Guest blogger Ellie Mack on making (and missing) goals.
I have magazine articles, and a shared column that I've been published in. So far, I have never submitted a novel for publication. That was my goal for 2011; however I wasn't as diligent as I should have been. Also, that pesky thing called bills has kept me pretty busy doing other jobs, cutting into my writing time.
I am currently pursuing some online articles, as well as continuing my novels. I have two completed novels but haven't finished editing them. I also have several in various stages of completion. I keep working towards the goal of being a published novelist but still, I can honestly call myself “published.”
Dixon says: I thought this guest post from Ellie would be appropriate for the first day of 2012. It seems not a week goes by without someone telling me, “I’ve always thought about writing a book.” The difference between authors and all those folks thinking about authorhood is simply this: doing something about it on a regular basis.
I don’t care if you only write one good sentence each day. In a few years, you’ve got a novel written. And as Sidonie Gagrielle once said, “Writing only leads to more writing.” After a while, one good sentence a day just isn’t good enough.
Happy New Year to you, and to those you love, and to those loved by nobody.
Ellie, take heart. There are many who finds that time is the premium that many writers find they are short on. I am also a freelance writer who wrote a regular humour (yes, that is spelled correctly) column for an American mag (I'm Canadian), and have one novel finished with a co-author, and two more as lone projects. I agree with Dixon...as long as the drive to write is there, you will MAKE the time, rather than waiting for it to find you. NOTE: If you find any mistakes in this rather long comment, I wrote it on my first coffee. LOL
ReplyDeleteEllie a novel is written one word at a time and you have that nailed, the rest will follow.
ReplyDeleteI set a goal of 5k words a week. It doesn't matter how many, just that you do so. I also try to write SOMETHING every day. It's like exercising, use it or lose it.
ReplyDeleteEllie, do not become discouraged when you receive, at first, responses that appear to be negative. You can only do what you can do; and the naysayers will come out of the woodwork no matter what. These people are not your readership and probably don't like anything else either. The worst thing you can do is to dwell on negativity. No-one truly worth his salt will do anything but encourage your brave & noble efforts.
ReplyDelete'For the opinion of a scumball is worth nothing and everyone knows that.' --from a paper I wrote for 'The AAbsolutist'.
Thank you, Dixon, for sharing your thoughts about creative writing. It's nice to follow your blog.
ReplyDeleteActually Dixon I read your comment and couldn't agree more.Roll up your sleeves, no matter how feeble the start bit by bit get it done and just see it through.When finished,correct,rewrite,edit again and again and again and again.....Ignore the ones who put you down and don't give up,James
ReplyDeleteYou write because even in today's world where there are fifteen readers left and half of those can't read a sentence beyond eight words comprised of no more than two syllables, there is some wonderfully horrid compulsion to plunge forward in the face of that adversity. Perhaps it is to validate culture in a world bereft or merely to make your presence known. Or...you just have a good story to tell. So you tell it. And fuck anybody who gets in your way.
ReplyDeletePlease finish your manuscript before thinking of sending it in to a publisher or agent. Surround yourself with other writers that will support your writing. If you get writer's block, do not get discouraged-lay that story idea down for three days. Write something even your grocery list every day and you will be persistent in writing. Stop talking about writing and do it-I am saying this with all kindness in my heart: "With Passion and Imagination, I will never stop writing." So quit talking about writing and join me in the writer's world. Persistence is key in writing.
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