Bethany: Dream Big. Really Big.
Writing is a tough gig. If you don’t think so, you aren’t really a writer. Add to the mix a career in a different field, children, husband, household, pets, doctor’s appointments, school activities (for said children)… well, you get the idea. And this is where I sit. Smack in the middle of all of that. And I write fiction. On most days anyway.
I’m a classic over-achiever. And with my writing I am no different. I make lofty goals. I write my fingers to the bone and then I make small sacrifices to make the dreams a reality. Right now, I’m back at the beginning–a once agented writer with a book on the New York market–who now is back at square one. Agent 1 and I broke-up with no hard feelings (she wanted focus on non-fiction and I was just crushed at losing her), but now I am in a tough situation called Writing the Next Book. And it’s kicking my ass.
I can blame it on the birth of my second child, a couple funerals we attended this month, or starting back at the day job… but in reality, I was reeling from the loss of support of someone deep in the industry. And I’m just starting to see the light at the end of the dusty tunnel.
How do I know I’m coming out the bright end? Well, like I said, I make goals when I’m happy and committed. And, surprise, surprise, I’ve got some new lofty goals staring my down. Here’s the recap of my last set of over-achieveness and my progress. (posted Nov 2, 2007):
- Finish outlining my current novel in the next 2 weeks. COMPLETED: Dec 3, 2007
- Get the first 3 chapters done by the end of the year.
- Have the entire novel in full submission (as in to editors) by August 2008.
You read that right. Only the first is done. Or was done. I’ve decided to tweak it a little. Or a lot. It depends on who you ask. And then, sometime around the new year after dealing with 2 unexpected deaths in the family I decided to make one more major goal– By the time my daughter is rearing for preschool, I’m aiming to have my head above water with my fiction writing, as well as some articles under my belt (read editorial contacts) so that I can quit the Corporate thing and be on my own. That gives me a 2 year window to make it as a writer. Or some sort of writer who supports a major part of her household with her fiction and non-fiction books.
Am I nuts? Likely, but who’s here to stop me? And if your gonna dream–hell, you better dream BIG. There is no other way to dream in my opinion.
So pull up your knickers and let me hear your goals. The real ones. Remember, make them specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (sorry, can’t take the Corporate out of the worker no matter how hard I try). But I say this to the Corporate speak–the realistic and attainable part is only in the eye of the beholder. Be persistent in anything that you do and you will get success.
And this ends my pep talk for today. Tomorrow, I just might need to re-read this to bring myself back into the game. But for today– ROCK ON!
Studio Mothers: Life & Art 
Yes, yes, yes. A sense of urgency is vital for many of us–which a concrete deadline brings to the fore. I do believe that there is nothing separating any of us from the women that write full-time and earn a living at it other than the fact that they’re DOING it. So no, I don’t think you’re nuts at all. A real bummer about losing your agent, but at least you’ve been there and you know you can do it again.
For the next big goal on your list–completing the first three chapters–have you broken that down into smaller, more achievable steps? Do you have a sense of how long it will realistically take you to write each chapter? To stay on course, you might want to revise your target deadline to something attainable (rather than something in the past, which only yells FAILURE in your face). Start over again (we’ve got your back this time). Estimate your feasible weekly output and then build in a lot of leeway to be conservative, yes? Pushing yourself is good, but you want to set yourself up for success.
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve have recent deaths in the family. Do be sure to build in a little extra time when you’re preparing your deadlines; you probably need some mental/space right now.
My own specific, measurable, timely, and theoretically attainable goals are posted here.
So lead the way, with all the corporate ammo you’ve got. We want all the help we can get!
Bethany! It’s great to see you over here. I’m sorry you lost your agent, but so glad you’re moving ahead.
My goal is to write some fiction every day. That’s the best I can do right now with no childcare. I *should* commit to one project and finish it… but I just have so much floating around my head right now, I’m more comfortable shunting among projects. I figure as long as I’m enjoying the ride, that matters more than anything else. 🙂
You both are just too damn good for me! 😉 Seriously, a PLAN to finish? Miranda! I tell you, with 2 kids at home while I work a full time day job? Well, I wish I could commit to a schedule. But, I am aiming to write for an hour a day. Which will give me about 1- 2 pages of work. And I can get the first three chapters done in 2 – 3 weeks…. even with editing.
Now, yes, I have bullet points that have to be covered in each chapter already down. So in each of those sessions, I hope to get one bullet covered. And I should be able to do it. I hope.
See i am not normally an outliner, but have decided to try it this time around. So far so good–but one never knows til they start writing!
Anyway, you both rock. Off to writing some more!
Writing for an hour a day when you work full-time and have two small children is damn impressive. Many women I’ve spoken to who share your parameters simply throw their hands up in the air and say “Not now. Maybe later I’ll have time for my creative life.”
But you’re a woman with a plan: you want to get your writing to a place where you can leave the corporate world. You know you can do it. It sounds like you’ve already paid a lot of dues. (Are you still shopping that first book, BTW?) And as you likely already know, the more your project comes to life, the harder it is to stay away from–it becomes an upward spiral. You’re at the toughest part right now (at least for me).
Are you writing before work, or after? And if you get squeezed during the week, are you able to sneak in some extra time on the weekends?
Usually after work, late at night. Though as of late, I’ve been a slacker and have been turning towards reading instead of writing (this may seem backwards for some, but usually for me it is inspiring). I write a lot when the whole house is asleep at night. It is my best creative time.
Now, yes, if I do get squeezed for time, same time and place, I write on weekends. And if it is a special weekend, the hubby takes care of the kiddos for a couple hours and I take my laptop far, far away to write some more.
Am I on a plan? Hell yeah. the first book has been everywhere and turned down everywhere. So I am giving it a rest– FOR NOW. Working on book 2 so I can sorta start fresh. Hopefully with a new agent and a new book to sell. And then, of course, I can always sell the first one again. 😉
Wow! I’m so impressed by your drive and ambition despite the many setbacks you’ve experienced. I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose an agent. With a separate full time job, many others would just throw in the towel. And I echo Miranda’s sentiment that the deaths in your family must have knocked you for a double loop.
What do you write about? Fiction is all I read (for pleasure) and I can’t get enough of it. I’m so unbelievably impressed by people who can just create something out of nothing pre-existing. No crap old studies to cite from the ‘correct’ journals, no contradicting pre-existing theories and being called on it. Just you and a pen, creating something beautiful. Good luck to you, and I’m sure once book 2 is done and out there on the NYT best seller list, people will be clamoring for book 1. Think of it as an immense time saving device; you can sit around for a year doing nothing and “pretending” you’re writing, then lay book 1 on ’em!
Casey, it is something like, you know what it is like to be agented, and well, you can’t stay away now. You know what it is like to be HALF there! 🙂
What I write about is easy. Moms. Just like me. Oh, sure I add a bit of a magical twist of fun, but my main characters are dealing with diapers, spit up, husbands, and have coffee and Target habits just like the girls. It’s easy to be inspired when you live it every day!
To think someday Book 1 will be wanted? Well, that would definitely be tons of fun and a dream come true. Someday it will see print. I am sure of it.
Hey Bethany, how are things going? We need an update from you!