Tuesday, January 4, 2011

What’s Holding You Back?

So often, when I tell people I’m a writer, they’ll look at me, sigh and tell me how they want to write . . . if only.

So I ask you, what’s holding you back from following your dream? Is it time, money, fear? Well the year is young and I want to challenge you to put your if only aside and take a chance on your dream.

Here are some practical steps you can take to get started. You’re already partway there—you’re reading this blog!

  1. Join a writers group—it can be online, or one that meets nearby. Don’t know where to find one? Check with your local bookstores and libraries. Get a copy of Sally Stuarts Christian Writers Market Guide, she lists groups in the resources section.
  2. Set some goals—TO WRITE. You can’t be a writer if you don’t sit down and write. The goals can be small, maybe a few hundred words a week. Or set a time goal, spend so many minutes a day writing.
  3. Make a schedule—I can hear the groaning now and I’m right with you. I HATE schedules—they seem almost anti-creative. But a schedule helped me publish 700+ articles last year. It doesn't have to be a minute by minute schedule, just one that lets you know when to work on what.
  4. Enlist a friend—preferably one who writes. But anyone will work. When I start a new endeavor I've found I keep my goals when I build in accountability.

If your goal is to write a book this year I have a special announcement for you. My friend and writing partner, Vonda Skelton is launching a new program. Visit her website to see all the details!

Now it’s your turn—share what you want to accomplish in 2011.

5 comments:

  1. My goals for this year are:

    1. Blog @ www.amoralesthinks.blogspot.com & www.alyciawmorales.blogspot.com
    The exciting part is I'm adding guest bloggers!

    2. Attend BRMCWC in May and (hopefully) Write2Ignite in February.

    3. Write at least three hours a day, 5 days a week.

    4. Join other writers in holding one another accountable to our writing goals for 2011...

    I'm sure there's more, but this is the gist of it.

    ~ Alycia

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  2. Oh! And talk with my mentor at LEAST once a month, because I love gleaning from her vast wisdom. And, she's an incredible encouragement to me! ;)

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  3. My goals this year:
    1) Not only keep my BIC, but actually write a book while I'm there!
    2)Along with my co-director (That would be YOU!), to take our writing retreat to the next level with more opportunities for writers! :-)
    3)To continue to grow the Christian Communicator's Conference into more opportunities for speakers.
    4)To see MoGo7000 motivate us all to reach our writing goals.

    And Edie, thanks for passing along the info about MoGo7000. Twenty-five writers have already signed up to make this their book-writing year! It's free and one of them will win $100!

    Thanks for all you do!

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  4. My goals for 2011...

    1. Stay Christ focused - in everything.

    2. Write one hour a day, 5 days a week.

    3. Attend BRMCWC in May - and perhaps enter one of the contents.

    4. Get something published in print!

    5. Meet monthly with my AMAZING writers group (thanks to YOU and Vonda!) & stay accountable to friends/writers in between dates.

    I can't wait to see what God unfolds!

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