Well, it looks like I have failed at another NaNo event. I know there are still two days left, and miracle word counts have happened. But my plans include something other than winning a word count this month. Through my failure I learned what I really want, or rather, what my first step is to getting where I want to go.
My goal is to make a living from my writing. And I believe that when I complete my first adult book, finishing the next one will be easier. I also believe that the right readers will be attracted to my work and news will spread. However, I have tried time and again to finish this first novel that I'm talking about. I have the story chosen and the plot mapped out, but the finish line seems ever in the future.
Last week a friend challenged me to finish any book I choose by Easter and she would carry it in her store. As I pondered on finishing my novel for this challenge, I also knew that a goal so far away felt daunting to me. I wanted something I could complete in a week. I did some research on stories I had completed, half completed and of various genres. Then it dawned on me what would work. I had a children's ebook I had published almost two years ago. I decided to make that one my first paper version. I checked pricing at a local printing business and found out that printing my own work was going to be much simpler than I had thought.
So my task this weekend is to format my children's book Betty Butter into a version to send to the printers. It's lacking a few illustrations. The e-version has no illustrations but is also less expensive to purchase at only $1.99. A fun recipe to make homemade butter at the end of the book makes up for the lack of illustrations in the digital version. I feel that the printed version will not fair so well without the illustrations.
After the completion of this first paper printing project, I have a second story I will write about Betty Butter and print in e-format as well as paper printing. These were small steps I could see myself completing without being overwhelmed. And the anticipation of being able to say I have two books out before the New Year is a huge affirmation for me. As I build my faith in myself, I know that novel will look easier and easier.
That's my plan. I made a schedule this morning to show my purpose to myself and the universe as to how I'm managing my time in order to meet my goals. I now feel confident that I will meet them and that God will be there to help me all along the way. I know he will give me more than I ever dreamed and planned for.
My goal is to make a living from my writing. And I believe that when I complete my first adult book, finishing the next one will be easier. I also believe that the right readers will be attracted to my work and news will spread. However, I have tried time and again to finish this first novel that I'm talking about. I have the story chosen and the plot mapped out, but the finish line seems ever in the future.
Last week a friend challenged me to finish any book I choose by Easter and she would carry it in her store. As I pondered on finishing my novel for this challenge, I also knew that a goal so far away felt daunting to me. I wanted something I could complete in a week. I did some research on stories I had completed, half completed and of various genres. Then it dawned on me what would work. I had a children's ebook I had published almost two years ago. I decided to make that one my first paper version. I checked pricing at a local printing business and found out that printing my own work was going to be much simpler than I had thought.
After the completion of this first paper printing project, I have a second story I will write about Betty Butter and print in e-format as well as paper printing. These were small steps I could see myself completing without being overwhelmed. And the anticipation of being able to say I have two books out before the New Year is a huge affirmation for me. As I build my faith in myself, I know that novel will look easier and easier.
That's my plan. I made a schedule this morning to show my purpose to myself and the universe as to how I'm managing my time in order to meet my goals. I now feel confident that I will meet them and that God will be there to help me all along the way. I know he will give me more than I ever dreamed and planned for.
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