Do Your 2022 Goals Reflect Your Values?

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

My husband Rob and I went to Hawaii for the first time in December. He attended a medical conference, and I went along, well, for Hawaii. And for time with wonderful husband, too, of course.

During the five days of Rob’s conference, I had something I rarely experience: time to myself.

This Year I’m Going to Take My Own Writing Advice

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

My Best Writing Advice

Priorities—Juggling Family, Commitments and Writing

Life is busy. I know this fact catches no one by surprise.

We all fight the battle of too much to do and too little time to do it. And it’s one of the biggest struggles writers face. I know we all have the same 24 hours in each day, but at times it’s harder for writers. Juggling family, commitments and writing can seem like an overwhelming task.

Not because we face more time commitments, but we have the added challenge of working from home—at a job many people consider nothing more than a pleasant hobby.  Even if we have an additional job that takes us away from home, the time we spend writing is a job, and deserves the same kind of respect and priority. I address this issue specifically in my blog post, I Don’t Get No Respect!

What’s Holding You Back?

So often, when I tell people I’m a writer, they’ll look at me, sigh and tell me how they want to write . . . if only.

So I ask you, what’s holding you back from following your dream? Is it time, money, fear? Well the year is young and I want to challenge you to put your if only aside and take a chance on your dream.

Here are some practical steps you can take to get started. You’re already partway there—you’re reading this blog!

1. Join a writers group—it can be online, or one that meets nearby. Don’t know where to find one? Check with your local bookstores and libraries. Get a copy of Sally Stuarts Christian Writers Market Guide, she lists groups in the resources section.
2. Set some goals—TO WRITE. You can’t be a writer if you don’t sit down and write. The goals can be small, maybe a few hundred words a week. Or set a time goal, spend so many minutes a day writing.
3. Make a schedule—I can hear the groaning now and I’m right with you. I HATE schedules—they seem almost anti-creative. But a schedule helped me publish 700+ articles last year. It doesn't have to be a minute by minute schedule, just one that lets you know when to work on what.
4. Enlist a friend—preferably one who writes. But anyone will work. When I start a new endeavor I've found I keep my goals when I build in accountability.

If your goal is to write a book this year I have a special announcement for you. My friend and writing partner, Vonda Skelton is launching a new program. Visit her website to see all the details!

Now it’s your turn—share what you want to accomplish in 2011.

When the Well Runs Dry

I just spent the last two weeks at beach camp—with no Internet access. Trust me, it was a blessing and a curse. I did actually spend a good portion of the time working. I was there to teach a class on self-esteem and to help chaperone. The first week my group consisted of middle school girls and the second week it was high school girls. It was a great two weeks, but I’ve had to work much harder to be productive today. And that fact leads me to today’s topic. How to write when you’re not in the mood.

It happens to us all, but that very issue is what separates the amateurs from the professionals. I don’t believe whether or not you get paid for something you write is more defining than the fact that you’re willing to sit down and produce even if you’re not in the mood. If you have the discipline and drive to write through the mood swings I’m certain the income will follow.

At this point in my career I don’t have a choice, I have deadlines and commitments (twelve deliverables by Friday). I have to be productive today, even if it takes eleven hours instead of my usual seven. But what about those of you who don’t have an outside push to keep you on track? Are there things you can do to help fight off the lack of motivation? Absolutely. All professional writers have things they do to help when inspiration runs dry. Here are some of my favorites.

• Set deadlines. Even if you don’t have a client waiting for an article, give yourself a deadline. Then, write it down. It’s easy to fudge a deadline when it’s just in your head.
• Set a weekly writing goal. If you write fiction, it may be a word goal. If you write articles or devotions, it may be a finished product goal. (like, I’ll have 2 finished devotions every week)
• Find a critique group or partner. If you’re meeting regularly with someone, you’re more apt to be producing regularly. What if you don’t know any writers nearby to meet with? Look for an online group.

These three things will keep you on track when the writing muse is absent. What are some things you’ve found to help when you run low?

Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie

Ordering Your Days on a Weekly Basis

I've received a lot of questions since I posted my personal writing schedule. Most dealt with the idea that many of you are not writing full time, yet you still need help ordering your day.

It doesn't matter whether you write as a calling, a hobby or a business. We all perform better when we have expectations and a way to judge results. For those of you just starting out, here are some suggestions.

1. Set small, measurable goals
2. Under estimate the time you'll be able to put in
3. Adjust your goal setting to a weekly mode, rather than daily

Weekly Word Count Goal
One of the things I've found most helpful when setting word count goals is to set my goal for the week rather than the day. I still have two teenagers in and out of the house so sometimes life interrupts life. To combat this, I set a weekly wordcount goal for my fiction endeavors. Then, I break it down into daily totals. If I miss a day's goal, I can make it up later in the week and I don't wind up feeling like I've failed.

Weekly Project Goal
You may normally work on smaller projects, like articles or devotions. If that's the case, try to set a goal of one devotion or article a week.

Revolving Weekly Goal
You might want to try something I call a revolving weekly goal. This is where you have a different goal every week for 3 weeks and then it starts over. The first week you might complete a small project. The next week, you look for markets where you can sell it. The third week you might spend learning about the craft of writing. Then you begin the cycle again.

Whatever method works for you is the BEST method.

Just remember, that no matter how early or how far along you are on your writing journey we all need to spend time studying the craft of writing. That can be done through reading books, attending a seminar or conference, or reading blogs and websites.

All of these are necessary for us as writers to improve our craft.

So what have you found works best for you? Share your insights with the rest of us - please!

Don't forget to join the conversation,
Blessings,
Edie