Why goals? What’s the big deal, I just want to write we say. Writing without setting goals is similar to leaving for vacation without a destination; we will eventually get somewhere, but most likely after wasting valuable time, energy and money.
One of the greatest challenges for writers is a lack of consistent structure in our workplace, wherever that may be. There normally is not someone there to keep us on task. No one telling us how to write, when we have to do it, and what exactly we have to write, much less if we have completed the task well.
There are many ways to lose sight of a goal. An important point to remember is while acceptance and publication are definitely signs of success, rejections are not ultimate failure. Writers are not in control of editorial decisions and the market factors that determine whose submissions will be accepted. There are suggestions to employ which will increase acceptance. These we will save for another day.
Writers long, dream and even lust for publication. One way to obtain that dream is to learn to set realistic goals. Goals are not our dreams, longings, or lusts. They must be meaningful, measurable, and attainable definitions for our work.
Over the next few weeks, we will explore each step to setting realistic goals in more detail. I have decided to devote one blog entry to each step in setting our goals. Our dreams will be fulfilled, as we map our specific goals to reach them.
If you haven't already, commit your dream to paper; remember to dream big. Start brainstorming steps you might take to fulfill your dream.
Next up what is a meaningful goal?
Here's to fulfilled dreams.
Dara
Friday, February 2, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Red Letter Day Goals
It's your Red Letter Day - open your favorite calendar, and circle today's date. It's the first day of your new writing year. What... you say...it's the end of January. I know, but how many times have we made New Year's resolutions, and never kept them. Today we are going to resolve to set our writing goals and keep them.
If you have not already done so buy yourself a calendar. Make certain it is something your will use. It can be an expensive date book with multiple features or a dime store special, both still have 365 days in them.
You may choose to have one calendar for a master overview, and then do a calendar for each project as I do. With one project I bought a long spiral bound lined notebook for $1.00. I divided each page into thirds and numbered them with days and months. The notebook gave me ample room needed for specific notes, goals, and deadlines for the project.
Clear goals help us stay focused as a writer. When we know and choose what we want to accomplish we can arrange our time and priorities to get everything done. It helps alleviate and manage the stress in our lives.
Many of us are procrastinators; some of are afraid of success, sabotaging it with inaction. Others are overwhelmed with commitments. Some overachievers; some of us are just lazy. The sage advice on how to eat an elephant... one bite at a time, in applicable here. The most effective writers have clear organized goals, which can be baby steps to a long term goal.
Over the next few weeks we will be blogging about starting anew with our writing. We will start from square one, even us seasoned writers can stand a good review.
Today start with a clean slate, outline some realistic goals you want to accomplish this year, and look at your calendar to see how you can divvy up your schedule to take one step at a time to accomplish all of your gaols.
Ready, Set, Go to a great writing year!
Dara
If you have not already done so buy yourself a calendar. Make certain it is something your will use. It can be an expensive date book with multiple features or a dime store special, both still have 365 days in them.
You may choose to have one calendar for a master overview, and then do a calendar for each project as I do. With one project I bought a long spiral bound lined notebook for $1.00. I divided each page into thirds and numbered them with days and months. The notebook gave me ample room needed for specific notes, goals, and deadlines for the project.
Clear goals help us stay focused as a writer. When we know and choose what we want to accomplish we can arrange our time and priorities to get everything done. It helps alleviate and manage the stress in our lives.
Many of us are procrastinators; some of are afraid of success, sabotaging it with inaction. Others are overwhelmed with commitments. Some overachievers; some of us are just lazy. The sage advice on how to eat an elephant... one bite at a time, in applicable here. The most effective writers have clear organized goals, which can be baby steps to a long term goal.
Over the next few weeks we will be blogging about starting anew with our writing. We will start from square one, even us seasoned writers can stand a good review.
Today start with a clean slate, outline some realistic goals you want to accomplish this year, and look at your calendar to see how you can divvy up your schedule to take one step at a time to accomplish all of your gaols.
Ready, Set, Go to a great writing year!
Dara
Friday, January 26, 2007
So You Want To Be A Writer...
Most of us set out with a romanticized idea of what a writer is, winning awards, hob-nobbing with the rich and famous, book signings with lines of fans out the door, insanely large advances, and plots and words pouring from our soul effortlessly. Then we sit down and attempt to write our first great American novel, nothing comes or what does is rubbish. How did this happen? What now? Where do I start? These are all things most of us have experienced. I thought it would be helpful to share some insights I have garnered from my writing life.
First, a bit of my history… I went through a period of total self-doubt. I have been writing stories since I was a kid. I was a very active, somewhat gangly kid. I have always been curious. I loved exploring anything and everything. Books became my solace when others teased me; they also provided an outlet for my insatiable desire for mystery and adventure. I truly had plans to become an Air Force fighter pilot (like my Dad) or a Navy SEAL. Unfortunately, early in my life, my dreams were squashed. I lived in an era where young girls were encouraged to be teachers, nurses, or wives. Not that there is anything wrong with those life choices, but I wanted more.
I devoured books on many eclectic subjects. My favorite subjects were science and math. Yet again, girls were not supposed to like those subjects, so I turned to books. I read books on science, math and geography. I love the mystery and adventure of far away places and how things work. I read probably two biographies a week, too. In addition, you guess it; my favorite works of fiction were mysteries.
How is this relevant to our current writing? A common piece of advice is to write what you know. Sounds simple, but it can be more complicated. I know a fair amount about non-fiction material, but you have to be able to share the info with others without talking down to them, particularly if writing for children; and not be preachy, teachy, either. We can come away looking aloof. With fiction, it can be trickier; we have to make it believable, but entertaining and captivating.
So how does one walk this tightrope? I wish I had a magic wand, potion, or formula, but I do not. I can tell you the first thing we must do is being willing to fail, because we will. We all feel devastated when the first rejection letter arrives. After a few, we usually start doubting our abilities, and feel that everyone who reads our work will soon know we are a fraud. I used to ask my husband, “Who in their right mind would believe I am a writer? They all know I’m a fraud, right?” Fortunately, we had been married long enough, he knew better than to answer those two questions.
So what should we do first? I have found planning is the key. Over the next few weeks, I hope to share some ideas, which have worked for others and me. For now, try writing everyday. I know some people cannot, but even if you write for 15 minutes a day, it is practice. Practice leads to accomplishment, in whatever you practice.
I am learning to play the guitar; if I do not practice, I am certain I will not succeed in playing songs. Trust me, I have healthy skepticism friends will not be able to distinguish what I play as a song even with my practice. With that aside, I do encourage you to write.
Finally, realize other writers do like to hear of your success. It gives them the opportunity to have hope they too will succeed. And with some of us, it may even be … “Well, if she (he) can get published then I know I can!” LOL Seriously, know most writers will be our best resource, even before our family and friends. The ones closest to us tend to tell us what we want to hear.
My challenge for us today is to write for 15 minutes, and commit to paper what our writing goals are for the next 3 months, 6 months, year, 5 years, and 10 years. We will not worry how silly we think they are… dream big! We will discuss goals next time.
Remember we are in our write mind.
Dara
First, a bit of my history… I went through a period of total self-doubt. I have been writing stories since I was a kid. I was a very active, somewhat gangly kid. I have always been curious. I loved exploring anything and everything. Books became my solace when others teased me; they also provided an outlet for my insatiable desire for mystery and adventure. I truly had plans to become an Air Force fighter pilot (like my Dad) or a Navy SEAL. Unfortunately, early in my life, my dreams were squashed. I lived in an era where young girls were encouraged to be teachers, nurses, or wives. Not that there is anything wrong with those life choices, but I wanted more.
I devoured books on many eclectic subjects. My favorite subjects were science and math. Yet again, girls were not supposed to like those subjects, so I turned to books. I read books on science, math and geography. I love the mystery and adventure of far away places and how things work. I read probably two biographies a week, too. In addition, you guess it; my favorite works of fiction were mysteries.
How is this relevant to our current writing? A common piece of advice is to write what you know. Sounds simple, but it can be more complicated. I know a fair amount about non-fiction material, but you have to be able to share the info with others without talking down to them, particularly if writing for children; and not be preachy, teachy, either. We can come away looking aloof. With fiction, it can be trickier; we have to make it believable, but entertaining and captivating.
So how does one walk this tightrope? I wish I had a magic wand, potion, or formula, but I do not. I can tell you the first thing we must do is being willing to fail, because we will. We all feel devastated when the first rejection letter arrives. After a few, we usually start doubting our abilities, and feel that everyone who reads our work will soon know we are a fraud. I used to ask my husband, “Who in their right mind would believe I am a writer? They all know I’m a fraud, right?” Fortunately, we had been married long enough, he knew better than to answer those two questions.
So what should we do first? I have found planning is the key. Over the next few weeks, I hope to share some ideas, which have worked for others and me. For now, try writing everyday. I know some people cannot, but even if you write for 15 minutes a day, it is practice. Practice leads to accomplishment, in whatever you practice.
I am learning to play the guitar; if I do not practice, I am certain I will not succeed in playing songs. Trust me, I have healthy skepticism friends will not be able to distinguish what I play as a song even with my practice. With that aside, I do encourage you to write.
Finally, realize other writers do like to hear of your success. It gives them the opportunity to have hope they too will succeed. And with some of us, it may even be … “Well, if she (he) can get published then I know I can!” LOL Seriously, know most writers will be our best resource, even before our family and friends. The ones closest to us tend to tell us what we want to hear.
My challenge for us today is to write for 15 minutes, and commit to paper what our writing goals are for the next 3 months, 6 months, year, 5 years, and 10 years. We will not worry how silly we think they are… dream big! We will discuss goals next time.
Remember we are in our write mind.
Dara
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Brand New Blogger
I have tried blogging in the past, but mainly for fun and to stay in touch with family and friends. This is my first attempt as a professional blogger. I plan on sharing my experiences and info about our writing profession. Writing is a tough business, definitely not for the faint of heart. With diligence and hard work, we can succeed.
As we progress through the next months, you will see new things develop. I want to offer writing quotes to inspire and ponder. I plan on providing writing tips, hints, and writing prompts shared with me. I also have plans to link us to professional sites and resources.
My goal is to develop a blog we can share with each other....and support our write mind.
Keep writing,
Dara
As we progress through the next months, you will see new things develop. I want to offer writing quotes to inspire and ponder. I plan on providing writing tips, hints, and writing prompts shared with me. I also have plans to link us to professional sites and resources.
My goal is to develop a blog we can share with each other....and support our write mind.
Keep writing,
Dara
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