9 Steps in the Write Direction

Raise your hand if you’d like to be a best selling author.

Too ambitious?

Raise your hand if you’d like to be a published writer.

Still too much?

Are you ready to add writing to your Action Plan – not necessarily every day, just regularly?

Good! Let’s start there.

Here are eight suggestions for writing more (and developing your knowledge of what constitutes “good writing”).

1. Read

Even reading fiction gives you a feel for good writing . . . or not-so-great writing, depending on what you grab. And, of course, reading how-to books will help you learn the craft. However, don’t think you have to “know it all” before you start or you never will.

2. Start small

Unless you already write on a regular basis, it’s likely best to set yourself a goal that fits into what is likely an already-busy schedule.

3. Add “writing” to your Action List

You’re probably well aware that when we write something down it is far more likely to happen. It also feels great to cross it off the list once a week . . . once a day . . . whatever works best for you.

4. Be willing to make sacrifices

It isn’t easy to make writing a priority, especially with the pace most of us keep. Sacrificing time spent on Facebook, in front of the TV, or playing video games might just give us the time we need. Just don’t sacrifice family, work that pays the bills, or sleep – well, not too much sleep anyway.

5. Get those closest to you on board

Though they may not understand your desire to write, it’s great to have support from family and friends.

6. Ditch the words “aspiring” and “wannabe”

Do you express yourself on paper – physical or electronic – in words? If the answer is yes, you are already a writer. Not all writers are published. Remind yourself of that – often.

7. Connect with other writers

Getting together with one or more other writers can be a tremendous encouragement. If there isn’t a writers’ group nearby – or there isn’t one that seems to be a good fit – consider starting your own. Our writers’ group began by working through Judy Reeves’s Writing Alone, Writing Together. Even if members are all new to the adventure, you can learn from one another.

8. Attend a writers’ conference

Sound crazy if you’re just starting out? Trust me on this. Attending classes and workshops put on by professionals and hanging out with other writers really gets the creative juices flowing. It is also great to connect with others who “speak your language.” They’ll understand the challenges, the sorrows, and the joys of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

9. And don’t forget the obvious – WRITE!

In the Thick of Things

These writing prompts first appeared last week over on Monday Motivation.

Joshua has been home for a week and will be flying out on Friday (insert frowny face here). (He flew back last Friday, and yes, I did shed a few tears on my way home from the airport.)

(This was posted in “the middle” of his visit and Joshua is my middle child. Therefore, it got me thinking about middles.)

Middles can be hard. In a story, you have to keep the reader flipping those pages. Plus, you don’t want to head off on the proverbial bunny trails.

1. This might take some serious brain power, but think of a book or movie that “lost you” in the middle. Analyze it carefully. In your opinion, what did the writer do wrong?

2. Rewrite a particularly distracting/boring/unnecessary scene in a way that would hold your attention more effectively.

3. How do your favorite writers keep you turning those pages?  Write down as detailed a list as possible.

4. Write three scenes: a gripping opening, a Wow! ending, and a compelling middle.

5. Open a novel you’ve never read before. Read the first two chapters. With no more info, write your own version of a third chapter.

Have you read a book with a particularly compelling middle? If so, I’d love to hear about it. Not that my To Read list needs to be longer . . .

January 23 ROW Check-In

Seriously? Time for another check-in already?

Freelance Goals

~ complete co-writing manuscript with Client 1 (possibly by the end of Round 1) (We’re going to leave Chapter 8 to simmer for a bit and move onto Chapter 9. We’ll be chatting on the phone tonight.)

~ work with Client #2 to bring her novel from idea to submittable manuscript (This will likely take the whole year.) (to begin in February)

Writing Goals (this round)

~ blog/post six times per week including ROW check-ins (The plan is to post a book review as well as this check-in today. I’m also thinking it’s time for another Confessions of a Horrible Housekeeper post. If you saw my house, you’d understand why. Hm, there’s an idea. While some people post their magazine-worthy pics, I can post my where’s-a-shovel-when-you-need-one pics.)

~ blogging to include at least one book review per month (Review #1 – Coming to a Blog Near You)

~ weekly blog posts for Monday Motivation (I’ve been writing these mid-week. That’s so much better than getting a reminder on Sunday. [grin])

~ write at least one paper for my certification course (I’ve chosen my topics. I should really get at it. I’d love to have the course requirements done in no more than 18 months.)

~ write two guest posts per month (I have three prospects on the horizon. Time to brainstorm some themes. Now, if I could only get inspiration and time concurrently.)

~ polish a picture book manuscript every other month (How about this week?)

~ write a short piece for a paying market each month (There are eleven days – make that nine days – left in January. I can do this.)

Submission Goals (ongoing)

~ guest posts (There is still time to submit two pieces this month, but I best get at it.) (Hm, I’ve read that before somewhere.)

~ picture book manuscript(s) (Last week I said, “This week!” Maybe this week? It’s still on the Action Plan for this week.)

~ short piece(s) (Two this week or one this week and one next . . . we’ll see. Can I make Friday, my “day off,” a writing day? Looks like I really should.)

~ read one to two books per month (I’m reading Shah Wharton’s Finding Esta and Kevin Albright’s Finding My Father. Twenty-thirteen Book Review #1 coming soon; hopefully, today.)

ROW-Specific Goals

~ visit many of you at least once per week (Looks like it’ll be Thursday this week.)

~ pop by regularly to the ROW FB pages (must do this more)

Fitness Goals

~ practice routine for the class I’ll be leading (The first class went well. I just have to pick some better music. I called the class Fit, Fun, and Fabulous. I really want it to be fun. Maybe I should have gone with my hubby’s suggestion: “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?”) 

~ do more cardio (When the weather warms up, I may have to start walking outside. Who knows? Maybe I’ll take my camera and the walk can serve a dual purpose.)

~ visit the gym two to three times a week <averting eyes and trying to come up with legit excuses>

~ visit my trainer once per week until I’m done my sessions (This week . . . it’s gotta happen this week.)

~ eat better (not too bad)

~ drink more water (The cold weather is not conducive to drinking water.)

~ eat dessert only on the weekend, if at all (Not exactly . . . but I am doing better.)

If you’d like to chat between check-ins, pop by the Facebook group. And if fitness goals made the list for 2013, we’d love to have you over at the ROW80 Fitness group.

January 20 ROW Check-In

Freelance Goals

~ complete co-writing manuscript with Client 1 (possibly by the end of Round 1) (I fired off the revised version of Chapter 8. I have yet to hear from my client.)

~ work with Client #2 to bring her novel from idea to submittable manuscript (This will likely take the whole year.) (to begin in February)

Writing Goals (this round)

~ blog/post six times per week including ROW check-ins (I only missed one last week, not too bad.)

~ blogging to include at least one book review per month (I’ll be posting my review of
Hidden in the Heart tomorrow. I loved it, by the way.)

~ weekly blog posts for Monday Motivation (This week’s post will be more serious than some.)

~ write at least one paper for my certification course

~ write two guest posts per month (I have three prospects on the horizon. Time to brainstorm some themes. Now, if I could only get inspiration and time concurrently.)

~ polish a picture book manuscript every other month (How about this week?)

~ write a short piece for a paying market each month (I love hitting up the Chicken Soup website for ideas.) (There are eleven days left in January. I can do this.)

Submission Goals (ongoing)

~ guest posts (There is still time to submit two pieces this month, but I best get at it.)

~ picture book manuscript(s) (Last week I said, “This week!” Maybe this week?)

~ short piece(s) (Two this week or one this week and one next . . . we’ll see.)

~ read one to two books per month (I’m reading Shah Wharton’s Finding Esta and Kevin Albright’s Finding My Father. Twenty-thirteen Book Review #1 coming soon.)

ROW-Specific Goals

~ visit many of you at least once per week (Paying weekly visits is working well.)

~ pop by regularly to the ROW FB pages (every now and then)

Fitness Goals

~ practice routine for the class I’ll be leading (Tuesdays comin’.)

~ do more cardio (I enjoyed walking home from the cafe today. I just might have to walk more often.)

~ visit the gym two to three times a week (Well, that didn’t happen.)

~ visit my trainer once per week until I’m done my sessions (dizziness = postponed PT session)

~ eat better (It’s comin’.)

~ drink more water (I’m making in-cred-i-bly slow progress.)

~ eat dessert only on the weekend, if at all (better but not perfect)

If you’d like to chat between check-ins, pop by the Facebook group. And if fitness goals made the list for 2013, we’d love to have you over at the ROW80 Fitness group.

Steph’s January 9 ROW80 Check-In

I can hardly believe it’s time for another check-in. It’s like I’m heading down a hill that’s getting steeper and steeper. Oh, well! I always wanted to take up downhill skiing.

Freelance Goals

~ complete co-writing manuscript with Client #1 (possibly by the end of Round 1) (I have another chapter to work on this week. The end is most definitely in sight.)

~ work with Client #2 to bring her novel from idea to submittable manuscript (This will likely take the whole year.) (She is ready to commit to the project and we will begin in earnest after she returns from a cruise. Very exciting!)

Writing Goals (this round)

~ blog/post six times per week including ROW check-ins (I’m on track so far – thanks to check-ins and a talented guest blogger.)

~ blogging to include at least one book review per month

~ weekly blog posts for Monday Motivation (I’ve got to get into the rhythm of doing this again ~ without a reminder from the site admin. Sigh!)

~ write at least one paper for my certification course

~ write two guest posts per month (I plan to write the first of the year today.)

~ polish a picture book manuscript every other month (Let’s up that to one every six to four weeks.)

~ write a short piece for a paying market on the alternating months (For now, I’m going to try to do this monthly. We’ll see what happens.)

Submission Goals (ongoing)

~ guest posts (I plan to write and submit one today.)

~ picture book manuscript(s) (I know which manuscript I want to submit. I have a list of agents who handle children’s books. Now, to put the two together.)

~ short piece(s) (The plan is to submit the first piece by January 18.)

Reading Goals (new addition)

~ read one to two books per month (I am making my way through two at present. I love getting back into reading regularly.)

ROW-Specific Goals

~ visit many of you at least once per week (I’ve made a good start. I love seeing the wide variety of ways ROWers organize their goals.)

~ pop by regularly to the ROW FB pages (I’m not doing too badly with this goal. I visit almost daily.)

Fitness Goals

~ practice routine for the class I’ll be leading (I’ve almost finalized the routine. I got up early to go over the first half of it this morning.)

~ do more cardio (It’s still on my Procrastination List unfortunately.)

~ visit the gym two to three times a week (see previous update)

~ visit my trainer once per week until I’m done my sessions (She will be back from Cuba next week and we’ll get busy again.)

~ eat better (I’m heading in the right direction and that’s a good thing.)

~ drink more water (I’ve made a wee bit of progress in this area.)

~ eat dessert only on the weekend, if at all (Good food is again becoming more appealing. That helps.)

If you’d like to chat between check-ins, pop by the Facebook group. And if fitness goals made the list for 2013, we’d love to have you over at the ROW80 Fitness group.

Last Check-In of Round 4

Goals for the rest of 2012 . . .

Seasonal Goals

~ finish shopping and wrapping the Christmas presents (Shopping is on tonight’s agenda.)

~ write the rest of the Christmas cards (Any I have to mail will be late. Let’s call them “New Year’s cards.”)

~ deliver the gifts for people nearby; mail the others (all but one present mailed; some yet to be delivered)

And yes, last night I did agree to play the biggest part in the Christmas Eve skit. May I introduce myself. I am Susan, the harried proprietor of the Bethlehem Bed and Breakfast. Can you say “memorization blitz”?

ROW Specific Goals

I’ve got to stop by and visit more of you in the next little while. (I will pop by during the holidays. )

Writing Goals

~ one to three blog posts per week beyond ROW check-ins (possibly)

~ two guest posts (still doable)

~ Monday Motivation posts for Christian Editing Services (I must get a couple written ahead this week.)

~ submissions to Chicken Soup . . . The plan is to get one written by the end of December and another written by the end of January, if not before. (Sure, I can still do this. After all, it’s only the 19th.)

Editing Goals

~ add even more content to Chapter 10 (It’s on today’s Action Plan.)

Reading Goals

Simply put, my goals are as follows: Read the Bible daily and devote at least three hours per week to reading books, both fiction and non-fiction. It’s hit and miss.

I want to finish reading and review Finding Esta. (I hope to get a couple of chapters read today.)

Submitting Goals

See writing goals above.

I also plan to submit one picture book manuscript to a publisher or agent. (I have a list of agents who handle children’s books, so I’m on my way.)

Come connect with the Submission Blitz group over on Facebook.

And now for my non writing-related goals . . .

Relationship Goals

I just want to be the best wife, mother, friend, etc. I can be . . . and that’s a lifelong process. (It will be nice to hang out with friends and family over the holidays.)

Skills Development Goals

Again this coming week, I want to focus on developing the routine for the prenatal fitness class I will be leading in the New Year. (I’ve come up with a routine. I will tweak it a little and add music and then practice practice, practice.)

Fitness Goals

I plan to put together the routine and practice. (See above.)

increased exercise + eating better (even during the holiday season) = a little weight loss (I hope)

I won’t be seeing my trainer again until January 17. I best stay focused.

If you want to talk fitness, join us at ROW80 Fitness.

Procrastination Goals

~ finish shopping

~ deliver presents

~ tidy up a little (incl. vacuuming)

~ prep dessert for Tuesday (I got off easy.)

You can connect with other ROWers on Twitter at #ROW80 or on the Facebook ROW80 group

Wishing you all . . .

A Most Blessed Christmas

October 3 ROW Check-in

Round 4 of A Round of Words in 80 Days is just getting off the ground. If you’d like to join “the writing challenge that knows you have a life,” check out the link.

As I mentioned at our first check-in, many of us include not only writing-related goals but others as well. Because it is a writing challenge, I will list those goals off the top. Because I have a life beyond writing, I will list other goals toward the end of this post.

Here we go!

ROW Specific Goals

~ check in twice per week (so far, so good)

~ visit fellow ROWers sites weekly (definitely on today’s To Do list)

Writing Goals

~ blog five to six times per week (I’m counting on the OctPoWriMo challenge [link below] to ensure that I post every day. I do hope to do more than fulfill my ROW80 and poetry commitments, but that’s definitely something.)

~ fulfill my commitment to write 31 poems in October (Check out the OctPoWriMo challenge.)

~ guest blog two to four times per month (My apologies to those who have asked me to guest blog. I have a list and hope to get at it soon. If you’re interested in guest posting here about one or more of my eclectic interests, just let me know. In fact, feel free to write up the post and send it to me at stephanienickel@yahoo.com)

Editing Goals

~ keep up with assignments as they come (Before Sunday’s check-in I hope to complete the final read-through of a novella I rewrote for a client.)

Reading Goals

~ read at least one novel (I’m halfway through Deep Cover by Sandra Orchard and have stalled, not because of the story but because of me – and the silly new season of TV shows I enjoy watching.)

~ read at least one blog post per day (I need to be more deliberate about this.)

~ skills development reading (see below) (I s’pose I could combine this with the previous goal. Hm, there’s a thought.)

Submitting Goals

~ submit guest blogger posts (This week’s related goal: Submit two guest posts before the next check-in.)

~ submit to at least one paying market per month

And now for those other goals I mentioned . . .

Relationship Goals

~ spend quality time with my hubby at least five time per week (I’ll update on this one each Sunday.)

~ spend quality time with my daughter at least three times per week (same as above)

~ spend quality time with my eldest son at least twice per month (looking forward to eating all together – minus Son #2 who lives out west – come Sunday)

~ connect with Son #2 at least twice per month (will likely do this through email; FB contact isn’t happening)

~ write to and visit my MIL monthly (I haven’t written to her yet, but Son #2 has, and we will take the letter to her when we visit next Monday.)

~ connect with my sister weekly (We’re already talking Christmas plans. Craziness, I tell you.)

~ connect with my brother monthly (The month is young.)

Skills Development Goals

~ review notes and read a book re: pregnancy and childbirth during Round 4 (For those of you who don’t know, I’m a labour doula.) (I love that I’ve made this a completely doable goal. I’ll let you know when it is a done deal.)

~ read Grammar Girl’s book this round (It keeps calling me from the shelf.)

Fitness Goals

~ consistently get to the gym at least twice per month (I meant twice per week. It will happen.)

~ consistently work out at home, at the gym, or at my trainer’s three times per week (I am going to my trainer’s on Friday and still have time to get the other two workouts in before Sunday’s check-in.)

~ drink more water (It’ll happen – someday.)

~ eat better (Because of my new financial goals [see below], this is going to happen sooner than later.)

~ regularly connect with fellow ROW80 Fitness peeps over on Facebook (If you have fitness goals and haven’t joined us yet, we’d love to include you.)

Procrastination Goals

~ cross one thing off my procrastination list weekly (This week’s goal: hunt up and begin to fill a couple of big boxes, one for things I’m going to give away and the other for things I’m going to throw out)

Financial Goal

~ get further out of debt each month (I read this article about a lady who did a spending fast and I’m inspired to do the same; details to follow.)

You can connect with other ROWers on Twitter at #ROW80 or on the Facebook ROW80 group.

Just Write!

sometimes

thoughts get tangled

too much introspection

wanting blinding inspiration

JUST WRITE!

September 9 ROW Check-In

New plans on the horizon . . .

Relationships

~ lovely evening with my friend who is a cancer survivor

~ out for breakie with my hubby

~ First Aid/CPR training 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. today (I’m glad I took the course and the book they gave us is great for further education and review.)

~ making plans for Wednesday night writers group

Doula-ing

~ waiting for the call; Monday is my client’s EDD (estimated due date); wondering how it’s all going to work out with my writers group (since I may be responsible to transport four other ladies); I wonder how my fellow writers would like being stranded half an hour from home for an undetermined amount of time (grin).

~ another lady is leaning toward hiring me so I can educate her, her mother, and her mother-in-law about what is happening and how Mom and Mom-in-law can help while she’s in labour.

Writing

~ short story to be rewritten by bedtime Sunday night

~ five or more guest posts to prep – hopefully, Wednesday or before

~ next week’s post to be written before I have to catch up next Saturday (like I did this week)

Editing

~ compile list of specific ways to improve young author’s manuscript

~ a big job may be on the horizon.

Reading

~ continue Bible reading

~ complete otherworld before I have lunch with the author on September 21 (It’s going to be SO COOL!)

Submitting

~ five guest blogging posts to be submitted by next Wednesday

Exercising

I should be able to get five out of the six resistance workouts I planned for this week done before meeting with my trainer on Tuesday. Cardio is another story. One day, heading to the gym before work will actually make it onto my schedule.

Additional Fitness Goals

~ eat better (Thanks to my daughter’s mentor’s suggestion, with a little planning, this just might start to happen.)

~ weekly weigh-ins (I will start seeing positive results when I actually do start eating better and exercising more regularly.)

ROW-specific Goals

~ visit other ROWers’ sites weekly (spent some time perusing some sites on Saturday p.m.)

What’s single goal would you like to complete for sure before Round 3 ends?

 

September 2 ROW Check-In

Welcome, September!

Relationships

~ lunch and mini shopping trip with my daughter

~ pool party with several friends, though most of us didn’t go for a dip; it was a little chilly

~ plans to visit with three friends this weekend

Doula-ing

~ now I’m waiting for the call.

Writing

“The best laid plans . . .” I was doing well on Friday morning and then my computer decided to randomly restart. Usually Word recovers a copy of the most recently saved version, but decided not to this time. Over an hour’s work gone . . . POOF! I was not a happy camper.

Between the expected and unexpected happenings on Friday, I didn’t get the short story rewritten by the end of the month. Upon nearing what I thought was the end, I realized I didn’t have the complete manuscript. Craziness! Seems this project is going to go on longer than expected.

I have a number of guest blogger opportunities and hope to get a number of them done this weekend, as well as catching up here.

Editing

~ firming up another client’s picture book text on Monday so the publisher can print it; it’s harder than one might think

~ compiling a list of suggestions for a third client (my first official substantive edit)

Reading

I’m going to steal away and do some pleasure reading one day soon. That hasn’t happened in ages.

Submitting

~ five guest blogging posts to be submitted by next weekend at the latest

Exercising

~ love the workout I have; haven’t gotten to it often enough

~ this week’s goal: four resistance workouts and three cardio workouts

Additional Fitness Goals

~ eat better (doing better, not where I want to be yet)

~ weekly weigh-ins (maintaining, better than gaining) 

ROW-specific Goals

~ visit other ROWers’ sites weekly (caught up on Saturday)