“The Missing Ingredient”
When I started writing, or attempting to write, my first book in 2008, I didn’t have any goals, just a strong desire, and that desire took the form of a lilting voice who divulged succulent secrets to me. The voice had no manners, though, interrupting dreams, conversations, and the daily routine. She pestered me until her story reached the final page, and then she was gone, silenced, much like a ghost who abandons her host.
Since the release of my novel in 2009 and my meager attempts to finish my current manuscript in 2010 and 2011, I’ve tried to create writing goals—thinking in terms of minutes or pages a day. Unfortunately, I have yet to create a list, much less follow one.
To me, the writing process, much like the ingredients in a recipe, needs something to keep it from turning out as bland as tuna noodle casserole*. Even though I’ve tried spices, potato-chip toppings, and drowned the dish with a layer of cheese, I’m still not loving the hot dish. I need a special ingredient…something.
When it comes to writing, that special ingredient is desire: that natural, nothing artificial desire. The only problem is, you can’t find it in the store—not even in the natural food aisle.
My goal for 2012, plain and simple, is to find the desire to write again because without it writing falls to the bottom of my list of priorities—especially when the bullies of responsibility flex their muscles.
Writing Goals for 2012
1. Find the desire to write again…
2. Then write…and write…and write…
3. …and then write some more…
*Feel free to offer your favorite tuna noodle recipe in the comment section. After all, sometimes all you have is a can of tuna in the pantry. Not today, though; we spent four hours grocery shopping this afternoon. So…we won’t be eating Tuna Hot Dish any time soon.
Writing Challenge: write about your goals for 2012.
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Comments: 65
Set the goal! :)
I know...I know. :)
As the kids get older, my goals have shifted more and more from me and to them. Now I run with my son, cheering him on, trying to help him meet his goals.
It is the writing projects that need attention. A couple ongoing narrative poems. An ongoing book. These are Life-Time writing goals. Illustrating them, too. Winter of 2012 is a most serious time to take on a couple of these long-range projects. "If not now...when? I am 68."
Maybe you can find your Rudy, Kim: that insistent companion that you would not even think of disappointing by not doing what you enjoy once you get onto the trails.
Thank you for this, John. I imagine your walks to be peaceful and inspiring, and I do need something like that in the daily routine.
As always, I appreciate your encouragement, John.
Yes, and I wonder if the problem may be with the story itself, but it's the sequel to the first book. So...who knows?
http://www.amazon.com/Thats-My-Story-G-Monroe/dp/0615229921/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1318681791&sr=8-4
... Your talk of your book piqued my curiosity and I found that book as well ...
http://www.amazon.com/Nothing-but-Trouble-after-Midnight/dp/1935097970/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325858639&sr=1-1
... whoops, I accidentally plugged your book too, which incidentally is very well received by reviewers.
My reviewers are too kind.
BTW, I'm writing right now. Well, I needed a break, but I was working on the novel.
Thanks for sharing with The Triple Name Club.
Thank you for submitting to: Not Gathering Dust!
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I look at writing a bit differently. To me it is like playing, but it also feels like I'm preparing a surprise for some very honored guests. It might be my religious training or surprising a professor that I understood John Dewey in a presentation about Ontology. Everything, Dewey taught, is recreating learned experiences. Problem solving, critical concepts and creativity come from this: Usually there is other associative info to plug in, if there is personal global awareness in such a moment. One should be like Sherlock Holmes when writing, in my opinion.
The voice in my head is constantly telling me conversations, situations and sometimes whole story lines then it becomes an out of control vine crawling up the side of my house. With a full time job, four kids and a house to run, carving out time is sometimes impossible. I thought about a voice recorder and just repeating the voice when it starts but I hate the sound of my own voice. So I'll just continue to write when I can, keeping the vine at bay!
Christina, I understand the difficulty of balancing being a mom and a writer.
Congratulations!
I do hope you will have the time to view the other spotlighted posts and members as well. Have a wonderful day!
Kimberly as long as you are still writing, something-anything your are still in the game, you will return one day, ready to complete that second book.
Freshly replenished with ideas oozing out faster then you can type.
Rose, I agree with you, and I don't want to force the writing. It won't be worth it--for me, the editors, and especially the readers.
Just building up steam--we all know it'll ripen and flower at the right time!
I left Georg out on the road trying to find himself, while Dante and Leisel dragged Treena over to Heidi's house...LOL!