On Your Mark, Get Set, GOALS!

It's almost here! The start of the school year is more of a "new year" for my business than January 1 ever is. The IRS mandates my fiscal year be January 1 to December 31, but my personal career calendar is from the first day of school to the last. 

How about you?

It is time to consider goals for the year. 

1--What do you plan to achieve with your writing? Be specific!

2--What do you plan to achieve with your income? Numbers people!

3--How much can you do each day, each week, each month?

4--Ideas, please! List them, line up interviews, get ready to write queries.

5--Go, go, go!

I challenge you to get your office, your goals, your career in order BEFORE the kids head back to school. Hit the ground running; otherwise, you might lose valuable time trying to organize your thoughts and your space. 

Your kids aren't the only ones who need to be prepared for a new school year.

Do it! I dare you.

Assess Your Achievements

My writing career is different than it was last year.

One year ago:

I did not know how to blog.

I was struggling to find a system--for my office, for my writing, for submitting.

I had only just begun to write and submit articles (my first article was submitted June 1, 2008).

Today:

I hold myself to a higher standard.

I query more, get paid more and respect myself as an able writer.

I write more and prepare less.

I enjoy the possibilities of a developing platform.

Next Year:

I will be amazed at how far my journey has taken me, just as I am today.

Take a moment to reflect upon your achievements and enjoy the realization that hard work pays off with time. You deserve a pat on the back!

Summer Slow Down

Other moms who write assure me that I am NOT alone--writing often slows down (or almost stops completely) when the kids are home in the summer. I am finding that I can handle the slow-down in production to hang out at the pool; however, I am not so thrilled that the momentum I was gaining in April has almost ground to a halt. In fact, it did grind to a halt, but I am working to get it back.

I am determined to learn a lesson from this summer's slack-off, and here is my game plan! I have started a "summer" folder. While this year's hard-learned lessons are still fresh, I am developing some achievable summer goals and putting them on paper. For example, I can search for homes for each of my essays that still reside only on my computer and submit those "leftovers" without the need for large chunks of writing time. My folder will also hold ideas for articles that can be written based on a compilation of previous research and interviews, so that much of the leg work is done ahead of time. My biggest goal is to have at least one "spare" query prepared before school is out that can be mailed as summer turns the corner into fall. 

What about you, are you experiencing the summer slow down? If so, how are you reclaiming your career? 

I challenge you to start preparing NOW for next summer's lazy days.

Submitting More Than One Article at a Time (To RPPs)

A member of my writing group prepares several submissions per month to submit to regional parenting publications (RPPs). I wish I had that kind of output! She was curious as to whether or not numerous submissions to the same publications would be viewed as pesky if they were sent individually. I thought she had a great point. I also realized that, if sent separately, it would take a great deal of time to send that number of submissions to a large group of editors.

I considered possible solutions and proposed that she try the following:

--Choose a self-imposed deadline each month (the first day, the 15th day, etc.) and complete all work for the month by that date. 

--Submit one email that includes the following information: name of each article, word count and a 2-4 sentence description of each article.

--For those of you who are really on the ball, direct editors to a website or blog that lists all of your other available articles as a reminder each month that you have work readily available.

I am not an editor, but I cannot see how this would possibly be viewed as pesky. In fact, I believe it would be a great way to showcase your work, your ability to meet a deadline and your commitment as a writer.

Do any of you have experiences in this area to share?

Moving Madness

I am currently moving into my new home. I am surrounded by boxes and a desk is being put together in my new office!! I do hope to get back to my regularly-scheduled Thursday posts soon. Please don't give up on me and keep checking in.

Simultaneous Submission vs Reprint

Simultaneous submission or reprint?

When submitting to a regional publication, which is the best way to go? A reprint automatically cuts your chances of selling a first-rights piece. But does a simultaneous submission get to confusing, or is it it the way to go?

Perhaps with a simultaneous submission, one could begin contacting only warm leads to keep the list more manageable. After say, one month, if first-rights haven't been purchased, offer it to the remainder of the list as a reprint.

I am simply thinking aloud. Thoughts, comments and experiences?

Essays and Regional Publications

I love writing essays.

I enjoy writing for regional parenting publications.

I had never considered combining the two until a Mother's Day essay I had written was rejected by a national publication. Eager to get the essay placed before Mother's Day, I decided to try placing it with a regional publication. I truly had no idea what sort of market I would find, but I knew that Haircuts and Conniption Fits would have no chance at publication if I let it waste away on my hard drive.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the results and have, just this week, submitted a second essay to RPPs. I am excited that Sports Car Girl, Minivan Life has already found a home. 

If you are an essayist with a tendency to write about your adventures in parenting, I suggest you give RPPs a shot.

Happy writing...