Not all things are probable.
I have a desk calendar with Mary Englebreit's art on each weekly page. I like turning the pages each week to see what will come up next - but I don't let myself cheat and look ahead. I like the surprise of it. A couple of weeks ago the print was a little girl painting a white picket fence and at the top, with one swipe of her paintbrush, the little girl added a swipe of colorful flowers. Tulips and daisies and petunias. The border of flowers was echoed with a smaller border of flowers in the paintbrush itself. I like the imagery of that. I also like the saying. Because, really, anything is possible - if you're willing to work for it.
The problem is not all things are probable. I doing a challenge over at eHarlequin and have a couple of accountability challenges going with my CPs as well. This week, my goal is 10,000 words. Possible, definitely. Probable...until last night I thought so. Last night when a couple of last-minute non-fiction assignments came in that I can't turn down because of the pay scale. I should be able to knock the non-fic out today and get back on fiction's track. But that is one entire day of no fiction writing, which puts me way behind my goal.
Still, I'm not giving up. I'm pushing forward because I really want to meet that goal. Not to crow about it, but because I knew going in it would be a stretch. And I know when I'm published I'll have goals like this all the time (hopefully will be able to cut back on non-fiction so that distraction won't be there). So if I can push to 10k when I still have outside-fiction writing to do, I know I can push through when fiction will be my only focus.
How do you challenge yourself in your writing? Do you like setting daily/weekly goals or do you let the muse lead where it will?
I have a desk calendar with Mary Englebreit's art on each weekly page. I like turning the pages each week to see what will come up next - but I don't let myself cheat and look ahead. I like the surprise of it. A couple of weeks ago the print was a little girl painting a white picket fence and at the top, with one swipe of her paintbrush, the little girl added a swipe of colorful flowers. Tulips and daisies and petunias. The border of flowers was echoed with a smaller border of flowers in the paintbrush itself. I like the imagery of that. I also like the saying. Because, really, anything is possible - if you're willing to work for it.
The problem is not all things are probable. I doing a challenge over at eHarlequin and have a couple of accountability challenges going with my CPs as well. This week, my goal is 10,000 words. Possible, definitely. Probable...until last night I thought so. Last night when a couple of last-minute non-fiction assignments came in that I can't turn down because of the pay scale. I should be able to knock the non-fic out today and get back on fiction's track. But that is one entire day of no fiction writing, which puts me way behind my goal.
Still, I'm not giving up. I'm pushing forward because I really want to meet that goal. Not to crow about it, but because I knew going in it would be a stretch. And I know when I'm published I'll have goals like this all the time (hopefully will be able to cut back on non-fiction so that distraction won't be there). So if I can push to 10k when I still have outside-fiction writing to do, I know I can push through when fiction will be my only focus.
How do you challenge yourself in your writing? Do you like setting daily/weekly goals or do you let the muse lead where it will?
I find goals to be imperative. I'm a born procrastinator - no matter how much I may love the project. Setting goals keeps me on track. If I didn't have my word count per week to hit, I could take a year to finish a book. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteGoals are necessary to keep on track. Especially when you're a writer and there is no one to push you but you. Unless you have a contract and a deadline.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you... that's why I love goals - even the seemingly unattainable ones!
ReplyDeleteOn a bright note - the nonfic didn't take as long as i expected so I have some time (once the bebe goes to sleep) for fiction tonight!
I've done it a couple of times before. Nano, once and when I was trying to finish a book for a the Delacorte contest a number of years ago. And this week.
ReplyDeleteI'm on track for the 10,000 this week. I got 1500 in the computer and another hundred or so of a coming up scene. And I really, really like where we're going. Unexpected, but loving it.
Maybe I should set goals more often. We'll see how the rest of the week plays out.
I can't seem to keep on track right now. I have done zip, zippy, zippo on the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel well, I know, who cares, suck it up, and I just can't seem to find 5 minutes in the day to write down more than this blog.
I gotta get on track.
Goals usually have the opposite effect on me than making me do good though, I do know that much.
goals for me are a tough one..either i'm inspired and zoom zoom zoom or i think i'm going to be, and then it all just falls apart. It's like eating that first banana split when you've been on weight watchers for awhile..do you just give up and throw it all away? or get back on track tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteGood points Carrie and Margie ... I think it's a get-back-on-the-wagon thing. Some days you surpass the goal and some days you barely make it and some days you can't get there. But if you get right back on the wagon, you're still on track. That's how I look at it.
ReplyDeleteD'Ann, you do GREAT with deadlines, don't fool yourself!