“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon . . . My goodness how the time has flewn.” (Dr. Seuss). For years, this was my reaction after realizing that I have missed – again! – the pitching deadlines for seasonal and thematic articles.
But not anymore. I found a simple solution to facilitate my freelance writer’s life – a personal writing calendar. This time-tracking tool helped me to organize my activities and increase my earnings.
Let me share how a personal writing calendar can help you, too.
Submit in advance time-sensitive pitches and manuscripts
Many editors need submissions related to holidays and anniversaries. Knowing in advance about upcoming events gives you a competitive edge in pitching. I use these resources:
2026 Anniversaries and Commemorations
Holidays and Observances around the World
Break into new publications by using editorial calendars
Editorial calendars contain themes and deadlines for upcoming issues. The link to the editorial calendar can often be found in the advertisement section. By studying editorial calendars before pitching, you can tailor your queries to meet editors’ needs. That’s how I broke into Creation Illustrated and got my first byline! I use the editor’s calendar (deadlines) to pitch in advance season-related stories. This strategy helped me to have 21 articles published in this periodical.
Set your writing goals and juggle multiple tasks
The writing calendar is a tool to assist you in reaching your yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals. You can download free digital planners here.
Writing calendars are indispensable for those who work on several projects simultaneously and have to honor numerous deadlines. After receiving assignments from editors, I put deadlines in my writing calendar – this way I monitor my workloads and do not overcommit myself.
I also indicate in my calendar what photos (especially seasonal and travel) I need to complement my articles. Mentioning original photos in my pitch often helps to get the writing assignment – and sometimes provides extra money.
Manage writing time more efficiently
By planning your writing time you can devote periods of your maximum productivity to the most important and difficult tasks. My writing calendar also helps to keep me busy after I have submitted my article to the editor. Instead of being anxious and checking my email, I focus on the next project.
Complete unfinished projects and keep submissions in circulation
Many of us have files of old projects that we hope to complete “one day.” Solution? To put these “oldies” into our writing calendars and assign realistic deadlines. After placing one “on hold” mystery story in my calendar, I got inspired to finish it – and my story has been published in Mystery Weekly Magazine!
My writing calendar also helps me to remember checking the status of my submissions and send follow-up emails.
Set aside time for markets research and contests
Freelancers need to break into new markets to keep the steady flow of assignments. There are free electronic publications with paid writing market listings, such as FundsforWriters, WritersWeekly.com, WOW! Women on Writing, FreedomwithWriting. In my calendar, I dedicate one day weekly for market research.
And don’t forget contests that require time and full attention! Thanks to FundsforWriters, we have plenty of contests to choose from! In my writing calendar, I create an early deadline for each contest to give myself a little breathing room.
Are you ready to plan your writing related activities? Even if your current calendar is not perfect, it still helps you be in control of your time and navigate your career in the right direction to reach your writing goals.
BIO – Tatiana Claudy is a freelance writer from Indiana where she lives with her family on a farm. She loves to travel, take photos of fascinating places, and ride horses. Her bylines appeared in Writersweekly.com, Freedomwithwriting.com, WOW! Women on Writing, and also in Mystery Weekly, Creation Illustrated, The Upper Room, The Secret Place, The Lutheran Digest, and Today’s Christian Living magazines.
ID 29101660 © Thitimontoyai | Dreamstime.com
Leave a Reply