Sometimes as writers we feel isolated and alone in our endeavors, but in actuality, we are in the same boat, striving toward the similar goals. If we stick together, the journey will be easier and happier. That's why I'm a member of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. It is such a great community of writers helping writers. If you're not already a member, click here and join our ranks and benefit from the group's resources.
Showing posts with label writing goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing goals. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
IWSG: Writers' Resolutions
This time of year many people, writers included, are making resolutions. (Are you?) Twitter has been full of threads and Facebook has been full of memes, and while many of them have been funny or thought-provoking, I've chosen one of the most helpful to share with you below (scroll on down).
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
#IWSG: Ultimate Writing Goals
Usually, this post goes up on the first Wednesday of the month, but since that is a U.S. holiday, the group decided to post today! So, YAY, it is time for The Insecure Writer's Support Group. If you've not heard of it before, check out the complete details by clicking here.
The purpose of the group is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"
This month's question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?
The purpose of the group is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"
This month's question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?
My answer: My ultimate writing goal is to rank on the New York Times Best Seller list. That'd be cool. Really. Cool. I have received a couple of nice orange best seller banners on Amazon. That was cool, too! And yes, I took a screen grab (see below). Next on my ultimate goal list is to receive a starred review from a major industry reviewer like Kirkus or School Library Journal. But honestly, I must say, the ONLY goal I had for my first book, Who R U Really?, was for it to help at least one person by making readers more aware of dangers online. Goal achieved. I've received multiple emails and people have told me in person that the book helped them - even saved them. Sure, I could get a starred review or make a best seller list, but will that top having a reader tell me my book changed his/her life? Probably not.
As writers, what we do matters. Sometimes we get stuck on a negative review and forget the positive reviews. We need to remind each other that what we do makes a difference ... even if only in providing an escape for a reader from a hectic day.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
#IWSG: Celebrating Goals
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
#IWSG - Writing Schedules
The first Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writer's Support Group!
The purpose of the IWSG is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!" For more information visit the site: insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
The question of the month is: "What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?"
Oh, boy, I'm excited to hop around to other IWSG blogs to read the answers of other writers, because this is an area I struggle with for some reason. Frankly, here's a picture to show my current state:
Maybe tomorrow I'll write a post about strengthening my optimism. Feel free to come back and check on me! ;) Until then, here's a link to everyone else's blog posts answering the question of the month:
The purpose of the IWSG is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!" For more information visit the site: insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
The question of the month is: "What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?"
Oh, boy, I'm excited to hop around to other IWSG blogs to read the answers of other writers, because this is an area I struggle with for some reason. Frankly, here's a picture to show my current state:
Maybe tomorrow I'll write a post about strengthening my optimism. Feel free to come back and check on me! ;) Until then, here's a link to everyone else's blog posts answering the question of the month:
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
#IWSG: NaNoWriMo
First Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writers Support Group!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! For complete details visit: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
This month's IWSG question up for discussion is: "Win or not, do you usually finish your NaNo project? Have any of them gone on to be published?"
<< "National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30. Valuing enthusiasm, determination, and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel." For more info: https://nanowrimo.org/ >>
My answer: I did create an account online with NaNoWriMo a few years ago, but then I never did anything with it. I would love to participate in NaNo . . . (I even gave a school presentation about it one year.) . . . but the timing has never been right for my process. I tend to be in the middle of revisions every time November rolls around for me. So, no, I have never finished a NaNo project, because I never started one. ;)
How about you? Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year?
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! For complete details visit: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
This month's IWSG question up for discussion is: "Win or not, do you usually finish your NaNo project? Have any of them gone on to be published?"
<< "National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30. Valuing enthusiasm, determination, and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel." For more info: https://nanowrimo.org/ >>
My answer: I did create an account online with NaNoWriMo a few years ago, but then I never did anything with it. I would love to participate in NaNo . . . (I even gave a school presentation about it one year.) . . . but the timing has never been right for my process. I tend to be in the middle of revisions every time November rolls around for me. So, no, I have never finished a NaNo project, because I never started one. ;)
How about you? Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year?
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
#IWSG: 5 Year Plan for Writing
Where do you see yourself five years from now, in terms of your writing career, and what’s your plan to get there?
Coming from a business background, I love the idea of a five-year plan! And interestingly enough, as my daughter (who just graduated from college) was cleaning out some old boxes of her stuff, she came across a decorated notebook from 2007. In the front of the notebook tabs were labeled: 1 Year Goals, 5 Year Goals, and 10 Year Goals. My daughter laughed when she showed me the notebook and told me how much she hated the notebook as a kid. I knew that. All the kids hated it. Each family member had a notebook, and we worked on them together during family activities. In 2007, my daughter was ten years old. Under the 10-Year-Goal tab, she'd written "go to college." Well, nine years later, not only did she "go to college" but she also graduated with her bachelor's degree by age twenty.
I smiled at her and said, "See? Writing down your goals WORKS." She laughed at me.
But it's true. Identifying your goals and writing them down are the necessary first steps in achieving your dreams.
So ... for me ... in five years my goal is:
By 2022 I will have a total of five novels published and on the shelves of bookstores. To achieve this goal, I will polish my time-management skills, write something every day, and improve my writing abilities.
"The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support."
Join the group: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Coming from a business background, I love the idea of a five-year plan! And interestingly enough, as my daughter (who just graduated from college) was cleaning out some old boxes of her stuff, she came across a decorated notebook from 2007. In the front of the notebook tabs were labeled: 1 Year Goals, 5 Year Goals, and 10 Year Goals. My daughter laughed when she showed me the notebook and told me how much she hated the notebook as a kid. I knew that. All the kids hated it. Each family member had a notebook, and we worked on them together during family activities. In 2007, my daughter was ten years old. Under the 10-Year-Goal tab, she'd written "go to college." Well, nine years later, not only did she "go to college" but she also graduated with her bachelor's degree by age twenty.
I smiled at her and said, "See? Writing down your goals WORKS." She laughed at me.
But it's true. Identifying your goals and writing them down are the necessary first steps in achieving your dreams.
So ... for me ... in five years my goal is:
By 2022 I will have a total of five novels published and on the shelves of bookstores. To achieve this goal, I will polish my time-management skills, write something every day, and improve my writing abilities.
"The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support."
Join the group: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
What about you? How would you answer IWSG's DECEMBER'S QUESTION: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?
Happy writing!
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
#IWSG: Time to Write
The first Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writer's Support Group!
"The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support."
Join the group: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
SEPTEMBER 7TH QUESTION FOR BLOGGERS: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?
For me ... the question behind the question is: How important is my writing to me today?
If I left my writing until I "found time" - I wouldn't write. There are so many obligations and have-to-do items each day that finding extra time in a day is a nearly impossible task for me. Therefore, in order for me to accomplish my writing goals each day, I must TAKE the time. I must make writing a priority. Are my goals important enough for me to get up at 5am and write? Important enough to get up at 4:30am and write?
Many successful writers have full-time jobs in addition to their writing careers. Often times, they get up crazy early to write. And they publish books on a regular schedule. So, if you're like me and have no full-time job, but find yourself extremely busy with all of the other demands of life, we must TAKE the time to write and make it a priority. Get up early. Write first.
What about you? How do you make writing a priority in your day?
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| http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ |
"The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support."
Join the group: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
SEPTEMBER 7TH QUESTION FOR BLOGGERS: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?
For me ... the question behind the question is: How important is my writing to me today?
If I left my writing until I "found time" - I wouldn't write. There are so many obligations and have-to-do items each day that finding extra time in a day is a nearly impossible task for me. Therefore, in order for me to accomplish my writing goals each day, I must TAKE the time. I must make writing a priority. Are my goals important enough for me to get up at 5am and write? Important enough to get up at 4:30am and write?
Many successful writers have full-time jobs in addition to their writing careers. Often times, they get up crazy early to write. And they publish books on a regular schedule. So, if you're like me and have no full-time job, but find yourself extremely busy with all of the other demands of life, we must TAKE the time to write and make it a priority. Get up early. Write first.
What about you? How do you make writing a priority in your day?
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
#IWSG: 2016 - You Got This!
[ Six quick pictures to inspire your #writing for the new year! ... Scroll on down! ]
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| http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html |
It's the first Wednesday of the month, which equals INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP! It's also equals motivation for me to write a blog post. :) ... I've had my head stuck in revisions for months now, and I've hardly come up for air. But I'm SO CLOSE to finishing ... I'm in love with my current project, and I can hardly wait to send it to my agent. I hope she likes it half as much as I do. And I can hardly wait for the world to read it. My hopes are high on this one. *fingers crossed*
In the mean time ... I was thinking ... what would make a great post for today? I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions, but I do love motivating ideas. So allow me to share some great pictures with you ... scroll on down ... and happy writing to you ... and may 2016 bring you great joy.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
TRY!
You know ... whether it is writing, exercising, achieving any other goal, or overcoming a trial, we all have to TRY. I am a Pink fan, and her performance at the 2014 Grammys was impressive. She didn't even look out of breath by the end of the six minute performance.
Here's the video in case you missed it (worth viewing!):
Here's the video in case you missed it (worth viewing!):
Friday, November 1, 2013
NaNoWriMo: Are You In?
Well ... today is November 1st. Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?
Click here for the official website for NaNoWriMo.
Across the internet, there are lots of great tips and tools to utilize during the month (like this one over at Writer's Digest), but will you be surfing the net looking for writing aides, or will you be nose-to-the-keyboard writing your next masterpiece?
Click here for the official website for NaNoWriMo.
Across the internet, there are lots of great tips and tools to utilize during the month (like this one over at Writer's Digest), but will you be surfing the net looking for writing aides, or will you be nose-to-the-keyboard writing your next masterpiece?
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Resolution Bandwagon
So everyone's posting their New Year's Resolutions ... maybe you want to, maybe you don't ... but if you enjoy reading the FABULOUS ideas of others ... here's one you absolutely MUST read:
EJ Wesley
Thank you EJ for an awesome list! :)
EJ Wesley
Thank you EJ for an awesome list! :)
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