Goal Setting: The Difference Between Push Goals and Pull Goals

Earlier this week, I read an interesting piece at Make a Living Writing on motivation and goal setting. What? Why am I talking about goal setting in September? Couldn’t I just leave this alone until December 30th? I could, but Marcia egged me on when she wrote about rebooting your writing life.

A few days ago, I posted a message to my accountability group. (Hi, Ladies!) As I was doing this I noticed, I hadn’t even bothered to post about goals in months. I’ve just been toodling along, doing my own thing. 

Some of this toodling was very much writing related. I took Madeline Dyer’s class and learned about narrative structure. I wrote a new piece of auto fiction. I’ve drafted two new picture book manuscripts, one of which is so close to being finished. But I haven’t looked at my goals in months. 

You’ll find other posts here about writing goals. We’ve discussed how to set SMART goals and the need to periodically reevaluate our goals. As I read about push goals vs pull goals, I found myself evaluating my goals. 

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the terms, push goals are external. If you have to push yourself to meet a goal, that’s most likely a push goal. They tend to be a lot of work and can feel forced. You set these goals because you feel that you should and many of them have to do with perfecting yourself. “If I could just lose weight, I would be the perfect size.” “If I wrote a NYT best selling novel, I would be the perfect writer.” Whatever. 

Pull goals are more internal. Think of these goals as the carrot vs the stick. These goals don’t feel like as much work because you are passionate about something. 

In the piece at Make a Living Writing, Carol Tice includes a potential list of pull goals. What are the carrots that will tempt you forward? There are all kinds of possibilities. You can reward yourself with time off work to spend with your family when you get something done. You can engage in retail therapy. A vacation might be in the cards if you earn enough to pay for it. Or you might simply reward yourself with a trip to your favorite bookstore. 

You can also use your writing as a pull goal. You want to work on your memoir or your novel or a group of poems. Setting a goal to work on items like these will pull you forward. This is the writing you are passionate about. 

You need to make a living. If you are lucky enough to do that with your writing, you may need to set some push goals. These might involve updating your website, finishing a contracted job, or querying. 

As with so many things in life, the key is balance. You’ll probably need a combination of push goals and pull goals. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be able to combine a few – signing a contract to write about something that fascinates you. 

 --SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 35 books for young readers.  To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.

The next session of her new course, Pitching, Querying and Submitting Your Work will begin on September 4, 2022).  Coping with rejection is one of the topics she will cover in this course.

Sue is also the instructor for  Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins September 4, 2022) and Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins September 4, 2022). 

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4 comments accomplishing goals, goals, pull goals, push goals, setting goals, writing goals

Setting Goals in 2022

I’m an idea person. It might take me a moment to get started, but ask me for ideas for a blog post, a picture book, or a series and soon I’ll have a column of ideas on the page. They won’t all be great, but they will be many. 

I have a similar problem when it comes time to set goals or resolutions for the coming year. I’m going to finish a novel, a graphic novel, and a memoir. I’ll submit my work to two agents a week and . . . on and on, I go. 

I’m not denying the importance of goals, but they have to be goals that work for you. We are each wired differently.  We each have different circumstances.

Me? I’m a full time writer. I write work-for-hire for the educational market. This means that I work under contract for up to three months and then . . . nothing. That nothing might be for a day, a week, or a solid month, but the work will come again and when it does come there is usually a lot of it.  My goals go by the wayside.

So I’ve decided that this year I’m going to attempt smaller goals. This month, I have four. 

1. I am taking Melanie Faith’s class on writing graphic novels. You can find information on that WOW class here. It starts on the 14th. 
2. I’m taking part in Storystorm, generating 30 picture book ideas in 31 days. So far I have 6 ideas in my notebook and probably another four or five that I’ve e-mailed to myself. 
3. I’m working on an educational series pitch for Kane Press. This is in the early stages. I’m currently reading their books and looking at what other publishers have done. 
4. I’m writing Act 3 of my middle grade novel, tracking my word count on NaNoWriMo. You can set up a project any time which means that you can work for a week or three months. You also set your word count goal and the program helps keep track of your progress. 

I have to tell you, stopping at four goals was tough. Why? Because I could also submit to two agents and send in my resume to two more educational publishers. I could finish cleaning off an organizing the bookshelves in my office. I need to work on my mystery. Those picture book ideas will need drafting, and… Once the ideas start to flow, they flow.

I may be a goal oriented person, but if the list is too long, I know I won’t be able to get it done before another assignment comes along. Smaller goals are more manageable for me and the way that I work. 

What works best for you? 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 30 books for young readers.  To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.

The next session of her new course, Pitching, Querying and Submitting Your Work will begin on February 6, 2022).  Coping with rejection is one of the topics she will cover in this course.

Sue is also the instructor for  Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins February 6, 2022) and Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins February 6, 2022). 

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5 comments goals, idea generation, meeting goals, setting goals, Sue Bradford Edwards, writing goals

Advent for Writers

Advent is more than the season before Christmas. It is a time of preparation. This post is my challenge to the Muffin community to shape December into your own Writing Advent. Use December as a time to prepare for writing in 2021.  

Step #1. Acknowledge what you wanted to accomplish in 2020. 

We all had goals for 2020. Mine included: cataloguing my social media accounts; updating them to create a look/brand; approaching an agent/month; finishing a draft of my cozy; finishing a draft of my graphic novel; and working on my memoir. What were yours? 

Step #2. Let go of what you didn’t get done. 

I know I’m not the only writer who found this year challenging. Time and time again in the last month, I’ve heard comments from my fellow writers: I failed to get my site up; I didn’t do the writing I wanted to do this year; and I have been completely unable to write. Me? I took stock of my social media, created a brand look which didn’t work, recreated it, recreated it again, put together a new site, and finished a draft of my cozy. The rest? Pfft. 

Unfortunately it is easy for us to become attached to what we didn’t do. We think of it again and again when what we need to do is let it go! 

Recently a friend taught me a meditation to help with this. Sit quietly. Light a candle if that helps. Breathe in to a count of four. Then breathe out to a count of four. As you breathe out, picture one of these concerns. Let it go and watch it drift away like a falling leaf. Inhale. Let another one go. 

Do this every day for a week if that’s what you need to do. When you’ve quit holding fast to your failures, move on to Step #3. 

Step #3. Write for fun. 

Play with something you don’t intend to sell. This is when I write poetry. Or meditations. Write up a memory. Write something that plays with the sounds of words – picture book writing and poetry are both fun for this. Me? I just drafted a new picture book on Monday. 

Do whatever you need to do to have fun with your writing.  

Step #4. Consider what you really want to write. 

When you’ve let go of the baggage of 2020 and rediscovered the fun, it is time to contemplate what you really want to write. Why did you get into writing? Is it what you’re doing now? If not, do you need to reevaluate what you write? 

Many people feel more than a little used and abused by 2020. Use 2020 as a time to pivot. Come away from this year with a notion of what you really want to be writing. After all, if not now, when? 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 27 books for young readers.  To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.

Sue is also the instructor for  Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins December 7, 2020) and Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins December 7, 2020). 

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8 comments goals, meditation, self evaluation, setting goals, Sue Bradford Edwards, writing goals

Take the Plunge

I have a bad habit of putting things off.

In my day job, I put off telling people I can’t meet deadlines because I don’t want them to see I’m struggling. Even if the reason I’m struggling is because I’m a one-person department.

In my day-to-day life, I put off telling friends and family that I need help because I don’t want to be a burden, or show people how vulnerable I really am.

I also put off those “big” dreams I have, because I somehow feel like I’m less deserving of them than other people. Who am I to think I could ever earn money off those big dreams?

But lately I feel like there are puzzles pieces I keep finding and turning over, and each one takes me just a little closer to my “big” dream. I have more than one big dream, though. However, I’m now starting to see they can all be connected if I do things right.

So what is my big dream that I don’t feel like I have the right to pursue? Podcasting. I want to be a podcaster. It makes sense. When I was younger, I thought I would try and be a broadcast journalist and report the news on TV. But in college, I had a professor steer me toward the student newspaper and that’s where I ended up finding a home. But now, I find myself listening to podcasts multiple times a day, and I know what makes a good one. I also know the genre of podcasting I’m drawn to—true crime and missing persons cases.

Once I finally got honest with myself, I sat down and did some brainstorming this past weekend. I looked up all the equipment and software I would need to start up a podcast, and I already have most of it here in my home. I have the writing skills necessary to produce a good script. I’m a confident public speaker. I’m a journalist and know how to interview people. I have a family member who is good at audio editing. I have a clear outline of the podcast I want to produce because I had to write up a simple proposal for one a few months ago when I entered a local radio station pod “quest’ contest. (I didn’t advance to the finals because I didn’t have a huge network of people choosing to vote for me every day on Facebook—so that was understandable). I already have a website, and a blog where I write posts related to what my podcast would be about. I write thriller/suspense fiction stories and novels, which I can also share with my audience.

I’m as qualified as anyone else to start up this type of podcast. I just have to do it, put it out there, and start promoting the heck out of it. I know there is a market for this type of podcast, or ones like “Up and Vanished,” “The Vanished,” “Over My Dead Body,” and so many others wouldn’t be binged by listeners like me on a weekly basis.

I’m putting aside the negative self talk and taking the plunge. I’m writing about it here to hold myself accountable. My next step is to put a launch date 4-6 weeks away on my calendar, record at least four episodes and hope to find the audience it deserves. Wish me luck!

I challenge you to take steps to pursue your own “big” dream, if you aren’t already. Where will you start?

Renee Roberson is an award-winning writer and editor who knows how to tell a good story. Visit her website at FinishedPages.com.

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1 comment career advice, creating a podcast, pursuing your writing dream, Renee Roberson, setting goals, true crime podcasts

Goals: Making Sure Your Writing Goals Are Smart

What are my 2019 goals? What…are…my…goals?

As everyone else in our accountability group (Hi Ladies!) chatted about their goals for 2019, I noodled quietly. I hadn’t come close to meeting my 2018 goals which really disappointed me. Of course, I just glanced at my stated goal and was a little surprised. I only put one out there in front of the group.

Draft my cozy. Is it drafted? Nope. It is close? Again, nope. But I also had two unstated goals. Work on finding an agent and break into a new market. My success in these areas was also woefully non-existent.

I write every day. Work-for-hire books are my bread and butter. That means that I completed a handful of books in 2018. That’s good and I get that. But I want to make a living at this and that means not having all my financial eggs in one particular work-for-hire basket. Why did I make so little progress?

Poking around here on the blog, I came across Renee’s post, “Be S.M.A.R.T. with Your Writing.” Reading Looking at Renee’s post, I have to admit that my goals were anything but S.M.A.R.T.

Here are the elements of a S.M.A.R.T. goal.

1. Specific: Is the goal specific? Draft a novel is not a specific goal. Write 4000/month toward a final draft is specific in part because it is…
2. Measurable: Does your goal contain a measurable quantity? Finished draft is not measurable. 4000 words? Measurable.
3. Achievable: Is the goal realistic? Apparently, draft a novel in a year is not as realistic as I had assumed. For me and I assume for many of you, fiction is a lot of work.
4. Relevant: Is the goal relevant to your larger ambitions? In all truth, writing a cozy may not be entirely relevant. I am a children’s nonfiction writer. But I’ve also discovered that I have to write things that I’m not certain I can sell to remain creative. The cozy fills that need.
5. Time-bound: Do you have deadlines in place? I should have known that a year was not an acceptable deadline. If someone needs X in a week and I have a year to finish that novel, I’m working on X. I need more immediate deadlines.

In light of this, my goals for 2019 have altered somewhat in that they are SMART(ish). Why –ish? The novel is still in there folks.

In 2019, my goals are:
1. To draft 2000 words/month on the novel. Even when I’m deep in a work-for-hire project, this should be do-able.
2. Take four agent related actions a month. These can include research an agent, read interviews, request books they’ve represented, and querying.
3. Take four help-me-break-into-a-new-market actions a month. This might include researching a market, outlining, researching or drafting the project, submitting or following up.

These goals aren’t huge but they are do-able. And if I do a little more on one or more of them any given month? Hats and horns for me, ladies, hats and horns for me.

--SueBE

To find out more about Sue Bradford Edwards' writing, visit her blog, One Writer's Journey.  Sue is also the instructor for Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults. The next session begins January 14th, 2019.

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7 comments Renee Roberson, S.M.A.R.T goals, setting goals, Sue Bradford Edwards, writing goals

5 Lessons in Writing I Learned This Year (My 2018 Reflection)

As we near the end of 2018, I think it's time for a reflection post. After reading Sue's and Renee's posts about writing goals and their accomplishments, I felt a call to contemplate my own.

I haven't exactly accomplished as much as I was hoping this year, but I have done a lot, in huge part due to the accountability group I joined with WOW (for which, I am so grateful). There have been some teaching moments along the way and I thought I would view my accomplishments through that lens and share five important lessons I have learned this year.

1) Let go of writing projects of the past.

This was a huge moment for me that I talked about in a blog post on my own personal blog. I threw away a bunch of old notebooks from over 10 years ago. It happened when I realized that none of these stories would be used at later point. And I knew it. This isn't a moment I will look back on with regret. In fact, it was one of the healthiest moment of my writing life this year. I needed to let go and I didn't need to hang onto old notebooks as some sort of symbol of my dedication to writing stories.

2) Writing is a daily practice.

I don't have a daily word count. If I'm being totally honest, I don't even write everyday (fiction, that is). However, in order for me to write creatively, I need to do that on a daily basis. This year has shown me that. I discovered that lesson when I looked back over some old freelance pieces from years prior.  When I was looking over old content pieces, I realized how much I've grown as a freelance writer. My writing has vastly improved and that has only happened because I've been doing that type of writing (i.e. blogging, web content, etc) almost daily for several years now. I'm certainly not perfect, but I'm better than I have been. That is the same philosophy I need to take with creative writing.

3) Editing and revising is a different beast.

One of the things I tackled this year was my resistance to editing and revising. I made it my personal mission to edit, revise and to look that beast in the eyes. I have remained true to my word and it's been a challenge this year, but I have come a long way. I am finishing off the year with at least two decently edited pieces and some others under my belt that I am ready to tackle.

4) Life happens. Write anyway.

A few months ago I was let go from my day job. It would be easy to not write, but I am remaining close to my fiction stories and keeping with them as much as I can. It would be easy to get distracted (for good reason too), but this year and the last few months have taught me that I need to write no matter what is going on.

5) Keep challenging yourself.

This was the first year I set writing goals for the year and I am already plotting what my goals are for next year. I'd like to think I'll set myself a daily word count, but in all honesty, I need to remain focused on my revising goal. I am hoping this time next year I will have done some submitting and can say a short story has been published.

So, as I bid adieu to 2018, I will be looking ahead with a renewed sense of accomplishment. One story at a time, one word at a time, I am pushing forward. Happy writing everyone!

Follow Nicole and her writing journey on Twitter via BeingTheWriter or visit her blog theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com.

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4 comments amwriting, setting goals, writing goals

Out of sight, out of mind

Every January each member of my critique group makes a list of writing (and/or other) goals, seals them in an envelope, and opens them in December to measure her success. A few weeks ago we got our lists back and read them aloud to the group. When we reached the end of the list, we summarized our successes and failures.

This year I met fewer than half my goals. I had four items on my list and right now can't remember any of them. Overall, this practice of writing them down and putting them aside can work, but I wasn't following through.

Like every other question I have, I turned to the internet for goal-setting answers. What I found there were flow charts, pie charts, worksheets, time-limit suggestions, and one strategy that involved identifying 41 types of goals. That's too much pressure, and if I can't remember my four goals, I would never remember 41 types of goals.

I'm a visual learner, and I realized I needed to see my goals. At one of my earlier jobs in public relations, I wrote my assignments on a large monthly desk calendar. When I completed an assignment, I would place a large checkmark in front of it. If I did not complete it by the assigned day, I would draw a single line through it and rewrite it on a later date. I repeated this process until I succeeded.

These visual reminders helped me understand what I needed to do, what I had accomplished, and what I was ignoring. The system wasn't perfect, but I liked tracking my goals and progress every day.

My 2018 plan for success is to write down specific goals in January, and copy them on my phone, calendar or Post-It notes where I will see them. I'm hoping this process will increase my success rate. I'll let you know how it goes.

How are you setting your goals for 2018?

Happy Holidays!

Mary Horner's story Shirley and the Apricot Tree was recently published in Kansas City Voices. She has written for numerous publications and teaches communications at St. Louis and St. Charles Community Colleges, and earned the Writing Certificate from UM-St. Louis.

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4 comments accomplishing goals., critique groups, lists, setting goals

Make a Writing Bucket List

Pexels.com

Lately I’ve been mentally compiling a list of places I want to visit in my lifetime—Paris, France, the Florida Keys, Big Sky Montana, etc. I’m making a list and talking with my family over which places we want to prioritize; for example, focusing on places right here in the United States first. I remember seeing something on social media a few years ago about a bucket list for writers. I figured since I’m already working on compiling one for travel, why not make one for my writing goals? Who knows—maybe seeing something written in print will give me the kick in the pants I need to get moving.

From what I’ve heard, making a list, regularly reviewing it and taking conscious steps to check things off a concrete list can help you accomplish dreams more quickly. It can also help you lead a more productive life.

Here are a few goals on my writing bucket list, including a few I’ve already achieved.

• Publish a newspaper or magazine article. Check.
• Attend a writer’s conference. Check.
• Participate in National Novel Writing Month. Done, twice.
• Self-publish something a novella or larger work of fiction/non-fiction.
• Sell a true-crime article to a national magazine.
• Have an essay published in a women’s magazine or major newspaper.
• Find a literary agent.
• Complete an outline for a new suspense/thriller novel I have an idea for.
• Publish a novel.
• Write a play or a screenplay.
• Create and produce a podcast. 
• Develop and pitch a television series.
• Publish a short story.
• Get a paying gig speaking publicly about writing.
• Get invited on a press tour to a travel destination I’ve never been before.
• Go on a book tour.

Do you have a writing bucket list? Please share a few of your goals with us!

Renee Roberson is an award-winning freelance writer and editor who is ready to print out her writing bucket list and hang it on a wall where she can look at it every day.

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3 comments Renee Roberson, setting goals, writing bucket list, writing inspiration

Late December Questions

Ahhhhh, December 26th.

Finally, I have a moment—I have days of moments—where nothing pressing has to be done. No big production meals to coordinate, no last-minute holiday tasks calling my name. Just me and my cozy, overstuffed chair.

And maybe a book.

It’s the late December Lull, the perfect time to slow my roll, as my kids say. And though I’ve probably shared all this before, it bears repeating: we need a little quiet time, a break in the busyness, before we make those all-important plans for the coming year.

I let a couple topics simmer in my psyche while I’m sitting around in my cozy, over-stuffed chair, munching on Christmas cookies. Now, I don’t write anything down yet. I’m just thinking on these things so that come December 31st, I’ll know where I want my writing to go. So here I offer up the topics I ponder, and maybe you can do some pondering as well.

READING

Oh, I love to ponder the books I’ve read, the ones I’ve enjoyed and even the ones I didn’t enjoy so much. I use Goodreads to keep track of my books and thank goodness, because I’m horrible at recollecting titles. I read a lot of books in a year, but during the December Lull, I’m mostly thinking about the books I remember well. If they were favorites, they’ll likely become mentor texts to me. I consider why I loved that book, what made it so engaging, how did the author keep me interested and/or intrigued. If I remember a book because it was memorably bad, well, I might ask why did I quit on it?

Reading in my genre informs my writing. But I don’t just ponder the books I’ve read because I write other forms. So I’ll think about magazine markets or anthology markets, too. A string of rejections to a particular market is telling. It’s either telling me that I need to go back and read those magazines and anthologies again, or it’s telling me that my style is not suited for a market I’ve targeted. And so I ponder whether to keep trying or move on.

THE LOVE/HATE RATIO

As much as I love writing, and being a writer, there are things about my job I kinda hate. And during the December Lull, I do a sort of mental health check to make sure that what I love surpasses what I hate. Because we all know that writing is a tough business; to stay in the game, the pros should outweigh the cons, right? Also, thinking about those less desirable aspects leads to important questions. Like whether I need to give up a job that’s not worth the time and effort. Or how can I make an onerous job more palatable? It’s worth a little pondering to keep my love of writing on the plus side.

THE MOUNTAIN

And lastly, I like to review where I am on the way to my mountain. Neil Gaiman talked about his writing path and how he saw his goal as a mountain. He decided to take those jobs that moved him closer to the mountain. I love that image; it helps me set my writing goals, too. So in my Lull, I think about what moved me closer to my mountain and where I need to go next and how I’ll get there.

It’s a monumental amount of thinking, let me tell you. It’s no wonder I stay in that cozy, overstuffed chair, eating cookies. And by the way, it may look like I’m napping, but really, I’m deep into pondering.

Very deep.

Ahhhh. Welcome, welcome late December.

~Cathy C. Hall

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10 comments Cathy C. Hall, Neil Gaiman, reading, setting goals, thinking about writing

New Year’s Resolutions: Write Your Dream in 2014

Just over a week ago, Margo Dill wrote a Muffin post about taking your writing career seriously. She recommended that we set SMART goals, or goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

Follow Margo’s guidelines and you will find yourself setting goals that are concrete (finish a draft of my novel vs work on my novel). Your goals will also be within your ability to achieve (finish a draft of my novel vs find a publisher for my novel or win an award with my novel).

I’d like to add to Margo’s list by challenging you to do one more thing. Set a goal that is scary. Write your dream manuscript. For some of us it is one special manuscript. For others, it is a series or several unrelated stories that creep into our minds again and again.

The reasons that you aren’t working on your dream piece usually fits into one of these three areas.

1. Fear. Sometimes you avoid your dream project out of fear, especially if writing this manuscript means baring your soul. While this manuscript is near to your heart and you believe people need to hear what you have to say, you also fear the criticism this project will bring. This was the case with a picture book on prayer that I noodled over for years. Instead of working on it, I turned to safer topics.
2. Criticism. You might be avoiding your dream project because you overcame fear of the unknown long enough to write and get the work into the hands of trusted reviewers. Unfortunately, harsh words from someone you trust can bring you to a stop. When I drafted my picture book, I was surprised by the support I received until . . . let’s just say that one person can derail you completely.
3. Market. The third reason that we abandon our dream projects is because of market trends. We go to a conference only to hear that fiction/nonfiction/memoir is no longer selling. If that is what you are working on, you aren’t going to find a home for your work unless it is amazing. And your work, says the critiquer, is adequate, not amazing. One woman in my critique group has abandoned her fiction after such a comment and now only writes nonfiction. While her nonfiction is fascinating, she has walked away from a story she just had to write.

No matter why you put aside your dream story, I’d like to challenge you. In 2014, recommit yourself to this project. Editors tell us that they want writing with passion. Passion doesn’t come from playing it safe. Passion doesn’t come from the sure sale. It comes from the story that we believe in and that won’t let us alone.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a picture book to rework according to my own unique vision.

--SueBE
Author Sue Bradford Edwards blogs at One Writer's Journey.

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4 comments challenging yourself, goals, resolutions, setting goals, writing goals

Writing Lessons of 2013

Though I’m already making plans for next year, I’m compelled to take a look back first.

See, I don’t want to make the same mistakes I made this year. So I checked my blog for a feature I call “What Not To Do” where I share my mistakes and what I learned from said mistakes. And I thought maybe you could benefit from my year-end inventory, too. So join me as I walk down Memory Lane, reliving those magical writing moments where I messed up in 2013.


What I Learned About Book-Signings

I finally scheduled a book-signing for a couple of anthologies wherein I had stories. And I thought I’d made thorough plans. But I did not count on the wind (it was an outside festival), and I did not consider the heat (chocolate melts), but mostly, I didn’t really think about the importance of selling the book.

I suppose I thought the book would sell itself. But here’s what I learned: people want to talk to writers about the book—and they want to talk about their own experiences, too. And if you take the time to connect—to listen and interact with the people who drop by—the book sort of does sell itself.

For my next book-signing, I’ll check the weather and I’ll bring melt-proof candy. But mostly, I’ll be ready to engage with shoppers. Because shoppers are the ones who’ll buy—and read—the book!


What I Learned About Proofreading


I don’t often ask for help with proofreading. But after sending a query out to an agent, I realized I’d made an error. And not just a simple comma error. Nope, this was an epic error involving the actual text and…honestly, I still want to bang my head on the desk, thinking about it. How, I asked myself. How did this happen?

It happened because when we write, we often mentally correct an error. We know what we mean to say and our brain helps us out by showing us what we expect to see rather than what’s on the printed page.

So I learned (rather painfully) that I shouldn’t rush the proofreading step. Sometimes, it’s enough to leave the work for an hour or two. An error is likely to jump out when we return. For larger works (like an entire manuscript), there are several options for proofreading. There are premium or free services that will analyze text (search “grammar check”). But we can also ask our fellow writers for proofreading help, perhaps our critique group, or a trusted writer friend. And then we must actually do it. (Your head will thank you.)


What I Learned About Reading Writing Books


In April, I learned that, despite my best intentions, I had read only one of the writing books piled in a stack by my bed. It was an excellent book, filled with great writing advice, and so I decided that I would actually read my writing books instead of letting them sit, hoping that the advice would somehow transfer to my brain through osmosis.

But here’s what I discovered in December of 2013: I still have not read my writing books. So I’m sure you can guess what the first What Not To Do of 2014 will be.

Oh, well. Now that I’ve looked back (and learned) from my mistakes, it’s time to look forward, to figure out my What To Do list for the coming year.

Ahhhh. That’s much better. (And may your 2014 be much better, too!)

~Cathy C. Hall

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9 comments book signings, Cathy C. Hall, learning from mistakes, proofreading, setting goals, writing advice, writing books, Writing What Not To Do's

Handling the To-Do List Part 2: Daily Organization

Hello, Muffin fans. Six weeks ago, I blogged about how I felt I did not get any writing accomplished from my to-do list and wondered if I needed help getting organized. 

Step #1 was organizing my multiple calendars into one calendar. I blogged about my experience about a month ago. I thought my calendar organization skills had improved, but I missed a blog post a few weeks ago because I did not see it listed on my online calendar. Or maybe I have too many items on my calendar and simply missed it. Sigh. Back to square one? 

My next step to accomplishing more writing is looking at the list itself. My summer list was divided into three sections: home, school, and writing. Under each category I prioritized projects, listing them in order I wanted to conquer them.

No. Such. Luck.

So, I got to thinking about the items under my writing list. All were "big ticket" items: how-to ebook, YA manuscript rewrite, 'X' number of queries a week, photography skills.

That's when it hit me. (P.S. You, too, should see the problem by now.)

The list was written like I wrote it two paragraphs ago. Each item was an outcome, the final, tangible product I wanted in hand.

What the list NEEDED to look like was more like a lesson plan, a step-by-step breakdown of how I wanted to get from Point A to Point B. Plus, I needed to incorporate action words. (Duh, I'm a teacher; it's how I write my weekly lesson plan!) 

Since I've been paying more attention to the list, I've made a few changes that I'll share. So far, so good.

• On Sunday, I look at my Google calendar for the week and create a weekly overview of what needs to be accomplished and when I'll have to time to write.
• When I begin compiling each day's list, instead of simply listing a project, I specify what needs to get done. For example, rather than write how-to book on my to-do list, I may write "find graphics for chapter 2" or "add links to examples." It makes me focus on one area instead of looking at the project as one large task and wondering where I left off the day before. 
• At the end of the day, I peruse the day's list and see what needs to carry over to the next writing block. This simple step has improved my sleep time. Before, I would go to bed and be awake for an hour or two fretting (obsessing, really) about what did not get accomplished and how I would fit it in the following day. Now, I have a daily plan and I stick to it. Sure, some times, things may be thrown off schedule - hey, that's life! - but if I want to complete four tasks, then I budget time and work until those are finished. 
• I also realize that sometimes, I do not need a list. Especially true when I'm writing a newspaper story; I could write a news article in my sleep. I don't need a breakdown that tells me to listen to my digital recorder or write a lede that will knock the reader's socks off. 
• Finally, I try to break up bigger tasks and interject smaller goals into writing time, too. For me, it's a psychological boost that let's me see that things are actually getting taken care of.
• I would like to say that I've stopped being a perfectionist, because I think that hinders my time management/task time. Yeah, still working on that one. :)

So I'm wondering, readers, how do you use a list to prioritize projects? Share what works - or doesn't work - for you.

By LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at her website.

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5 comments goal setting, handling the to do list, LuAnn Schindler, organization, Organizational Tips, setting goals, time management, to-do list

Handling the To-Do List

If you've read many of my posts on The Muffin, you know that I spend three hours a day teaching Journalism, Speech and Drama.

So, when the last school bell rings in May, I create my summer to-do list and break it into multiple categories, like home improvements, school projects (you see, school NEVER ends for a teacher), and writing projects.

This summer, my writing project list included 11 projects ranging from setting up a new schedule for my blog, querying new markets, completing some photo projects, devoting a specific number of hours to working on the novel, and developing story ideas for the regional publications I write for.

How many projects were crossed off the list?

Can I plead the 5th? Do I have to answer the questions?

Two.

Yes, the deuce. Dos. One + one equals two.

The weird thing is, I feel like I got a lot of writing accomplished this summer. I know my bank account appreciated my efforts!

But two? Seriously?

I'm frustrated that I didn't get more done. I've always thought I'm a good organizer and a fast writer.

Only two?

It got me thinking about WHY I didn't get a lot done. Interference from Facebook, Twitter and Words with Friends? Caring for the grandsons while their mom is at work? Wanting a bit of ME time? Too much "Orange is the New Black" or "The Newsroom"?

Sure, some of those factor in, but they aren't the real culprit.

So the day before I returned to school, I sent a HARO query and received a lot of great advice. During September, on my blog dates, I'm going to talk about tackling the to-do list and keeping it manageable. I'll be sharing information from organization experts, a psychologist, and medical experts.

You may be surprised at some of the answers. I was!

Until my next blog post, I'm curious. How do you handle your to-do list? Do you break down each task step-by-step? Do you have an established writing routine that lets you meet your goals?

Share your thoughts with us.

by LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at her website.

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5 comments goal setting, LuAnn Schindler, setting goals, time management, to do list, to-do list

The 'Write' Mindset for the New Year

For the past month, I've been kicking around ideas to bump up productivity and reorganize my office, ideas, and goals. This last year has been a roller coaster - professionally and personally - and just when I thought I got my groove back last May, life interrupted once more and sent me down a bumpy road.

Not this year. I have a lot to accomplish.

Here's how I plan to get in the 'write' mindset for 2013. Trust me, it's not rocket science!

• Goals. Generally, I'm a planner, but in the past, I think one of my motivation problems stemmed from my goals. Most of them were long-term, and sometimes, those far-off hopefuls don't come to fruition, squelching motivation. What have I changed for 2013? I'm setting weekly, monthly, and long-term goals for my writing career. A couple publications have been on my "must be published in" list for over a year. I intend to crack those markets this year. 
• Mindset. Now, I know I have my groove back. I know what I want to accomplish. I know what it will take to get from point A to point B. It's called determination.
• Query. For years, I tried to send out six new queries a month. But, somewhere along the way, I stopped submitting ideas to new markets (but kept writing for the markets I write for consistently). I'm going back to the six a month query theory.
• Read. Good writers are good readers. Lately, I haven't read as much as usual, but I intend to change that. In fact, I did today. :)
• Write. You can call yourself a writer, but unless you actually put words on paper (or computer screen) and generate material - whether for a publication or just for yourself - you're spinning your wheels. Get out of that rut and start writing!

Even though yesterday was a holiday, I wrote over 1000 words, mostly for a long-term project. But it feels good to get back in my writing groove, thanks to my write mindset.

How do you plan to meet your 2013 goals? Share your ideas with us.

by LuAnn Schindler

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5 comments LuAnn Schindler, setting goals, writing goals

How to Set Goals that Will Help You Become a Successful Freelancer

Have you looked at today’s calendar? December 1. The first day of the last month of 2012. How are you doing on your writing goals for 2012?

If your goals are on track – congratulations!

If not, now is the time to consider different types of goals and what might work best for you.

Minutes Spent Writing
Many writers set time related goals. “I will spend 1 hour a day writing.”
Pros: If you are struggling to fit writing into your day, this is the way to do it. Start with 15 minutes and build.
Cons: 1 hour. 1 paragraph. Time wasted? I’m not telling, but I can piddle away 45 minutes with little effort which is why I set . . .

Word Count
Other writers set a word count goal. Mine is 6000 words/week. I can take a day off, which is sometimes essential for my mental health, and still meet my goal.
Pros: If you tend to write and rewrite the same page endlessly, this can push you to produce.
Cons: See, NaNoWriMo. Anything counts as long as I get words down on the page, yes?

Submissions/Month
Need to get more of your work circulating? One writer I know submits a specific number of finished pieces and queries each month.
Pros: This helps get your writing into an editor’s hands.
Cons: Tough to pull off if you write novels.

Pieces Circulating
Other writers strive to keep a set number of manuscripts circulating.
Pros: Again, this get your work off your desk but it also allows for some wiggle room. Submit 20 crafts and, until you hear from the various editors, you can work on your novel.
Cons: If you only write novels, this still won’t do you much good.

Billable Dollars
This year, I tried a new type of goal. I submit $1000 worth of material each month.
Pros: This goal forces me to pay attention to what various gigs pay. My income has gone up nearly 20%.
Cons: Again, longer work, such as my middle grade novel, gets pushed aside in favor of the short stuff.

To-Do List
Some writers work from a to-do list. “These are the things that I want to do in 2013.”
Pros: It helps you keep the big picture in view.
Cons: For me, it was too vague. Too many items on an annual or monthly list can be pushed back “until later.” Keeping both an annual list and a weekly list felt like doing my taxes.

As you may have guessed, I work with a combination of goals. I have a weekly to-do list and a weekly word count. I have a monthly billable dollars goal.

The problem is that I still have a number of bigger projects that have been works-in-progress for too long. Next year, I’m adding a to-do list of book projects. I’ll pick one and work on it each morning before tackling either my word count or billable dollars.

Different goals work for different writers. What works for you?

–SueBE
Author Sue Bradford Edwards blogs at One Writer's Journey.

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7 comments effective writing goals, goals, setting goals, writing goals

Friday Speak Out!: Approaching Success or Avoiding Failure?, Guest Post by Rochelle Melander

 People with goals succeed because they know where they're going.
—Earl Nightingale

Right before Thanksgiving, I signed up for the Y’s annual Holiday Trimmings Challenge. Members who participate try to maintain their weight over the holidays. When I weighed in, it was clear that the sedentary tasks of writing and marketing my book had taken its toll. Despite exercising regularly, I had gained weight.

I vowed to lose the weight by the New Year weigh in. I knew what I had to do. As I walked and ran on the treadmill, I repeated my goals like a mantra: “Stop drinking wine. Give up sugar and bread. No more chocolate. Give up bread. Lose the afternoon lattes. I should exercise harder to avoid gaining any more weight.”

For the next week, all I could think about was the stuff I’d given up. When I wasn’t thinking about my NaNoWriMo project, I was craving bread, sugar, a latte, chocolate and wine—in any order and a lot of it. Thankfully, I had not cleaned out the cupboards. We still had Halloween candy, and I had a secret stash of NaNo chocolate.

Shortly after National Novel Writing Month ended, my coaching brain woke up and reminded me: avoidance goals rarely work. People who set avoidance goals don’t perform well. In addition, people who set avoidance goals are more anxious and less happy. They experience a decreased self-esteem, personal control, and vitality.

As writers, our avoidance goals tend to be something like these:

*I will sell a book this year so that I can finally get out of my dead-end job.

*I will not participate in social media until I have written three query letters.

*I need to stop watching so much television at night and write more.

All three of the above goals focus on avoiding something. We do better when our goal helps us approach a desirable outcome rather than avoid an undesirable outcome. But do not fret dear writers. Change the wording a bit (Hey! You are good at that!), and create an approach goal. The three goals above become:

*I will work for ten hours a week to sell my book to an agent or publisher so that I can achieve my dream of becoming a full-time writer.

*I write three query letters a day and then reward myself with time on social media.

*I will write for an hour when I get home from work so that I can achieve my goal of finishing my book.

When we phrase our goals as approach goals, we automatically increase our chances of achieving them. When we set an approach goal, we know what steps we need to take to be successful—contact ten agents, write three query letters, write for an hour. Thus, we can more easily manage our work towards achieving the goal. Also, when we work toward achieving an approach goal, we focus on the positive actions we can take versus the negative ones we must avoid. This increases our sense of well-being. In other words, we feel better and do better.

As for me, I’ve revamped my wellness goals. I’m no longer worrying about avoiding wine and chocolate. Instead, I am concentrating on the good treats I can add to my menu: fruits, vegetables and dark chocolate. I’m also working toward some fun fitness goals, which is much more fun that running to avoid gaining weight! As you think about your 2012 writing goals, consider setting approach versus
avoidance goals. You will know where you are going and increase your chances of success. (And have more fun!)

* * *

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander teaches professionals how to write faster, get published, establish credibility, and navigate the new world of social media. Get your free subscription to her Write Now! Tips Ezine at http://www.writenowcoach.com and sign up to be a member of her Write Now! Mastermind class for professionals at http://www.writenowmastermind.com .
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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

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1 comment Friday Speak Out, Rochelle Melander, set writing goals, setting goals, writer inspiration

Yes, It's the Eve of 2012 and Goal-Setting Time

Happy New Year!
Photo Credit: Elizabeth King Humphrey

Ah, before even seeing the bottom of the glasses of bubbly, many writers will have already penned their first work of 2012: "My New Year Writing Resolutions."

I admit. I am the same. In the past few months, I've taken stock of my bookshelves and wondered...where is my own great American novel? I've started combing through my notes to bring me to a better, clearer space for jumping into the new year with a new outlook on my writing.

But I do so with some trepidation. Take too big of a plunge and frustrations will dampen early-year enthusiasm; don't plunge deep enough and new writing habits will have difficulty taking root.

For some writers, New Year's resolutions may come close to keeping up with the frenzy of the annual, month-long "literary abandon" of NaNoWriMo. However, without some planning, resolutions (like the best-laid plans of NaNoWriMo) will not produce concrete results.

Here are a few of my tips for some sane, post-bubbly resolutions planning...they may help you throughout the entire year, as well:

1. Keep writing goals simple and achievable. While a War and Peace-sized novel might be your long-term goal, start with creating an outline of the story or writing exercises to flesh out details of your settings. Even a 1,000-page book needs to start with the first page...and then the second...and third. (And let's not even talk about revisions!)
   
2. Introduce creativity along the way. Maybe you don't feel like writing one day. No big deal, try something creative such as picking up some colored pencils or markers and doodle. Doodling can help tap into your brain's creative regions. Or practice your cut and paste skills and create a collage of your character's home or work place.
   
3. Know that it's okay to step back from your goals. Some weeks will be better than others. Accept that...definitely don't beat yourself up about not reaching one of your goals. Just re-group and figure out another path. You'll be closer to reaching your goals if you re-adjust and keep a good, realistic attitude about your goals.

What are some of your tools for setting writing goals for the new year? Or just setting writing goals at any time?

Enjoy the celebration and have a warm, wonderful and productive writing New Year--maybe next year you will be celebrating the appearance on your bookshelves of your own great work.... Keep us posted about your progress here at The Muffin.

Elizabeth King Humphrey, a writer and editor living in coastal North Carolina, plans on ringing in the New Year by keeping her computer off for 24 hours. When she's back online, follow her on Twitter @Eliz_Humphrey.

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5 comments Creativity, Elizabeth King Humphrey, New Years writing Resolutions, setting goals

Friday Speak Out!: Your Writing Goals: DARE to Reach Them , Guest Post by Katrina Robinson

Your Writing Goals: DARE to Reach Them

by Katrina Robinson

Most of us have the same yearly ritual. We march into the New Year armed with a lengthy list of resolutions. In January we join fitness centers and buy the latest fad contraption guaranteed to tone our bodies. We plan to write the next bestselling novel and sell at least a dozen articles. However, after a couple of months, the determination begins to wane. Our exercise equipment is buried under a mound of clothes and we need a GPS system to find our way back to the gym. We haven’t written a word in weeks and stacks of writing reference books are gathering dust in a corner.

Resolutions are big on New Year’s Eve, but it’s hard to make them stick around for a lengthy stay. Still, we can use these tips to have a lasting committed relationship with our goals, instead of an empty one-night stand.

Details: Keep it Concrete
Unfortunately, vague and lofty aspirations stay vague and remain out of reach. It’s important for us to make our goals concrete and specific. National Novel Writing Month is a good example of a concrete goal. We will write 50,000 words in a month. (Even if we regret 49,995 of them once the month is over).

Association: Create a Support System
It’s important to find or create a group of like-minded individuals. Additionally, social networking sites make it easy to befriend or follow those with similar interests. Writers can “follow” an array of literary professionals on Twitter, and entering terms like “writing contest” or “seeking submissions” in the search function may result in new opportunities.

Realistic Steps: Start Small and Build on Little Victories
Our goals are like marathons. If we start out too fast or too strong, we may burn out before the halfway point. If we stay on track we will get to the finish line eventually, even if it takes a long time and a lot of baby steps. Instead of forcing ourselves to finish a chapter, we should try to finish a page. Then keep going.

Etch it Out: Write it Down and Keep it Visible
Many motivation experts extol the virtues of writing down our goals. In addition to writing down our goals, we should keep them in sight. We can frame our goals. Then we can place them on our desk or on our wall – looming above us and challenging us to keep writing. For those of us who are severely dedicated, we could even devise a contraption that would cause our framed goals to fall on us if we stop writing. No pain…

So, let’s all accept the DARE by following these steps. Then, we can celebrate a long-term stable relationship with our goals and move beyond a short-term fling.

Two Questions: What are your writing goals? What strategies do you use to keep them?

* * *

Katrina Robinson is a freelance writer from Virginia. Her publishing credits include articles in V Magazine for Women, poetry in Enchanted Conversation (the Beauty and the Beast issue as well as the Snow White issue), and a story in W.W. Norton’s Hint Fiction Anthology. Currently, she’s attending the Creative Writing and Publishing Arts Program at the University of Baltimore. Follow her on Twitter for information geared toward writers and readers.

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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3 comments Friday Speak Out, Katrina Robinso, setting goals, writing tips

Be Thankful and Deck the Halls with...Networking

Today, I recived the local Chamber of Commerce's monthly newsletter and perused the calendar. It's only November, but this month alone, four meals, three meetings, two coffees, and one open house are scheduled.

Wonder how jam-packed the December calendar will be?

But as I perused these offerings to get together with business leaders, chamber personnel, and the public, it made me pause and consider how much networking can be accomplished at events like these.

If your holiday season is fastly filling up, consider using some of these tips to make the most of the thankful and merry season.

1. Be prepared. Business cards, a writing utensil and a notebook are staples in my purse. Use them!
2. Prepare your elevator pitch. Describe what services you offer in a few sentences.
3. Determine your goals for the event. Do you want to cover the event for an article? Simply interested in learning new information? Hope you meet a certain individual or group of people?
4. Be the hostess, even if you are a guest. Introduce others and help them feel at ease.
5. Follow up with people you meet and any contacts they may introduce.
6. Thank new sources and keep them updated about your work.
7. Don't overindulge. A plate in one hand and a drink in the other makes it difficult to greet others.
8. Have fun!

Networking builds business, and if writing is YOUR business, use these opportunities to expand your potential customer base and deck the seasonal halls with your writing savvy.

by LuAnn Schindler
Read more of LuAnn's work at her website.

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Leave a Comment elevator pitch, holiday writing, LuAnn Schindler, networking, seasonal networking, setting goals

Effective Goal Setting for Writers

As a competitive swimmer for 20+ years, I learned many important life lessons and skills that carry over into other aspects of life, such as my writing career. One of these valuable skills is goal setting, a pertinent topic at this time of year (Happy New Year!). Setting goals keeps you focused and motivated on the task(s) at hand. There is a certain art to effective goal setting, so as you included your writing career in your new year’s resolutions, consider some of these goal-setting guidelines.


First, consider your long-term goal. These are usually larger goals that will take an extended period of time to accomplish. These can either be lifetime career goals, or other long-term projects such as completing a full-length novel by the end of 2011.

Next, break down your long-term goal into digestible, smaller short-term goals. So, if your goal for 2011 is to have a completed manuscript before the year is over, some of your short term goals might be: write for 30 minutes a day at least 5 times per week; join or create a writer’s group that meets at least once a month to receive feedback on your work; attend at least one writing conference this year;

Finally, you will need to take steps to carry out these goals. Some of the best tricks for goal-setting and sticking to goals include:

1. Writing down goals on post-its or note cards and displaying them in a prominent location that forces you to acknowledge the goal every day.

2. Create realistic goals. For example, I know that life gets busy and it’s not always realistic to think you will have time every single day to sit down and write. Maybe you'll get ill, maybe there’s a family emergency, maybe you need a mental break. That’s why you could choose a goal to write five times a week rather than give yourself the added pressure trying to write 365 days a year. If you do manage to write 365 days per year, then you have far surpassed your own expectations!

3. Create measurable goals. This means making your goals as specific as possible so it is easy to determine if you have met your goals. Making a vague goal of “I want to write a book” is not as helpful as saying, “I want to have a first draft of a full-length, 50,000 word literary fiction novel completed before midnight on December 31, 2011.” These specifics help you to stay focused and allow you to measure how well you are staying on track.

Have you set your writing goals for 2011 yet? What do you hope to accomplish this year?

Good luck and Happy New Year!



Written by: Anne Greenawalt (www.annegreenawalt.com and http://anne-greenawalt.blogspot.com)

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1 comment Anne Greenawalt, setting goals