I am a writer, and I am insecure.
I just had to say that...
Today, it's time for the monthly meeting of one of the most awesome support groups ever! This is the brain-child of the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh, and has long since spread from a simple bloghop into a group with many possibilities! Go ahead and check out the webpage if you haven't yet (especially if you're a writer) because you won't regret it.
Thanks also goes to Alex's wonderful co-hosts: Elizabeth Seckman, Lisa Buie-Collard, Chrys Fey, and Michelle Wallace!
I used to make writing goals every January, ones that involved not only finishing up a certain amount of manuscripts but usually determined to reach a certain number of publications that year too. Guess what? I never reached those goals. I was lucky to even get one item crossed off. And usually, I'd sit here feeling stressed and guilty that nothing turned out the way I'd hoped.
So, away with that! (Here's where I throw a pile of papers out the window and watch them flatter away in the wind...dramatic!) This year, I'm heading for one single goal.
Yep, one. I can reach this one as easy as touching my toes....*ahm* Well, touching my toes has always been a thing. Let's just say I know I can fly over this goal's finish line blindfolded.
Ready??? *drum roll*
To write.
That's it. No specific word counts. No specific amount of MSs. Just words. Pure and simple.
And as for a publication...*coughcough*. . .we all know how uncooperative that end of things can be.
So, where's the drive in simply writing? Shouldn't we strive to reach beyond our bounds? Sure. And secretly, there's a wonderful list of stories I'd love to get done this year. But finishing them or not isn't the main purpose because life tends to bend and play and twist in it's own unexpected ways making it maybe impossible or pointless to get specific stories (or even a specific number of them) done.
The joy of writing. That's why us writers write. That's why we start, and it's something so easy to lose track of. That's why, this year, I'm determined to stick to the plain, simple goal.
I'm going to write.
(Maybe I should make that into a T-shirt...
....and a banner.....
.....and a poster....
......and a coffee mug...)
Joy of writing. Absolutely. If we don't enjoy writing, how will anyone enjoy our stories? Best wishes,
ReplyDeleteIf you lose the joy, then what's the point.
ReplyDeleteI have one writing goal for the year - survive one more book release.
Lol! I'm sure you'll jet through with amazing grace and speed!
DeleteI agree with you. We never just write anymore. For some reason we strive to do more, whether it is seeking publication or trying different things, but the writing part always suffers. I'm joining you and just enjoying the writing part this year. Best of luck to you.
ReplyDeleteIt's too easy to get caught up in the publishing drive. Hope it works well for you too!
DeleteKeeping in touch with the joy of writing is essential. It's a difficult professional otherwise.
ReplyDeleteTrue - this job would drive one crazy otherwise.
DeleteIts joy mixed with passion. I may take breaks from writing, but rarely more than two weeks. I have to write. Its also a stress releaser.
ReplyDeleteIt does do that, doesn't it?
DeleteYes. Write. So simple, but elegant!
ReplyDeleteSimple's got a good rep ;)
DeleteThat's a great way to do it! I make goals too and I don't always achieve them, but the fact that you are writing is wonderful! :)
ReplyDeleteLol! Even writing sometimes seems like an impossible goal.
DeleteThat's the BEST goal a writer could have, and it should be every writer's goal. :)
ReplyDeleteIWSG Co-host
Yay!
DeleteLove the goal. I do that almost every day. :-)
ReplyDeleteHere's my link if you'd like to drop by :-)
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
I popped by and enjoyed the link!
DeleteEnjoy the journey!
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
Even those rocks that we stub our toes on during the way ;)
DeleteShortly after making the decision to become a full-time writer, I got a fortune cookie that told me, "You will be successful in a business of your own." I taped it to my laptop so I could remember my goal ALL the time. The day my son saw it and said, "Hey, it came true." was a pretty special moment in my life.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
How sweet!
DeleteLove your goal! That's so true. That's why I don't make very specific goals any more. A lot can happen in life or in the process of seeking publication, that it's hard to predict exactly how much I will complete. And revisions--I always think I'm about done until I hear back from beta readers. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement!
Revisions know no ends, me thinks.
DeleteMy goals are less ambitious this year too - to write what I can is good enough. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great goal!
DeleteThis is exactly why I don't believe in New Year's resolutions--and why I don't make them. You don't know what the rest of the year and life will bring and you end up feeling disappointed in yourself because it didn't happen.
ReplyDeleteI do have one writing goal this year, though--finish the story I'm writing.
You know, I used to avoid setting myself specific writing goals, but I found my writing pace was too slow. Now that I've been setting myself writing goals, my writing pace hasn't gotten any faster. Maybe I'm doing something wrong here.
ReplyDeleteSign me up for a poster! I have a goal to just do the amount I know I can do without trying too hard. Lol! The point is less stress though. I'm going to only do that much anyway, I might as well enjoy it to the fullest. :)
ReplyDeleteJust write. The perfect mantra.
If you make an 'I'm going to write' T-shirt I want one! I've never been big on New Year resolutions. I'm always trying to improve myself and I don't need a goal oriented around the calendar mocking me for not doing it. I do have hopes for the year, writing and querying. Like you I keep it simple.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I need that T-shirt . . . and the poster . .. and banner . . . and most definitely that coffee mug lol. Great goal. I have the same one. We can do this, right? Yes, we can ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! :)
While I still like to make goals, I try to be as non-specific as I can, while covering what I want covered. I don't say I want to write x number of short stories, only that I want to keep working on short stories this year. I think it's different for each person, and I do tend to meet the goals I set for myself (only the last couple years when I made them realistic, though--before that? No), so I keep going with it, BUT I'm all for doing what works for you, and for setting the goal of writing. I think that's an excellent idea. Isn't that THE most important thing to do? Good luck to you this year!
ReplyDeleteGood idea! No pressure. I've found setting little goals like "100 words a day" helps.
ReplyDeleteGreat goal, I think! What is the use of setting word count goals if you don't enjoy the words you are writing? Write for the joy of it!
ReplyDeleteYes, this exactly. ^_^ There's a reason I said in my blog that I was against the whole thing about making new goals or starting new stuff just because of the new year, and it never works out for me either. I do keep a list of what I want to work on, and note how much I work on each project, but that's about it. Hope your writing in 2015 goes well.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Though I wish you wouldn't be so insecure--you are amazing!! I'm sure no matter what you put out this year--no matter the wordcount or number of MS's or published pieces--will be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWRITE ON!! :-)