Last year, I
promised myself I was going to have an agent by the end of 2012. Needless to
say, that did not happen. And the truth is, I have no one but myself to blame.
I kinda chickened out. I let the rhetoric of negativity cloud out the power of
determination. In short, I forgot to BE PASSIONATE.
But that was then
and today is a new start.
I stopped making
resolutions a few years ago. It seemed silly. I mean, a week later I was
already ignoring my resolve, so why bother. This year, there is a plan instead.
A plan to push myself harder. Not just in writing, but in the sphere in which I
live. The first step of the plan is to make priorities. Where does writing fall
in the long list of things I am obligated to do? How much time can I dedicate
to it and not neglect my family? How well will I use the time I do have so that
I make this year the one where my writing world moves forward?
It’s all
possible. Sure, it’s probably going to mean setting a timer up at my desk so
that I only spend so much time on social media. And I may have to pre-program
some tweets. It will also mean stock piling blog posts when I’m traveling or
when I’m sitting at my desk and the story is blocked.
The second step
is to make sure my mind AND body are fit. It means realizing that even though I
hate working out, it’s a great way to shed the pounds that give my inner critic
more ammunition, move my muscles after hunching over a computer all day, and make
contact with those pesky ideas when I’m experience writer’s block.
Which brings me
to step three. I need to push harder when it comes to cleaning and
organization. Seriously. I suck at this. I mean really suck at it. As in I
could totally take on Roseanne Barr in a domestic goddess cage match and crush
her. As in every time there’s a knock at the door I’m sure it’s a new spin off
of Horders: Before the Cockroaches and Dead Mice Invade. (I said I was messy,
not dirty.) I think you get what I’m saying. In the next year, it’s time to
declutter and find a place for whatever is left.
This step is also
going to require a renewed commitment to pre-planning. Pre-planning menus so I
don’t forget to feed the kidlets and recognizing that sometimes, I’m going to
get into a major writing zone and not want to spend hours on a meal… okay, 30
minutes, who am I trying to kid? Regardless, I need to have healthy meals
stashed in the freezer for days when oven to the table is all I have time for.
And then there’s
the writing. I’ve realized that there is a chance my “new adult” material may
not garner the love of an agent. (See previous post if you’re thinking to
yourself, “What?”) And as much as I have said I would never consider
self-publishing, if I am going to stay true to my literary vision, it might be
the direction I have to go. Which is why this blog and my “mommy blog” have
moved up in importance. (If you’re curious, you can check out Kidletville and
find out about the softer/snarkier side of me.) If I enter into the self-publishing
melee, I need a platform from which to launch. So in addition to revisions on
The Partizans and Replay and writing book #2 of The Partizans, I am also
pushing myself to posting on each blog twice a week. I know… it’s insane. But
it’s all about priorities, remember. It takes deep commitment to make it in the
literary world. Doesn’t matter if you’re an editor at Random House or a
To-Be-Published writer. To make it in this business, you have to have talent
and skill of the craft, but you also have to possess perseverance and patience.
Oh, and in case you forgot, you also have to BE PASSIONATE about every word you
write and every moment you experience.
Crap. It looks
like my resolve to not resolve has fallen short. Oh well. Happy New Year
friends. May 2013 find you moving forward on your dreams as well.
The best thing is to acknowledge the fear you're having but then tell it that what you want is bigger than it and go forward. Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenna! Fear can be a powerful motivator if we use it for good. Happy New Year!
DeleteLove this plan! I was just thinking about how in 2013 I wanted to commit myself to writing and pushing to be the best writer I can be. Happy New Year, and good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteMadeline, I look forward to hearing how 2013 unfolds for you! Glad I'm not going to be alone on the pushing forward bandwagon! Good luck to you and Have a wonderful New Year!
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