What do you hope to be writing in one year? Three? Five?
Can I groan now?
This is me. Except female and without all the muscles. And clothed.
Here's the thing. I like to look ahead. In fact, sometimes I look ahead so much that I miss what's happening NOW. I often wonder where I will be at 'this time next year.' Will I have an agent? A book deal? Or will I be in exactly the same spot I am now (sigh). That's a depressing thought. I know agents and book deals don't usually happen quickly. (Trust me, I know this first hand.) I've started to tell myself NOT to look ahead. NOT to focus on when I'll have an agent or a book published. I tell myself to focus on the NOW: the writing, the revising, the craft- whatever it is I'm working on NOW. I tell myself not to worry about that end-goal dream.
Which is why I groan. Because I don't want to look ahead anymore.
All groaning aside, I can easily answer this question. In one year, three years, even five years, I'd like to be writing Jessica's story still. I have five possible book ideas (including the two I've already written) which would take me that long. Ideas, a story, and especially a character that I don't want to give up. That's the dream.
But I'm going to focus on the NOW. On the craft, not the dream. And then maybe, when the timing is right, the dream will happen.
This is a really good post and great reminder to focus on what we're currently doing. It's too easy to get swept up in the "Maybe one day..." type sentiment and only become discouraged when it's not coming quickly enough. The reality is that we all fall into this type of thinking. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, and I hope that we all get to read Jessica's story soon. :)
ReplyDeletethat pretty much sums up my feels about the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell myself this daily. Part of it is that we're women. Sorry, men. Women just think more. We can't help it. We like to plan. E-ver-y-thing. It's in our nature. But, yes, as a writer, we are also known to have lofty dreams. I know I do=) But I enjoy that part of me. I love dreaming. It's fun. But being in the now is also fun, and we do need to tell ourselves to enjoy it more.
ReplyDeleteGood words=)
I've done this, again and again. But I've also learned that all looking forward does is make me nervous and depressed. You're right, we need to focus on today!
ReplyDeleteHaha I'm exactly the same, I look so far ahead I plan out my life something crazy and then stress out when it starts heading in a totally different direction... "but that wasn't in the plan!!"
ReplyDeleteAnd if you've got those ideas, don't give them up, just run with them when you get some time or jot some notes down for some time in the future when you can't ignore it anymore!
Focusing on the now is definitely a good idea. Lately I've had the philosophy that I need to write like the kind of writer I want to be when I'm published. Every word I write now is one step closer to the future writer I want to be. (Preferably a writer living in a magical land of unicorns and rainbows where I can write all day in peace.) A pretty solid goal, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, it can be hard to focus on the here and now. I try, too, but it is nice to dream once in a while. :) Hang onto your dreams.
ReplyDelete