The life of a writer is a complex highway of character arc, dialog, sentence structure, marketing, formating, and the ultimate--query dissection. The list is endless. Exits and off ramps travel us to alternative locations within each. Once there, a tapestry of alleyways, main and side streets, and even parking lots emerge prompting us to stretch and exercise our craft, creating in each of us a good writer, better writer, maybe even a great one.
But does your highway have potholes like mine?
Yeah, I'm talking about the off ramps that won't twist the way you want or the alleyway that stops at a dead end. Weakness in writing. We all have them. Mine are mine and yours are yours but somehow they are similar.
Motivation and perseverance play a huge part in the success of a writer. Attitude is everything. (...which I've been sucking at lately, but that's okay; it happens to us all.)
And so is accountability.
How many times have you set a writing goal and failed to see it through? Now life happens. The baby cries all night and your exhausted, or the dishwasher breaks and you have to go shopping instead of writing. Wouldn't it be nice to have a place to share that frustration? Wouldn't it be nice to have people you know who won't judge you but will fully understand?
Right. Me too.
Even though I have awesome critique partners, they're not involved in my goal setting, really. That's kind of a private thing. So I've come up with a plan, and I hope you'll join me.
(Like my girl? Isn't she creepy?)
Every Friday we'll meet in the IMPETUS ROOM and set a goal in the comments. That goal can be any word count, editing count, chapter, scene, whatev. It can even be 'I'm going to have a more positive attitude writing this week.' It doesn't matter. Then on the following Friday, we return and share our week--ups and downs--and set a new goal. Simply put: we are each others' cheering section, motivating, and lending our presence to keep us accountable and never give up.
Copy my photo, past it on your blog or website, and then link it to my static page. Voila!! U R off and ready. Yay! Welcome. Looking forward to working with you. (I'll still be posting a separate article on Fridays.)
WOOT!! If you haven't yet, take a cyber-slide over to WriteonCon and register for the fantastical online writing conference. I'd love to share this First/One-of-a-Kind conference with you. *((hugs))*
Great idea. You're right. We do often life take over and no writing gets done. My in-laws are coming today through next weekend, so I can't make goals this week. Any time writing will be good. But next week I'll start.
ReplyDeleteFYI Heather Kelly is posting an interview with me on her blog today. Please come visit and say hi. The link is http://editedtowithinaninchofmylife.blogspot.com/
What a great idea! When I get some time this weekend, I'll do this. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat kind of stuff doesn't work for me but that doesn't mean you don't have a great idea here! Nicely done Sheri.
ReplyDeleteI signed up for writeoncon!! Have a GREAT weekend!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really great idea. I feel like that all the time, I never reach the goals I set. But you know what? I give myself another single thing to do, I'll never get anything done so I think I'm going to have to pass! I might share my goals with you privately though :o) Good luck. I hope it works for ya! xxoxo
ReplyDeleteSounds like a solid plan! Good luck meeting your goals - gawd, I have new ones that crop up, like, daily. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one who needs a kick in the pants right now! We can do it!
ReplyDeleteI just started telling my goals with my writing group. I wish I would have done it sooner. It sure keeps me motivated. =)
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, that's great. Anna, thanks for the encouragement. It's great to have everyone here. ";-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Sherry! I could certainly benefit from some accountability. :-)
ReplyDelete