tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post349550020023838216..comments2023-07-02T07:39:54.289-07:00Comments on The Shy Singer/Songwriter: Creatively managing creative timeVikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067845590374906879noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post-10423228593972381642010-01-14T20:59:00.598-08:002010-01-14T20:59:00.598-08:00Thank you for the advice and I also like Debra'...Thank you for the advice and I also like Debra's idea!!!Songs from the Pumkin Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05034116623216724950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post-49869682163848768002009-12-30T09:20:10.015-08:002009-12-30T09:20:10.015-08:00Vikki, this was great advice. Thanks for taking th...Vikki, this was great advice. Thanks for taking the time to post all of this. I went from having all day of writing and producing, to getting a day gig, and have to find time to write. It's tough, and hearing about how other artist's manage their time is very helpful. Happy New Year,<br />CharlieCharliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00186756433184111075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post-40347474725659773882009-12-05T14:52:44.062-08:002009-12-05T14:52:44.062-08:00This was GREAT. Thank you for sharing. I'm try...This was GREAT. Thank you for sharing. I'm trying to find ways to manage my time, while creating space for creativity. Tasks, calendars, scheduled blocks of time. All of this. Thanks!mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17081432646964061873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post-35130667941354697232009-11-20T17:38:26.916-08:002009-11-20T17:38:26.916-08:00Interesting ideas. When I read "in the studio...Interesting ideas. When I read "in the studio," I assumed that meant practice time (for vocal techniques, guitar, or whatever your instrument is). That's the part I'm finding it hardest to block out time for. You have to be in a certain place, and you can't multitask.<br /><br />I do use the while-dinner's-cooking approach when I can. Most of what I have to cook requires my presence, though.<br /><br />Writing songs tends to happen in my between-the-cracks time. I can work on things while I do the dishes, walk somewhere, etc. I haven't been prolific for a while, but that's because I haven't been disciplined about making good use of the between-the-cracks time. When I did, my output was a lot higher -- it worked for me.cinderkeyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01578961959712679966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post-8402031120085482152009-11-20T08:55:51.645-08:002009-11-20T08:55:51.645-08:00Jeffrey Steele - a songwriter with a huge number o...Jeffrey Steele - a songwriter with a huge number of hits under his belt - spoke at the TAXI Road Rally, and one of the things he said is that he writes every single day. I heard other successful composers say the same thing. I try to write something every day, a verse, a chorus, a few lines, noodle with a melody, etc. IMO, if you write every day, it keeps your creative muscle in shape, it keeps you in the flow. More than that, though... it helps you become emotionally detached from your work. So when something doesn't come together, or when you get a piece of music returned or rejected... you can think about it dispassionately, knowing that you have the capacity to put it aside til later for rewrite, or treat it as experience and put it in your idea drawer, or simply write something new. You know you can, because you do it *all the time*.<br /><br />hugs<br />Vikki<br />www.theshysinger.com<br />www.vikkiflawith.comVikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10067845590374906879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post-70750198602337361362009-11-20T08:00:11.894-08:002009-11-20T08:00:11.894-08:00If you're going to do creative work in the eve...If you're going to do creative work in the evening after working all day, also helps to do something to "restart" the day. <br /><br />For example, you might take a quick shower, do some yoga or stretching, perhaps take a walk. Even brushing your teeth could work. Something to say to your body and mind, we're beginning our day anew.<br /><br />I agree with Vikki, doing something each day is an easier habit to create than once a week.<br /><br />Block the time out. Perhaps Monday evenings for 1.5 hours is marketing time. Tuesdays and Thursdays are creative time. Wednesday is admin. <br /><br />Be sure to give yourself some time completely off, to play, to socialize or even to do nothing at all.<br /><br />If you spend 10 hours a week on your music, on your passion, with consistency, it will make a difference. Just because you don't have 20+ hours each week, doesn't mean you can't pursue your dreams. Do what you can do, with consistency and it will make a difference.<br /><br />Your Coach,<br />Debra Russell<br />They call it the Music Business, I'm your Music Business Coach!<br />http://artists-edge.comDebra Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981775848566196780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post-73112091539279065772009-11-20T00:09:02.586-08:002009-11-20T00:09:02.586-08:00Hi cinderkeys... I think the same principles apply...Hi cinderkeys... I think the same principles apply. You figure out your task list and schedule the to-dos, then block out the remaining times for writing. Some folks get up earlier so they can write before they go to work, others make time in the evening. Some can only write on the weekends. I'm of the opinion it's better to do something everyday if you can - even if it's only 20 or 30 minutes.<br /><br />One thing I suggest to my students is, when you get home from work, presumably you are going to cook dinner or warm something up... that usually takes 20 minutes or so... and you can use that time, while dinner's cooking, to write or practice.<br /><br />I'd also carry a notebook or a digital recorder with me, and note down snippets of conversation, or headlines, or ideas that come to me over the course of the day.<br /><br />As to knowing what to do with 20+ hours... they are easy to fill. The problem is more staying focussed and using that time effectively. It's being the architect of your own creative work time (rather than relying on external structure) so that you can look back, in time, and see that you have accomplished what you set out to do, or learned more about the craft, and moved forward in some way.Vikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10067845590374906879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116467.post-63597621951720165492009-11-19T23:37:48.862-08:002009-11-19T23:37:48.862-08:00I have a full-time job and other responsibilities ...I have a full-time job and other responsibilities not remotely related to music. If I suddenly had 20+ hours per week to dedicate to music, I'm not sure I'd know what to do with it. :)<br /><br />Any suggestions for those of us with day jobs?cinderkeyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01578961959712679966noreply@blogger.com