Blogger: Mary Keeley
Last Friday’s blog was about setting writing goals for 2013 and how to achieve them. I was pleased to read how many of you have already begun to think about writing goals for next year, even contributing methods that are working for you. On the same topic there are personal preparations to make that will aid your success in 2013.
Set your own pace and be comfortable with it. Be realistic about the demands of your real life and build in time allowance for the unexpected. Children get sick, neighbors suffer loss, or aging parents suddenly need our assistance. As you may know, our agency experienced several personal “disruptions” from the norm this year, some painful and one a celebration of new life. We don’t know what God has planned for us. We need to allow time to be his vessels for his purposes.
Make provisions for personal growth. It’s difficult enough to squeeze in time for writing among your busy day-to-day obligations. You may be thinking you’ll save personal growth for later on, when life isn’t so busy. But you need to ask yourself, what are the chances life will slow down any time soon? And you may wonder, what’s so vital about personal growth anyway? Isn’t it enough to focus on my WIP, building my platform, networking with other authors, commenting on agent blogs so they recognize my name when I submit to them? Phew!
My response to you is this:
If you don’t stay current with what is going on around the world, in our country, and in your neighborhood and schools, how can you be certain your story and characters, or the slant on your nonfiction topic will connect with readers? People are being affected by groups, legislation, and popular culture, not all of it in positive ways. If a goal of your writing is to influence readers redemptively, you need to have an understanding of the larger issues affecting their lives. And those issues continually change.
Prepare for personal growth in speaking and professional appearance. Ask yourself if you were to have a book published in 2013, would you have the self-confidence, professional poise, and appearance to project yourself as a successful author in vlogs, YouTube videos, personal appearances, book signings and readings, or teaching a workshop at a writers conference? Would you be able to articulate in clear, engaging ways—on a number of topics—in radio interviews? If this is an area of weakness, now is the time to prepare yourself for your success by reading a book on speaking or taking a class and record yourself as you practice. Seek fashion and makeup advice to enhance your professional look. This may sound vain, but I assure you, it isn’t. I remember my mother’s advice: “Always put your best foot forward.” Sound familiar?
Be realistic about your skills and craft. As many times as we’ve preached on this blog, “Do not submit your proposal or manuscript until it is publication-ready,” I often receive proposals that are obviously rushed through, incomplete, and poorly written. These writers are doing themselves a disservice. If they only knew how it hurts their chances and frustrates agents and editors.
I apologize if any of the following sounds redundant to some of you, but for those who are brand new to the competitive, changeable, sometimes strange, exciting realm of book publishing, set these as your primary personal goals for 2013:
- Join a good critique group where you’ll receive support, critiques, and editorial advice.
- Educate yourself by reading books on writing, studying publisher and agency websites, subscribing to writer and industry blogs, and attending at least one writers conference.
- Practice blogging. The more you blog the clearer your unique voice will become. Practice your voice in writing your current manuscript.
If your current pace of life and writing isn’t working, how do you plan to adjust it for 2013? In what personal growth areas do you see the need to make provisions?
Kathryn Elliott
Great information, Mary, and staying current is so important. My critique group devoted an entire meeting to various ways of incorporating current events/trends in a WIP without making the piece dated. Very tricky.
Mary Keeley
Excellent point, Kathryn. Yes, you may have to navigate that tricky line to avoid your book’s being dated as times change. But the main purpose for a writer to stay current with what is going on in the world is to understand your readers as they are being affected by current trends.
Sarah Thomas
I used to have a plan to write for at least an hour each evening. But there’s Bible study on Tuesdays. And Thursday is the one night I really enjoy watching TV with my husband (Jim Caviezel anyone?). And sometimes I work on the weekends. So EVERY night just wasn’t working. Now I have a weekly word/page goal. And while I don’t beat myself up for failing to meet it, I do come up with a plan if I get off track. If absolutely necessary, Mr. Reese may have to tackle the bad guys without me one week . . .
Mary Keeley
Sarah, it sounds like you have found the pace that works best for you and are comfortable with it. Great!
Michelle Lim
Thanks, Mary for the reminder that it is okay to focus time on our current world. Sometimes it is really hard to keep the balance. The balance of responsibilities, work, family, relationship with God. All are extremely important. This year I want to learn how to balance things better, instead of the herky jerky tug of war between things that demand my time, all important, all long term, and all time consuming.
Thanks for the reminder that it okay to be human… Now, where ever did I put my normal suit. LOL!
Mary Keeley
“Herky jerky tug of war.” Well put, Michelle. That is what it feels like when we don’t step off the robotic treadmill of our to-do lists. It’s easy to lose connection with God and loved ones. In the same way, it’s helpful for a writer to be current with what is happening in the larger world to stay connected with your readers.
Jeanne T
Great thoughts, Mary. The importance of staying current resonates with. These past few months in particular have kept me focused on my family (hubby and two young, active kiddos) and life going on around us.
You raised some good questions in setting goals for 2013. I need to evaluate them to set some achievable goals. Life is busy with kiddos, school activities, critique group and keeping family life vibrant.One thing I know for certain is that I will really need to guard my writing time and use it for writing. Thanks for spurring my thoughts toward goals. 🙂
Mary Keeley
Jeanne, yours is a prime example of a busy day-to-day life and the need to set reasonable goals for your writing time as well as for personal growth. Best wishes for finding balance that is right for you.
Jennifer Major
Poise? Oh no. This is NOT good.
I can pull it together for Sundays, but you mean…more than once a week?
Tosses notes in the air and pulls at hair.
(I’m currently sporting a fleece, zippered cardigan, a polo shirt, shorts and comfy sandals).
To misquote one of my favourite lines, “I’m too frumpy to live!”
You know what that means, don’t you Mary?? Huh?? Don’t you???
I now have a line to validate what I’ll be doing later today…”Yes, dear, Mary Keeley from Books and Such…yes, you DO TOO know who she is… said we should look good, and really, that means new shoes. And this purse totally says “successful author” all over it!!”
I did pay attention to everything else you said. Honest. But this conversation actually did happen in my head.
Happy Friday!! 😀
Mary Keeley
Yes Jennifer, as you reach for your checkbook or debit card, tell your husband your Merrills simply won’t cut it for your future speaking engagements and book signings. Ah, the sacrifices writers must make for success. Have fun making investments in your professional persona. And poise…’fraid that’s important too.
Meghan Carver
Mary, I appreciate your encouragement to prepare for success, especially to enhance our professional look. I need a good author photo, and I’ve procrastinated because I would rather just write. But I wonder how many people decide whether or not to read a book or buy it on Amazon based on the author photo? Our culture is so focused on appearance that we expect everyone to look like a supermodel. There’s a reason I hide out and write, not seek a career in front of a camera! 🙂
Mary Keeley
Meghan, many readers derive their first impression of a new author, or one they aren’t familiar with, from the author photo. For instance, a photo that reflects the author in outdated, unflattering attire and grumpy expression communicates he might be reclusive and out of touch with current times–which in turn leaves the impression his approach to his topic or genre may be outdated. It isn’t about a beauty contest. It’s about presenting yourself as a savvy professional.
Lindsay Harrel
Awesome thoughts, Mary. I really love how you truly care about the person behind the writer, how you see that it’s important for a person to be WHOLE and take care of the WHOLE self…not just improve in writing.
For me, it’s meant slowing down a bit. I’d set a rather lofty goal for my writing in the next few months, but I want to enjoy the holidays. As for 2013, I’ll see when I get there. My job location is moving and my commute will drastically increase in January, so that will be a difficult adjustment. My plan is to get through the rest of this year in one piece–but a lovely, more rested piece, if that makes sense. 😉
Mary Keeley
I appreciate your first comment, Lindsay. That was my goal. When we address these personal areas, confidence and our best work seem to follow.
You do have a lot to think about personally in 2013. I did a long commute for quite a few years. Sometimes those rides provide time to relax and listen to an audio book. Sometimes they are just time robbers. Your plan to slow down the last part of this year will help you to think clearly. Makes perfect sense.
sally apokedak
Great post.
May I just add…for anyone who is not comfortable doing public speaking, Toastmasters International is an inexpensive, fun place to learn. If you attend regularly, it will change your life.
And you get the added benefit of becoming a more interesting person because not only are you giving speeches a couple of times a month, you’re also listening to a bunch of other people give speeches. You’ll learn a lot.
Mary Keeley
Great suggestion. Thanks Sally.
Kate
I’ve heard Toastmasters is a wonderful organization and quite helpful. Thanks for the reminder Sally.
Samantha Bennett
Love this and your emphasis on personal growth. I so agree with this. Personal growth and storytelling go hand-in-hand. great post!
Mary Keeley
Thanks, Samantha.
Dale Rogers
That’s good advice, Mary. I know I need to hone some skills if I want to be ready for an opportunity such as speaking in public or on
a vlog. And while my writing takes priority,
I need to set aside time to work on these areas.
Mary Keeley
Dale, I think you’ll be encouraged by the positive effect addressing your personal growth will have on your confidence and creative thinking. Sally suggested Toastmasters for growth in speaking. Great idea and something you could put in your regular routine.
Lisa
Thanks for this great advice. I think I especially struggle with being comfortable with my pace. I always feel like I could be moving faster, or doing better. Sometimes that pushing makes other things like personal development and self care go out the window. An unbalanced writer probably can’t work to their fullest potential. The potential God gave them and longs to speak through.
Mary Keeley
“An unbalanced writer probably can’t work to their fullest potential.” True, Lisa. It’s like maneuvering only one string of a marionette. That one active string is hampered by the lagging of the inactive strings.
Cindy R. Wilson
Your post today is especially encouraging. There are so many areas we writers can improve or strive to work on, but it’s great to remember that we have to be realistic.
My big area has been, for the last several months, and will be for 2013, personal growth. I’m pretty shy and it’s hard to open up and step out of my comfort zone. For this year, my goal was to join my local ACFW group and a local critique group to network more and feel more comfortable in bigger settings. Also, and this is kind of weird, but I’ve been trying to meet more moms at the kids school and join more groups that way. It helps me get used to talking to new people and feel comfortable in a setting I might be able to speak or promote my books. And it’s nice to be more well-balanced 🙂
Thanks so much for these ideas and suggestions! So many great things to implement.
Mary Keeley
Cindy, the first steps out of a comfort zone can be the hardest, and you’ve already taken those. Relish that success. Now challenge yourself to continue and take the next steps.
Kate
Mary, I always appreciate your very real and honest approach to the writing life. Your practical advice continues to encourage and inspire me to reflect on my current situation and to “press on toward the goal.”
At this moment, I’m practicing learning to balance “productivi-tea” and “tranquili-tea”….LOL
Happy Friday…have a great weekend.
Mary Keeley
Thanks, Kate. Enjoy a cup of tea as you practice balancing life demands, writing, and personal growth.
Happy Friday.
Rich Gerberding
The public speaking used to scare me to death – when my WIP in process first started to take form it was after asking a local conference about offering a separate workshop (and, to be honest, hoping they’d say no!)
Fast forward several years, and over the past 3 months I’ve been able to present the material at not one but TWO weekend retreats. The most encouraging part was the great feedback and having ask about how I “travel all over doing these weekends” – and their shock when I told them as of 3 months ago I’d done ZERO retreats.
Looking forward to God’s plans – in God’s timing!
Mary Keeley
Rich, congratulations on proactively offering to speak. Look what is happening as a result. Your experience will encourage any new author. Thanks fro sharing.
Anita Mae Draper
Soon after signing me, Mary wanted to know my immediate goals, as well as what I wanted to accomplish after 5 years. It took days, but I sent her my answer.
After 7 months of being her client, and with only 3 months remaining in this year, I’m certain of only one thing – 2012 has been a learning curve and doesn’t count in my 5 yr plan.
What changed? Although I knew Mary would pitch my book(s), I hadn’t realized she would also send me so much work. What a blessing! But the proposals mean days spent dreaming up a story and then more days doing the research to see if it’s feasible before actually writing a chapter or two. Add it all up, and I’ve spent weeks on writing projects I hadn’t included in my 5 yr plan.
Will I change my plan based on the above?
NO, because I think my plan was conservative enough to allow for the additional writing. However, it’s impressed upon me the need to work on projects as soon as presented – scheduled or otherwise, because I don’t know when Mary will offer me an opportunity. I can’t afford to wait until a deadline nears before I get to work. And that’s another learning curve I’m working on. 😮