I sat an unrealistic goal for myself over the weekend. Shoot, I set an impossible goal for myself over the the weekend.
In other words, I set myself up to fail.
But did I?
I decided I would add 8000 words to my WIP (work-in-process) by Monday night. Under normal conditions, that would have been a stretch, but we had plans both Saturday and Sunday, and Monday there were a couple of domestic duties scheduled (clean underwear is a good thing).
I didn't come close to achieving my goal. But what I have now that I didn't have on Friday is a clear "what's next" for my scenes. That has always been a stumbling block for me. Which thread do I pull now?
So although I didn't make the 8000 (and we all know I didn't expect to make the 8000 from the get-go), I was propelled and compelled to figure out a plan.
A friend gave me a plaque that says, "Shoot for the moon . . . even if you miss you'll land among the stars."
So today, I'm off to play in the glitter of star dust—with just a trace of moon dust to keep me motivated.
Are you feeling glittery, or just dusty? What do you do to shake it up or shake it off?
CR: The Fourth Watcher by Timothy Hallinan in hardcover. An absolutely amazing series beginning with A Nail Through the Heart which I read on my Kindle.
It's all better with friends.
Since I recovering from the Colorado Gold Conference over the weekend, I am glad to be able to blog about it and visit a few of my friends. I plan to draw a wonderful picture tonight, blog tomorrow and then get to the business of editing tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
One more conference I would LOVE to attend. Maybe next year. From all accounts, the Colorado Gold Conference was a huge success.
ReplyDeleteSo, a creative outlet (the drawing), some focused discipline (the blogging), and then the emersion into editing. Which, by the way, is one of my favorite parts of this process. It beats all get-out of a blank page.
Sounds like a good plan to me.
I felt the same about NaNoWriMo. When I first began I thought no way will this happen. When I finished, I had a first draft of my book that made sense and a big feeling of accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteWow. NaNoWriMo is huge. I swear whoever started this thing is a guy. I mean really. November?
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for finishing something using that tool. I've ADDED to my ms, but that's about it. The comeraderie is fun. (Where is spellcheck on these comments???)
That's a good idea, and I especially like the quotation. My mother gave me a small pillow that says "Believe in Miracles." She gave it to me when I started querying. Some days it's tough though.
ReplyDeleteOh, I miss my mom. Give yours an extra hug for me, Ellis.
ReplyDeleteI have the very same pillow. My sister gave it to me. I used to have it on one of those picture/plate holder stands, but it's now nestled into a corner of a chair in my writing sanctuary.
And congratulations on your querying. It isn't easy. But if the manuscript is ready, it will eventually find a home. I believe that.
Good luck to you!