How do you set your writing goals? It's as simple as:
1. I will keep a writer's journal.
2. I will submit my book or magazine story/article in 2010.
3. I will keep my writing space organized in 2010.
4. I will submit a cover letter or query letter each month of 2010.
I'm sure that you get the idea.
#1. I will keep a writer's journal. I'm sure that you have an empty notebook in your desk that you can use for this. Now, I know of three ways of keeping a writer's journal.
1. Block certain amounts of time to do a chore then move on to the
next.
2. Set aside certain chunks of the day to do a chore and then move on
to the next.
3. Write what you have to get done the next day in your writer's
journal and when it's done just cross it off your list and move on. If
your list doesn't get done that day, there's always tomorrow!
Which of these works for me? I tried them all and #1 doesn't work for me. #2 works for me to a point but life keeps getting in my way so it doesn't really do the job. #3 does work for me! I can work at my writing with life getting in my way. Whatever happens, I can still go back to this kind of list picking up where I left off. It's flexible and best of all I don't feel the pressure of getting everything done on a certain day!
#2. I will submit my book or magazine story/article in 2010. Quit procrastinating and get down to the business of writing. Market for your book or magazine story/article then send your baby on its way. Hey, even if its not accepted the first few times you send it out, you'll still get valuable feedback on how to improve!
#3. I will keep my writing space organized in 2010. I'm ashamed to admit it but this has been a tough one for me to accomplish. I hope that I manage this one in 2010! I bought a pretty basket to hold my writing supplies in at a rummage sale. This works great...to a point! The only problem here is that the basket can only hold so much. So off I went to my local Walmart to buy one of those metal desk organizers. This works great too but there's still a problem. What to do with the reference books, magazines, papers & post-it notes? Does anyone have any ideas about this?
#4. I will submit a cover letter or query letter a month. First you should know how to write a cover/query letter that gets an editors attention. You can find this information in the 2010 edition of both the Magazine Markets for Children's Writers and the Book Markets for Children's Writers. For even more info on writing these go to The Purple Crayon.
Your writing goal list might be different and longer than mine but I hope that I've given you some ideas!
Keep on writing!
7 comments:
I've written some writing goals over on my blog, too. I hope I keep them! It is very hard for me to keep my computer desk organized. I have so many books, I have a bookcase nearby for them,I have a large plastic thing that you put magazines in that I put my writing magazines and other stuff in and lots of 3 ring notebooks filled with stuff. In other words I have my writing things everywhere. Good luck with your resolutions.
While I'm not organised or brave enough to make resolutions and set goals for a new year, it's fun to read about other people's intentions.
You have a good list. Best of luck!
Malcolm
Hi Malcolm,
You know how to suprise a person, don't you? It is fun to read about someone elses goals & resolutions, isn't it? I hope you can get an idea or my posting. I'm glad to have you visit & hope that you visit again!
Hi Janet,
Boy! You have some great ideas for organization. I don't have room in my writing space for a bookcase. I have thought of how nice it would be if I did. Well, I'll keep on dreaming there. What I do have is a plastic box on wheels that holds my writing books & a Barnes & Noble bag that holds my sample mags! I also have a utility shelf that holds writing stuff. See you in the blackberry patch!
Writing your goals so everyone can see them I find it a way to commit to them. You see, now everyone knows them and will be looking out to find out how many of those you accomplish at the end of this year.
I am determined to finish at least two of my WIPs before we ring in 2011.
My goals are similar to yours, but I'm not even going to touch #3! I love SCBWI, and The Purple Crayon site, too. Good luck with your writing. I do believe that attitude can turn misfortune into blessings.
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for stopping by! Thanks for the good wishes too. #3 is proving to be the most difficult one from my list. I was doing okay with it until this week. What happened?
Deb :-)
Post a Comment