Taking Flight - Motivation Mondays

For a while, even being motivated wasn't doing the trick and keeping me on the writing schedule I'd created for myself.  There were too many interruptions, too many other responsibilities and obligations that took precedence.  The first week, writing took a backseat until the weekend, but the goal of writing a chapter was met.  The second week, last week, promised to be somewhat the same, but words managed to find their way to paper early in the week, and then three days at the end.  I'm not ahead, but I am on schedule.

According to my calculations---and I am not a numbers person---I've just passed the 20% mark on the current book.  Yes, I admit that a contract can be a prime motivator, but long before I sold my first book, I wrote mega times more than I do now.  Reasons for that are varied and not always related to writing, just as goals aren't either.

So why do I keep track of how much I'm writing and how close I am to my goal?  I've taught myself to use it for several things.

1. I'm visual, so I keep a log.  With something to see my progress--or non-progress--I don't have to guess how far I've come and how far I have to go.  I'm also great at reading maps, if that's any indication.
2. I know that the first half of the writing project is always the hardest.  Definitely an uphill climb.  But once that halfway point is reach, it all seems to get easier.  That could be because after several chapters, we know our characters and our story better.  By the time I'm down to the last quarter, the story takes off and almost writes itself.  There's motivation in getting to that point and, once there, knowing THE END is near.
3. When I get discouraged that I'm not gaining as quickly as I think I should, I can look back at my logs from other projects to remind myself that it's always hardest in the beginning.  I have proof that I've been through it before and have always made it to the finish line.
4. Let's face it, I'm anal.  I keep copious records and probably waste more time keeping them current than I need to.  But because I rely on them to prove to myself that I am making forward motion with my writing, I'm not planning to give any of them up for quite a while.

Each person's life is different.  Some people are only able to carve out a small amount of time to work on their goals.  Others have the freedom of fewer responsibilities and aren't pinched for time.  I'd rather do slow and steady, but because other things have come along to take up my writing time during the week, I've been sprinting on the weekends or whenever I can.  

Learning not to give up when I don't make my goal hasn't been easy.  And there are still times when I start to get down because I didn't make my pages for the day and am behind schedule.  But I quickly remind myself that when I allow that to happen, I'm only making it harder to reach those goals in the future.

Is motivation only for writers?  Not hardly!  Anyone can use it, even for everyday things, even the simple ones like getting out of bed.  (Yeah, some days that's a tough one.)  So what goal will you set and how will you motivate yourself to reach it?

All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them.                    ~ Walt Disney

Sometimes a Song...Says It All

"In February of 2005, Dan went to Colorado for a few weeks to supervise some ranch business and to do some work in the studio. I stayed in Maine to oversee the final construction phase of our Maine house. It was hard for us to be so far apart for so long, especially since we would miss Valentine's Day together.

On the afternoon of the 14th, the florist delivered a dozen long-stemmed red roses; FedEx delivered a CD of a song Dan had written for me for Valentine's Day. "Sometimes A Song"
    ~ Jean Fogelberg

Success - Writing Wednesdays

Yes, I know.  It's Thursday, not Wednesday.  My Writing Wednesday was consumed by websites and other people's needs.  But that won't stop me from sharing my thoughts, even though it is a day late.  So let's take a look at changing our thought process.

As a group, those of us who create, who are artists in the broad sense of the word, tend to have trouble believing in ourselves.  True, there are those who definitely don't appear to have a problem in that area, but overall, the majority of us want to succeed but don't expect we will.

Creators---artists/writers/musicians/actors/and all the other more cerebral types---are more apt to struggle with what others might see as small and inconsequential.  For us, nothing is trifling.  Everything is a big deal...at least as far as our "art" goes.  And fear of failure is at the top of the list.  It can grip a person so tightly for so long that people often give up before they give themselves the chance to prove that fear wrong.  Silly, isn't it?

But it isn't only those considered as creators who are frozen in fear.  Many people are unable to take a step in a new direction, no matter how much they wish to achieve or change something.  That's not only silly, it's sad.  For if we don't step outside of our comfort zones now and then, we never grow.  And it's not fun to stagnate.

If you were guaranteed not to fail, what would you do?  Finish writing that book you started fifteen years ago?  Paint your kitchen fuchsia?  Take a Zumba class?  Get married?  Be a parent?  Within each of us---even those who've never doubted themselves or their abilities---there's something we want, but are afraid we'll fail to achieve.

As amazing as it is, we're in the 21st century.  According to astrologists, we're moving into an age of enlightenment.  Personal growth is just around the corner, if we only give it a try.

It's time to change the self-talk.  "I could never do that" will now become "Of course I can do that!"  It's not a should do that, it's a will do that.  Don't just stick your toe in the water, jump in!

What are you ready to try?  What thing, small or large, will be your success?  Because trying is succeeding.

Action is the foundational key to all success. - Pablo Picasso

The Path to the Finish Line - Motivation Mondays

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not good at using my time wisely.  I'm easily distracted and can be off on a new tangent in the blink of an eye.  Like Google, Twitter should be my friend.  Instead, I'll click on a link that looks interesting and, the next thing I know, I've just spent almost an hour on even more articles that caught my eye.  Guess why I don't have my Tweet Deck turned on and active all day long.

Yes, I'm learning.  The previous week and this weekend were definitely lessons in several things.  But instead of sharing those right now, I'm going to set the stage.

There are two writing related things going on in my life right now.  The first is my writing group's Word Count Challenge for the year.  As a group, we've pledged to write a combined 1,500,000+ words.  In fact, it's nearly a million and three-quarters.  There are fifteen of us involved, and our individual totals range from 20,000 (the minimum) to over 600,000 (from our most prolific member).  Mine is 120,000, and I'm happy (and relieved) to say that the word count of my blog posts can be included.  Whew!  (Watch my progress via the meter at the left.)  Nearly all of us broke our large goal into smaller goals, such as words-per-month, -per-week, and -per-day.  And that's the key.  Sticking to those goals is the other.

The second thing going on in my life is that I'll be writing two more books set in Desperation, OK, for Harlequin American Romance.  I gave myself plenty of time to write the books. I've set my deadlines, the gathering is done, and the uphill climb has begun.  At least I thought so.  And then the first week happened.

The gathering took longer than planned.  My website clients needed updates.  The two youngest grandkids were here for an afternoon.  My car broke down, sucking up most of one whole day and part of another, not to mention grounding me, which causes severe mental anguish.

So with ZERO words written by Saturday morning, I sat at my computer, praying that I could still write---which took complete advantage of my talent of being distracted.  I fought it and managed to write four pages.  Not bad, but not anything to brag about.  I was still four days behind.

Then came Sunday, devoid of any of the usual chores of life, and feeling a little more certain that I could actually string words together that made some sense, I wrote.  At the end of the day, I had fourteen more pages, and the chapter was finished.  I'd reached the first goal, and I felt good!

There are eight more chapters of this book to write, but just reaching that first goal, in spite of external and internal forces that were determined to keep me from it, proves to me that I can do it.  I am Writer, hear me ROAR!  Okay, squeak is more like it, but it's a success, in spite of being a small one.

And now to the LESSONS LEARNED:

1. If a goal is broken down into smaller goals, do them as planned.  If that isn't possible, don't think of it as failing, because unmet goals can eventually be met, if you simply try.
2. Allow yourself to feel good when you do reach a goal, however small.  As the Desiderata says, "Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans."
3. Give yourself the chance to succeed.

For me, both finish lines are many months away.  Success will mean I'll need to keep to my schedule and goals, and possibly even work when I hadn't planned to.  In setting my weekly goals, there's one thing I've done that I haven't always in the past.  I've tried to keep my weekends free.  We all need some time to sit back and breathe deeply, forgetting about what's waiting to be done in the immediate future.  Be sure to give yourself the gift of time whenever you can.

Motivate yourself and delight in the small goals you've worked to reach.

A goal without a plan is just a wish. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The Uphill Climb

The goals are set, the gathering is done, and the time to get words to paper has not only arrived, it's moving along swiftly.  Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the writing.  Words still aren't on paper, and this is Day #3.

It's my fault.  Or half of this is my fault, the other half was not being pre-prepared.  Yes, that's a new word.  It means that when you know something could happen that will cause need for preparation before starting, some preparation planning (pre-preparing) is called for.  I didn't pre-prepare.  It comes from never having enough faith in myself and thinking the worst.  One more very bad habit I am working hard to change.

I am getting words written, just not on the writing project with solid deadlines.  And while the knowledge that deadlines are met one step at a time is carved into my psyche, life has had a way of playing games with that psyche this week.

For instance, Monday was a day spent gathering.  The things that are part of preparation to write needed to be done, and I hadn't even considered doing them.  A string of rejections was the basis, but the cause was my inability to take action.  I was stymied.

Yesterday afternoon (late) had been targeted for getting caught up.  That meant not only making Day #2 word /page count, but Day #1's, also.  Certainly doable.  But thanks to my car breaking down, leading to a 1 mile walk home from the school with three grandkids, followed by worry of how to get along without car until fixed, I couldn't wrap my mind around anything that resembled the story that needed those words written.  So, okay, that could be remedied on Day #3.

That brings us to today.  Parts of it have been spent on moving said car from breakdown spot to my daughter's driveway, where my son-in-law can take a look at it.  Then there were several calls to the dealership to see if parts were available.  Uh, no, of course not.  It's an older car and part needed was discontinued.  As it turns out, this means there's a major problem, which someone (I hope) is now in charge of.  Someone besides me, that is.

I've now gone from a 4-5 page goal to an 8-10 page goal, and I'm now looking at a 12-15 page goal for today, just to catch up and be on track.  Let's face it, it happens to each and every one of us at one time or another.  I tell myself it's only 15 pages, and I've done that much before without a problem.  And then I tell myself again.  If I keep repeating it enough, as I sit and look at a blank screen, magic could happen.

But waiting for magic could take more time than I have to waste, so it looks like I'll just have to do this one word at a time.  The good that will come out of this is that once a few words are written, others follow more easily.  In time, there will be moments--long ones, even--when they actually flow without pain.

And that's what the uphill climb is all about.  From zero to tens of thousands is definitely a reach, but it's not impossible.  Am I ready for this?  You bet!  Are you ready to work on your goal today?  I hope so.  Let's get started!

"The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet." - Lao-tzu (corrected translation of the popular "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.")

The Gathering - Motivation Mondays

I finally have the motivation I've been needing.

My weekend was spent getting caught up on as many pending things as possible.  Those things included attending my writers' group meeting, trying to sketch a possible work schedule that would allow me to meet some unofficial (for now) writing deadlines, along with the usual website design projects, blogging, social media-ing, family, eating, and, most importantly, sleeping.  I'm still working on tying up some loose ends today.

Okay, I haven't quite made it to the loose ends yet, but I'm working on it.  I'd hoped to have everything lined out by the time I went to bed last night.  Sadly, I didn't and I'm behind.  In fact, blogging time on my schedule is to be done much earlier in the day--like before lunch.  Can you tell that I have a bad habit of over-scheduling myself?

I'm a master at making schedules (and lists!  Lots of lists!) and deciding when and how long I should spend on projects.  Sometimes it works great!  Sometimes it fails miserably.  The first step is gathering everything I need to reate the schedule that will--or won't--get me through whatever needs to get done.  Below is a short and incomplete list of some of the things I need when I begin a new writing project.

1. Calendar - If only an everyday, run-of-the-mill calendar would work, I'd use one.  Instead, I create my own calendar with MS Word's calendar template.  That way I can keep a permanent version on my computer and have a printed version, too.  To begin it, I break the big goal down into monthly, weekly, and daily goals. (Remember those blogs on setting goals?  That's where this comes in.)  I try to build in a little extra time so I won't be in a crunch when deadline nears.  The calendar keeps me on target so I don't have to wonder how far I've gone and how far I have yet to go.  I'm visual, so seeing my progress on paper (or computer screen) is my daily motivation.
2. Three-ring Binder - Everything I need about the story I'm writing goes into the binder.  Everything.  From photos of the hero and heroine slipped into the front of the clear cover, to a list of the characters, a printed copy of the storyboard, and age charts.  There's even a calendar for each book so I can keep my timelines straight.  Portability makes it easy to go from room to room, and I can also take it along wherever I go.
3. Red Ink Pens - Not any pen with red ink will do.  Only Pilot Precise V5 Rolling Ball with Extra Fine tip is acceptable.  In a pinch, I've used others.  But I always come back to my favorite.  Red ink makes edits easier to see, and the tiny tip keeps corrections from becoming a muddy blur.  I try to keep several backups on hand.  If Pilot stops making them, I'll be lost.
4. Forms - Yes, that's what I said. Some of the forms go into the three-ring binder, some reside only in the folder I create on the computer for each book.  I made it easier by creating a blank template for each, so they're ready to go when needed.
5. Playlist - Sometimes there are specific songs that evoke images of a character or a scene, or even an overall feeling of what the book is about.  Other times any "slow dance music" works fine.  For me, a playlist is often created as I'm writing, instead of before I begin.

Each writer eventually learns what works best.  But even so, we still manage to tweak and poke and start anew, hoping to discover something that might make things go easier.  It's a real gathering of ideas, material, and goals that change as we grow as writers.

I'm hoping the get-ready-to-write gathering I've done these last three days will make tomorrow's goal of writing a little easier.  What do you do to get ready when starting a new writing project?  What motivates you to gather those things?

It is only in the world of objects that we have time and space and selves. - T. S. Eliot

The Changing Face of Publishing and How We Read

Only someone who's been living in a cave for the past few years would be unaware of how the way we read has been changing.  But the changes we're experiencing haven't just happened in a short time.  While e-books and e-publishing are still considered new, the electronic book has actually been around for just over 40 years.   Can't be true, you say?  Au contraire.  The U.S. Declaration of Independence became the first ebook in the world when Michael Hart (March 8, 1947 – September 6, 2011) launched Project Gutenberg in 1971. And what a grand project it is!

I can't remember a time when I didn't have books.  I've always been a reader.  As an only child, books kept me company when there was no one else around to play with.  Books have always been and always will be my friends.  Proof of that lies in the multitude of boxes filled with the overflow of books from the bookcases and bookracks that grace every room of my house...except the bathroom.  I love books.  It's that simple.

As I've blogged about before, I wasn't only hesitant but rigidly convinced I would never, ever, ever want to read a book on some plastic thing that resembled a small, thin Etch A Sketch.  I love books too much to ever want to replace them with a "toy."  And then friends started talking about how much they enjoyed their Kindles and Nooks and Kobos and all the other types of e-readers available.  Even one of my daughters was reading books on her phone!  (And this the daughter who never finished a book until high school, when she read Sharon Sala's Jackson Rule.)  So I looked around, I researched, I read hundreds of comments by owners and users, and I decided that buying an e-reader might not be such a bad idea after all.  My question now?  Why did I wait so long?

Harris Poll reported in September 2011 that One in Six Americans Now Use E-Reader with One in Six Likely to Purchase in Next Six Months.  That's a lot of e-readers, folks.  And that's only figuring per person.  My youngest has enjoyed reading on my Kindle, and in our extended family, both granddaughters have used mine and their mothers' Kindles to read.  CNN reported last month that the ownership of tablets and e-readers almost doubled in the month of December 2011.  Almost doubled.

But it isn't just reading books on e-readers that's changed.  It's how books are being published.  In addition to large, mostly New York-based, traditional publishers--the Big Six and others such as Harlequin--there are smaller publishers, offering books in print, POD (Print On Demand), and electronic, that have taken root and are giving the big guys some competition.  Add to these the newest opportunity of being your own independent (indie) publisher, and getting your stories out to readers has become easier and easier--whether you've never been published before or you have several books that are traditionally published.

Writers today have both a world of opportunity at their fingertips and a multitude of decisions to make to put those opportunities to work for them.  And work it has become, as many writers are finding out.  Not only is a writing career about writing, it's also about marketing and selling and promotion and many things some never did in the past and weren't prepared to do in the present.

The way we read, thanks to electronic books and the availability of all books is changing faster than many of us can keep up with.  And if you're a writer, it becomes even more complicated.  Publishers, too, are trying to stay on course and discovering that what worked before now must be changed, then tweaked, then changed again.  As a writer, it pays to keep an eye on the changes, to study not only what people are buying, but how they are buying, and then to fit your writing into this new world.  Not always the easiest of tasks, but definitely not a challenge that can or should be ignored.

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. - Bernice Johnson Reagon

A Swift Kick - Motivation Mondays

Okay, I admit it.  Somebody needs to hang a kick me sign on my back today.  Maybe that will motivate me to get in gear and get something done.

That's right.  I'm not feeling at all motivated to do anything except maybe crawl back into bed and sleep for a few hours.  This is not a good sign, and I'm fighting that need to snooze.

Let face it.  Sometimes motivation is elusive.  Thinking positive thoughts, reciting affirmations, playing uplifting music and dancing around the room doesn't always do the trick.  And maybe that's okay.  Maybe a short downtime is exactly what's needed.

There are hundreds of reasons why getting motivated can be a chore.  In my case, I worked more hours than I should have over the weekend.  I had a project to finish, and I was determined to do it.  (One of those "goal" things, I guess.)  In face, in addition to that project, I also managed to get the new phone plugged in and the old phone moved to the living room so I could hear it while watching TV, which I don't do often.  That was followed by a sudden need to sort papers and bills and clean off my desk...which won't last for more than a few hours.  Cleaning in the utility room happened later in the evening and was something that desperately needed doing, as did the load of laundry that cried out to be washed.

Working weekends has just become a part of me, but maybe I shouldn't let it.  Maybe it's true that we really need some time to goof off and not give in when work--that can wait a day or two--keeps calling.  Added to that is not having a vacation for four-going-on-five years, and a day off isn't just due, it's almost become a desperate need.

So if you're having a day that motivation isn't to be found anywhere, go ahead and spend some down time.  Before you know it, you'll be up doing something, even if it's nothing more than getting a glass of water.  And then you'll notice that sink full of dishes is calling out, and you can't say know.  Sometimes the best motivation is not thinking about all the things that need to be done.  Take break.  Get a glass of water.  And follow your instincts.  Before you know it, you'll be motivated and ready to get back to work.

Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work. -  Ralph Marston

Writing Contests...Can They Help? - Writing Wednesdays

Thanks to a crazy yesterday, Writing Wednesday was delayed.  "It's always something, my little Roseanne Roseannadanna."

There are two types of contests for writers.  The first is for those writers not yet published, and the other is for published authors.  For today's purposes, I'm going to share my thoughts on contests for those writers who are working toward that oftentimes elusive contract.

If you've been writing very long, you're sure to have seen announcements of contests for writers.  Publishers use them to find new authors, while writing groups offer them to help hone writers' skills and give them a chance to get their work in front of an editor or agent.  But can they really help your writing career?

I'll be honest and admit that I'm a little biased when it come to writing contests.  It was contests and in particular winning a contest that led to my first publishing contract.  Of course I'm in favor of contests and often suggest to writers that they take advantage of them.

There's a lot to think about and learn before jumping into the pool of contests.  I was lucky to have a friend who was a master at entering contests.  She not only guided me through the process and critiqued my work, but she virtually shoved me into entering the first one in 1996.  Coming out of that with an Honorable Mention was probably what kept me entering.  And, no, I wasn't a finalist in every contest I entered.  After that fluke with the first one, it was two years and several contests later before I made it to finalist status again.

I learned a lot over those 4-5 years, and the one, basic thing I took away from it was that contests really can help if used wisely.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR ENTERING CONTESTS

Know why you're entering a contest

• Do you need an incentive to put words on paper?  Like books under contract, contests have deadlines, and there's nothing like a deadline to push a person to get something done.  The added bonus is that by working toward that contest deadline, you'll be experienced at getting things done in a specific amount of time, once you do have a contract.
• Are you looking for feedback to discover if you're on the right track?  Whether it's plot, characters, settings, or even style and grammar, it's always good to have fresh eyes look at your work.  With contests, there will be at least 2-3 people reading your work who have never seen it and can be more objective that writing friends or critique partners/groups.
• Hoping to get your work in front of an editor or agent?  Contests can be a fast track to getting your manuscript into the right hands.  Many authors can thank contests for their first sales, after an editor judge has requested to see the rest of the story.

Do your homework

• Be sure to read the contest rules thoroughly.  Don't skim.  Take notes on how the contest wants to see the entry formatted and follow through with it.  If there's a 30 page limit, don't send 31 pages.  If a synopsis is required, there may be a page limit on it, too.
• Know where your manuscript fits as far as genres and sub-genres.  Most contests have general categories.  Some of the more often used are: Contemporary, Historical, Romantic Suspense, Young Adult, Paranormal, Inspiration, and Erotic.  If there are short and long versions of any of those, use your projected word count.  This is where knowing your word and what you're targeting comes in.  Always be sure to enter the correct category.
• Make certain you're eligible to enter.  If you've never had a book under a publisher's contract, you'll be good to go in an unpublished writers contest.  But if sometime in the past you have had a published books, there's a chance you might be able to enter as an unpublished author.  Some contests allow published writers to enter after a specific amount of time since the last book was published.  Also be sure to check on what's acceptable if you've entering a manuscript you've entered sometime in the past.  All these things are mentioned in the rules and guidelines.
• Enter early.  Give yourself plenty of time to finish and polish your entry.  Just be sure you do finish, then send the entry prior to the deadline stated in the rules.
• If you're entering in hope of getting your work in front of an editor (or even an agent), be aware of who the final judges will be.  If this is your goal, there's no sense in being a finalist with your Regency Paranormal Erotic Suspense if the final editor judge is from a publishing house that only buys Contemporary Christian stories.  The same is true in a sense for agents.  Do your homework and find out what agents accept what types of submissions.  Some agents have their favorite genres/sub-genres and aren't interested in others.
• Know what you write.  With all the new sub-genres and sub-sub-genres of books out there, it may be hard to know exactly what it is you're writing.  Are you reading the types of books you're writing?  If so, look to find out how they've been categorized.  There are also places on the internet that give descriptions of the types of books available.
• Make a note of the dates connected to the contest.  There's a date when a contest opens to enter, dates to send your entry/pages, and dates finalists and winners are announced.  I've run across a few contests that, after the first round of judging, finalists are given time to make changes and once again polish their entry before it goes to the final judge(s).

This last isn't necessarily a rule, but it can be a huge help, especially to someone newly entering contests. And it's something I urge everyone to do.  FINISH THE MANUSCRIPT BEFORE ENTERING A CONTEST.  Why?  If you become a finalist and the final judge editor or agent requests to see your finished manuscript, you want to be able to fulfill that request as soon as possible, while it's still fresh in the person's mind.  If all you have written is the first 30 pages of 300 page manuscript, you have a long, long way to go.  It takes time to write a book.  Not only the initial rough draft, but the editing to make sure you haven't changed the heroes name somewhere along the line, and a final read-through and polish.  Don't make an editor or agent wait.  What that person is looking for may change over the next few months.  Don't worry, you can take the time to make some small changes --perhaps suggested by judges-- and polish the manuscript once again, but be ready to send.  Even if you aren't a finalist, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you can meet a deadline and finish a book!

So there you have.  Rox's Rules about entering writing contests.  Can they help?  Yes!  But be sure to keep the above things in mind.  They can help you along the way and lead you to a possible contest win and maybe even a sale!

Good luck and happy writing!

Success has a simple formula: do your best, and people may like it. - Sam Ewing