Updates on Writing Goals and New Ones

Update on end-of-month writing goals...

I did not reach my goals set for myself like I thought I would. I do not feel like a failure either. Things got pretty hectic near the end of this month. Therefore, I will just go for them again for the month of February.

Writing goals for the month of February...

I will start out small and set three goals for me to reach. Once I reach those, I will set more.

1 - Write two poems.
2 - Write more of my novel.
3 - Edit two of my old writings.

Until next time...


Happy Writing!

Deciding on What to Write

I set three writing goals for myself to reach before the end of this month. I do not seem to be getting anywhere. I have been dealing with a migraine and other writing obligations that I must meet before deadline.

I will have to take a mini-break after completing the articles for my deadline. Once I get back from it? I am going to write those two poems I want to write. Somehow. Even if it is only a skeletal version. At least it is something.

I am looking forward to writing more regularly instead of procrastinating from doing so. Procrastination does not get me anywhere. Anyone for that matter.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Magazines and Sites I Recommend for All Writers

Over the years of writing, I have found a few good sites to visit. There are also quite a few writing magazines I find helpful. I would like to share this information with you. I hope it will help you as it has helped me.

Websites

http://www.writersdigest.com 
This is the site of Writer's Digest magazine. It is chock-full of articles and tips on how to improve your writing and prepare yourself for the road to being published. It is also home to competitions Writer's Digest hosts. This is my favorite writing magazine and I highly recommend it. My most favorite issues of all are the special editions.

Their bookstore has the best selection of writing books. Some books include: Writer's Market, Poet's Market, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, and Songwriter's Market. They can be a little expensive. However, they are worth the price. I promise. You can find information and articles about how to submit your work, listings for publishing agents and contests, and much more.

http://www.writermag.com 
The Writer magazine is pretty good. It also offers tips and articles on how to improve your writing craft.

http://www.pw.org 
This is Poets & Writers Magazine. It is highly recommended for those of you who love to write poetry. Get ready for some long, information-packed articles.

http://www.publishersweekly.com 
Publishers Weekly is THE magazine to have to keep up with current publishing trends. It helps make research of the various markets out there easier for us writers and authors.

http://www.writersmarket.com 
This is a great site to supplement your copy of Writer's Market with. It includes extra information about the publishing industry, contests, publishers, and writer's conferences.



http://www.writing.com 
This is a wonderful site for beginner and novice writers alike. Writing.com is the site that helped me get back into writing again. Once you join, you get a portfolio of your own. There are various membership options. They are free, basic, upgraded, premium, and premium plus. The amount of portfolio space and price of the membership depends on which on you choose. The portfolio space is as follows...


Free - 10 items
Basic - 50 items
Upgraded - 250 items
Premium - 1000 items
Premium Plus - 2000 items


What makes this site even better is that other members will visit your portfolio. More likely than not, they will give you a rate and review (r & r for short). It is a wonderful community. I have made some great friends here and been a member for 9 years.


Feel free to check out my portfolio there.


http://www.writing.com/authors/amethyst78

May these magazines and websites inspire you. I hope they will provide the help and guidance you needed to reach your dreams.


Until next time...


Happy Writing!

End of Month Writing Goals

Hello again. It is near the end of January. I have been writing and editing articles for my friend. I am a freelance editor and writer. I spend more time doing this more than personal writing. This can be essays, poems, or whatever comes to mind.

That being said, I have made some goals to I want to achieve by the end of this month.

Here they are...

1 - Write two poems.

2 - Enter a contest or two at http://www.writing.com.

3 - Write more of the novel I began last November. (This is a result of the annual NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month challenge.)

Tip: When you set your writing goals, start small. 

For more information on NaNoWriMo, go here...

http://www.nanowrimo.org

Big goals (i.e. write a novel in thirty days, get published within a certain time-frame) are great. However, if you fall short of reaching them? More likely than not, you are going to berate yourself and want to give up. That is why you want to break these up in small goals. It is a step-by-step process. 

You can do it. I believe in you. You should believe in yourself, too.


Until next time...

Happy Writing!

My Love of Writing Begins

I have always loved to write since I was child. English and Spelling were tied for first place as my favorite subjects in school. The part of English class I enjoyed most was Creative Writing. I would rather do that over the boring stuff any day!

As I grew older, I wrote poetry and short stories. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of my work from that time because I did not have a computer. I wish I had made copies of it all. I would have quite the collection of material. 

With this blog, I will share my personal writing experience with you. This includes my work, writing successes, and failures.  I invite my reader, whomever you are, to join me on this journey. Enjoy yourselves. I hope this inspires you to go for your dreams without giving up. Maybe it will spark your interest in writing, too. 

Until next time ...

Happy Writing!