Tools I Use: The Process

I have a full-blown process in place and I use this process daily to write.  Specifically, to write the other blog and to work on growing it. 

1. Get up and write my 3 pages per day.  Keep a separate notebook handy.
2. Whenever I get an idea that pertains to the blog (I get a lot, it seems), write it down.
3. When I'm done with my 3 pages, sit down at my computer and start working on "the list".  

Here's an example of yesterday's list.  I don't get too worked up whether I finish everything or not, and some of them are just ideas that I may dismiss later.

• Mom's canning story (work on it)
• Neptune Society (add a link to it from the blog)
• Reply to comments personally
• Story about how much I cuss and how much mom hated it
• add a "coming soon" widget to the blog
• Another story idea about ALS
• Email mom's ALS coordinator about the site and about resources (oh, and about mom's suction machine)
• set up a donation link on the site for the ALS Association
• Email a guy at work about a thing
• Buy some blue pens and a digital voice recorder
• check messages at "PatientsLikeMe.com"

Each day, I add to the list.  Some days I actually accomplish everything, then it's time to go back through the lists and do those things I didn't get to before.  Sometimes stuff just falls off my radar, or is an idea that is so uninspiring that eventually I just don't do it.