Beginnings–Projects to Finish
The sense of accomplishment that comes from finishing a project is so sweet. The relief feels physical. The burst of pride is also something that feels quite nice. There is a secret to experiencing that feeling. It has to do with choices.
Choose a project you enjoy.
A no-brainer is that you must choose a project you enjoy or the outcome of which you will relish. This is especially important for long drawn out projects. Motivation is hard to muster as it is without fighting your own feelings to boot. You will find that it is easier to devote energy and extra time to something that you feel good about.
Streamline the process to finish.
My first e-book was a daunting task. There was a lot of work to do, including research and editing. It also involved getting used to a new venue and different software. I made some mistakes, but was able to find solutions where needed. Now that I’ve moved on to my second e-book, I learned a valuable lesson about streamlining the process.
That’s where you can find the key to helping you achieve your goals. Realize what obstacles are. If you’re a writer like me, you know the pitfalls that sometimes happen. Your task is to streamline the process to overcome the challenges.
One of the challenges I’m facing now is getting my first e-book ready for print. To its credit, CreateSpace goes the extra mile to make it as easy as possible by explaining everything in great detail. Yet, headers and footers can be a bear. I lament the fact that I wasted too much time trying to get everything to display correctly.
Now that I’ve done it, I know what I need to do. I can go back to writing and put formatting out of my thoughts until I need to get ready to publish. The next time I won’t waste time. I’ll get busy and get it done.
This is the tactic you need to discover for your tasks. Think about solutions instead of problems. You’ll likely find you’ll feel that same sense of relief once you’ve put an obstacle behind you.
Beginnings for the New Year
New Year’s Day tends to prompt that kind of thinking when you decide you are going to start anew. It’s a good tradition, even if the resolutions are dropped. It encourages retrospective thinking, which is a worthwhile thing. For the coming year, I have my own list of things I want to accomplish in order to stay in the freelance kind-of-life.
Write more e-books.
The hardest part of writing an e-book is learning the formatting and other guidelines. Looking at them the first time can be daunting. It’s all about learning the language. Once you grasp the direction, your mind will naturally follow it, not unlike the cows coming home each evening.
Blog more regularly.
Blogging really is enjoyable. Sure, you can market, but it’s also about sharing. My philosophy in life is that if you have knowledge, you are morally obligated to share it. I have my little bit that I want to share freely. I hope that I can help in some small way. Joing NaBloPoMo is my way of doing so.
Read more.
I have no excuse. I have this marvelous e-reader and a stack of books. I can read all the classics that I’ve been wanting to for so long. The only thing stopping me is me.
Get in shape.
Now is the time to make that commitment stick. The challenge is coming up with a schedule that I can live with and follow it religiously. It’s all about embracing beginnings and taking the first step.
Photo by klink kling
Writing Tip–Schedule Your Writing
I wanted to share a writing tip that has worked well for me. My writing took a huge leap when I started viewing my writing as my job. In keeping with that tone, I schedule my time for projects.
By scheduling time, I’m embracing that state known as “work mode.” While work of itself isn’t always fun, taking the good out of the discipline one learns from working the 9-5 routine can be beneficial. In work mode, deadlines and tasks are part of the landscape. Because I’ve been trained on the job to respect them, applying them to my own work allows me to use those valuable skills to get my work done.
The result? I’m happier and more satisfied because I’m accomplishing my writing goals. I’m also more productive. I guess, work doesn’t have to be all bad.
Non-Writing Goals For 2009
Along with my goals to get my work published, I have other, non-writing goals for 2009. More for me, I want a healthy lifestyle.
As I’ve become more engrossed in my work, I’m finding that my whole day is in front of a computer. I get a lot done. However, my lifestyle is becoming sedentary and that is not good.
I’ve made a few additions to my everyday routine to help out. First, I have a timer running on my computer. Every 30 minutes, it will dutifully remind me to get up. I do some chores around the house, whatever it takes to get me moving. My focus, in turn, is a lot better once I return. I force myself to break away from the task that is threatening to overwhelm my day.
In addition, I’ve educated myself about healthy eating. Phytolife.com has been a great source of information. As writers, we know that research is key. I do my homework when it comes to making good choices. My healthy choices include phytonutrients or plant-based nutrients.
I cook most all of my meals. I like to know exactly what I’m eating. Again, probably the mystery writer in me is talking at this point. There will be no opportunities to do away with me with some poison-laden soup this go around.
So as I enter this stressful time of trying to sell my book, I’m going to keep an eye out for me and spend a little time on those non-writing goals. Healthy lifestyle, here I come!
Book Goals For 2009
My 2009 writing goals are twofold. First, following in step with my long term goal to quit my day job, I am focusing on freelance writing. Second, I want to move forward to publish my book.
I’m sure other writers feel the same. You become attached to your work. Your novel is your baby. And with those mama bear instincts buried deep in our collective consciousness, you want to protect it. Protect it from criticism. Protect it from being edited–when it’s not your idea. Protect the reality of it as your own creation.
That’s where I’m at. I’m at the final stages of where my book is my own alone. To publish it, I give it up. What a sad thought! However, I do want to move on to the next book. I’ll be keeping some of the same characters because I’ve enjoyed the process of creating them and bringing them to life on the pages.
1. A last read through.
Using yReader, I’m going to listen to the entire book, editing along the way. While me reading it aloud is good, hearing another voice read it aloud is even better.
2. Final edits.
All those nagging bits that I want to fix will be fixed. Any weak areas have to be identified and fixed–or removed.
3. Research the proposal process.
What should my book proposal contain? What format should I use? I don’t want to make the mistake of not doing my research so as not give someone reason to reject my work unread.
4. Write my synopsis.
This of course, is huge. I have to make my reality one which someone else would like to explore.
5. Identify five to ten small houses.
Since my book has a regional appeal, I’m going to first look locally for a small house publisher. Though I’d love to get that $100,000 book advance, I’m realistic in that regard. Baby steps. Get it published.
6. Submit my book proposal.
The leg work pays off. I’m that much closer to realizing my book goals for 2009.
7. Wait.
Writing Quote
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.”
– T.S. Eliot
Staying Focused And Informed
To keep me at the computer writing and keeping to my goals, I make my workplace as pleasant as possible. If I enjoy my work environment, I can enjoy the process of accomplishing each task.
A clear desk goes a long way in accomplishing just this purpose. I am able to concentrate on staying focused and informed without those distractions. Rather, I try and schedule distractions.
Break time means catching up on my guilty pleasures like the latest celebrity news or just listening to music. Clear365 is a fun site I recently discovered that gives me just that and more.
In our Internet-dominated world, I like many others rely on a online news portal for my news. The portal not only informs, but can also be a source of inspiration for blog posts or storylines. One oftentimes doesn’t have to look further than real life to find the perfect plot. The odd or weird news is good fodder.
My favorite music for writing is jazz. Perhaps because it reminds me of my favorite movie genre, film noir, that I gravitate toward it. I indulge myself with classic jazz, but I’ll also keep up with the digital music news for new artists.
By making my work environment enjoyable, I find myself anxious to get to the computer, get my music playing, and dig into my work for the day. Anything to push me in the direction of my goals is a good thing.
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