Monday, August 1, 2011

How Do You Spell Success?

Tip of the Day: Come to the online party to celebrate my critique partner Christina Farley, who is now agented at Jennifer Lyons Lit! The giveaway contest is at Christina's blog, Chocolate for Inspiration.

Okay, so let me start off by saying Congratulations Christy! I've been reading Christina Farley's work for a while now, and she is an excellent YA writer with a great ear for romantic dialogue and a love of tense action scenes. Christy signed with Jeff Ourvan at Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, and best wishes for a successful partnership.

Many of my writing friends and critique partners are meeting their goals this year, and the year is only half over. Huzzah!

Perhaps it's time for a goals check-in for myself. I don't set New Year's Resolutions; I pick a word and work on it all year. My word for 2011 is Self-Confidence. Now here is the problem with picking one word for the year: you will be challenged on that word. It turns out that working on something doesn't actually mean just thinking nice, vague thoughts about it, a principle I wish I could explain to my kids in regards to cleaning their rooms.

So instead of thinking sweet thoughts about how I'm good enough, smart enough, and goshdarnit, people like me, I got laid off from my day job. Hey, look at all the time I'll have to write now!

Well, sort of. Like take today. My dog has an "upset stomach." Nah, you don't want to know what that means, but as soon as he gets off the floor, I slam that leash on him and run out of the house. Not conducive to getting a lot accomplished. And every day I don't get any writing done, the self-confidence meter drops.

BUT. Just thinking vague thoughts about something is not the same as working on it. I think that will be my slogan from now on. I'll put it on a t-shirt! And for me, I have to work on untying my self-esteem from how many things I checked off on my imaginary to-do lists.

Hey, you know what helps my self-confidence? Knowing an awesome writer like Christina Farley likes my work and trades manuscripts with me! Thanks Christy!

-- Kate, Miss Perfecting the Pages


3 comments:

Christina Farley said...

Oh!!! You are so sweet Kate! Thank you. And yes, I ADORE your writing. I've got a special place on my bookshelf waiting for your books to go.

Jenni Enzor said...

I appreciated this post, Kate. I, too, struggle with reaching my writing goals and more times than I can count life has interferred with my writing plans. Still, looking back, I see how some of those times were turning points for me with my writing. I hope the same is true for you!

Kate Fall said...

Thanks Christy. Jenni, it's so good to hear from you again! It's great to know that you're excited about writing again!