUG purchases all rights.

2.    For stories and poems previously published, BABYBUG purchases second North American publication rights. Fees vary, but are generally less than fees for first publication rights. Same applies to accompanying art.

3.    For recurring features, BABYBUG purchases the material outright. The work becomes the property of BABYBUG and is copyrighted in the name of Carus Publishing Company. A flat fee per feature is usually negotiated.

4.    For commissioned artwork, BABYBUG purchases all rights plus promotional rights (promotions, advertising, or in any other form not offered for sale to the general public without payment of an additional fee) subject to the terms outlined below:

1.    Physical art remains the property of the illustrator.

2.    Illustrator may use artwork for self-promotion.

Please address all MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS to:

Submissions Editor, BABYBUGCricket Magazine Group

70 E. Lake St.

Suite 300

Chicago, IL 60601

Please address all PORTFOLIO SAMPLES to:

Art Submissions CoordinatorCarus Publishing

70 East Lake Street

Suite 300

Chicago, IL 60601

Direct inquiries regarding PERMISSIONS to:

Mary Ann Hocking

Rights and Permissions Manager

Carus Publishing

315 Fifth Street

Peru, IL 61354

Did you know that you can write one article and sell it again for money to dozens of different magazines all over the world? And yes, the editors know we are doing this. It’s not a secret, just something that's not very well known. Check out my resource with 600 markets! (use promo code PPBLOG20 for 20% off) You can order "TheMother of All Writing Market Books" here.

Write for Redbook -- Submission Writers Guidelines

For more markets, please check out this page. And to download my book full 600 more markets, please head here!

And to write for Redbook's The Mix, check out this post!

REDBOOK is targeted at women between the ages of 25 and 45 who define themselves as smart, capable, and happy with their lives. Many, but not all, of our readers are going through one of two key life transitions: single to married and married to mom. Each issue is a provocative mix of features geared to entertain and inform them, including:

■ News stories on contemporary issues that are relevant to the reader's life and experience, and explore the emotional ramifications of cultural and social change

■ First-person essays about dramatic pivotal moments in a woman's life

■ Marriage articles with an emphasis on strengthening the relationship

■ Short parenting features on how to deal with universal health and behavioral issues

■ Reporting on exciting trends in women's lives

Writers are advised to read at least the last six issues of the magazine (available in most libraries) to get a better understanding of appropriate subject matter and treatment. We prefer to see detailed queries rather than completed manuscripts, and suggest that you provide us with some ideas for sources/experts. Please enclose two or more samples of your writing, as well as a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Send queries to:

Articles Department
REDBOOK
300 West 57th Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10019

Check out this site for an interview with the editor-in-chief!