[Jackson Square, B&W, New Orleans, Cathy T. Colborn 2010]
If you are an avid writer, I can almost bet that at one point, your New Year's resolution was to write more, submit more, or get that award winning book published. Nothing wrong with that, for a few years. I'm not saying give up. However, I can bet (being a non-practicing Catholic that still feels guilt) that many like me, have tried to also abstain from submitting too often, or give up luscious eye-opening coffee during Lent. Wouldn't be the least bit surprised, if you admitted pressuring yourself instead, to give up something else you enjoyed, so you could better push to get that book published. Again, good for a few tries, but I don't recommend going without coffee (or chocolate) during a heated plot every year. Your family and friends are secretly "plotting" your death when you do this, believe me. It's better to be realistic and use the gifts given to your best abilities, than to fail miserably and be miserable towards your loved ones the whole time (this defeats all purpose of sacrifice and being a better spiritual person).However, if you want to take a better approach to both of these things and not set yourself up for failure (not all of us can be lucky every year), then you can try my Writing Rebirth Approach (It does have a Nola-type theme of course, but you're covering the resolution, the abstaining/Lent, and being less mastochistic with a lover of all things good for the soul. New Orleans, Home of Rebirth, enough said.
Here are my top five suggestions:
1) Make a Short Term Writing GoalShort term...meaning just that.
Example: "Within the next few months I'd like to have at least one acceptance letter."
Start with a low number, this way, if you pass it (or even reach it), you'll really savor the reward.
2) Make a Long Term Goal for the Year
See, you don't have to abandon the idea of the Award Winning, Accepted Movie Rights book. Instead, you can make other things happen, while the Big Hit awaits. If it doesn't happen, you'll find you've made many small successes (also, added to that art/writing bio they always ask for).
3) Don't Throw in the Writing Towel if You Immediately Make Your Short/Long Term Goal
Okay, so maybe it's getting close to the end of the year, and you didn't get that book deal, but in February, you made a spread in "Insert Some College Review Here." That doesn't mean sitting around the rest of the year without rebirthing the rebirth. Don't just sit on the couch watching Real House Wives of Atlanta marathons with a feedbag of Doritos. Keep submitting and see how far you can go past the original number of goals you set.
4) Don't Sellout to Make Your Goals
Just because we have them down on paper, electronically, or sworn to a friend over a holy book, don't just sell yourself short and check (or overwrite) it off the list. If you don't like what the company that's taking your submission is about (or editing in your piece), then why sellout for the sake of credit or chore setting? Sometimes it's just about the writing and not about making a buck. The buck is nice, but there are a lot of places that you'll be lucky if you get a PDF copy of your work (let alone small cash), and changing the message of your piece to "get writing street cred" is totally not the way to go.
5) Prepare for Next Year's Writing Rebirth in the Fall
I did very well last year with going beyond my short term goals in both my writing and art. I think in ten places I submitted each, I received four acceptances in each category. I didn't sit on the couch and eat a hefty bag of caramel popcorn with Saturday cartoons. The Submitting Machine kept working on surpassing my short term goals. When the Fall leaves slowly started to let go, so did the fierce submitter, and I started to reflect and make a rough list for January 2013. That didn't mean I abandoned the writing tree I planted, just watched its color fade and let go...piece by piece. I checked my inbox diligently and tried to get an idea of who was looking for Spring submissions (Remember: editors are always a season ahead).
So there you have it (I hope). It's a few days into Mardi Gras, and I'm feeling the inspiration fueled by my colorful King cake and cafe ole. No abstaining from life's sweet rewards needed;)
Keep those keys and shutters clicking,
Cathy T. Colborn "Catt"
