How To Be Prolific As A Writer in 3 -2 -1

by Katrina Moore

How are you so prolific? or How do you do it all?

These are the two questions that I get asked the most by other writers, especially those trying to break into the industry. I wish I could tell you there was a magic formula to getting published, or multi-published, or to being able to make a career out of writing. Spoiler alert: there isn’t. Well, then, How do I do it all?

I don't. 

But . . . there are things that you can do to set yourself up for success, to maximize your opportunities, and to continue moving forward. Each person’s path to publication is different, and the more I get to know other writers who also appear* "prolific" and like they've got it all figured out**, the more I can assure you that each person's journey, process, and priorities are different, too!

As I've revealed, I don't do it all! And, I've got multiple deadlines, and less than zero extra time (let's just call that mommy math😎) so I'm going to keep this blog post zippy.

When I was teaching, one of my favorite teaching "tools" was a 3-2-1 exit ticket for students, wherein after a lesson, they jot down 3 things on a topic, then 2 things, then 1 takeaway. This was a great reflective tool for the students that gave them a targeted way to process and sift through what was memorable in a lesson, plus, it was always informative for me to see if their takeaways and "learnings" matched what my targets were. It even worked with the youngest students (sometimes I'd ask for single words, or a drawing). It was doable, flexible, and open-ended. All this to say, once a teacher, forever a teacher, and I'm going to use the 3 -2- 1 Tool to share with you what I DO do to continue building a body of fresh work (which are the seeds necessary to grow a prolific career!). Without further ado, here we go!

3  Things To Do:

• Prioritize your writing time​
• Learn to Juggle
• Let Go Of Perfectionism 

Prioritize your writing time: If you want someone to take your writing seriously, the first person who needs to do that is you. Treat your writing time like its work (the best kind of work that you are eager to do). This will look different for each person, but for me, it looks like setting aside time to write everyday. Is it 10 minutes some days and 12 hours another day? Sure! But be methodical about it, and schedule in that time for yourself. For me,  I get CRANKY if I don't get to write daily. But realistically, especially during the time when my first ten books published and I was teaching elementary kids full time, and parenting two young kids, taking care of two dogs, and we made multiple multi-state moves 😭😭, the day gets busy, and it can get away from you. So I make writing the first thing I do! Yes, even during the above mentioned years, I wrote daily. I set an alarm for the wee hours in the morning, popped out of bed, wrote, went back to bed to nap, then got up when my "wake up" alarm sounded for me to start my day. Maybe one day you only get in ONE WORD. It's still there. It's still progress.

Learn to Juggle: Are there ideal situations in which I would like to write? Yes! In my studio, during normal business hours, and without interruption. And yet . . . HA! It is laughable how many times I've had "these conditions" and then stared at a blank screen. And then, there are times when I am in the middle of something that is not writing at all, and I have the perfect solution to the problem in my picture book manuscript, or a juicy scene I can't wait to write for my novel. What to do?! Always have a notebook nearby. (or your "Notes" app). JUST THIS WEEK, my writing "office" has been my car (5 times), my patio (a change of scenery and fresh air is sometimes exactly what your manuscript needs you to have), inside my son's karate dojo, in the car rider pickup line at my kids' school, in the lobby of the dance studio, at the airport, and (presently!) on the airplane. If you always have your project/manuscript/work in progress in your mind somewhere - it makes it easier to "pick up" where you left off (hours ago in a different location!). Again, progress is progress. My solution to my very busy life where my children are my biggest priority (but also, I need to get things done!) is to have a mobile, ready to go anywhere set up. Isn't that one of the perks of being a writer? We can, for the most part, do it anywhere. So, take advantage of that! 

Let Go Of Perfectionism: Whoo . . . this is a hard one for me. I don't want stop something until it's done, and done at the standard and in the fashion that matches the vision in my brain. I will tell you a secret if you promise not to judge me.

PROMISE?

Okay, I'm trusting you😳. In the kitchen, if I'm baking, and the dessert doesn't turn out how I wanted it to, or is a complete flop, I will throw it away before anyone can see! (GAH! I know! I know!) I know about needing things to be perfect.

BUT . . . I'm here to tell you that if you make this standard for you producing new work, then you are going to be your own biggest barrier. (Have that standard for yourself before you send your work off on submission, or to publish. But not at the writing stage!) Write the imperfect, messy, awful draft. You can fix it in revision!

Does this mean if you don't write every day or do what I said above then you won't be prolific? Absolutely not. And, I don't actually recommend waking yourself up to write and then go back to sleep, because rest and your mental health and wellbeing are also of utmost importance (and clearly I'm some type of creature who can do that - I'm going to go with the fact that since having my first kid 12 years ago and nursing both kids for over a year that I've been able to function on mommy sleep😎). So show up for yourself, and write, write, write!

---

*This is an illusion! For every published book that you see me celebrate, there are multiple ones in between those that 1 - didn't sell and is still on submission (yet😊 because I'm an eternal optimist, which has served my sanity well during this author journey), 2 - I started and abandoned, because something else was calling my attention more, or I had to shelve it for now because what I need to figure it out isn't here (yet), or 3 - I poured my heart and soul into a book that is no longer on submission and is collecting dust on a shelf (sigh . . . yet, the future of such projects is not doomed. You never know!)
​
**They don't have it all figured out. At least, I don't! While I am certainly more knowledge and skilled with each book that I write (including the ones that have yet to be acquired for publication), I am still very much figuring things out. I feel that I always will be, and that keeps me grounded. There's always more to learn, more ways to grow, and more ways that I hope to challenge myself.

2 Non - Negotiables: 

• Tangible Goals
• Keep Going

​I have already lied! I'm sorry! I promised you a zippy post, and here I am, RAMBLING on an on. I'm really trying to empower you. So, forgive me? I'll try to tighten up for the rest of this post.

Tangible Goals:  It's really tempting to have our eye on the prize for the BIG MILESTONES (signing with an agent, getting a book published), and forget that the outcome of those two things are not entirely in our control. So, instead, how can you make your markers of success something that YOU CAN FULLY CONTROL? For instance, instead of "sign with an agent", perhaps your goal is: Write ten submission ready picture book manuscripts this year. The latter is fully within your control. Plus, achieving this goal is something you can check off - and doing so will make you in a position that's ready for an agent to take you on! WIN - WIN!
 
Keep Going: Let's continue with the earlier example. Let's say you do write ten manuscripts that are ready to submit to an agent. And you do submit it to agents - lots of them. And, the rejections begin rolling in . . . or you don't even hear back from the agents. It's easy to get down on yourself. BUT . . . "rejection" is really a part of this journey at every stage. I work with seven different editors at large publishing houses and have excellent relationships with each of them. Yet . . . even they "reject" some of my work.  There are so many factors at play, and the best thing you can do for yourself is to KEEP GOING! Head up, onwards, and upwards. You've got this! And while you're at it, make sure you're celebrating all the LITTLE and BIG milestones along the way! Finished writing a draft? CELEBRATE! Sent out a submission? CELEBRATE! Got a "rejection"? CELEBRATE! (You are one step closer to achieving what you want).

My daughter saw me working hard this past week on my novel revision, and she left that post it on my computer for me to find. It's true. "YOU'RE FINE!" and you'll make it through! I did - and I celebrated by treating myself to lunch :-)

1 Take Away

Embrace YOUR journey: 

My journey is not your journey. Your journey is meant for YOU. So listen to your gut. Keep working hard. Take yourself seriously and keep showing up for yourself and your writing. The seeds of success that you plant today will become fruitful in YOUR JOURNEY. See those baby carrots in the first picture? They are bitty. Maybe someone might think they're not worth celebrating. But those baby carrots are the first ones that my daughter, son, and I grew from seeds in our garden, and we're so proud of them! They are tiny. But they are yummy!! And, just think . . . how much bigger might our carrots be next season?! Celebrate yourself along your journey!  Also, you never know what circumstances and surprises are waiting for you, if only you sow the seeds of success for yourself. 

Also pictured above, are our SEPTEMBER strawberries. Yes, strawberries . . . IN SEPTEMBER! And, more are still growing! 🍓 There will be surprises along your journey. Make sure you are ready for them!

Now it's your turn. 

What tangible goal will you set for yourself between now and the end of 2026?

What have you already achieved in your writing journey this year that's worth celebrating?
Seriously, get out your notebook and make a list! You will be surprised with HOW FULL it already is. Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!

You are already on your way to becoming a prolific writer, yourself.
Believe in yourself.
GIVE to yourself.
And, KEEP GOING.

May your journey be fruitful!  3, 2, 1 . . . Go write! 🥕🍓

Happy Writing!
-Katrina ✨

Katrina Moore is the author of acclaimed picture books, including SCHOOLTIME GRUMPS, THE STAR IN YOU , CHANG'E ON THE MOON, HOPE IS A HOP, SOMETIMES LOVE, GRANDPA GRUMPS, the humorous TEENY HOUDINI chapter books, the BIG JOBS FOR LITTLE BABIES board book series, and more. Her books have received numerous accolades, such as “The Best Children’s Books of The Year” from Bank Street College of Education, selection for awards on multiple state lists, have been translated globally, and have received multiple starred reviews. A former elementary educator with a M.A. in Teaching, Katrina lives in Georgia, with her family. Connect with her at katrinamoorebooks.com.