Saturday Craft Day
What? No guest blogger?
Believe it or not, it was near to impossible to get someone to come by on the Saturday before Christmas. I mean…what’s up with that?
Okay, I’m kidding…I mean, I’m not kidding, it was impossible, but it’s certainly not surprising.
However, fabulous author Erica Orloff will be with us next weekend! Have you read any of her books? Because honestly, you should.
Anyway, what I’d like to do today is talk a little bit about goal setting. It’s a good thing to do with the new year right around the corner.
We have a lot of aspiring writers here and let me tell you, the sooner you get used to having goals (ie, deadlines) the better. The Goddess of the Deadline smiled at me when my book was moved back a few months for unrelated reasons, giving me a chance to work out a problem I was having with the book. This doesn’t always happen and my goal for this year is to be more disciplined about writing every single day.
I’ve mentioned before that my local writer’s group does a “100 words in 100 days” challenge and it’s been fabulous. Several writers who had never before finished a book did so under this program. We reported in daily or weekly (depended on the author) and keep each other going. I want to encourage the aspiring writers on Plotmonkeys to get together, maybe start an email loop of your own to encourage each other to write. It’s just an idea. What do you think?
And remember, what you write doesn’t have to be publishable. In fact, one of the most exciting things for me is revision. I actually love revising…when I know what I’m fixing. That’s what was killing me on Phantom’s Touch…I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I wasn’t ready to show the book to my editor yet, either. I had to stop writing for a bit, do galleys (page proofs) on Phantom Pleasures and let the problem stew.
After two and a half weeks, the answer came to me…with help from author, Deborah Hale. And that’s another thing…Deb and I know each other through email loops, but I don’t think we’ve ever met and if we’ve corresponded by email privately, it wasn’t a big deal. We didn’t really know each other. But I mentioned something to her and she came back with an insight I simply hadn’t considered…and after a slew of emails back and forth, my solution became clear. All because an author who really doesn’t know me from Adam said something utterly brilliant in a short email.
Contact with other writers is so essential, I think. Some writers are much more solitary, but I prefer to get myself out there. It’s one reason why I love this blog so much! I like interacting with people. I don’t always have time for it, but when things work out, the experience can be so rewarding.
Okay, so my goal for my next book is to write every day. EVERY. DAY. Even if it’s just 100 words.
What’s your writing goal?
Goodmorning jungle friends…
Hey Jules, I am so shocked that you couldn’t find a guest blogger the weekend before Christmas…just kidding…it is okay if there is no guest blogger…I think that this blog is timely and appropriate enough for discussion…I like your idea of starting an email loop with aspiring authors here in the jungle…maybe if the “100 words in 100 days” challenge was implemented those who feel that they don’t know where to start may feel encouraged to just write what they are thinking, without worrying about revisions…great idea Jules…I hope that you were successful in completing you shopping list for the holidays as well as for your daughter’s bday…ttyl
It is difficult for me to set up a goal for writing, since I write poems…I have to feel some inspiration and then the words start to flow…I don’t have a set formula or anything, so I can’t really set a goal for writing…
However, I have some poems that I am putting together for a second book entitled Shattered Lives, but I haven’t taken the time to work on it yet…I am thinking that March break will be a good time to do…Christmas vacation is just too short for that…
Good luck with your goal of writing EVERYDAY…ttyl
Have a Happy Holidays everyone…
Peace and love,
Paula R>
Comment by Paula R. — December 22, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Yay, you’re back. I’m off to get the last 2 gifts and then when I get back I’ll read this again. And I’ll also think about my goals while I’m running errands because I definitely see a difference in my production when I set goals.
mastree:
Comment by Jodie — December 22, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Hey Julie, Carly, Janelle and Leslie. And Paula I see you’re the only post so far today.
I LOVE Erica Orloff however I’ve only read one of her books–it was a Bombshell called Trace of Innocence and I LOVED it and couldn’t wait for more—then Bombshell was cancelled!
I look forward to her blog next Saturday!
Writing Goals: Finish the second set of revisions for my Blaze which I can complete by mid to late January. Then like Julie I want to write every single day even if it’s only a sentence or a paragraph. I also have a cozy mystery series idea that I want to start writing. I have a romantic comedy I want to write called Something Old, Something New, Something Dead and also a romantic suspense series set in Florida called Amber Key.
Conference Goals:
Attend the Washington Romance Writers Retreat in Harpers Ferry
Attend Left Coast Crime Conference in Denver
RWA conference in San Fran–undecided
My plate is loaded. If I reach one of these goals I’ll be happy.
I hope everyone has a fantabulous day!!
We had snow yesterday and it’s gorgeous with the sun out this morning.
Cher
:cold:
Comment by Cher — December 22, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
Well, I think my New Years Resolution this year will be to set a writing goal and stick with it. Honestly I’ve been in a bit of a rut and have neglected my writing alot lately!
Its important to me yet I haven’t made it a priority and so my goal will be to make my writing a priority! How’s that?
Just in case I don’t get a chance to stop by before the holiday I just want to Wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Fun Holiday!
mastree: :wreath: :snowmanhead: :santawhat:
Comment by Tina Martinesi — December 22, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
I’m just here to spread Christmas cheer! :snowmanhead: :wreath:
Julie, even though I have no intentions of writing I enjoyed your post today. Good luck to all those wanting to write & better yet to be published.
:santahat: :stocking: :candycane:
Have a great weekend everyone! :cold: :snowmanhead:
mastree:
Comment by Donna M — December 22, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
Nancy Pickard did it to us! We can do it to you!
You’re tagged.
check here for details! http://www.jungleredwriters.com
Happy Holidays from Hallie, Hank, Jan, Roberta and Rosemary!
Comment by Hank Phillippi Ryan — December 22, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
Happy Holidays all. This is the first time I’ve posted but I felt the need. I am totally inspired bu this blog. I know I needed a writing goal but wasn’t sure what to set. Thanks for lending some focus.
Have a safe and Happy New Year.
Krista :wreath:
Comment by Krista — December 22, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
Happy Holidays all. This is the first time I’ve posted but I felt the need. I am totally inspired by this blog. I know I needed a writing goal but wasn’t sure what to set. Thanks for lending some focus.
Have a safe and Happy New Year.
Krista :wreath:
Comment by Krista — December 22, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
I’ve got some thank you notes to send out and I really ought to send pictures of my son to my relatives. Does that count?
I did start writing a novel a year ago. My husband keeps encouraging me to get back to it. I’m just not sure how to get myself back into the groove.
Comment by ThatBrunette — December 22, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
Hi Julie! I would like to write more too and setting goals really works for me - when I’m accountable. I did NaNoWriMo for the first time this year and did it. I never would have thought I could write that much, but when I say I’m going to do something, then I’m going to do it (even if I have to stay up all night). With NaNo I started writing my first single title, but since hitting that 50,000 word milestone, I’ve been far less productive.
So come January, I’d really like to get back to it. For anyone interested, there is an online class through Outreach International that I’m going to take. It’s called Book in a Week. The instructor is April Kihlstrom and it runs from January 7-February 8. April is going to teach how to write faster and better and during the second to last week of class, students write as much as they can in week - maybe a whole book? You can get more info at http://www.oirw.net/.
I’m hoping during the class I can finish my single title. Then I’ve got a few other stories I want to start. The hard part is deciding which one to do first. Cher, you sound so organized! Good luck to you. And Paula, Jodie and Tina - you too!
Julie, sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with all of the information out there for new writers and I start second guessing my writing, my methods, my everything! So I’m going to try and take lots of deep breaths and just enjoy writing. I am planning on going to the RWA conference in San Francisco and am going to go the Desert Dreams Conference too. I know it’s important to always keep learning, but do you think there comes a time when you should just write and forget about everything else?
Thanks again for these Saturday posts! Have a great weekend everyone!
Comment by Robin — December 22, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
I had to go to my RWA Online Chapter and see what goals I’d already set for myself. Figured I’d better be consistent!
I have to break them down my month, and then by week, and then sometimes by day. If it’s too big I just feel overwhelmed - that’s why the 100 words a day would be great for me.
So…for January…I will have my 17,000 word novella to 20,000 and submitted. And, by the end of January I’ll have Savin’ Me revised (yet again) and ready for submisson as well. By the end of February, I’ll have the next novella completed and also be started on the next 60,000 ms. If I write every single day - and act as if it’s a real job that I have to show up to - then I should have no problem with this.
Oh, and I’d be in on a loop. I’m just not tech savvy enough to set it up or get it going, someone will need to give me specific directions on how to get there from here!
Still one present to go…
Comment by Jodie — December 22, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
Well Hello Monkeys and Monkey fans! Zoey, here.
If I were going to guest blog here on the Saturday berfore Christmas
I would have to chat about cold snowy weather.
I am after all experiencing my first holiday season in New England.
Okay it’s my first holiday season ever. I saw my first snow in Maine.
It was so deep and cold I preferred to ride in Mom’s pocketbook.
Back here at home our first storm was about 11″ and not as cold in
Rhode Island as it was in Maine so I ventured out a bit.
Daddy shoveled a path from the back door in a big loop that ended up
back at the backdoor. I tried to explore the edges and the snow fell
on my ears and the top of my head and boy did my nose get cold.
I am proud to announce I can indeed
make yellow snow although not in large amounts. I watched the 3 year
old next door make snow angels and did my best to copy him.
I can in the sitting position make one wing using my tail but no matter
how I squirm and wiggle I can’t for the life of me make an angelic
impression. Mom did say however that I am an angel only when I am
sleeping so that probably explains things. Well I am off to the heating
vent, for my new favorite way to pass the time of day, it’s so warm and
toasty there. Well not sure I wrote 100 words or that I amused anyone
but I blogged. Happy Holidays to all!:santawhat: :snowmanhead:
Comment by jeanie & Zoey — December 22, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Complete Chapter 6 by the new year and then complete 7-13 by March 15th. Take week off then go to a Bob Mayer workshop to set up my next book.
Comment by Liz — December 22, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Oh yeah…take the workshop offered by OCCRWA so I’ll know how to do queries and pitches once I get the damn things written! :giggle:
Comment by Jodie — December 22, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
Some great goals in here! I’m officially back to 100 in 100 on January 1st (well, 2nd) but I’ll be writing next week to make up for the day I’ll miss for my daughter’s birthday! Remember, if you need encouragement, this is the place to be!
Comment by Julie Leto — December 23, 2007 @ 12:08 am
Julie, I went to high school with Deb Hale and I’m not surprised that something she said in an email was so helpful to you. She was a terrific writer back then too.
Comment by Darlene R — December 23, 2007 @ 12:43 pm