I told myself I’d start my novel this year and I meant it, sure, but it’s well into February and I have yet to start on it.
In my defense:
I got a new job – a new job that requires lots of brain work and writing.
And that’s pretty much my only reason. Is it bad that I kind of just forget about my novel sometimes? I start on different short stories and poems and then one day I look at my goals and remember I wanted to get a good draft of my novel done (or almost done) this year.
I set writing goals and I tend to break them…all the time. They aren’t necessarily unrealistic, but to be honest, I prioritize time with family over time writing. Like, if I was planning to write when I got home from work, but my brother wanted to have dinner with me, I’m going to choose my brother.
And that’s okay because I’m going to write, but it’s not number one over everything else in my life.Β It doesn’t make me less passionate about what I do, just means I draw a line when something is more important than my writing. And you have to remember to actually experience life, and not just live through your writing.
So, make goals but don’t beat yourself up if you break them…sometimes other things really are more important.
I love this philosophy. I have times when there is just no energy left for writing and it feels so frustrating. There is always tomorrow!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly. I beat myself up, too, but I know it doesn’t change or turn back time. Just got to accept that I can’t always keep a steady schedule.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good word about not beating yourself up about not meeting goals.
Perhaps an encouragement for your novel: it probably seems like a daunting task to finish a draft of a novel, but if you try to write even 500 words of it per day (with your other projects too) youβll finish before you know it.
Keep writing! π
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks! Yeah I’m shooting to start little by little. π€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eh….beating yourself up over anything doesn’t really accomplish what you set out to do, right? So, why beat yourself up at all. π Negativity is negativity. No matter what your intentions.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Put the last sentences on a pillow and sell that!
LikeLiked by 2 people
lol π
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good to know your priorities. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
As always so true. Love this little uplifting post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the same way wirtting often comes last. But it doesn’t mean I don’t love it. Nice post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you π
LikeLike
(Also, itβs *only* February! π)
LikeLiked by 2 people
True! …well it is already halfway over lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
When you’re ready, your priorities will change.
Setting small daily goals will help. Eventually, you’ll get momentum and won’t want to stop writing to do other things!
Have you thought about trying NaNoWriMo or something more structured? The deadlines and community involved really help!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah I’m working on daily smalls goals now and hoping they expand lol I’m not a big fan of nanwrimo, but that’s mostly because I have weird opinions π
LikeLike
Really? I loved doing Nano! What don’t you like about it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never actually done it, it has to do more with my outlook of writing. I wrote a post about it, but it’s a bit harsh and though i still agree with my points, a had a lot of people telling me how much it helped them, so I can appreciate that.
LikeLike
I understand your perspective, and a lot of people feel that way but most people who have done it seem to have a very different perspective.
It’s quite a bit of work and definitely a draft when November is finished but the daily writing goal really helps smash perfectionism and self doubt as well as procrastination. My writing changed drastically from beginning to end. 50,000 words is a lot of practice, if nothing else!
I wasn’t ready for what I tried to write last year so it’s shelved for now, I may or may not finish it (world-building issues, mostly) but I got more than I expected from doing it. You might be surprised.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maaan, I’ve been writing and rewriting and completely starting over a novel for the last 4 years pretty much π but the writing never felt completely right, and I needed to work some personal stuff out. I feel like you need to set goals but at the same time like you said don’t beat yourself up because in the end, if the pressure and priority is on something you’re not totally thrilled by then the writing wont be as good anyway! Great post ππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha wow, 4 years? At this rate it’ll take me 10.
Thanks π
LikeLike
Every bit of experience you can get out of life will only make your writing better. So it’s not so much that you’re not working on your writing as you’re working on it in a roundabout way.
It’ll take the time it needs to take π
LikeLiked by 1 person