Sometimes my goals have been unrealistic, unreasonable and a dozen other words that all mean I won’t get anywhere near them. More recently, I’ve learned to craft goals with the same care I might use to craft a story. I’ve had a few of them bouncing around in my head for a while and I figured writing them up for a Round of Words in 80 Days would be easy.
I was right. I got the first draft of this post banged out in about ten minutes.
Then something happened and I think learned something about myself as a writer. Or I’m on the edge of learning it. I don’t know. It’s quarter to seven in the morning and I’ve had only one sip of coffee. You’ll have to bear with me.
What I think I figured out is that I’ve been learning to write but not learning to write like me. It’s more than that “finding your voice,” stuff you read about in books on the craft. Or, well, maybe it isn’t. Maybe it’s exactly that. Either way, I’ve spent the better part of the last two days thinking about my work and where to go from here.
These goals are a reflection of some of that.
Freelancing
I will write at least one freelance piece every day. I will also continue to read about, research and discover freelancing opportunities. I need to start making money from my writing.
My Site
I will post at least three times a week. If you look back through the archives you’ll see I’ve slipped from time to time, but I’m mostly doing this already. The topics I’m writing about might change in the near future, but I’m still planning on staying just as active here as I have been. Maybe more so.
The New Novel
I will write 2,000 words every day. No exceptions. Again, this isn’t a new goal at all, but something I’ve been already been doing. The difference here is that whenever I was in “Revision Mode,” I stopped writing new stuff. That needs to change.
What’s this all about?
ROW80 is a writing challenge I wrote about the other day. It’s done in rounds and each round lasts 80 days. Writers participating in it post updates to their blog twice a week to track progress and help keep their noses to the grindstones they’ve built.
Nice goals. Pushing yourself is great – writing new material while editing – *smiles*….I still cannot do that. Ha! What do you freelance write about?
Nadja Notariani recently posted..Setting Goals For A Summer Round
I don’t really know that I can do it either. I seem “okay” at putting my projects in their own little boxes, but can I carry that through to the level I need? Well, I guess we’re going to find out.
I’ve only just begun to explore freelancing and have written one article for Yahoo! Voices. It’s a new challenge and it’s coming at a time when I’m already questioning the direction my writing is taking. I suppose that means the answer to your question is “I have no idea.”
Jeff recently posted..My First ROW80 Goals
I stop writing new stuff every time I’m in revision mode, too. I should feel better knowing I’m not alone, but I kind of feel worse about it now, hahaha.
I think your goals are really good. You can do it!
Liz recently posted..Getting Back On the Medical Merry-Go-Round
I really don’t know how I’ll fair trying to revise one thing while writing something else. I’m hoping it works out, but I’m probably going to be in the same boat as everyone else.
Jeff recently posted..My First ROW80 Goals
Good luck in your goals!
ROW80 is a great motivating tool. It also inspires realistic goals – which is something a lot of writers need. A friend of mine constantly says “reach for the stars,” but I think that reaching for the space just above your head when you’ve been cemented to the ground is just as admirable.
See you at the check ins!
Dahnya Och recently posted..Pure Intentions and Positive Mojo
I couldn’t agree more. Although I usually say in order to reach for the stars, you have to step outside first. Big goals are comprised of smaller ones.
Jeff recently posted..My First ROW80 Goals
I hear you about revision mode. It’s taken me awhile to be able to bounce back-and-forth between wip writing and wip editing. Good luck! Great goals
So far, it’s not looking good. Still feeling optimistic, but mainly through the rigorous application of denial.
Jeff recently posted..Goals? Um…yeah! (or, Wednesday Check-In)
Great set of goals! Welcome to ROW80…hope you have a wonderful week!
Lauren Garafalo recently posted..ROW80 2012: Round 3 Goals
Thanks! I’m enjoying it so far, although real progress is a mite elusive right now.
Jeff recently posted..Goals? Um…yeah! (or, Wednesday Check-In)