A List for Writers

We all have plans to do certain things, but life gets in our way. Whatever we were hoping to do gets delayed for longer than we'd like. Other needs in our writing world pop up and that great thought about this or that sits for a while longer. 

Then, there's another situation. We want to start a new writing project or something else writing-related but that old Fear and Doubt hold us back. Are you going to let those two monsters keep you from growing as a writer? None of us does it willingly, but it can happen. 

So today, ask yourself the question above as you examine your writing life. 

If not now, when...

• will you finish your novel?
• will you start the project that has been on your mind for months?
• will you start submitting your work for publication?
• will you read a book about writing?
• will you sign up for a writing conference? 
• will you start writing for a part of every day?
• will you do an edit and revision on all those first drafts you started and filed away?
• will you join a critique group?
• will you look in the mirror and say I am a writer?

I could add more, but you get the drift, I'm sure. The longer we put something off, the more difficult it is to step up and get it done. So, if not now, when? Once again, it's up to you.

A Writer's List

A burning question today. If not now, when?

1.  When will you join a critique group?

2.  When will you finish your partially done works?

3.  When will you read a book about writing?

4.  When will you go to a writer's conference?

5.  When will you start a new writing project?

6.  When will you do some writing exercises?

7.  When will you submit your work to a publication?

8.  When will you stop whining about not enough time to write?

9.  When will you encourage another writer?

10.  When will you act as soon as inspiration hits?

11.  When will you study markets and guidelines?

12.  When will you write your family stories?

Now is the perfect time to begin!

      

15 Questions For Writers To Ask Themselves

Take a good look at the 2014 calendar above. A lot of months, even more weeks and a full 365 days. What happened in your writing life during the abundance of days? 

For some reason, looking back over a year when it is about to over irritates me. Every newspaper features articles of the newsworthy things that occurred, celebrities who passed away, accomplishments of federal and local governments and more. I'm a person who prefers to look ahead, not what's been left behind me. I've mentioned more than once an anonymous quote that I dearly love that says: Don't look back; that's not where you are going.

That said, I will concede that we writers would benefit from taking a look back at the 2014 section of our writing journey. Go through your records of submissions and acceptances/rejections to trigger some memories and thoughts of this year. Ask yourself the following questions:

1.  Did I submit a satisfying (to me) number of my writing efforts?

2.  Did I write an amount that makes me feel fulfilled?

3.  Did I have any of my writing published this year?

4.  Did I get more acceptances than rejections? Or vice-versa?

5.  Did I use the rejections as a learning tool?

6.  Did I have a good attitude when the rejections came?

7.  Did I look for and submit to markets new to me?

8,  Was this an inspiring writing year for me? 

9.  Is there any one piece of my writing for 2014 that deserves a gold star? 

10. Did I give my all to my writing?

11. Did I make a real effort to grow as a writer? 

12. Am I happy with the 2014 part of my writing journey? 

13. Did I use my writing time wisely this year?

14. What things in my writing life do I want to do differently in 2015?

15. Did I reach any of the goals I set last January?

Answering these questions will help you set goals for your writing life in 2015. It's going to be here in a very short amount of time. Those early days of January call out to us to set our goals for the year. If you made such a list last January and saved it, do a check to see how many goals you made, how many you came close to and how many evaporated into thin air.