Tag: New Year

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Diving Deeper in a New Year

lighter look at a writer's life

It’s the dawn of a new year, so it’s time to reevaluate our lives and make resolutions we are sure to keep.

Oh . . . . . . who are we kidding? Resolutions are made to be broken. I don’t know about you, but I make resolutions on January 1 and then break them by about January 15.

I resolve to lose weight, but, you know, the chocolate calls my name whenever I visit the grocery store, not to mention the chips. I resolve to exercise, and walking outside is my favorite type of activity. It tends to get colder and colder outside in January where I live, so it’s easier to stay inside and watch game shows and old sitcoms. I have even resolved to spend more time writing, but these games of Spider Solitaire aren’t going to play themselves.

I have been thinking about making different types of goals, involving deeper stuff. It’s a stretch for me, as I am not the deepest person in the world (I know you are completely shocked, so snap yourself out of it and read on).

Here goes, some deeper goals:

Take more steps: most people want to get more physical steps each day to record on a fitness tracker. That’s a worthwhile goal, one I certainly need to do, but I want to take more steps in the direction God points, to reach for the prize He has for me.

Drink more Water: I’m sure we could all hydrate more, but I need to drink more Living Water by spending more time with Jesus—in prayer, in the Word, in listening to Him. Maybe some of the aforementioned resolutions will fall into place if I reach more for this goal.

Be more active (in my faith) overall: a sedentary lifestyle is bad for your physical body, but being sedentary in your faith is even worse. God tells us faith without works is dead, so I need to be more active in spreading the Good News and taking more leaps of faith.

Create a training journal: keeping track of advances in fitness can be helpful, but recording prayers and God’s answers (and His faithfulness) is important. This type of journaling will also help my writing life, sharpening the “instrument” and preparing for service in this area.

Achieve balance in activity: doing the same thing over and over makes exercise a struggle, and I don’t want other areas of my life to get stagnant either. A few years ago, on a whim, I took a painting class. I got hooked and have taken numerous classes since. Painting has become another creative outlet, and calligraphy has been a fun exercise as well. I have also experimented with different types of writing. Since I serve a creative God, I’ll hopefully continue to explore new avenues of expression.

There you go—some newfangled goals (let’s not call them resolutions). Why don’t you join me in reaching for the prize? We can grab some doughnuts along the way!

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Five Writing Goals to Start the Year

Hey, all! Now that the winter holidays are past, it’s high time to focus on goals for the upcoming year.

#1 Carve Out Writing Time

It takes discipline to sit down in front of a computer (or pick up pen and paper for old-school fans), block out distractions, and tap into the creative juices.

But we must. Because if we don’t make writing a priority, it won’t happen. (You know I’m right!)

Set a goal to write at least three days a week. Pick out a time that works best for you to write distraction free. Rise an hour before the family and type away. Or slate late night after meeting the day’s obligations. I used to write in notebooks while waiting for my child’s practice to end or I dictated my ideas on my phone to revisit later. Identify your best time, set it, and protect it.

#2 Join a Critique Group

Because of my experience with a faithful team of writers, I can, without hesitation, recommend that you set a goal of joining a critique group. Getting regular feedback on your manuscript can prove invaluable. Our partners spot plot holes, areas that lack clarity, and errors in grammar.

Not every group is a good fit. I encountered many mismatches before discovering my ideal team. But don’t give up! Set a goal to find supportive writers like you. If needed, this link provides a list of organizations that set up critique groups.

#3 Devote Time to Create or Maintain a Platform

Writers need a platform to increase visibility and market their work to a target audience. But “platform” poses a huge obstacle for many people. It’s a time sucker. It’s daunting. There are too many options to consider, like Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, podcasts, and websites. Where do you start?

Instead of trying to engage in multiple arenas (which can lead to quick burnout), try focusing on one or two. Take time to explore various options. Then, set a goal to post or engage in the media bi-weekly or more. Keep your brand in mind. I found this article addressing platform-building from Denise Wakeman helpful.

#4 Educate Yourself

The writing profession encompasses many elements:  researching, drafting, and revising; querying agents, publishers, and magazines; organizing book launches, interviews, and speaking engagements; participating in conferences, critique groups, and professional organizations; engaging in social media, podcasts, and advertising; writing blogs, articles, and newsletters. How overwhelming is that?!

#5 Set a goal to educate yourself on one area.

I’ve found it’s best to create an achievable goal with a narrow focus. For example, I need to improve communication, so I’ll educate myself—perhaps through online courses, how-to articles, or conferences—on how to use emails lists and newsletters to reach my target audience.

You can also educate yourself by attending a writing conference. Two of my favorites are the Write to Publish in Wheaton, Illinois and Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. There are other well-respected conferences out there too—Florida Christian Writing Conference and the Kentucky Christian Writing Conference, for example. And don’t forget virtual conferences. End Game Press hosts excellent ones.

So, there you have it. Four practical writing goals for any author. What goals are you setting? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.

Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books.

Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
Kids Lit

2022: Your Best Year Ever Starts TODAY!

Kids Lit

What do you want to accomplish in your writing by Dec 31, 2022? From the perspective of January, everything is possible!

1. Vision

Hold a 1-hour team staff meeting with yourself and brainstorm all that could be in 2022. Remember in brainstorming there are no wrong answers, nothing too far fetched. Use sticky notes or file folders or a spread sheet. Dream BIGGER!

Vision: I want a manuscript sold to a publisher by Dec 31, 2022.

2. Plan

Sort stickies into categories: writing, platform, network

Plan: to publish book I need to:

Writing: read in category, generate ideas, 1st draft, critiques, edit

Platform: social media, personal contacts, conferences

Sale: research publishers, complete proposal, query, agent, pitch

Maybe stop for coffee.

Plan: to increase my platform I need to:

Social media: Facebook author, IG author, Pinterest pages, website

Personal contacts: teachers, parents, librarians, author, twitter and LinkedIn, blogs

Conferences: in person, virtual, opportunities to pitch or submit

Er, make that a latte with an extra shot.

Plan: to make the most of conferences I need to:

In person: dates, cost, travel, other opportunities in area

Virtual: dates, cost, critique and pitch opportunities

Other opportunities: Blogs or groups the regularly interview agents or editors who open to followers

Ready for a double expresso mocha?

3. First step

The first step is the hardest and the most exciting! Let’s go!

First Step: Today I will look at 7 recent books in my writing category
First step: Today I will add 1 item to my FB author page promoting the book of another author

Macchiato!

Robin Currie
Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Getting Started

As the year comes to an end, we are all eager for a new year and a new start. It’s safe to say we are all tired of this pandemic life and are hoping for a better year. If you are like me you have an idea or a journal full of ideas for writing projects.

The writing life is a never-ending process. But we all must start from scratch when creating new projects. Unfortunately, the first step is often the hardest to take, especially after trudging through the winter and holiday season. It’s like going from 0 to 60 in under a minute, getting there sounds good but in reality, it is a chore just to get going. It is even harder for someone who lives with a brain injury.

  • Inability to focus
  • Movement is restricted
  • Lack of stamina to finish the task.

The writing life can be just as difficult to be productive as being disabled. Some writers are procrastinators by nature, they perform better under pressure. Some are self-starters, others must be nudged and guided where they need to go.

Perhaps you have more self-discipline or willpower than most writers. Either way, we all need to get started at some point; writing is a marathon, not a sprint—although they may start at the same point.

Getting Started!

A new year means new opportunities for each writer. Personally, I have quite a few projects in mind for this year: blogs, articles, and even a new screenplay. Like most writers, the problem isn’t coming up with new ideas, but just getting started and writing them.

Each writer has their own way of getting motivated to write: work out, go for a walk, overindulge in coffee/caffeine. Unfortunately, due to my brain injury, I must limit my intake of caffeine which only stimulates our nervous system to give us a buzz, not energy.

 Where do you find yourself in the quest for motivation to write? I looked online and found ways writers use to help them get started:

  1. Set writing goals: Set goals that are easy to meet. Give yourself a minimum daily word count you need to reach. At the end of each writing session record your word count in a writing diary.
  2. Set deadlines: There is no better motivator than a deadline. Look at a calendar and set a due date for each chapter of your book and I completed the first draft.
  3. Write now, edit later: An essential part of creative writing is to just get your story down. When words are flowing don’t stop to edit. You’ll forget your thoughts and ideas and you lose momentum.
  4. Find the perfect writing space: Find a spot where you do your best writing. Make sure it’s away from distractions.
  5. Remember that the journey is the destination: Be in the present and enjoy the experience of writing.
  6. Commit to a regular writing time: Getting into a regular writing habit is easier when you use time management skills and schedule a specific time to write every single day.
  7. Change your thought processes: Remind yourself that the only way to become a better writer is to sit down and write.
  8. Join a writing group: Sometimes writing for yourself, is simply not enough motivation. Join a writing group that meets regularly so you are accountable to other people to turn and what you write.
  9. Take five:  If you have writer’s block, step away from your writing routine. Go for a walk or a jog. Sometimes just getting exercise helps open the creative flow of gates.
  10. Switch up your setting: Changing where you work can get you out of a creative rut.
  11. Switch directions: When you stall out during the middle of a writing project, change what you’re working on. Switching to a new writing style can refresh your thoughts.
  12. Try writing prompts: A fun way to find motivation is to use writing prompts to ignite a story. Prompts are often a short text passage that a writer uses as fuel to launch into a bigger story.
  13. Reward yourself: Use bribery for a little motivation every now and then never hurts. Promise yourself a sweet treat, a cup of coffee, or some little reward for reaching a milestone in your writing session.
  14. Read a book: If you’re having a hard time finding motivation, pick up something to read. Reading will turn off your creative engine and give your mind a rest.
  15. Remember why you started writing: Remember why you started writing in the first place and refocus on the story you set out to tell.

During my early years in rehabilitation I had to see a neuropsychologist to help me not only understand what was going on with my brain and body, but to keep motivated in my recovery process, it was there I learned the difference between motivation and inspiration; motivation comes from within us, whereas inspiration is an external means to inspire us.

As a disabled person, I have learned that I am responsible for how I handle my disability. When I cannot motivate myself to get going, I can always turn to someone or something for inspiration to get going.

Inspiration?

Most Christian writers hope to inspire their readers through their writing. Where do you find your inspiration? As a disabled American I found so much inspiration in the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, her success, despite her disability, has inspired millions of disabled Americans. The late Dick Hoyt is another inspiration of mine, his unconditional love and support for his special needs son have encouraged millions of men.

As a writer I have also looked to other’s for inspiration and specific areas of my creative writing process, below are a few:

Regardless of what you write or if you’re disabled or not, there will come a time when we all need a little help getting started!

Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJonhson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

New Year’s Writerly Goals

Happy 2021, my MG friends!

Anyone else excited about having a fresh, clean, slate of months ahead in which to write? There’s nothing quite like looking at the calendar and thinking about all the possibilities a new year has in store.

Now that the holidays have subsided, many of us take time to plan our personal and professional goals for the year ahead.

Here are a few goals I’ve made for my writing in 2021. I’d love to hear yours if you want to add them to the comments below or connect with us on Instagram and share them there. Either way, having a supportive group to hold you accountable goes a long way toward achieving your goals.

2021 Goal #1: Set regular writing time, protect it, and keep it.

Discipline was my friend in 2019. I made a ton of progress in my writerly life. But amidst the general craziness that was last year, my schedule went haywire and momentum went south. Now is the perfect time to re-establish a writing rhythm.

Protecting my writing time boils down to prioritizing. When I worked 8-5, I set aside an hour in the evenings after family time to write. Now, I let my freelance clients know at the beginning of the week what my available “office hours” are and I stick to them.

Having the whole family home 24/7 made boundaries a little challenging at first. Fortunately, that “available office hours” practice I applied to my freelance clients also worked with my husband and son. Obviously if there were an emergency, I would punt work and tend to my family first. (To my son if you’re reading this: Wanting a snack is not an emergency)

In the new year, weekly planning – and sticking to that plan – will be a high priority.

2021 Goal #2: Reconnect with other writers.

Not too long into 2020, I noticed that the more time I spent online and on social media, the more my sense of well-being suffered. As thankful as I am for the technology that allowed me to stay in touch with my family and friends, I reached my limit quickly. By the end of 2020, my practice became to set a timer and check in on a handful of accounts- no scrolling for me.

The downside of this is that the community I’d worked so hard to cultivate on social media began to fall apart. Connection with other writers is important both to learn about our craft and to give and receive encouragement along the journey.

This year, I will include social media time in my weekly plan (see Goal #1), with the aim of rebuilding my community.

2021 Goal #3: Finish the edits and query the books.

This one is straight forward. I have some fun work just sitting here, waiting for those final polishes and queries. It’s past time for me to finish.

2021 Goal #4: Try new things.

I’ve been writing nonfiction for a living in the form of business-to-business marketing and ad writing. When I write books, they’re all middle grade fiction. Nonfiction for kids might be a good fit for me, but I’ve never tried it before. Now is as good a time as any to try it.

So, there you have it, friends. If you are setting writing goals, I’d love the opportunity to support you and encourage you this year.

Here’s to a peaceful, productive 2021.

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

New Year, New Goals

It’s a brand new year. That means a new start to achieving new goals and a fresh clean slate to do it with.

Serious Writer posted a question to its community board last month asking writers to list their 2020 goals. Most of the responses involved completing works-in-progress, building marketing plans, and blogging consistently.

I wanted to add three goals for your consideration as we enter a new year:

1) Read at least one middle grade book each month. 

Stephen King said it best: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”  When you read something that resonates with you – or doesn’t – analyze it. Figure out how the author constructed their chapter (or sentence, or paragraph) to create the response you felt. 

Reading comes in handy when it’s time to market your own work. You’ll better understand what types of books are on shelf, what’s selling, and how your work might fit within the genre.

2) Attend a writing workshop or conference.

The benefits of attending a conference are well worth the investment. There are opportunities to hold face-to-face meetings with editors, agents, and publishers. You can connect with other writers to build critique groups. If your conference offers critiques, you are able to receive valuable feedback on your work. The industry education alone is well worth the time and effort it takes to attend.

3) Write a review of a middle grade book each month. 

Reviews are important for authors. When you read a middle grade book, take a moment to write a (spoiler-free) review of what you’ve read. This does two things: First, it helps the author sell their book. Second, if you post a mini-review on your blog or social media account, it helps build your platform. Book reviews are crucial for new and self-published authors, so why not help other authors the way (someday soon) you wish to be helped?

Here’s wishing you a healthy, productive new writing year! If you have a new goal for 2020, tell me in the comments below or on Instagram at @klmckinneywrites.

Happy New Year!

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

Categories
Writer Encouragement

New Year, New Hope

I anticipate some New Year’s more than others. Turning the calendar to 2020 after a difficult 2019 offers new hope and I look forward to fresh opportunities. I pray the Lord will guide my every step and decision in both my writing life as well as my walk with Him.

I told one friend that this past year felt like a year of survival. Between my husband’s stroke, my granddaughter’s cancer and foot amputation, and moving 2,000 miles to be closer to family, there were many moments that made me wonder if I could survive it all.

With the Lord’s help, I did. And God reminds me of all the blessings that occurred in 2019:

  • My husband is recovering well from his stroke
  • While the doctors were convinced my granddaughter needed chemo, all the tests came back negative for malignancy spreading elsewhere. She is cancer free! Praise the Lord!
  • My friend Shannon drove cross country with me to share the driving. Godly friends are a gift.
  • God provided for all our needs for the move despite many obstacles. Again, so many friends helped us.
  • By our second Sunday here in CA, the Lord led us to an amazing church and Christian friends who wrapped us in loving fellowship.
  • In August, on my son’s birthday, his wife gave birth to a precious baby boy. My fifth grandchild. God is so good!
  • My granddaughter runs and plays on her prosthetic foot. She has adapted to her new life so beautifully.
  • In July, a story I’d submitted to “Chicken Soup for the Soul” was published.
  • I signed a contract with Mantle Rock for the publishing of my latest novel, “Scarred Vessels.”

As you can see from my list, the blessings have far outweighed the difficulties. So my word for this year of 2020 will be “Overcome.” Do not be weighed down by the hard stuff. Pray and move forward.

It’s easy to focus on the struggles. As writers, we face the obstacles to publishing regularly.  I encourage you to press onward. Be an overcomer.

Assume there will be trials of many sorts. “In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

Notice this verse does not say, “pull yourself up by your boot straps” or “get a grip.” It says, “In me (Jesus) you may have peace.” Trust the day to day to Him. He is our peace, our source of strength. He is our Overcomer.

Carry on.

Elaine Marie Cooper has two historical fiction books that released in 2019: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s Kindling. Love’s Kindling is available in both e-book and paperback. They are the first two books in the Dawn of America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and HomeLife magazine. She also penned the three-book historical series, Deer Run Saga. Her upcoming release, Scarred Vessels,” is about the black soldiers in the American Revolution. Look for it in October 2020. You can visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Goals . . . We Have Goals

lighter look at a writer's life

It is the dawn of a new year, even a new decade, and people are talking about goals. I guess “resolutions” are not mentioned any more, because they last until about January 15th and then are forgotten. “Goal” seems to be a better word, something to strive for over a longer period of time.

Of course, one of my yearly goals is to eat better and to lose weight. I have had varying levels of success with that one over the years, and this year is no different, considering all of the leftover holiday goodies in my kitchen cabinet. I’m doing okay right now, but the chocolate is calling my name.

Many of my friends are switching the focus to writing goals for the year. If I have seen one post on social media about writing goals, I have seen 20. Everyone is setting their goals, making their lists and checking them twice. (Yes, the Christmas stuff is still on my mind.)

What’s my writing goal for the year? I have put some thought into it, and here it is, an exclusive debut right here on A3. My writing goal for 2020 is . . . to write.

There, I said it.

It may seem overly simple, but, for me, just to put the rear in the chair and to write is what I need to do. Sure, it’s good to have goals of words per day or week, but I need to remind myself to write everyday, to establish the routine of regularly putting words on the page. It seems simple, but I work better with simple.

So avoid the chocolate and get that bottom in the chair. Let’s write!

Carlton Hughes wears many hats. By day, he’s a professor of communication at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he does object lessons and songs with motions as Children’s Pastor of Lynch Church of God. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul and several devotional books from Worthy Publishing—Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and the soon-to-be-released Everyday Grace for Men. Carlton and his wife Kathy have two college-age sons, Noah and Ethan. He is on the planning committee for Kentucky Christian Writers Conference and is a year-round volunteer for Operation Christmas child.

Categories
Writing for YA

New Year, New Goals

The new year is almost upon us. Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, why not try to come up with New Year’s goals?

Make a plan.

Gather information about the task you want to achieve. Have a general idea of the steps you need to take to get a grasp on the big picture. I’ve found it to be a good idea to use more than one source. For a novelist or nonfiction writer, this can include authors you know, websites (like this one!), books, magazines, and organizations. What you are writing determines the steps in your plan. Indie or traditional? Fiction or nonfiction? These have different processes. 

Determine what the primary goal is and list the tasks needed to do to achieve the objective in order of importance. Having a first things first policy helps me stay focused and having incremental guides keeps me motivated as I mark my progress.

Unrealistic expectations are a set up for deep disappointments when things don’t pan out as expected. Wrong turns and dead ends can be avoided by getting the lay of the land beforehand.

Set reasonable goals.

Often, when tackling a new project or activity, the tendency is to overreach. Setting reasonable goals increase the likelihood success will come to pass.

When I first began writing novels, I struggled to be consistent. I decided to try for large word counts and grind away every day until I produced a massive amount of words. Predictably, the only thing I was consistent about was failing to pound out those words! I’d get to the end of the week or month feeling like a failure.

I changed my thinking, and set a small goal of five hundred words a day. In this way, I established a habit of writing. Sometimes I would surpass my desired output, but when I started out, most days I was right around five or six hundred words. Producing small, manageable chunks was within my reach and watching the words add up day by day kept me faithfully working. Persistence pays off, and I got my novels written. As time went on, my daily word counts went up. Establishing the habit kept me going and still does on difficult days.

If your objective is to find a critique partner, try to determine the time required to exchange feedback before you commit. If you want to learn a new skill, don’t expect to become proficient overnight. Divide the task you set for yourself into manageable chunks and be patient with yourself.

Be flexible.

If your goals are too challenging, or not challenging enough, allow yourself to make adjustments. Life is in a constant state of change. To be successful, flexibility is vital. The point is to keep working towards the prize.

Find a cheerleader. Or two or three!

There’s bound to be periods of difficulty in any endeavor. Some days are harder than others. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up.

Be an encouragement to yourself by keeping track of your past successes. Remind yourself of why you write.

Don’t give up!

If you find the set goals are not as easily attainable as you thought they would be, don’t give up. Instead, reevaluate and adjust your plans. The journey never quite unfolds the way we expect it to but if we stay on the path, we will get there. It’s all part of the adventure.

Keep going. 

Organizations for YA Writers

https://www.scbwi.org/

https://www.acfw.com/

Writing Aid Program

https://prowritingaid.com/

Donna Jo Stone writes YA contemporary novels about tough issues but always ends the stories with a note of hope. She blogs at donnajostone.com.

Categories
Devotional/Christian Living

5 SMART Goals for Christian Living and Devotional Writers

I started out 2019 with one goal: to get a Christian Living or devotional book contract. That didn’t happen. A lot of other wonderful things happened like a lot of speaking engagements and getting meaningful reader feedback from strangers and growing my email list from 240 people to 890 people. But because I did not meet my one goal I felt defeated and discouraged. I started to see myself as a failure as a writer.

Then I remembered a blog post I had written for a copywriting client about SMART goals. I realized that I was not a failure as a Christian living or devotional writer, but the goal I had set was not a SMART goal.

A SMART goal is a goal that is:

Specific

The goal needs to be specific enough that you know when it is complete. To “get better” at something or “do well” at something is not specific enough. My “get a book contract” goal was actually not specific enough. There are so many small steps between the thought of a book and getting a contract. I should have broken up this larger goal into smaller, specific pieces.

Measureable

You need numbers attached to your SMART goals such as submitting three book proposals or sending out one query letter a month.  These numbers also need to be entirely in your control. “Getting one book contract” is not totally in my control. There are agents and editors and publishers that factor into that goal. Instead, I should have focused my goal on submissions and manuscripts and book outlines and drafts as opposed to the book contract itself.

Attainable

Your goals need to be realistic. “Publish ten books this year” is not realistic for most writers. At the same time, the goals need to be challenging enough to spur you on. If you already write two blog posts a month, don’t make that the goal. It’s not challenging.

Relevant

Make sure your goals will actually lead to your overall life goals as a writer. For me at this point, I need to concentrate on submitting articles for websites and publications with larger audiences. In the past, I have guest blogged for smaller blogs which I appreciated doing, but I need to focus on articles now in order to achieve my overall goal of growing my platform and getting my book published.  

Time-bound

If there is no due date for the goal, it’s not happening.

With the SMART goal parameters in mind, and lots of prayer, here are my five realistic goals to start out the New Year:

1. Create and share Pinnable images for all my old blog posts. This goal is important to me because other than Google, Pinterest is my biggest traffic source for my blog, Read the Hard Parts. Pinterest is also where I am getting most of my 50-100 new email subscribers. Along with this goal, I also want to schedule ten pins a day on Tailwind, manually pin once a day, and create one Read the Hard Parts freebie per quarter. These goals should help me reach my overall Pinterest goal of one million Pinterest views per month. At this moment I have 232k views per month. But one million views cannot be my SMART goal because Pinterest could change their algorithm at any time and that is out of my control. But these other goals about sharing and Pinterest images are in my control and will over time contribute to my overall goal.

2. Submit one article a month to a large website or publication. First I need to gather a list of places to pitch my articles, places like The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, For the Church, incourage.me, and Leading Hearts Magazine. Notice my goal is to submit an article and not get it published. That is in the Lord’s hands.

3. Create a blog post once a month. For the last two years I have been blogging about once a week. Now I have almost one hundred posts on my site. So that I have time to submit articles, focus on Pinterest, and try to write a book, I need to cut back here.

4. Self-publish a short Bible study book by the end of January. Although my goal is traditional publishing, I’m getting back logged with ideas for books that have not found a match in traditional publishing. I wasn’t sure what to do about this until I heard novelist Shawn Smucker speak on a panel at Lancaster Christian Writers. He self-published until he was noticed by a traditional publisher. He said, “Sometimes self-publishing is the right move so that you are not stuck and you can keep moving.” That is exactly what I needed to hear. I was stuck with my half-finished ideas and at this point self-publishing a Bible study book will keep me moving. This goal comes with a myriad of smaller steps and goals like a rough draft by December 1, finish self-edits by December 15th, and then meeting with an author friend in January to learn how to format the book properly with a well-designed cover.

5. Send in my next book proposal to my agent by January 15. A new book idea has been unfolding and it has been a pleasure to see it blossoming. I want to have a deadline for this book proposal so I will get it done!

Will I get traditionally published in 2020? I don’t know. That is not in my control, ultimately. But these five SMART goals can help me get there, Lord willing.

What are your SMART goals for the New Year? Let me know in the comments!

Rachel Schmoyer is a pastor’s wife who is loving her church life. She writes about the hard parts of Scripture at readthehardparts.com. She has had devotionals published in the past, but now she is looking forward to getting her first Christian Living book published. You can connect with Rachel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Getting Through the Fog by Carlton Hughes

lighter look at a writer's life

A new year is normally a time of reflection, of goal-setting, of looking forward to possibilities. That’s normally the way it is for me, but this year was different.

Right after New Year’s Day, I was diagnosed with the flu. I haven’t been that sick in years, and my vision-casting, planning, and reflections melted away. I spent several days in bed barely able to think, and then, when I was able to return to work to try to function, my mind remained in a fog. I would do my work and then return home and collapse on the couch. The illness took a lot out of me.

I gradually returned to the land of the living . . . and of writing. Thankfully, I did not have any major deadlines during my down time, but I did have some things on the “back burner.” Two friends had sent invitations to do guest posts on their blogs, with the stipulation that I could take my time in submitting. What a blessing to have friends without deadlines!

One thing I learned through it all is that I have to be patient with myself. I’m certainly not getting any younger, and the bounce-back time for illnesses like the flu is longer than it used to be. I made lists—sometimes in the middle of the night when the thoughts came—and wrote rough, rough (really, really rough) drafts as I could. I even spent time thinking about a new project, and I hopefully I will actually remember those thoughts when I sit down to put something on paper.

I used the down time to truly rest, and, in the end, I think that’s what I needed. It would have been nice to be able to rest without the sneezing, coughing, and aching feelings, but, hey, I took it as it came. So, when life happens, roll with it, rest, and make lists. Those big tasks will be waiting on you when you emerge from the fog.

Carlton Hughes wears many hats—some serious, some goofy.

During weekdays, he sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher (wah-wah wah-wah-wah) as a community college professor of communication and journalism. On Sundays and Wednesdays, you’ll find him playing games, performing songs with motions, and doing object lessons in his role as a children’s pastor. He and his wife also attempt to keep up with their two college-age boys.

In his “spare” time, Carlton is a freelance writer who has been published in numerous books, including several recent releases from Worthy Publishing: The Wonders of Nature, So God Made a Dog, Just Breathe, Let the Earth Rejoice, and the forthcoming Everyday Grace for Men. He has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul and other publications and is represented by Cyle Young of the Hartline Agency. He contributes regularly to two writing blogs, almostanauthor.com and inspiredprompt.com. He specializes in humorous observations of everyday life, connecting those experiences with spiritual application.

Carlton loves watching classic sitcoms like I Love Lucy, eating way too much chocolate, and rooting for his favorite college and high school basketball teams. He is on the planning committee for Kentucky Christian Writers Conference and a year-round volunteer for Operation Christmas Child.

Categories
Guest post archive

Cleaning Out My Closets: By Rachel Hofstetter

Why is it that closets have become a place where we store our junk? About this time every year, I have this annual tradition of cleaning out my closets. It may have started as a result of attempting to make room for the abundance received on Christmas Day, but I’d like to think my tradition stems from the fact that there’s something promising, something hopeful about starting the year fresh and uncluttered.

But the process to get there is painful. It’s hard to let go of things. This year was no exception. In addition to cleaning out our master bedroom closet, my family and I attempted to clean out our basement too. Little did we know, the endeavor would ignite an emotional landmine! We quickly became grumpy and tired. My husband and I got into a huge disagreement over expectations. Yet as painful as the process was, the end result was worth it. Nothing beats the feeling of clean closets (and a clean basement) once it’s finished. There’s space. There’s room to breathe. There’s freedom.

Our relationship with the Lord is much the same way. We clutter our hearts and store a ton of junk there. But God desires more for us than that. He doesn’t want us to live burdened down by the weight of our mess. In Matthew 11:30, God invites us to keep company with Him so that we can learn to live freely and lightly (MSG). Who doesn’t want to live life with margin to breathe and room to live freely and lightly? Yet most of us refuse this invitation. Why? Because we must first go through some pain before we can achieve “clean closets.” Fortunately, God promises that we don’t have to go through the fire alone.

I was recently reminded of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the book of Daniel. It’s the story of three friends who were thrown into a blazing furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to worship a false god. Despite their circumstances, the friends remained steadfast in their faith. As a result, God not only stood with them in the fire, but He also rescued them. The story explains that when one of the King’s servants went to check on the friends, he reported “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Daniel 3:25 (NIV). All those who witnessed the event “saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” Daniel 3:27 (NIV).

Friends, we do not have to fear. We serve a mighty and tender God who only allows us to experience the fire for our good and for His glory. God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same God who stood with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire two thousand years ago is the same God who willingly stands with us today in whatever painful circumstance we face – whether it’s cleaning out the clutter in our hearts, battling cancer, going through a divorce, or experiencing financial devastation. His Word promises that He will walk with us through the pain, and when we reach the other side we will not be scorched or smell like fire. Instead, others will look at us and see Jesus, the One who saves. Why? Because when we’re willing to accept the invitation to walk through the fire, we can’t help but reflect the One who rescues us.

There’s nothing like starting the New Year fresh. So let’s seek our tender Savior together and ask Him to declutter the closet of our hearts so that we can abide in Him unhindered and free!

 

Rachel Hofstetter: I am a daughter of the King, a wife and a mother who recently left the workforce to homeschool my two boys. I am passionate about the importance of parents rising to the call to shepherd their children towards a relationship with Christ. God’s standard for those who have been given a trust is that they must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV). It is for this reason that my husband and I lead a life group at our church for families with young children. I also enjoy writing, working in the yard, home decorating, and running.

Categories
Child's Craft

Goals for the New Year from A to Z

So the new year has come! Did you make resolutions of things to do or not to do? Will you eat less? Eat better? Walk more, work out more, complain less, pray more? Try harder? Spend less?

In searching the internet for why resolutions fail, I found an article on http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog that states we would rather continue doing something that doesn’t work rather than try something new that COULD work — but also could fail. He goes on to say that “failing at our resolutions has implications…we start to distrust ourselves. If you’ve set the same resolutions for 5 years, and you never follow through, what makes you think you’ll be different this year?”

He encourages breaking down your goal into steps to improve chances of success. But all of that seems so secular, so ‘me’ oriented. It’s all about what I can do to try to achieve what I want to achieve. I don’t know about you, but I want to be less about me and more about Jesus. I know I can do nothing on my own. I don’t even want to set my own goals this year.  But what if we tried to be more the person God created us to be? To use our gifts wiser, better, to glorify Him? And what if we asked Him to help us achieve this? Maybe as writers, our goals for the year would look something like this: (I had to start with the letters of the alphabet because you know, I’m a writer and like the alphabet.)  Enjoy!

 Appreciate your writing gift.

Believe what God can do.

Count your blessings every day,

Draw closer to him too.

 

Enjoy the ride, the course, the view.

Find peaceful nooks to write,

Go freely where the Lord may lead.

Hold on to His hand tight.

 

Invest in workshops, conferences.

Join writers for critiques.

Keep focusing on Jesus Christ

Listen for when He speaks.

 

Make choices to be well and strong.

Nourish your soul and mind

Opt for healthy food to eat.

Pray for all mankind.

 

Quest for quite times with God.

Rest in His love each day.

Seek His perfect plan for you.

Trust His Perfect Way.

 

Use the gifts He given to you.

Volunteer and walk the walk.

Write what you’ve been inspired to write

X-out all harmful talk.

 

Yell words of kind encouragement.

Zone in with God’s name praised.

Let God direct your life this year.

Stand back and be amazed.

Have a great year! May God have His way with each of us this year and may He be glorified in all of our writing!

Categories
Dear Young Scribes

Re-Evaluate Your Writing Career by Returning to Your Author Dream

Almost every aspiring author dreams of what their life as a published author will look like some day: Multiple best-selling novels. Lines that stretch out the door at book signings. A cabin in the mountains. Books made into movies. Fat advances. And, of course, spending every waking hour either typing up the next Great American Novel or responding to fan mail.

Obviously that picture is far from the reality of what the life of today’s average novelist looks like. In order to make a living in today’s writing industry, most authors don’t just write books. They also teach. Speak. Blog. Write freelance articles. Offer coaching, consulting, or freelance editing services to other writers.

Yet with all of the possibilities for today’s writer, how are we supposed to know which paths to pursue and what kind of business model to create? After all, being an author is equivalent to being an owner of a small business. Sometimes I can become distracted by all the ideas floating around in my head that I forget to remind myself of the Big Picture of my writing career—the reason I’m pursuing this dream in the first place.

So, for the new year, I’ve decided to re-evaluate my business model and where I currently stand along my writing path. How am I doing this?

By returning to my Ultimate Dream as an Author.

Of course, your career as a writer might not look the way you originally thought it would. But I believe that, if God has given you the desire and dream of being an author, then it must’ve been for a reason. He has a plan and a purpose for this gift of yours. What is it that He’s planted inside of you? Why do you feel like you’ve been called into this profession? Is it to reach the lost? To provide lighthearted and clean entertainment?

    

With all of the possibilities for today’s writer, it can often be tempting to get carried away in all of these money-making avenues. As you begin a new year in your writing journey, it might be wise to re-evaluate where you currently stand by going back to the start, to the very moment when you first felt that tug on your heart to pursue writing.

I advise doing this by getting alone with God and your journal. In your journal, write the answers to these questions…

  1. What did I originally envision when I first felt called to pursue writing?
  2. Is that the same vision I have in mind for my writing career today?
  3. Are the steps I’m taking today leading me toward reaching this Dream Author Career?
  4. Are the decisions I’m making supporting my mission statement as an author?
  5. What do I believe God wants to accomplish through my writing career?

 

By answering these questions, hopefully you’ll be able to see your writing career from a big-picture perspective—beginning from the time you first dreamt of being an author, to where you stand today, and finally, where you’re headed. As you journal, spend time in prayer and ask God to give you the vision He wants you to have for your writing career. If you’d like to take it a step further, you could even summarize this vision down to 1 – 3 sentences, write it on a post-it note, and stick it on your computer or at your desk. That way, any time you come across a career-altering decision this year, you can see if it supports this vision.

Sure, that crazy dream you first had when you dreamt of becoming an author might be a stretch. But what if there’s some truth in that? What if God gave you those desires for a reason?

Every new year brings with it an exhilarating rush of possibility. Another chance to reach higher, try harder, and pursue new goals. But before we rush toward planning the path before us, let’s not forget to first be still and seek our Guide, the giver of this gift. Tune your heart to His. Is the path you’re headed one that’s been mapped out by Him?

With every step, let’s seek His direction and guidance. If we do that, then we’ll remain in His will. And who knows? The vision He has in mind for our writing careers might actually exceed anything we could ever imagine…

[bctt tweet=”Re-Evaluate Your Writing Career by Returning to Your Author Dream @TessaEmilyHall #writerslife” username=””]

Categories
Craft Developing Your Writer's Voice

Writer’s Voice Questions Answered for 2016

DDA3Jan16I’ve received several questions concerning how one recognizes their writer’s voice. For those of you who discovered your voice early on, it’s hard to understand why others struggle with this issue. To those who are still wandering in the writer’s desert, seemingly voiceless, it is indeed frustrating.

So let’s start this New Year off by addressing a few of these questions:

  1. What is the first thing to do when searching for my writer’s voice? Since starting this column I’ve offered many tips on this subject. Some of you have written to me saying your voice was much clearer after reading through my suggestions. Others said your voice is still illusive. My answer for you is to write, write, write, then read, read, read! Read what you’ve written, out loud, and listen to the tone of the pieces. Your voice will be recognizable after reading and comparing numerous pieces of your work. You will hear yourself coming through the words; the essence of you, and that is your voice.
  1. How can I be sure I’m using my voice and not someone else that I have patterned? I believe we read the authors whose writing we enjoy, and in doing so, we often pattern ourselves after them, at least somewhat, with our first attempts. As you settle into your writing style your unique voice will emerge. I read a lot of authors whose books were set in the Appalachian Mountains where most of my stories are birthed. My voice developed a flavor of its own with just a soft coloring from those favorite writers.
  1. Does my voice change when I write in different genres? When writing fiction, my voice shines through loud and clear. In other genres I still hear hints of my style. I am sure if I were to write technical articles my voice would be shelved…a reader would not care to hear my warm and fuzzy discussions of, lets say, heating units.
  1. Will someone else be able to tell me my voice? Other writers will often hear your voice in your work. Asking them to share their thoughts on your voice could be a great help, especially if you ask several people and their opinions are similar.

Please share your questions on discovering your writers voice in the comment section below. We will address these as time permits.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

 

I wish you a happy New Year filled with wonderful writing opportunities.