Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Writing Wednesdays: Meeting Deadlines

When I first started out on this writing adventure, I was 23. Nine years later, and with five completed manuscripts under my belt, I remain an unpublished novelist. But the amount I've learned in those nine years is immeasurable. Once upon a time it was my goal to be published by my 30th birthday. Now, two years past deadline, I've given myself a little bit of a break and pushed it back to 35. And since technically I'm only turning eight years old today (thank you, Leap Day!), I'm actually doing pretty well for myself.

What about you? Do you have any self-imposed deadlines you're trying to meet? Maybe you want to finish another novel this year, get an agent, or even start your first book. I know creating deadlines isn't necessarily helpful (or healthy), but I love that feeling of fulfilling a goal. Maybe that's why I make a good journalist - I've never met a deadline I couldn't...meet.

Happy Leap Day!

I'm allowing myself a short post today so I can sit on the couch and watch TV during nap time (after I work out, of course; happy birthday to me!). And happy birthday to my beautiful, brilliant, unstoppable sister, and to my compassionate, dedicated, hilarious brother. I love you both and I wish we could be together on this special day. Maybe for our ninth birthday? Let's make it a goal!

2 comments:

i'm erin. said...

Publishing is the hardest goal. I started writing my first novel when I was 25, and now I'm 33. Ugh. Anyway, I kept making deadlines and then not meeting them. And now I've come to terms with the idea that ONE DAY I'll be published, but until then I'm going to keep writing awesomeness...or trying to write awesomeness. And Happy Birthday! That's awesome. Today is my Brother's b-day also.

You'll reach your goal. Pretty soon, I bet.

Mara Rae said...

Happy bday to your brother! I know, I know - I need to let go of those self-imposed deadlines. They just make you feel like a failure when you don't meet them. It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there going through this, though!

I bet you'll reach your goal pretty soon too :)