✨From Chaos to Confidence: Create a Writing System That Actually Works✨
A step-by-step approach to managing overwhelm, so you can focus on finishing your manuscript.👏🏼
Boola Bos is located in Toronto and Minneapolis which are on the traditional territories of many Anishinaabe, Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Dakota nations. These lands, both ceded and unceded, continue to be contested.
We acknowledge the historical and ongoing genocide, oppression, and exploitation of Inuit, First Nations, and Métis communities, cultures, and languages across what is now known as Turtle Island or North America.
As writers, we recognize the power of language and place names and commit to using our words thoughtfully to honor the many people who have cared for this land long before European colonial expansion.
We commit to operating Boola Bos in ways that support the dismantling of systems of injustice and which cause no further harm to the land, people, and cultures of our shared home.
Registration Now Open for Writer’s Clinic!
Diagnose the issues, make a game plan, finish your manuscript, and start querying agents 👏🏼
Big news: registration for the Boola Bos Writer’s Clinic is officially OPEN! 🎉
Writer’s Clinic is a 60-minute on-demand video designed to quickly diagnose the obstacles keeping you from finishing your manuscript and help you create a realistic plan (that you’ll actually stick to) to finally get it done and start querying literary agents.
Here’s what’s included:
✅ On-Demand Training: A 60-minute video tutorial packed with actionable advice you can fit into your busy life.
✅ Accompanying Workbook: A detailed and easy-to-use digital guide to help you create your personalized game plan.
✅ Expert Guidance: Benefit from the wisdom, experience, and — most importantly — hindsight of two writers who've been there, done that, and decided to create the resource they wish they'd had.
The grand total? $120 USD.
The training goes live on Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, so grab your spot now, then sit back and relax knowing everything is in hand. We'll send you the link as soon as it goes live and ta-da! A complete manuscript will finally be within reach!
At Boola Bos, we believe writers are like elite athletes: brimming with raw talent, grit, and ambition. But even the best athletes need training, support, and strategy to perform at their peak.
This isn’t about fixing you—because you are not the problem. It’s about helping you navigate the realities of life and creating a writing game plan to get you over the finish line without dropping the ball on any of the other hundred (or is it a thousand?) things you’re responsible for.
Ready to join the squad? Register here!
From Chaos to Confidence: Creating a Sustainable Writing System That Works
This week on TIMEOUT: A step-by-step approach to managing overwhelm, so you can focus on finishing your manuscript.
Life is busy, messy, and often unpredictable—especially when you’re a parent and a writer. But creating personalized systems can help you carve out space for your writing goals while managing the rest of life’s demands. And it all begins with one foundational habit: consistent strategic planning. Without it, even the best systems can fall apart.
✨ Start with a Weekly Planning Ritual
Before diving into any other strategies, commit to a regular weekly planning session. Set aside twenty to thirty minutes every Sunday or another day that works for you. Use this time to map out your priorities for the week, including dedicated writing sessions, family obligations, and self-care. Think of this as your "CEO time"—a non-negotiable meeting with yourself to review what’s working, adjust as needed, and set clear intentions. Treat it as sacred, and consider creating a ritual around it: light a candle, brew your favorite tea, or use a special notebook to make it feel purposeful.
This habit becomes the cornerstone for every other system in your life. When you know what’s ahead and have a plan, it’s easier to stay on track, even when life gets chaotic.
✨ Simplify Your Life
When life feels overwhelming, simplify where you can. Look for repetitive tasks that drain your energy and ask: “Can this be streamlined or delegated?” For example, you might automate meal planning with rotating menus or set up a chore schedule that involves the whole family. These small changes create mental space and free up time for your writing.
✨ Designate Sacred Writing Time
Systems thrive on consistency. Identify blocks of time in your week when you can reliably write, even if it’s only twenty minutes. Treat this time as sacred and communicate its importance to your family. A clear system—like setting a timer, lighting a candle, or writing in the same spot each day—signals that this is your creative time and helps you stick to it.
✨ Use Tools to Stay Organized
A good system often relies on the right tools. Consider using project management apps, shared calendars, or simple to-do lists to track household tasks, deadlines, and writing goals. Keeping everything in one place reduces decision fatigue and makes it easier to focus on your priorities. Don’t overthink the tools.
✨ Batch Tasks to Maximize Efficiency
Batching similar tasks saves time and energy by minimizing context switching. For example, dedicate one evening a week to brainstorming ideas or outlining chapters. Block out another session for deep work, like drafting or revising. Separating tasks into categories keeps your focus sharp and your workflow efficient.
✨ Anticipate Interruptions
Even the best systems can be derailed by unexpected interruptions. Plan for flexibility by having a backup plan—like a list of smaller writing tasks you can tackle during chaotic days. This way, you’ll still feel productive, even when life doesn’t go as planned.
✨ Evaluate and Adjust Regularly
Systems aren’t static—they’re meant to evolve with you. During your weekly planning session, take time to assess what’s working and what isn’t. Are you hitting your writing goals? Do you still feel overwhelmed? Tweak your systems as needed to ensure they’re serving you and your ambitions.
Building systems takes effort upfront, but the payoff is worth it. With the right structures in place—starting with your weekly planning ritual—you’ll reclaim the mental space and time you need to focus on your manuscript—without sacrificing your family or your sanity. Remember: a well-designed system isn’t about doing more; it’s about making room for what matters most.
