When the laundry is done, I feel like the last day of school before summer vacation...or Friday at 5:00 P.M. This operation involves schlepping everything to the laundromat. Yup, whether it's sunny, raining, or snowing, the clothes must swish around the washers and be fluffed and puffed in the dryers.
Reading historical romances gave me a new appreciation for modern-day chores. After all, I don't have to lug water from a stream, heat it, and spend a whole day scrubbing my clothes. I've learned to be thankful, and JUST GET IT DONE instead of complaining.
Hmm, it seems to me I've taken up quite a bit of time talking about how much preparation needs to be done for the conference and other projects. What positive aspects can I bring to the discussion? 1) The Lord gives me inspiration. 2) I have a working computer and printer that makes the task easier. 3) Supportive family and friends encourage me along the way. 4) I've been blessed with modest success. 5) I'm able to use the gift God gave me.
If I spent as much time writing as I do studying, reading, and talking about it, I'd be producing three or four manuscripts a year and many more articles. And that's the truth.
Challenge: Let's be doers! Who will join me in JUST GETTING IT DONE? How do you plan to accomplish your goals for upcoming conferences and submissions?
Love this post! My husband has been pushing me along recently,keeps repeating, "Just write" "Write now" etc. It's true, I spend so much time on the research, the talking about it and I haven't spend enough on the doing! I'm setting goals and making lists for each day and hoping this will keep me on track:)
ReplyDeleteWhat wisdom, Suze! The Lord once told me if we spent as much time praying as we did griping, things would change. Ouch.
ReplyDeleteOf course I'll join you. I will research the editors I want to meet with, practice my two pitches, and revise my one sheets.
And pray, of course.
Love you,
Jen
I'm in. Feel like I've been floating for the past year or so, partly due to family things. Looking ahead to being productive and walking in what God's called me to do.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week,
Karen
Thanks of the encouragement today!
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to have my manuscript edited by the ACFW conference. I'm technically "done" with all the scenes I had planned, but I need to add 20,000 words of description and narrative, which I'm always thin on, and edit it before then.
Now to get going on it:)
Thanks
Kristen
Hi Kara -
ReplyDeleteI spend way too much time complaining about what I have to do. The last couple of weeks, I've made it a priority to set goals for each day.
Let us know how you're plan is working out. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Jen -
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks and counting, my friend! I can't wait to meet you and your hubby in person.
I've really been convicted about complaining. How whiny we must seem to the Lord!
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Karen -
ReplyDeleteWe'll be able to help each other out. If you catch me moaning and groaning, please stop me in my tracks.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Kristen -
ReplyDeleteKnowing what needs to be done is half the battle. With a clear goal and a deadline, you'll make it in plenty of time. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Susan, How did you know that I started doing laundry at 9:00 this morning, and the dryer is still running at 9:30 tonight?! :) Great reminder here. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah -
ReplyDeleteLOL! With two little ones, I'm not surprised you're doing laundry all day.
Blessings,
Susan :)
That's a good word, Susan! I can't wait to hear how the conference goes for you girls. Praying...
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a plan. I am doing just that, only with cleaning, not writing. I get so focused, I don't like to take a break until I'm done with some particular chore. In writing, that could be bad unless you set up several goals for the time limit.
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda -
ReplyDeleteThanks! Please pray God gives me the right words with these editors and agents for both my book and the one I'm doing with Karen.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Nancy -
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm working on a first draft, I always set a word count goal. It encourages me to keep going.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Submissions, yes. Conferences,no. There's a lot of the same-old-same- old at conferences, so I try plan for only one big conference every other year and one or two small seminar-type conferences a year. For me, it's not the discipline of getting things done; I've got plenty of discipline. It's the courage to finish the query and deem it ready to be sent!
ReplyDeleteHi Dena -
ReplyDeleteI've attended a large conference every year for the past 6 or 7 years. (I lose count.) Marlene Bagnull (Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference) brings in a variety of agents/editors/authors, so I can't say it's the same old, same old.
I do understand your reluctance to query and send out submissions. It's hard to write "the end" on a piece and release it.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Susan, I love this post because today I made it a point to do something I wanted to do (love to do). It seems like I am writing all the time, and don't think I can take the time to read. Well, I did just that and it felt great!
ReplyDeleteI've missed you!
Hugs and many blessings
Katt
Hi Katt -
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see you! I started a new job a few months ago, and don't get around to blogs as much as I'd like.
Blessings,
Susan :)