A Fresh Perspective
Well somehow it’s almost the end of November. Which means it is also almost the end of 2019. (Can someone please tell me how the year has flown by so quickly?? *starts to panic*)
For many writers, this month has mainly consisted of NaNoWriMo (or National Novel Writing Month). Every November, writers come together and attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days, effectively writing a novel. Congratulations to all who tackled NaNoWriMo whether or not you've reached your word goal yet! You guys are very brave!!
But NaNoWriMo isn't exactly what I want to talk about today. I realize that there is still a month until the end of 2019 but I want to offer a fresh perspective on goals and accomplishments and the inevitable feeling of failure that can follow.
I had a lot of goals for this year.
I was hoping to write 50k words and read 30 books
I was hoping to finish a first draft of a work in progress so I could send it to an agent within the next couple years.
I was hoping to find a career in the bookish side of business.
Yep, those things didn’t exactly happen. And although there's still a teeny chance I could finish these goals in time, I don’t think they will happen in the next 42 days.
There will be a time where I talk about pulling up my boot straps and sticking it out and getting it done.
HINT: *read in Aragorn's voice* BUT TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY!
This year was different for me in more ways than one. Work and social life and responsibilities and self care and family come first in my life. Often these things feel like they are in the way of my writing life. It’s easy for me to feel down or sorry or overwhelmed with all the things I didn't do. But allowing myself feel frustrated with my lack of accomplishment doesn't help me grow as a person or as a writer. Because there were some things I DID accomplish. And I can guarantee, you have writing acheivements too.
Although I didn't accomplish all that I wanted, they were still milestones within my unfinished goals. They were - and still are - the little steps that keep me going forward when I feel discouraged.
I started a blog (something I didn’t think I would ever do) and now I have a platform for my writing.
I learned how to balance my reading life with regular life.
I was introduced to the world of bookstagram, YA books, and the writing community.
I applied to two internships (effectively stepping me out of my comfort zone) and although I chose a different direction, I learned a lot about myself and about God’s plan for my life.
I was able to find the story I wanted to write in the midst of my own perfectionism.
I discovered a lot about storytelling and first drafts.
I met one of my favorite authors and found a critique partner through the event.
I chose to be a writer - not because it was a school project or a side-hobby but because I am called to be a writer and I love to do it.
Maybe you are nowhere near the writing goal you were hoping to reach for NaNo or for the year. Maybe life has gotten in the way of you actually sitting down and writing. Maybe you've been stuck on one particular aspect of your story and you think you'll never finish it. Maybe you just got the courage to write for the first time in a while and it's not going as smoothly as you would have hoped.
That fact that you are brainstorming a novel, putting words down on paper, and getting to know your characters proves that you are achieving steps towards your goals. Some writers are fast, some writers are slow. How many goals you reach or accomplish doesn't make you less or more of a writer.
And don’t be afraid to take steps to help you work towards your goals - even the littlest one’s count.
Recently, I was having difficulty getting words written for my current WIP. I often sit at the kitchen table so that I can be around family and not feel like a hermit but I needed a fresh perspective. So after work I headed to my local bookstore, picked up a coffee, and sat down to write. A change in space and sounds helped me write 1k in about 2 hours which is the most I’ve written in a day for a while. A little accomplishment like this gave me hope and helped me continue my WIP without overthinking every little word.
Work on that NaNoWriMo word goal! Finish that chapter you’ve been trudging through! Write 10 words today! Write 100 tomorrow! Be proud of the outline you made! Get excited over that new character you finally figured out!
Write because you love it.
Big goals or little goals, big accomplishments or little ones, 1 word or 1k, you are a writer.
Own it.
What is a writing accomplishment or goal (big or little) that you’re proud of? I’d love to celebrate with you!!
Until next time!
~ K.J. Haakenson
For many writers, this month has mainly consisted of NaNoWriMo (or National Novel Writing Month). Every November, writers come together and attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days, effectively writing a novel. Congratulations to all who tackled NaNoWriMo whether or not you've reached your word goal yet! You guys are very brave!!
But NaNoWriMo isn't exactly what I want to talk about today. I realize that there is still a month until the end of 2019 but I want to offer a fresh perspective on goals and accomplishments and the inevitable feeling of failure that can follow.
I had a lot of goals for this year.
I was hoping to write 50k words and read 30 books
I was hoping to finish a first draft of a work in progress so I could send it to an agent within the next couple years.
I was hoping to find a career in the bookish side of business.
Yep, those things didn’t exactly happen. And although there's still a teeny chance I could finish these goals in time, I don’t think they will happen in the next 42 days.
There will be a time where I talk about pulling up my boot straps and sticking it out and getting it done.
HINT: *read in Aragorn's voice* BUT TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY!
This year was different for me in more ways than one. Work and social life and responsibilities and self care and family come first in my life. Often these things feel like they are in the way of my writing life. It’s easy for me to feel down or sorry or overwhelmed with all the things I didn't do. But allowing myself feel frustrated with my lack of accomplishment doesn't help me grow as a person or as a writer. Because there were some things I DID accomplish. And I can guarantee, you have writing acheivements too.
Although I didn't accomplish all that I wanted, they were still milestones within my unfinished goals. They were - and still are - the little steps that keep me going forward when I feel discouraged.
I started a blog (something I didn’t think I would ever do) and now I have a platform for my writing.
I learned how to balance my reading life with regular life.
I was introduced to the world of bookstagram, YA books, and the writing community.
I applied to two internships (effectively stepping me out of my comfort zone) and although I chose a different direction, I learned a lot about myself and about God’s plan for my life.
I was able to find the story I wanted to write in the midst of my own perfectionism.
I discovered a lot about storytelling and first drafts.
I met one of my favorite authors and found a critique partner through the event.
I chose to be a writer - not because it was a school project or a side-hobby but because I am called to be a writer and I love to do it.
Maybe you are nowhere near the writing goal you were hoping to reach for NaNo or for the year. Maybe life has gotten in the way of you actually sitting down and writing. Maybe you've been stuck on one particular aspect of your story and you think you'll never finish it. Maybe you just got the courage to write for the first time in a while and it's not going as smoothly as you would have hoped.
That fact that you are brainstorming a novel, putting words down on paper, and getting to know your characters proves that you are achieving steps towards your goals. Some writers are fast, some writers are slow. How many goals you reach or accomplish doesn't make you less or more of a writer.
And don’t be afraid to take steps to help you work towards your goals - even the littlest one’s count.
Recently, I was having difficulty getting words written for my current WIP. I often sit at the kitchen table so that I can be around family and not feel like a hermit but I needed a fresh perspective. So after work I headed to my local bookstore, picked up a coffee, and sat down to write. A change in space and sounds helped me write 1k in about 2 hours which is the most I’ve written in a day for a while. A little accomplishment like this gave me hope and helped me continue my WIP without overthinking every little word.
Work on that NaNoWriMo word goal! Finish that chapter you’ve been trudging through! Write 10 words today! Write 100 tomorrow! Be proud of the outline you made! Get excited over that new character you finally figured out!
Write because you love it.
Big goals or little goals, big accomplishments or little ones, 1 word or 1k, you are a writer.
Own it.
What is a writing accomplishment or goal (big or little) that you’re proud of? I’d love to celebrate with you!!
Until next time!
~ K.J. Haakenson
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