WRITING EXPERIMENT // Living My "Ideal" Writing Week

Step 1: Determine ideal week of writing/work/life balance for this experiment.
Step 2: Live it!
Step 3: Compare and contrast to what ACTUALLY happened.
☟↓ QUESTIONS FOR YOU (& TIMESTAMPS) BELOOOOOW! ↓☟
(0:00) Explanation
(1:06) The Experiment!
(1:06) Wednesday
(7:54) Thursday
(10:25) Friday
(13:08) Saturday & Sunday
(13:33) Monday
(16:00) Tuesday
(16:45) It's time for my favorite: stats!
(18:36) Lessons Learned
(20:16) Questions for youuuu!
A U T H O R T U B E C H A T w/ J E S S I C A :
Saturday, January 12th LIVE @ 2pm CST on my channel! All about QUERYING & THE FEAR OF FAILURE.
D I S C U S S I O N Q U E S T I O N S :
How do you track your productivity? Or do you think that's something even worth tracking?
Have you had any realizations about yourself or your writing or your habits or anything going on in your life this first week and a half of 2019?
What are some writing experiments you'll be trying this year?
🌎 F I N D M E O N L I N E :
🐤 Twitter: / cavanaughwrites
📸 Instagram: / katecavanaughwrites
🔆 Website: katecavanaugh.c...
✍️ Medium: / katecavanaughwrites
🙌 NaNoWriMo: nanowrimo.org/...
💌 S N A I L M A I L M E :
PO Box #1022
607 E. Blanco Road
Boerne, TX 78006
#authortube #writingvlog

[@wendyscribbles]

Last year i did a month long experiment and found that I was way more productive when I actually planned out my days and scheduled tasks as opposed to just having a to do list that gets done when it gets done. This year I'm trying to get back to the scheduling that worked so well for me.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooh! That's awesome to discover about yourself. I think I'm the same way. I try to plan a "week ahead" at a time because I benefit from visually SEEING what I have to do and purposely making that time ahead of the date. Otherwise, like you, the list kind of just doesn't get crossed through (or if it does, most of the items don't haha).

[@ihatemickiegee]

I need to get back on doing this too. Of course it's when I finally decide to go back to school that I stop remembering this truth about myself. Literally at this moment I have three assignments due tomorrow (one of them is a portfolio of 3-5 pieces) for just one class and I'm absolutely not done, but I'm typing this comment instead lol. I spent all day watching booktube, authortube, reading, in the car, writing IDEAS down but not actual potential sentences for when i was back at the computer, and saying "oh well, I'll just stay up late tonight." even though I just have pre-class panic attacks when I do that, having not gotten much done when I could have just scheduled it all.

[@santanasg8445]

I just love how therapeutic your writing vlogs/ experiments are, they super motivate me!

[@KateCavanaugh]

AWWW! I'm so glad! :)

[@ThePatchworkNerd]

I love how future you chimes in with commentary! That made me laugh. I used to have a passion planner! They are so helpful! This was a joy to watch! ^_^

[@KateCavanaugh]

Bahaha thank you! I felt like I had to do something because I realized I didn't record enough content for it all to make sense. 😂 And yesss! I love all your new planners and journals too though. But this has convinced me I might want to return to my Passion Planner again. :)

[@isaniart]

You look so pretty with glasses!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Aww thank you so much! I usually only wear them when I'm too lazy to put in my contacts or just before bed haha.

[@Ceri_thegnome]

So since I’m taking a year off from college for mental health, What I’ve been doing is just writing down a task list and then just do them when I want to, however I am interested in scheduling my tasks and see how long it takes me to accomplish them. I had a huge problem in college underestimating the time for tasks and being unproductive, and it led to a lot of stress and anxiety. So I’m definitely doing this!

[@KateCavanaugh]

GOOD LUCK! Glad you're taking care of your mental health. :) Yeah, underestimating the time something takes is a constant struggle. And I'm always surprised, too, because I feel like I get better at a lot of other tasks but then still can't estimate properly to save my life haha. I think the lesson for me is to purposely over-estimate and then maybe I'll hit it right. (But then I sometimes like to work under deadline so not sure how that will work.) It's all a process! :)

[@ronsarchery6378]

Kate, I appreciate your directing me to Brandon's Lectures. Thank you.

[@chamorro_shiits]

You're so funny, I'm loving the channel

[@KateCavanaugh]

Aww, thanks so much! :)

[@TehBuggy]

I love these experiments, they’re so interesting! For a few months I did a little spread in my bullet journal breaking each day in 24 blocks and assigning a colour for work, sleep, social, productive, fun, relaxing, etc and coloured in how I spent the day. And at the end of the month a made a pie chart too. I found it so fascinating to see how I actually spent my day, and it really helped me work on my balance just because it was so clear with what areas I was neglecting and where I was “wasting” time. Definitely my favourite experiment I’ve ever done!

[@isaniart]

TehBuggy That sounds really interesting. What were all the categories you had?

[@KateCavanaugh]

AHHHH that sounds so cool! I'm so impressed you were able to see that up for months! Totally might not be something you'd want to share, but I'd love to see pictures! Or maybe you have it up on Instagram and I missed it? Let me know. Your experiment sounds awesome.

[@TehBuggy]

Thanks guys! 💜 Lebasi: Here’s my list of categories -Work -Sleep -Necessary (meals, showering, etc) -Social -Productive -Relaxing -Fun -Nothing And I had an “other” for the first month or two but never needed it so I stopped that one Kate: Sure, I’ll post a picture on Twitter 😊

[@isaniart]

TehBuggy Thanks! I might try this, it seems interesting

[@strdseraph2765]

Your videos are so funny and real. I've never encountered anyone else who actually gets auras with their migraines. I totally feel your pain.

[@elyanamonje7430]

We are so similar I love it!! The writing, stats, goals, dog, coffee, headaches... and now also duolingo!! I’m learning Japanese though haha. Oh but I’m still in school....nooooooo

[@KateCavanaugh]

I tried learning Japanese through Duolingo when I was going to visit Tokyo for two weeks! I definitely didn't practice enough haha, but I'm so glad it's an option. I'd love to return to it eventually.

[@santinistar]

I've been binging your videos! Very calming and inspiring to watch 🙏 However I am REALLY curious what that muffin-tray-thing is 😂 You never say in your vlogs! It looks fast and delicious, but what it is? Muffin? Scone? Something else? Is it sweet or savory? All the questions 😂

[@samanthapixley6402]

I feel like this is so true for people who structure their own time... I'm so sorry about your migraines! I hope you are feeling much, much better!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Yes, I definitely think that's it! Structuring your own time is both the best and worst thing in terms of productivity haha. And thank you so much! I felt much better the next day and was so relieved there was no "migraine hangover" this time around. :)

[@samanthapixley6402]

I'm glad!

[@Rose-dx4li]

You're coming along well with your spanish! Love these type of challenge videos. Btw I know you wanted recomendatons for other challenge videos, so maybe you could do narrative poems? I suck at poetry, but I find the narrative type to be easier because it's actually telling a story.

[@KateCavanaugh]

OOOOoooOOooOoooh! I love that idea! I'll definitely add it to the list. Poetry in general is on there but I like the idea of narrative specifically. AND THANK YOU! Slowly but surely hahah.

[@shellystar]

Finally got a chance to watch this. Tried a one day experiment using an actual schedule. Tried writing in the morning because most successful writers write in the a.m. Since I'm not a morning person it took me two hours to fully wake up before I could start writing LOL Anyway, got a lot more to do. Might write a blog about this process.

[@AeSunfyre]

yop. Always underrestimating time too. For me the worst is how much time I put into writing on a single scene. Sometimes I don't have that much time, but when I'm in the zone, I stay in this hell hole for HOURS.

[@rubyboo6430]

I have a whole bunch of productivity tables that track my writing, drawing, language learning and working out. Honestly it's helped a lot, I started this system last sept and while I would like to work harder than I am I have noticed that it has improved. I don't really understand why it works but heck, whatever works! Awesome video, and I'm looking forward to the live!

[@KateCavanaugh]

OOOOOH! I'm so curious what your productivity tables look like! I find all of that so interesting. That's fantastic that it's helped you improve. And totally agreed: whatever works! And YAY! See you then. :)

[@novicewriter3402]

This was such an interesting video! I don't think I'd be able to keep up an experiment for a whole week, but congrats on getting so much done!!

[@KateCavanaugh]

It was muuuuuch harder than just one day but probably more valuable in what I learned from it! This also goes into when I make daily vs. weekly vlogs for NaNo or the Camps! I'm muuuuch better at doing things daily and wrapping them up than trying to keep track each week.

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

I also get migraines with aura. They suck. Luckily, the frequency has gone down now since I've started getting monthly magnesium infusions

[@lorken22]

My writing scheduled right now with a full time job out of the house is every morning I have breakfast and tea and do my Duolingo as I drink my tea. Then I go back to my room and do about two pages worth of writing before I have to get to work. I've been doing this schedule for about a month now and it's working really well! I have the longest Duolingo streak I've ever had and it's the fist time outside of NaNoWriMo that I have written EVERY DAY for more then a month. Also I sometimes write more once I get off work simply because I come up with ideas at work or on my commute a lot lol

[@aleksandragieralt7370]

First off - congrats - despite everything a very productive week. Migraines - I can relate. Mine weren't quite as bad as yours (worst lasted 3 days, had to sit in dark room. No nausea), but they messed up my life for a while. They were due to low iron. I use a bullet journal . . . It sort of helps . . . I try to do examination of conscience in evenings (it's a Catholic religious practice but basically - things I'm grateful for, things I want to improve, things I am improving, daily goals, reflections) but I fall asleep before I get to it to be honest . . .

[@SAVYWRITESBOOKS]

this is such a cool idea!! i might try a vlog like this during the summer since i won't be in school anymore and can devote that much time to this. love it!

[@KateCavanaugh]

OOOOH YES! Please do. And let me know when you do it so I can watch! :)

[@anookishexception7234]

I want to try a 24 hr ideal writing day as well as a week long one. We'll see what happens. Also love your videos.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooh, that would be fascinating! Let me know how it turns out! And thank you so much. :)

[@imit1989]

Time tracking is my fav, so at least I know where my time goes and from which activities I can take for more important ones. Interesting vlog, loved it. Have a blessed day, Kate!

[@KateCavanaugh]

I wish I was better at time tracking on a regular basis! If I don't make it a priority - like these type of experiments! - it never happens. Maybe that can be a goal of mine, to make tracking a priority hahah. And thank you, you too !:)

[@JaceJacobs]

✋🏼👊🏼😀❤️ Love trying a new writing experience. Thank you my friend. Namaste 🙏 ☮️

[@Laurapoet33]

Wow okay so I have a lot of thoughts about this! I love making schedules and lists and planning out my time, but I have a real problem focusing in the moment. The idea that you can really focus for 7 hours a day honestly feels so unachievable for me because my attention span is so disjointed. But...I'm an optimist so I continue making ridiculously ambitious plans for myself haha :) It is so heartening to see that such a hard worker like you also experiences that disconnect between expectations and reality! Basically I am super inspired by your work ethic, even when things don't go according to plan! Also I laughed when you said you were so close to finishing project blue (Congrats btw!!) because when I was writing the first draft of my first novel I kept telling people I was so SO close to finishing, even though I was still like 15k words out lol! It just felt like such a small amount compared to what I'd already written! So that just goes to show that it's all relative. Anyway, I've been watching your videos religiously since nano 2018 and I decided to stop being a silent viewer and actually comment! Keep up the great work and know that your enthusiasm and hard work is such an inspiration!

[@KateCavanaugh]

OMG! Thank you so much for commenting! :) I love these long ones too because it's how I leave comments on other people's videos hahah. For the dedicated focus - it's exhausting. I did it for the experiment (and the similar experiment that lasted a day) and I am WIPED after the day is done. I went to bed a lot earlier than usual most of the days, just because my brain needed time to recover I guess. But it was a great lesson to learn that I *could* do it even if I don't always. And fellow optimists unite! I'm all about the ridiculously ambitious plans. I think, even though I don't usually achieve them exactly as I wanted, I still accomplish way more than I would have otherwise by aiming so high. AND I KNOOOOOW. That's totally what it is! "So close" because I've come so far, not because I'm actually so close hahaha. And thank you! :)

[@Laurapoet33]

@@KateCavanaugh Haha glad to know I'm not the only one on any of those things! Also, random question, but it looks like you're using the nano website to track your writing?!?! I thought it was only available during November/the camps!

[@casscutting1573]

I feel your pain with the migraines. I was diagnosed with chronic migraines 7 years ago. In that time I have never had a day without a migraine. Thank god for medications though it took trial and error of 40 different drugs until we found something that worked.

[@KateCavanaugh]

UGH, I feel like crying for you. 😭 I'm so glad you were able to find something that worked! I'm super thankful mine have become much more sporadic. I had a friend who got botox that helped with hers. If they happened more frequently for me, medication would be worth trying (I used to be on it in middle/high school and for a short time in college) but I'm keeping my fingers crossed it won't be necessary.

[@casscutting1573]

@@KateCavanaugh Awe

[@KateCavanaugh]

48?!?! THAT SOUNDS INSANE. And not wanting to die is a very, very good thing haha. YAY FOR THE POWER OF PAIN MEDICATION!

[@EvieReddingWrites]

This was an interesting experiment. I use the passion planner too! Goodness I am so slow at editing videos and writing and...well pretty much everything except talking 😂😭 Really enjoyed this~

[@KateCavanaugh]

Aww thank you, I'm so glad! :) I think I've gotten a lot faster at video editing but MYGOODNESS sometimes they take forreeevvveerrrr haha. It's definitely been a learned skill so I'm hoping I'll just keep improving haha. And love the Passion Planner! I realized I need to get another one haha.

[@lollyannaclark]

okay so i've been watching your videos for a while now and you made me want to start my own writing channel and well.... I DID IT. I have three videos up now and it's so scary but it's really motivating. guess i just wanted to say i love your channel and i can't wait to buy your books in the future :D xx

[@KateCavanaugh]

Aww thanks so much and I know I said this on another comment, but BEST OF LUCK with your channel and making videos! It's been so much fun for me and I always encourage it! :)

[@lollyannaclark]

@@KateCavanaugh aw thanks!! I'm really enjoying it so far, though I do find it a bit awkward when people from work tell me they have seen it - I don't quite know how to reply, haha! :D x

[@j.a.giaquinto]

I have a calendar to the right of my desk which I write out my entire month which gives me an overall view of events coming up but I also keep a spread sheet on excel with my word count totals along with the day and what projects I do coming from someone whose more than a little scatterbrained this is quite helpful!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Yesss, fellow scatter-brained person! I have to write everything down everywhere. I will say that after the first month of tracking my words in a spreadsheet, I stopped, I just forgot! But I'd love to get back into it again.

[@j.a.giaquinto]

yea there are days when I forget to add that into my spreadsheet but I'm pretty good about remembering where I stopped and where I began if I can catch it in time *holds up butterfly net*

[@zarwrites]

Oo, I love using the Passion Planner for keeping track of tasks and hours. I just switched to a different planner for 2019, and I'm already missing its organization. Despite not sticking to plans and that awful migraine (I get those, too, so I feel ya there), you got sooo much done!! Congrats! You really are crushing it 💪🏽 I really wanted to be on top of everything this year, especially starting January off fresh, but plans have changed a bit... since I found out my husband and I are pregnant on New Year's Eve! 🤰🏼 That's one way to start off the new year haha-- sooo all plans and goals have been thrown out the window, especially any writing plans I had for after September 😂 (goodbye, what would have been my first NaNoWriMo...) It'll totally be worth it, obviously, but it's still a lot to take in. One day at a time ♡

[@KateCavanaugh]

YESSSS. I think I got addicted to those kinds of planners when I was in college. Getting to block out exactly when my classes were and work around them was life-saving. I haven't ordered a new one either and have been using this old one exclusively when I know a week is going to be insane BUT Imma have to add that to my Wish List bahaha. AND THANK YOU! :) OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG that's incredible! What a wonderful New Year's Eve surprise hahah. And absolutely! In some kind of weird cosmic timing, I was just listening to a podcast where these writers were talking about the pressure to be productive but then SPECIFICALLY mentioned what happens when you have a newborn. (You know, the typical, "they're only this size once" but how especially true it was for the interviewee as a parent.) But I could completely see what a big adjustment that would be! To your life and to your plans. DEEP BREATHS AND YOU GOT THIS! And I'm so happy for you! :)

[@zarwrites]

@@KateCavanaugh Sometimes I'll break down and buy one of their academic planners at the end of the year because they mark them down significantly in Dec, or their regular planners which they mark down somtime mid-year. In these cases, you can only use them for 6 months, but they are such productive, organized months! Hahaha 😉 I got one for just $1 before, but the shipping cost is where they get you. Still, greatly worth it when compared to the regular $25 + shipping (which still is honestly affordable compared to other popular $60+ planners). Hmm, I might have just convinced myself to get a new one... Fantastic. 😏 And THANK YOU!!! Luckily my sister wanted to toast with sparkling juice this year, so I just played my lack of champagne low key as my role as the supportive big sister. It's so amazing (and creepy, but like a good creepy 😋) how perfectly how things fall into place like that! What podcast? I'm on the hunt for some mommy/writing content to help calm my nerves, to prove to myself that I CAN be a stay-at-home mother while still finding time to create intricate worlds and share the stories trapped in my head ♡ (Gah, I'm so mushy right now!)

[@KateCavanaugh]

It was all I could do to ignore their emails last month! I kept telling myself I already had a planner, I didn't need another one, but now part of me regrets it hahaha. It was The Creative Penn podcast, a specific episode and they touched on that aspect for maybe ~2 minutes? Let me see if I can find the exact timestamp on the episode and get back to you! :) (AFAIK, Joanna Penn doesn't plan to have children, but her guest was speaking from her own experience/experience with clients or the like.)

[@zarwrites]

@@KateCavanaugh Their adverts are one of the reasons why I've started a new email, and I try to keep it as unattached as possible haha Ahh, I see! Vivien Reis did point out a few women on AuthorTube that are also mothers that have maybe one video each. It's a small niche it seems, but I'm grateful for anything. I like to compile my resources lol

[@freespeechisdead1565]

Aw, I'm sorry you get so sick with migraines. I stop everything if my butt itches wrong. So I can't imagine dealing with migraines.

[@harmonygibbs7904]

i miss the days when my creativity was fully juiced up and i had several projects going at the same time. I've been trying to get back there, slowly making myself write even when there is no idea.

[@sierrafarnum9689]

You have that nervous laugh down lol

[@welcometomollysworld]

new video woot!

[@KateCavanaugh]

WOOHOO!!

[@TheHexedLibrary]

I have a standing desk at work and it is amazing! Sorry your week didn't go exactly as planned, better luck next time! I think the first experiment I'm going to tackle this year is the 24 hour writeathon that never happened in November hahaha.

[@KateCavanaugh]

YESSSSSS YES YES YES! I can't wait to see how that goes for you. I haven't given it a shot since my first (and maybe, at this point, only) attempt but I loooooove watching them hahaha. And I really do need to get one of those! I'm keeping my eye open for brands. How do you like yours and which do you have?

[@jessicagrzado8664]

I spend way too much time sitting too! A standing desk would be such a help in my life.

[@KateCavanaugh]

RIGHT! I'm now convinced it's going to happen. I'll let you know what research I find haha.

[@LaHormiguitaLectora]

Oh, I see you are learning Spanish 😍😍😍💜💜💜💜💜

[@alllis]

I love your videos! How do you commit/focus on one story at a time (even though you work on several)? Also how would you find time for writing during school/work/family time? I'm working on a nonfiction at the moment with the mindset that if I can complete that, I can complete a fiction.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Thank you so much! :) And those are great questions! Committing to one story is hard - usually I give myself deadlines. And then I work on the *most important* task first thing in the day. I don't let myself work on other projects until that task (certain number of chapters edited or words written) is done. Then I can work on as many other projects as I want! But one is always a priority. (I think I'm good at sticking with that work ethic 80% of the time and my inspiration for one project over another beats me the other 20%). Writing around family/school/work is really hard and there's not really a magic answer. Some weeks are better than others and some are busier than others. I'm a morning person, so if I can get the most important thing done in the morning, before anyone else is up or before I have to do other work - then that's what works for me! And I think nonfiction could be just as hard! It totally depends on what your brain likes more or what you have a drive for at the moment. :) Fiction is hard in that you have to have story arcs that nonfiction doesn't always need. Nonfiction is hard because you want the content to be engaging throughout while still giving information (whether that's narrative nonfiction or something like a cookbook haha).

[@aurorapiaggesi]

We have the same planner! Weeee!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Isn't it the best?? I've used a lot of different ones and still really enjoy this one and the Passion Planner.

[@aurorapiaggesi]

@@KateCavanaugh Yeah! I've been using the Passion Planner since three years now, and I love it!

[@crazysister1792]

So curious, do you work from home? I'd like to do writing full time but my work schedule is just all over the place and when I do look at work from home jobs I don't know what sites I'm looking at.

[@harmonium101]

What does it mean to have a migraine come with an aura?

[@writative8285]

So question, when you rewrite, do you read what's there and add in things, or are you using the zero draft as a chubby outline to write a brand new document?

[@KateCavanaugh]

Bahaha I use my zero draft as a chubby outline for sure! (And I'm totally going to start calling it that.) And write the new draft in a new document. I might even still do this for the next couple drafts. It's only when I'm tinkering with things toward the later drafts that I'm manually adding/deleting from the same document.

[@writative8285]

@@KateCavanaugh Holy frijoles that's a lot of typing! I don't know that I'm prolific enough to get work out while completely rewriting, but I want to do whatever gives this completed chubby outline its best chance. Keep being you and putting out good work, you're inspiring me to get the fluff over myself and get the thing done! Thanks my friend. :D

[@Neil-writer-author]

I don't track my writing progress; I average an hour a day.

[@beths_studio]

Just curious, is KZbin your full time job? If so, how much do you get from your channel? Hope I'm not being too nosy.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Definitely not my full-time job! More like a part-time hobby haha. (Or, part of an "author brand," which could go into my job -- depending on how you want to look at it!) You can check out socialblade.com to see an estimate of what youtubers might make. I find it's pretty accurate.

[@ihatemickiegee]

you are so cute lol

[@scottanderson8167]

Its very brave of you to leave naked photos up on your computer desktop behind you! Woo woo!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Huh?

[@scottanderson8167]

Kate Cavanaugh Oh just kidding. You have a pinkish shirt on in the photo.