Think of what your goals are.
Your dreams.
Your plans.
Do you know you'll be successful?
Do you doubt?
Do you have what it takes? And if you do have what it takes, how do you get from Here to There???
That's what we're talking about this week.
Vision.
Mission.
Work ethic....
Discipline?
Self-discipline is a huge, monstrous, ginormous part of an author's success.
NO ONE PUBLISHES AN EMPTY PAGE.
So that's where we begin..... Making a plan.
Implementing the plan.
Sticking with the plan.
So it's time to pray, think and consider.... Do I have what it takes to make it as an author? Do I love it enough?
And from there....
We move forward.
Yes, Ruthy, self-discipline is the biggest road block to my writing, whether it is going to be a career for me, or not. I am a voracious reader, and when I read another author's words I think "I want to write my story", and I get all determined to do it. But...when I sit down at my desk it's another story...one of self-doubt, procrastination, and an inner editor sitting on my shoulders. Yes, I pray. Yes, I try all kinds of prompts to get me going. I think it's because I work better under pressure, and I don't have the kind of urgency that a career writer has. My lifestyle isn't dependent on selling a book. I think that's where I get lazy about it. The passion is there...
ReplyDeleteHopefully, you and Shane can teach this old dog some new tricks, and I can get back in the saddle and fulfill my passion!
Marcia
Marcia, you know, sometimes it's okay to just write for your own pleasure.
DeleteSee if it becomes a habit.
Here's the thing about money and writing: There's only a handful of people who actually make a livable living off of writing.
That's not to discourage folks, because we all see the Noras and the Jayne Annes and the Pattersons and Grishams and Michael Lewises out there....
But out of the whole scheme of thing, maybe a two hundred people out of EVERYONE IN THE COUNTRY are at that level... and that might be a mighty generous number.
And in the next group, the midlisters, the getting by making a living but not getting rich, there are more...
But still a drop in the population bucket.
But in all of that, in the whole scheme of things, I don't care about the money, fame or fortune. I wrote for nothing for 8 years, trying to get my foot in the door, and I'd do it again and indie publish because I've done the leg work. I know I'm good enough now.
WAS I BACK THEN??? NO!!!! (shudders!!!!)
:)
I thought I was, but it's so funny to look back at how rough my work was ten years ago. But that's okay.
So we either start or we don't. We either plan a time to write and do it... or we don't. And the sun's gonna shine when it wants, either way.
For me, I will write as long as God gives me fingers and my brain works.
But it's not that way for everyone, so maybe that's what you need to discern.
If it is indeed a passion... then you'd love it enough to do it, wouldn't you?
If I were you I'd set a goal for this week. To write an hour, each day. Doesn't matter what you're writing. Pick something and work on it for 60 minutes or more/day.
Keep it simple.
Marcia, you are writing down my thoughts, too. I also need to work on that self-discipline. Maybe we can do it together!
DeleteSandy, I'm in it if you are! I will make my goal an hour a day, and go from there.
DeleteIt's been tough as I'm a caregiver, and sometimes, my time is not my own, but most times, I can get away with a few hours for myself. Most times, I don't take advantage of that blessing, and fritter it away. Then I'm disappointed in myself, and it's hard to get started again. Ack!
Keep it simple will be my mantra!
I'm in, too, Marcia!
DeleteYes! I love this! My mantra lately has been your question: What have I done today to make my dream come true? (That was you, right? Or do I need to give someone else credit?)
ReplyDeleteFor me it's "slow and steady." Just keep plugging away at the keyboard.
And start with prayer! Thanks for the reminder. It's such an important one. I'm going to saddle up in the morning and spend time talking with God out on the trail before breakfast. I certainly love it enough and want it enough, but without His calling and blessing I'll get nowhere!
I begin each day with prayer and it's the mainstay of my success. I've learned to put so much in God's hands because it can be very frustrating to try and gain control in an uncontrollable industry. This wonderful industry is in a flux and I think that's pretty apparent... but on the worst possible day, I've still got the best possible job! (I stole that from my friend Lenora Nazworth)....
DeleteGuided by God... :) Works for me!
Beautiful! We do have the best possible job, don't we :)
DeleteGuided by God is a beautiful way to live. Thanks for this retreat, Ruthy.
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Hey, I stashed some fresh jelly beans in my cabin... STARBURST JELLY BEANS!!! My favorite! If anyone's in need of sugar resuscitation throughout the week, I've got it covered!
DeleteUp with the rooster this morning and ready to make my list for the day. I'm going to work on some character sketches and on beefing those people up since I should have done that before i got started...according to some wise old cowgirls. I will do a little this morning and more when I get back from the 9 to 5 cattle drive. I might even dig into some of that beef at the mid-day meal. I pray I can do this and pray for the rest of you as you dig into your stories.
ReplyDeleteBettie, I like your plan! I'm revising a story beginning for Love Inspired... and planning an indie series, so hoping to revisit that a little this week.... when one stymies me, I jump to the other.
DeleteAnd I think you're fine! I always write a few chapters to get to know my characters, then go back and tweak them as I settle on their story and traits... that's how I get acquainted with them. Go get 'em!
Ruthy, that's how I work. "When one stymies me, I jump to the other."
DeleteThis week I'm going to work on my contemporary Christmas romance series, editing the first book and working on a draft of the second. I am excited about the latter and getting to know these two people.
PRIVILEGE to be able to do this.
KB
Love this! Howdy fellow retreatants! I am working on a new project this week, so this morning I need to do some brainstorming, light plotting (I am not a heavy plotter, so I need to come up with a few points that will help me get moving) and some dialoging with my characters. Then this afternoon, I will start writing a scene.
ReplyDeleteI agree with putting it all in God's hands. I want this story to be what He envisions, so I will let Him guide me.
Digging in this morning. I want to get a story ready for a contest, complete two others, and rework another one. My motto: Write and See. Write what God gives you, and see where He takes it. Ties in with my word for the year: Expectation. If you're expecting something, you're working toward it. If you're expecting company, you clean house, prepare for their arrival. If you're expecting a baby, you prepare the nursery, buy supplies. Same with writing, if you're expecting to be published, you write, write, write!
ReplyDeleteSally, this is brilliant and so true.
DeleteI like this, Sally. I will keep those words in mind.
DeleteThanks for the wise words!
DeleteDoubt. That's the word that resonates with my starting place for this retreat.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain I can write to a deadline. I've done plenty of it--non-fiction, mostly PR--and I can testify that it's easier to write with a contract.
But in my heart--that's not real writing. (Of course it is! It's fun and honorable and useful!) But the yearning in my heart is to tell the truth that emerges from fiction.
I've just completed, to the best of my ability, a Middle Grade Suspense. (Or is it a YA? Or a mystery?) It's in the hands of a couple of trusted readers who can tell me where I've left gaping holes, or taken implausible leaps. It's my eighth attempt at a novel. I admit that at least three of the eight didn't have a coherent beginning, middle, or end. Five of them have been queried, requested, and rejected for good reasons.
I'm currently working on a revised query for this most recent effort. (I like to start writing with a query, but during the writing, insights can drive substantial change.)
My retreat goal is to prayerfully consider the next step--to discern what direction is God's will. To write? Or not to write? To proceed by querying agents for traditional publication? Self-pub? Another young reader novel in the same setting? Women's fiction? A cozy?
Thanks, Ruthy (and Seekerville) for this quiet week of reflection.
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
ReplyDeletePlanning out the day, week, month, year is so important! Obviously there are times when plans need to change or adjust because "life" happens, but planning ahead is vital to success.
I need the discipline. Just to write daily. I'm still working on that first 500 words per day thingy. Hopefully this retreat will start me going. That's the goal anyhoo. Thanks for the post, Ruthy. And thanks for planning this retreat. *hugs*
ReplyDelete500 words a day will take you a long way. Go for it!
Delete