Writers Starting Right

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: getting started, goals, habits, Uncategorized

Happy New Year!

I don’t know what it is about having a CLEAN calendar, but it gives most people the urge to begin something new.

Proof is well documented, though, that new year’s goals and resolutions rarely last through January. I’m convinced that much of the cause is lack of careful thought beforehand.

Doing Something Different

If your December was nuts and you had little time for quiet reflection before New Year’s Day, then I highly recommend that you take a whole week (or longer) to ponder some questions. Even better, journal answers to the questions below. Pour out everything that comes to mind.

And be honest. No one else needs to see your answers. Write down how you truly feel, not what you think “real writers” should feel.

After you’ve thoroughly answered the questions (maybe after several writing stints), go back through your entries. Underline or highlight your Aha! moments of insight. These insights are what will help you set goals that you can actually meet. (Example: in your journaling, you might discover that you wrote very little for months because it hurts to sit. One of your writing-supportive goals, therefore, might be exercising to eliminate the hip pain or building a treadmill desk, like I did.)

Not all writing goals focus on writing, I’ve found. There are many writing-related and non-writing goals you will find helpful to your writing success this year. For example, your most important writing goal might be setting boundaries with a family member who manages to control most of your time and energy–and keep you from writing.

Ready? Set? Write!

Take plenty of time to journal answers to these questions:

  • How did I do on my 2014 goals (if you had any)?
  • What habits contributed to successfully completing any of the goals?
  • What situations/events/habits got me off track this year?
  • What worked for me in the past to get back on track?
  • What non-writing goals (in the areas of health, relationships, day job) would support the success of my writing goals?
  • What can I do to make the writing more fun (which motivates you to work on your goals)? What makes me eager to get writing on a project?

When you have the answers to these questions, you are well on your way to setting goals that you’ll actually meet this year. If you’re willing, please share a goal (either writing or writing-related) you hope to achieve in 2015.

2015: Chapter One

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: focus, goals, Uncategorized

Beginning the new year is much like writing a new book. We have an idea, and we’re working out the details. There’s excitement, high hopes, blank pages, and a sense that anything can happen. This could be our best year ever! This could be our breakout (or “break in”) year! This could well be our year where we reach escape velocity.

But…

Are you afraid to get your hopes up? Do you remember past years–maybe many past years–where you also had high hopes, but not much resulted from it?

This happens especially when you’ve tried hard. You’ve learned how to set goals. You’ve written them down because you’ve had it drilled into your head that writing goals down can almost make them magically happen! You’ve joined challenges, signed up for writing prompts, found accountability partners, become active in critique groups…you’ve “been there, done that.”

And yet, despite producing some good writing and making headway on your Internet presence and perhaps selling some and speaking some, 2014 fell far short of your goal list. In fact, you may have fallen short on lists from the last five years.

Thinking Back Before Going Forward

At the beginning of December, when I took time off from the blog, one of the things I did was go through 2014 and analyze why I succeeded with some things and failed with others. I kept backing up and asking myself, “What caused this?” I asked over and over, repeating the question for each failed goal, until I got to the bottom of it. [This would prove to be invaluable in my 2015 planning later.]

Here’s an example:

  • Why did you quit on Book X when you were 2/3 finished? Answer: I got sick.
  • What caused this? Answer: sleep deprivation mostly.
  • What caused this? Answer: getting to bed too late.
  • What caused this? Answer: being too tired to work, so I Web-surfed instead; hours used up during my daytime working hours because I couldn’t say ‘no’ when I should have; dealing with another adult’s personal problem brought on by herself which I should have handed right back.

So my 2015 goals don’t center around solving the problem of “don’t get sick–take more vitamins, go for a walk.” Instead I found ways to stay offline or lock myself offline, had talks with a couple of people about how much I could be available, and learned how to discern which responsibilities belonged to whom, and then only deal with my own. All of those issues contributed to not finishing that novel during the free time I had in 2014. I plan to finish it this year.

Your Best Year Ever

I decided this year that I would look for help from someone who had their act together more than I did! I signed up (with a 30-day money back guarantee) for Michael Hyatt’s“Your Best Year Ever” program. It’s certainly what I wanted (to have my best year ever), and with the three novel deadlines I have so far this year, I absolutely have to be more productive. 

The program is a five-step process for creating goals, including motivation and accountability for achieving the steps. I won’t know if it works for a while yet, nor am I promoting his program. But I’ve had too many years in a row where I only accomplished about half my goals. I want and need this year to be different.

When I signed up for the program, it came with several freebies that I have found just as useful as the program itself. One was a video and workbook on “morning rituals,” specifics on how to set up your days for success. Another extremely valuable idea was a video/workbook plan for finding your “push goal.” A push goal is one that influences all your other goals and makes them much more likely to be accomplished.

What About Your Goals?

If you want to have a different kind of writing year, you will need to do some things differently. What will they be?

Maybe, like me, you want some personal coaching in setting up goals this time, in the hope that you’ll accomplish most (or all) of them this year. Other writers do it! Why not you and me?

Maybe you write very clear goals already, are already 100% motivated, but lack support. Your first goal may be to find a writing group, online or in your hometown library or bookstore.

Maybe, like one very successful writing friend of mine, you feel your need is more focus if you’re to attain your goals. She’s reading books on focus to find ideas. Another writer is changing genres and feels a real need for intensive study again in order to succeed in his goals.

Your Assignment

Whatever your goals for 2015, take time now to figure out (1) why you didn’t meet some of your goals last year, and (2) what specific thing you need in order to boost your chances that 2015 will be a lot more productive.

Then aggressively hunt for a suitable solution, make it a priority, and set yourself up for huge success. Happy writing in 2015!

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears…oh my!

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: energy, goals, health, Uncategorized, writing life

Deadlines, and funerals, and a computer virus…oh my! It’s been one of those weeks!

(Photo courtesy of http://the-english-spot.blogspot.com/2009/11/cartoon-idiom-to-be-swamped.html)

A Few Days Later

It’s the weekend, and I’m more tired than I’ve been in a good long while.  And with the holidays coming, I’ve plotted my deadlines and weekly/daily writing “must do” lists on a giant calendar.

And something’s got to give. I won’t make my deadlines if it doesn’t. 

One thing that is going to be put on hold is this blog. I’ll be back when the calendar turns to 2015, but I need the next five weeks to just hunker down and write. I may not be on social media much until then either.

So…Happy Thanksgiving! Have a blessed Christmas. And Have a Happy (Writing) New Year!

When Deadlines Meet the Holidays

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: habits, holidays, strategy, Uncategorized, writing anxiety, writing challenges, writing habits

I love having deadlines. I really do. It means money will be coming in for my daily writing, as long as I meet those deadlines. But when overlapping deadlines meet Thanksgiving and Christmas (and all the dinners, shopping, cards and company that go with it), I feel my internal panic button set to go off.

Missing the holiday fun isn’t an option to me. I love the family get-togethers, the grandkids’ Christmas concerts, and the church events. I’ve already streamlined cards and shopping over the years.

Even so, I look at my calendar on the one hand, and how much revision still needs to be done on the other hand–and GULP.

What To Do?

It’s been a few years since I had multiple contracts to juggle, but I’m no stranger to the panic that can hit a writer at ANY time. If this applies to you–or just being able to write at all during the holidays–I’ll direct you to some easy solutions. [Yes, it’s true. When I’m stuck these days, I read my own blog or writing books to help myself “remember” what I already know will work.]

Deadlines, Holidays, Writing and Fun!

Just re-reading my posts defused my inner panic button. I remember! Mini habits…easy starting…daily success… Bring on the holidays!

Voices of Self-Sabotage

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: fears, Uncategorized, writing anxiety, writing challenges

[This is a repeat post because I’m out of town. I think the message is one we need to be reminded of.]

You’ve often heard the phrase “you are your own worst enemy.” Does this apply to you when trying to create a writing life you love? It certainly applies to me!

How does this enemy within keep you from moving ahead with your writing dreams? By telling you lies. Some are bold-faced lies. Some are wrapped in soft wool. Some lies ridicule you, while others sound downright comforting. What do all these voices in your head have in common?

They’re instruments of self-sabotage. They convince you to give up.

Who’s Talking Now?

There are many voices inside your head. You must listen and decide who’s doing the talking at any particular moment. Some voices are easy to recognize; some are so subtle you’ll be shocked. First, you have the…

Voice of the Inner Critic

It whispers words like “What makes you think you have anything interesting to say?” “You’re no good.” “That junk will never sell.” “You’re actually going to show that story to somebody?” The Inner Critic beats you down with criticism. Sometimes this voice bears a remarkable similarity to that of your mother, your spouse, or your junior high English teacher.

As Julia Cameron says in The Artist’s Way at Work, creativity requires a sense of inner safety, something like a fortress. “In order to have one, you must disarm the snipers, traitors and enemies that may have infiltrated your psyche.”

I spent years fighting my Inner Critic’s voice with positive affirmations and gritted teeth. “Oh, yes, I can!” was my motto. In time, my Inner Critic was quieted, only speaking out when I got an unexpected rejection or bad review. Yet I still wasn’t creating the writing life I dreamed of. Something was holding me back. It took me a long time to realize I still had voices in my head, because the tone and words had changed.

Do any of the following voices live inside your head and keep you from fully pursuing your writing dreams? Listen and see.

Voice of Responsibility

This voice sounds so adult, so sensible. It tells you to grow up, to get your head out of the clouds and your feet back on the ground. “You’re neglecting your children (or your job),” says this voice. “Look at your messy kitchen (or yard or garage).” “You have no business hiring someone else to mow the lawn so you can write!” “You’d better walk the poor dog first.”

Guilt is piled on by this voice, and you crumble under its weight. You put your writing dream on the back burner until a time when you’re less burdened by responsibility.

Voice of Intimidation

This voice is snide and cryptic. It slaps your hand when you try to crawl out of the box that is your life and declare yourself a writer. “Who do you think you are?” this voice asks. “You’ll make a fool of yourself!”

Doubt and low self-worth take these statements as the truth, and that of course only serves to further lower your self-esteem. Cowering, you crawl back in the box and close the lid on your dreams.

(The rest of the article on self-sabotage (which also includes the voices of fear, compassion, and procrastination) is here. It’s from the “Creating the Writing Life You Love” section of my Writer’s First Aid: Getting Organized, Getting Inspired, and Sticking to It.

Dismount to Find Writing Time

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: habits, time management, Uncategorized

Several years ago, when I took on a two-year writing project, I knew that something had to give. I already was spending my life constantly trying to squeeze out five more spare minutes. To make the deadline, something (or several somethings) in my schedule would have to be weeded out.

“Where’s the dead wood in your life?” a writing friend asked me. “What can be cut?”

Take a Closer Look

Nothing, I thought. It’s all important stuff. I had a couple of weekly writing jobs, I held offices in a couple organizations, and I led a couple small church groups. Some of the responsibilities had been mine for years, and they all seemed important.

I was clueless about what to cut–until I heard a pastor talking about this very dilemma. And this was the bottom line: if the activity has run its course and you no longer enjoy or even want to be doing it, you may want to weed it out. In other words, he said,

“If the horse has been dead ten years, dismount.”

Put It Out to Pasture

I started over. I looked at my commitments again and made a list of my paid and unpaid jobs.  Which job or position that once was fun and satisfying and productive was now just an unproductive time drain? Which things had run their course? Which lifeless “horse” was I still trying to make gallop? Where should I “dismount”?

This wasn’t as difficult to spot as I expected. Some of our time drains are just habits we’ve had for years. Or they’re community or school obligations we took on for a year or two, and somehow they turned into life-time commitments. Some things we used to be so enthusiastic about, but now we resent the time it takes.

What’s Essential?

Take a close look at your stable of horses. If you have trouble finding time to write–if your schedule is truly too full–I hope you will dismount a couple of dead horses so that you have time to ride a new one!

And if you have difficulty deciding what needs to go, I highly recommend a book I read this year. It’s Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. It will help you get rid of the dead wood now, plus develop a lifestyle where you don’t add in commitments or activities until you take something out first to make room.

Many of us are too busy to enjoy the very full lives we have. Chances are, if you want a writing life too, something will have to go. Don’t wait. If you’re trying to ride a dead horse (or several!), DISMOUNT!

Set Your OWN Course

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: marketing, social marketing, Uncategorized

Imagine for a moment that you are flying to an exotic island.  An hour or so into the flight the pilot announces over the intercom, “I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is our radio is out and our navigational equipment is damaged. The good news is we have a tail wind, so wherever we’re going, we’ll get there at a rate of six hundred miles an hour.”

(from Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow)

Momentum is great, but…

In your writing career, are you like the passengers on the good news/bad news plane ride? Are you barreling ahead at a lightning pace, but your radio is out and your navigation system is damaged? Are you traveling at 600 mph in your writing, but leaving the direction to chance and gut feelings?

These days, with the emphasis on the “platform” expected of writers, this is an easy mistake to fall into. We are told by marketing experts that we need to have a website and a blog (with up-to-the-minute search engine optimization), podcasts, teleseminars, and newsletters. We also need to be “seen” on social networks (like Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Google+ and LinkedIn) and quickly gain thousands of “friends” and “followers.” We need to read dozens of other writers’ blogs and leave links back to our websites. Doing even half of this takes hours every day, leaving you with the feeling that you’re zipping along through cyberspace at lightning speeds.

But what about your writing time? Are you flinging yourself out there to build a platform without a functioning navigation system? Do you know where you’re headed–and why?

Chart Your Own Course

If you try to jump on every bandwagon that comes along, you’ll continually rush, rush and wonder at the end of the day if you accomplished anything. You will miss valuable hours to study your craft, read books in your area of interest, and WRITE.

Be sure, if you’re building a platform, that each leg of it supports what you want to do as a writer. For example, with this blog and my newsletter, my overall goal is to help other writers. I announce blog posts (mine and others I’ve found helpful) on Twitter and Facebook. I don’t do all the other stuff. There’s no time–not if I also write.

I spend 4-5 hours most weeks on platform building. It’s more the first of the month due to writing the newsletter. I know many writers who are so caught up in social marketing that they have almost ZERO time to read and write. Whenever I ask them if the merry-go-round is worth it, I have NEVER had someone say “yes.” They always say, “I sure hope it will pay off someday.”

It’s Up to You!

Listen to all the marketing advice out there, but don’t jump on every bandwagon. Evaluate each idea, determine if it’s something that would fit the purpose of your writing, and still leave you enough time to write.

You don’t want to get to the end of your writing days and realize you’re clear off course. Chart your own course and determinedly stick to it.

Sharing the Good Stuff

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: Uncategorized

Ever hit one of those weeks when you have major brain drain? This is one of those weeks!

So this week I’m going to share with you some things I’ve read on other writing blogs lately. Get a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy!

Three Ways to Flourish on Mondays talks about some great strategies for setting yourself up for a successful week of writing. And it starts before Monday morning!

The Five Stages of Writer’s Block shows writer’s block as a grieving process. Are you caught somewhere in this cycle that mirrors the five stages of grief?

3 Sisters on Writing: 7 Simple Strategies for Making the Dream a Reality is the story of three published sisters and the strategies that made it possible while living active, normal lives.

 

The Necessity of Solitude

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: rest, retreat, solitude, Uncategorized

Women are givers. Women writers are some of the most giving people I know.

We tend to have stronger relationships because of it–with babies, grown children, friends, and extended family.

But unless you learn how to balance all this giving with replenishment, you’ll find it nearly impossible to write.

Gift from the Sea

It has been a particularly busy family time the last two months, with little sleep and too little time to write. I wouldn’t go back and change any of it either–very rewarding times. But there comes a time when you realize you’re close to being drained. Pay attention to those times, or you’ll pay for it later (in your health, in your lack of writing, and in lack of patience with those around you).

This morning I was reading a bit in one of my favorite little books, Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book, Gift from the Sea. I re-read it at least once a year. Here are a few snippets that might speak to you giving women:

  • What a circus act we women perform every day of our lives. It leads …to fragmentation. It does not bring grace; it destroys the soul.
  • Eternally, woman spills herself away in driblets to the thirsty, seldom being allowed the time, the quiet, the peace, to let the pitcher fill up to the brim.
  • Only when one is connected to one’s own core is one connected to others, I am beginning to discover. And, for me, the core, the inner spring, can best be refound through solitude.
  • One must lose one’s life to find it. Woman can best refind herself by losing herself in some kind of creative activity of her own.

Is That You?

If you find yourself feeling fragmented and agitated today, find a way to steal away from everyone for even ten minutes of total solitude (and if possible, silence). Breathe deeply. Bring the energy spilled on everyone else back inside for a few minutes. Re-focus. Relax.

If you have a couple hours, get a copy of Gift from the Sea and read straight through it. You’ll love it!

And tell us your favorite way to find solitude–whether for a day or just a few minutes. We all need suggestions for this!

A Writing Retreat with Friends

Published on by Kristi Holl Category: retreat, Uncategorized, writing life

Retreat… Just saying the word is soothing.

While it is taking some planning and shifting of events, I believe I’ll be able to carve out two or three days for a personal writing retreat. Given the price of gas and hotels, though, I’m looking seriously at Judy’s ideas for how to do a retreat at home. (I’m referring again The Writer’s Retreat Kit: A Guide for Creative Exploration and Personal Expression by Judy Reeves.)

Adding Friends

After I do a mini retreat on my own, I’m thinking about trying one early in the new year with a writing friend or two. This quote from her book is what got me to thinking:

“For some of us, much of the joy of going on a writing retreat comes from spending time with other writers. Who else truly understands our need for solitude, our particular quirkiness, our mutterings and frustrations, our joys and disappointments? Who else speaks our language and comprehends the nuances of our silences? Other writers are our creative soulmates, kindred spirits, members of the same tribe. Not all writers, mind you, but those particular few whom we’ve come to know and love and trust with our tender hearts. Going on a writing retreat with a few chosen others, or a single best writer-friend, can deepen our connection with one another and with our writing.”

Doesn’t that sound heavenly? What about you? Is there a favorite writer-friend that you’d enjoy having along for a mini retreat of one day or two?

Nuts and Bolts Practicalities

If you had it at someone’s home, it wouldn’t have to cost anything. Retreaters could even go home to their own comfy beds at night. Retreating from 9-5, with plenty of time for writing exercises, solitude, journaling, talking, eating, walking (and writing on your novel if you felt so moved) would be a rejuvenating experience with the right people.

I’m going to give this some thought and see what my writing friends think!