1) Use time well, and cut out distractions.
This means removing lesser things for something that matters more (I’m looking at you video games and social media). This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them, but most of us let them run our lives, and we waste a TON of time.
For social media, I recommend using the Freedom app. It’s really helped me enjoy social media at the right times so I can focus when it’s time to focus.
2) Write the entire book first.
Story comes first. Period. If you can make sure your book is fully written before you rush into the final art, you can make sure you use your time well and don’t spend too much time on things that may be cut. It also helps you…
3) Plan your work.
You need to know what the road map looks like. Once you know how many pages the book is and your deadline, you can see the work clearly. If you’ve never seen my tracking spreadsheet, I recommend you give it a shot!
4) Become efficient as an artist.
Finish the book! The temptation is to labor over every page like it’s a masterpiece, but you have to be practical about this. Do your best on a page and move on. Learn to draw fast. Eventually, skill catches up to speed.
5) Have a great support system.
Having people who believe in you matters a lot! They push you and get you through your tough days. My wife and friends have helped push me over the finish line. They know this matters to me and won’t let me give up.
6) Rest well.
I undervalued this in the past and much to the detriment of my health. As a result, I gained weight, became extremely exhausted, and increased my anxiety. These days, I do the best I can every day by cutting out the unnecessary and then go to bed when I’m tired.
I’m sure a time will come soon when I may have to push myself for short stretches past what is healthy, but I can handle that in a short burst… However, months and months of it are not healthy.
7) Set good boundaries.
I can’t always do this, but I try to make sure I don’t use what should be family time as production time. My wife, kids, and even friends deserve my time too. So I set times when I work, and if it’s not that time, I don’t unless there’s a good reason.
These are just things I’ve learned and experienced over the last 10 years. I’m still constantly learning, but the point is you can do this and have a full-time job! You can get there if it matters to you, and we can’t wait to read your story.