tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post7762489767552347961..comments2024-03-20T02:49:17.606-07:00Comments on Between Fact and Fiction: Setting Goals and Making SchedulesNatalie Whipplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-27980532331883755022011-08-19T08:13:22.079-07:002011-08-19T08:13:22.079-07:00I like the idea of small goals. I try to get about...I like the idea of small goals. I try to get about 500 words written a day. If I want a bigger goal I try for a chapter a day, but that hasn't happened in a little while :PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-1640951414095373602011-08-19T00:00:34.984-07:002011-08-19T00:00:34.984-07:00Timely post for me to read. We moved a few months ...Timely post for me to read. We moved a few months ago and I just unpacked my "writing" box. It has taken me so long because as long as it was in a box I didn't feel guilty for not having a schedule. I am now at a point (kids started school this week) where I can begin to look at a schedule. Thanks for some great points to think about when making one.MaDonna Maurerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04157381592556792198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-1686747056317309632011-08-18T22:28:35.885-07:002011-08-18T22:28:35.885-07:00Thanks for sharing, Natalie! Love your tip about k...Thanks for sharing, Natalie! Love your tip about knowing your personality. Sometimes I get a burst of optimism and decide I will be all disciplined and awesome STARTING TOMORROW and it never works out, haha. Great post, and hope you get out of your slump soon!lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16524291742541007382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-38731878246504824312011-08-18T17:15:59.070-07:002011-08-18T17:15:59.070-07:00"The hardest thing for me, I think, is findin..."The hardest thing for me, I think, is finding time to write. But no matter the amount of time I have, I've learned that the only way to get it done is to make it a priority."<br /><br />Amen, sister. And 12 books?! WOOT! Just awesome. :D<br />Another positive, inspiring post. :DLynne Matsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18415839149588934992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-32495541013030025452011-08-18T16:10:18.825-07:002011-08-18T16:10:18.825-07:00Well done, I do hope I shall eventually write that...Well done, I do hope I shall eventually write that number.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07957545161716269528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-52437025769654361422011-08-18T15:47:05.363-07:002011-08-18T15:47:05.363-07:00Excellent tips, Natalie. I think I'm a "s...Excellent tips, Natalie. I think I'm a "small bites" writer at times too.William Kendallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00331324250821836822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-88180246653286588592011-08-18T14:30:47.868-07:002011-08-18T14:30:47.868-07:00I definitely share your preference for small goals...I definitely share your preference for small goals. I often have trouble estimating just how long a whole book or even a particular section or a rewrite is going to be, so I prefer something more predictable like a number of scenes or just a certain number of words. That's much easier for me to wrap my mind around than the length of a whole project.Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-11514432530709873122011-08-18T14:10:32.910-07:002011-08-18T14:10:32.910-07:00I completely agree about making small goals (if th...I completely agree about making small goals (if that's the kind of person you are). I also find that in the process making those small goals happen, I often end up doing much more than I expected. If I plan to write 500 words a day, I sometimes end up getting in the zone after a little while and write 1,000 words. And even if I don't, I still met my goal and can feel awesome about that!Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07245238290899367307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-16462759594399222762011-08-18T12:50:31.223-07:002011-08-18T12:50:31.223-07:00Thanks Natalie, as always, your feedback and sugge...Thanks Natalie, as always, your feedback and suggestions are so valuable =) And you are absolutely right, you have to do it bit-by-bit otherwise, it becomes too overwhelming =) and the reward system, also true =) ♥<br />Caro =)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286870552002005542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-80165709928025536762011-08-18T12:16:48.706-07:002011-08-18T12:16:48.706-07:00There's my problem! When I make big goals, I p...There's my problem! When I make big goals, I procrastinate and never get them done.Julie Urbanskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10663840486213815100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-50819579119218913482011-08-18T11:53:48.792-07:002011-08-18T11:53:48.792-07:00"So it's important to work WITH yourself,..."So it's important to work WITH yourself, not against yourself."<br /><br />EXACTLY! It took me YEARS to understand that. I kept trying to change myself. Now I'm cooperating with myself, and it's going so much better.<br /><br />Also, like you, looking at the big picture intimidates me. I have to break things down into small, manageable bits and celebrate them when I finish.Kristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771013578685419826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-48300443083599098232011-08-18T11:43:25.466-07:002011-08-18T11:43:25.466-07:00Aw, thanks so much for taking the time to answer m...Aw, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question Natalie! You definitely struck a chord with the "whatever way you work, it's not wrong" thing... I think that's where I've been getting hung up. I get too ambitious and set myself up for failure instead of admitting to myself that that's just *not* the way I work... and that's okay. So, new plan, starting today: realistic goals, and schedules I can actually keep. Makes so much more sense than banging my head against a wall! Thanks again. :).jessica.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02724052361769518376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-37164125492652068722011-08-18T11:33:02.394-07:002011-08-18T11:33:02.394-07:00I write between 250-500 words a day. That may not...I write between 250-500 words a day. That may not seem like much but it all adds up and it's not as if I'm in a hurry anyway. <br /><br />I think it's better to be a process-oriented person rather than a goal-oriented person. If you are hurtling yourself towards your goal and not taking the time to learn from the process, you are missing out.Cynthia Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14595677706434920552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-5252021257545747592011-08-18T11:32:22.610-07:002011-08-18T11:32:22.610-07:00Great tips, Natalie. I think there is a thought t...Great tips, Natalie. I think there is a thought that scheduling your creative time can somehow remove the 'pixie dust' from the formula, but I think for most busy folks it's the only way to get any kind of consistent work done.<br /><br />EJAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.com