Blogger: Rachel Kent
Many writers seem to think that the only milestone worth celebrating is publication, but many milestones occur along the publishing path. Taking time to celebrate can help to keep you moving forward.
One of my best friends participates yearly in the 5K Color Run in Sacramento. The Color Run is a national event, and many different cities host the races year round. It’s not a very competitive race, but all of the runners wear white, and at each kilometer marker a group of volunteers pelts the runners with color packets. By the end of the race you are covered in five different colors, and you look like a sweaty rainbow. Here’s the proof. Knowing that something exciting is waiting at the next kilometer marker helps the runners to enjoy the race more, they stay motivated, and the time passes more quickly. The same friend does a fall “race” in Sonoma County (California wine country) where they give you wine at stops along the way and at the end of the race you get a wine glass to fill up with unlimited tastings. That’s huge motivation for some people. 🙂 And it’s a race where you can actually gain weight by the end, rather than lose it.
I think your publishing journey should be like the Color Run (0r the Wine Run). At each milestone–publishing an article; finishing your manuscript; putting together your proposal; writing and submitting your query letter; getting manuscript requests; finding an agent; signing a publishing contract; seeing your book on the shelf–celebrate somehow. Hopefully your form of celebration doesn’t end in your looking like a sweaty rainbow, but if that’s what you enjoy, go for it! 🙂 Building in celebrations, big or small, will help you to stay motivated and to enjoy the sometimes-grueling publishing process.
At what publishing milestones do you celebrate?
Are you motivated by setting goals, completing them and celebrating in some way?
How do you celebrate your publishing achievements and who do you celebrate with?
Ooohhh, I love celebrations!
*A little reward for myself at a chapter or proposal finished.
*Dinner out with my hubby for a positive response to my query.
*Private messages to my kids and best friends at bigger milestones–nothing like a “Way to go, Mom!” response to make my day.
There are circumstances under which every star blinking on in the evening sky is a movie-premiere spotlight, every soft whisper of breeze a fanfare, and each continued breath the nectar of heaven.
* Not circumstances one would seek, but they do bespeak an immense Gentleness to be found in the fierce daily joy of giving Death the finger.
Off topic but urgent. Just heard from Andrew. According to him , his pneumonia is “immanently life-threatening.” He would appreciate prayers very much.
Praying for Andrew. I hate to hear this.
Praying for him.
Praying, Andrew.
What is it…Psalm 63:8 maybe–“My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me.”
Praying For Andrew.
Adding my prayers for Andrew.
Of course I’m praying for him.
I am very motivated by goals. And having a share of perfectionism (that I constantly try to shed) in my DNA, once I set a goal, I will work very hard to reach it. And I love celebrations. I love looking for something to celebrate every day, but yes, definitely those major milestones. Most celebrations receive a spring of tears. I’m that kind of girl. And in my opinion every celebration deserves chips and salsa … I’m that kind of girl, too. My girls have already decided which restaurant they want to go to when their braces come off soon. 🙂 If I ever gain an agent’s attention … that will deserve a huge celebration of chips and salsa proportion. 🙂
I’ll admit, my celebrations aren’t what they used to be. Earlier on, I’d fling texts and FB messages to friends and family for the smallest milestones. As time has passed, I’ve edited down to keeping it mostly to close friends who are authors on a similar path, to encourage them during their own pauses between victories because they do the same for me.
*I like to set goals to keep moving forward. Sometimes I celebrate, other times it’s just a check mark and move along. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that decision. When it’s midnight and I finally finish what I’ve been working on, I’d rather find the back of my eyelids. 🙂
I’m with you, Sarah. Just to finish is usually celebration enough!
I started out by keeping my writing a secret from everyone but my husband. Slowly, over this long long process I”ve made writer friends and been brave enough to share things with family. A starbucks date with my sister or a bottle of sparkling cider with my husband. A cheesecake sampler when I mailed out that first batch of queries so long ago. These things mark those special moments and do help you to keep going.
I don’t exactly celebrate each of those steps, but I do keep a checklist that includes everything! It does me good to see the checks as they fall in place and move me closer to the end of the list. When I actually finish a new book, really finish it, my dad and I have a celebratory meal. Might be burgers and shakes, but it’s still celebratory. I’m thrilled when someone says they enjoyed one of my books. I also feel joy when someone says something I wrote touched them. Some day I hope to celebrate a little more in the financial column. Until then, my checklist, kind words, people who believe in me, and that annoying drive that won’t let me quit will have to sustain me! 🙂
My biggest motivations are when I find out something I wrote has helped someone who read it.
Yes. 🙂
Yesterday was the 3 year agent-a-versary of when Mary Keeley offered representation. September 15 will always be a special day for me.
There comes a point in the middle of every writing project when I feel hopeless, like I just. can’t. do. it. The thing that motivates me at those times is simply finishing. Here’s all the motivation I need: first, to get unstuck, then to hit “send” or “publish” or whatever marks the end of the project. But then… I could dance or shout or cook a meal for the whole neighborhood. I feel schoolgirl-giddy and Hulk-strong, like anything’s possible. That’s my reward, I guess. That’s my celebration.
Last month I won a writing award and found out firsthand that while it’s rewarding on a certain level–and certainly affirming,–it doesn’t surpass the joy of conquering a project. Of pushing through through the discomfort zone and achieving a new goal. I’d also borrow from runner Eric Liddell to say it’s when I most feel God’s pleasure.
Thanks for setting me to thinking on this, Rachel!
Andrew–just keep saying over and over, “Jesus. Jesus. Jesus” There is power in the name of the Lord and healing in his hand.
If the Lord would be so kind as to gently lay his hand upon our dear Andrew and heal him. In His Holy name we pray. Amen
My husband and I went out to eat to celebrate finishing my book. Celebrating does help with motivation!
Rachel,
The other evening I submitted a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul. Negative thoughts almost prevented me from sending it in, but I had a goal of sending a story in by the deadline, so I did it. I was so excited that I actually made my goal that I emailed a writer friend. I also told a couple people at my day job, which has nothing to do with writing. Surprisingly, people do seem interested in hearing about my writing.
Celebrating with you, Peggy!
Thank you, Kit!
Happiness is getting an updated avatar. This one is a month old! Yahoo! I’m testing it right now. ?
In an industry where rejection is common, it is important to reward yourself for the successes. For me, rewards are usually food-based. A short story acceptance might get me a candy bar. When my last novel released, I took my family out to dinner. My next goal is to get a good agent. When that happens, I will first of all thank God. Then I will eat a very good meal and a very nice place with my wife and family. – Thanks for sharing this blog – much appreciated!!