It's been over a month since I last blogged, and I don't have any idea where my time has gone. Oh, I can think of a few things we did -- a small vacation to Yellowstone with some great friends which wa super relaxing; a concert to see The Oak Ridge Boys and they were fantastic; and, of course, visits with family and a couple dinners out, but it doesn't cover the entire month. Do you ever wonder where your days go?
A friend of mine - a great author, Cindy Christiansen - interviewed me for her blog and one of her questions was what I had learned in the writing process. Isn't it sad that the first thing that came to mind is I let too many mundane things take over my hours and days? That got me thinking, and once again I made a new resolution to take more advantage of my time and write. I have alot of stories running around in my head -- I'm a writer, a published author, and I think all of us have stories that are begging to come out. So I've made a few goals:
1. Write something every day. Now, I have to admit it may not be a new story, and it might be some e-mails staying in touch with my friends, developing marketing items, even blogging. But I need to write. Once I start writing, I want to continue and that's how I'll figure out how to finish my current story and get started on another one.
2. Write down what I need to accomplish. I'm a note maker. It really helps me when I get to cross an item off my list. So, I have a notebook by my chair in our family room, by my bed in the bedroom, and of course by my computer. Each day I'll work to cross off things from my list.
3. Quit chastising myself when I don't get some writing done. Yes, I tend to get disappointed in myself very easiily and the sad part is, that doesn't seem to help. So, I refused to let myself get depressed and, instead, will keep striving to get my writing accomplished.
4. Reward myself when I complete another goal - okay, I'll probably reward myself more than I should, but I think it is very important to pat yourself on the back when you accomplish someting you've been working on.
5. Read. Okay, I love to read, so this won't be a hard goal to achieve. But I have met so many wonderful authors and have so many books on my to be read list, that I think it is very important for me to read, keeping up with what is new on the market.
6. Write up reviews and send to my author friends. I know I love to hear that people like my stories. I spend so much time creating characters, putting them through so many challenges, taking them on a journey to love and happiness, that it is so fulfilling when someone says to me, "I loved your story," or "I couldn't put your book down." I want to do that for others.
I hope you are better at using your time than I am, but even if you're not, be happy, do what you love, and it will workout. If you have other things to add to my list that seem to work for you, I'd love to hear from you.
Have a great day!
