In a post on Lit Hub, Lily Chu says a good list can keep your writing goals on track. “If we are what we do, then to-do-lists are itemized descriptions of our true selves,” Chu says. “But there’s only one task that shows every day, and always on the first line. It says, ‘Write.'”
Chu has written daily for some 25 years, but still puts “write” at the top of her list. “Perhaps having it there is a reminder that regardless of whether I feel inspired to write or edit that day or not, most of writing a book is simply showing up to do the work,” she says. “It’s a task, the same as weeding the garden, and like weeding the garden, doesn’t require inspiration or a muse. It just needs to get done.”
She also adds a target. “I calculate everything back from the deadline, which includes drafting, editing, beta reads, and final edits,” Chu explains. “I have a good idea of how long each stage takes and I write down these mini-deadlines when I begin any project (in list format, of course), to make sure I stay accountable.”
Chu’s lists provide structure to her day and feedback on how well she did. They also create a daily journal and tell her how well she’s handling life. “If a day goes by with few lines or checks, it’s safe to say that I’m not handling it well,” she says. “Or I went rogue and had a fun adventure. Either way, those groceries did not get bought. For a to-do-list, intent is meaningless. Only the outcome matters.”
