Tag Archives: goals

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STORM Experiences – Opportunities

During my university days, I became a doer. If I wanted something done, I did it. The result was often less romantic than it had been in my head, but people looked up to me because I didn’t just wait for others to do it or for some magical fairy to make it happen without anyone putting in effort.

With my writing career it was different, though. I was convinced that I had to write a manuscript and submit it to an agent who would help me convince a publisher to put it out there. But, as the years went by, I grew despondent. I couldn’t seem to finish my manuscript. Friends and family didn’t see writing as a viable career option. And all I ever read about getting published was how writers got rejected ridiculous amounts of times.

When Linzé Brandon invited me to participate, I heard: Natalie, I want a story written by you and I want to help you make a lifelong dream come true. I couldn’t believe that it could be that easy. That I could become a doer again. That I could take the reigns like that.

And automatically, with that, I already knew that I had to put in everything to make it happen, to make it mean anything. If I simply submitted a story and waited for the book to arrive, it would have been a cheap meaningless experience. How can I expect people to take me seriously if I don’t put in every effort to make it as awesome as I can possibly manage?

When Linzé started talking about blog posts and a presence on Facebook, I felt like such a fool for never realising that I could totally do all those things. Who says I need somebody else or some company to do it for me? They’d want a whole lot of money to do that anyway.

I have very little time every day to write (babies are a full-time job, yo). Especially because I use the same time to cook food, spend time with hubby and actually relax at all. But, damnit. I want my name on a book. I want my name on the “Legends of fantasy” list. And who will put it there if I don’t make it happen?

So, there you have it. I’m a writer and I will indie publish to get my foot in the Legend Door. I’m not waiting for the world to give me what I’m owed. I’m doing this thing!

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The write priorities

To-do List

Every so often you find yourself just not doing what you thought you would. For instance, I planned to enter at least one competition per month, write at least one blog entry per week and write at least 1000 words per day on either my fantasy story or my self-help book. But, I have found that it often becomes an either or situation.

During weeks where I manage to average 1000 words a day, I don’t get around to my blog and forget entirely about the competitions. During weeks where I write my blog entries, I get to maybe 2000 words total of story/self-help book. During months where I enter a competition, I inexplicably feel like my goals have been met and I just can’t concentrate on writing enough to actually write more than two blog entries and maybe 5000 words of story/self-help book.

It may sound silly, especially considering that I have about six hours a day to accomplish these meagre goals. But then, there are the endless chores and need-to-do’s around the house; the friends I haven’t seen in months who treat me to lunch; my general distractedness as an expectant mother (first child and everything); and the need to rest somewhere along the line.

At least I can promise you a short story during next month. I managed to write one this morning (for a competition with the driest topic ever). And I plan to actually write a bit on my story and my self-help book after lunch. All productive I am today!