Friday, September 28, 2012

Writing Goals

Write On Edge prompt:  It’s the beginning of autumn, the students are back in the classrooms, and at Write on Edge our thoughts are turning to our dreams and ambitions. This week we want to hear about your writing goals. Take three hundred words and tell us about where you want to take your writing.


I would like to carve out more time to write.  I have way too many things pulling on my attention all the time that I feel stretched beyond comfort, but the only way I am going to get the time is to take it.  Even if it's only five or ten minutes a day to start.  Writing is truly "ME" time--I can be in the moment with the characters and the flow of a story, and it's stress-free.  I may need to be more creative in how I take that time--could I use a digital recorder while I walked on a treadmill?, for instance.

I want to participate in NaNoWriMo.  I suffer from "Yeah, but" syndrome when it comes to my own writing.  As I am typing, my brain is looking over my shoulder and 'backseat' editing.  I need to learn to just throw the mud on the canvas.  Then I can go back and edit to my heart's content.  I'm so busy erasing as I type that I don't get everything out.   

I want to write a short story or a novella and submit it for publication.  When I was in my twenties I sent a poem to Cosmopolitan.  I thought they might consider publishing it; instead, they sent it back with some pretty harsh words written on the top.  It was obvious that my poem was passed around the office for a joke, which crushed my tiny writer's ego.  I stopped showing people my writing, for many, many years.  The first time I posted on Write On Edge, I was terrified that other writers would make fun of me, but I made myself add my name anyway.   And I've never regretted it.  Now it is time to take the next step.

10 comments:

  1. The Cosmo story is terrible! Do try Nanowrimo! I am trying to decide if I want to try year three..year one was successful in finishing...not last year though. :(

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  2. I would be devastated just like you, and fearful as well, if the Cosmo thing happened. However, how courageous of you in the first place to submit. I've been contemplating Nanowrimo, too. Haven't decided. Have a great and productive (writing) day!

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  3. I sometimes think we are our own worst critic.....and do take that next step. I love your writing.

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  4. That Cosmo story...what an awful experience to have! I'm glad you are back writing.

    My goals are VERY similar - we'll support each other through it!

    :)

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  5. Oh! I am angry for you that you received the rejection in such a harsh manner. How is THAT helpful? Or even character building? I hope you find the time to write more and like your thoughts about writing outside the box (like on the treadmill.)

    Nano is freeing. Even though my project from last year is languishing, it helped me get in the habit of writing again.

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  6. Good luck in your writing journey. I hope you give NaNo a try. It's amazing what you can accomplish

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  7. Oh, there's a reason to loathe Cosmo! I'm so sorry. But you are not who you once were, and I have no doubt that horrible experience has made you more meticulous in figuring out this writing stuff than many. You go!

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  8. As Angela said, NaNo is freeing. It forces you out of the self-editing place and lets you just rush and be sloppy and productive. I love it!

    As for the jerks at Cosmo? Jerks. A rejection letter need not be harsh in order to express a lack of interest. Jerks.

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  9. That you've continued to write and not let go of that after the Cosmo episode shows a great deal of strength on your part. I agree - do NaNo! I tend to edit quite a bit as I write and NaNo has helped me learn to just get it out there and worry about the rest later. I don't know if I can do NaNo this year as I now have my son to add to the confusion of my life but I will certainly cheer you on!

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  10. I hope your blog comments are showing you that people out here (in my case from the other side of the world!) actually appreciate your writing to the point of looking forward to the next post!!

    I had some of the same feelings recently when I entered a travel photo competition and the organisers didn't even acknowledge my entry (they DID acknowledge others, so clearly mine wasn't 'good' enough. I got such a positive response from my readers (including you) that it more than made up for it and made me realise that my readers are my judges, not some panel of random 'experts'.

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