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"Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives." (Viktor Frankl)
Some of the wisest observations about life have an uncanny way of applying not just to life in general but to specific, narrow segments of it. For example, if we substitute "writing" for "life" in the above quote, we'll see just how true this statement is.
Inspiration: Driven to Write
Many of us write because we feel driven to write, because writing is such an integral part of our intellectual makeup that we can hardly imagine not writing. In fact, putting pen to paperor hands to keyboardcomes as naturally to us as breathing. And in one sense at least, for us writing is breathing, because when we write, we freely inhale the crisp, clear air of expansive thought before exhaling a stream of ideas, fully formed, to the world. That's why the highest form of this unbounded inflow of ideas is called Inspiration.
Planning and Goals: When Inspiration Tarries
Our inner drive to express ourselves through the written word does much to motivate us in our quest to have our ideas heard, to influence others, to make our mark on society, to earn recognition, and yes, even to change the world. Yet, the Inspiration that fuels that drive often eludes usparticularly in the early stages of the creative process. And this is where the pull of goals can spur us on, drawing us forward and giving us the impetus to begin writing and to stay with the task until Inspiration deigns to visit us.
Bridging the Gap Between Goals and Inspiration
This is such an important lesson for writers to learn. Though Inspiration is certainly the ideal for which we continually strive, it may sometimes be a luxury for which we simply cannot wait. When deadlines loom or personal projects seem stalled, we often must depend on the conscious goals we've previously set for our work to keep us on track and prevent us from giving up. Then, as we allow the magnetic attraction of our personal or professional plans to lure us forward, we so often find our project suddenly picking up speedgaining forward thrust, if you willas the subconscious motivator called Inspiration gradually kicks in and begins actively propelling us toward our deliberately orchestrated outcome.
Recognizing the Value of Planning
Our favorite writing times, of course, are those where Inspiration is our early visitor, coming upon us unannounced and uninvitedand particularly when this well-loved yet often fickle visitor's influence precedes, or even initiates, a project. Yet, it's wonderful to know that even when Inspiration tarries, we always have our old friend Planning to get us on our way!
While Inspiration may be our closest friend, let's not ignore our loyal sidekick Planning, who will always be there, standing quietly in the wings, patiently waiting to help us achieve our literary goals.
To goals and inspiration!
Jeanne
What have you discovered about goals and drives, planning and inspiration, as you've traveled your own writing path?
Join the Conversation!
If you love blogging, social media, and other Web-related activitiesand enjoy writing about themyou won't want to miss this opportunity to get in on Age of Conversation 3! Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton are gearing up for their third annual collaborative AOC book project, for which they plan to bring together 300 authors from a multitude of backgrounds, fields of expertise, and geographical locations.
Last year's AOC 2 cover
Choose Your TopicBefore it's Filled!
Like Age of Conversation 2, AOC 3 will be divided into "themes," of which there will be 10. If you hurry, you'll get your choice of any one of the 10; however, only 30 authors will be allowed into each category, so your promptness (or lack of it) will determine whether or not you get your top choice.
Busy? AOC Writing Is a Breeze!
All of us live incredibly busy lives, but one great thing about AOC 3 (and its predecessors) is that each author's contribution to the project is a single 400-word chapter on his/her chosen topic. So you can see that this isn't an extremely time-consuming project. In fact, I'm confident that if you decide to get involved, you'll actually enjoy this wonderful opportunity to wax eloquent on whatever aspect of Web relations ignites your passion and sparks your imagination. An AOC chapter is the equivalent of a medium-length blog post or a short essay; so most writers/bloggers should have no trouble at all fitting it into their schedules.
Hurry to Ensure Your AOC 3 Slot!
Slots are going fast (almost half had already been filled by previous AOC authors by the time the call for authors went public); so, if you think you might be interested in participating, don't wait!
For more information about the project, visit Drew's and Gavin's blogs and get the inside scoop:
Age of Conversation III -- call for authors, at Drew's Marketing Minute
Calling All Authors It's the Age of Conversation 3, at Servant of Chaos
Let Your Words Countfor Posterity and Charity!
Like previous AOC projects, all proceeds from Age of Conversation 3 will go to charity. This year's recipient has yet to be determined; however, I understand that authors will have a say in choosing the organization that will benefit from AOC's profits this year. (Both previous AOC editions raised funds for Variety Children's Charity.)
Get on Board! The AOC 3 Train Is Ready to Leave the Station!
Why not become an AOC 3 author and use your writing talent, social media savvy, life experience, and/or business acumen to help make both the virtual world and the real one a better place!
See you in Age of Conversation 3!
Jeanne
What are your thoughts on participating in a collaborative book project such as this one, where all proceeds are donated to charity? Would the altruistic aspect be enough to inspire you to participate--or would your need for monetary compensation make you less likely to become involved? Would the wider exposure, the lure of having your work appear in print, and/or the great PR of donating your skills to a worthy cause play into your decision at all? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
September 29th 2009 20:02
I recently wrote a post about increasing your writing income by selling reprints. To help you get started doing that, I'd like to point you to a few of the many publications that accept previously published work. You'll find many more on such websites as Duotrope's Digest (which is where I found these).
Some Points to Consider Before Submitting Your Work
Compensation varies with each of these markets from "token" to "semi-pro" payments (to use Duotrope's payment categories). Most of these publishers provide sample issues that can be read online. I highly recommend that you study these to get an idea of the style and tone of each publication. That way, you won't waste your timeand theirssending work that doesn't fit the market.
Some of these publications follow specified themes for each issue, and others are open to various topics. Some have limits on how many stories, poems, etc., you may submit at one time. Most have specific formatting and/or submission requirements you'll need to follow when offering your work to them for publication. At least one refuses to open attachments, while another requires them. That's why it's so important to check each publication's submission guidelines carefully. Otherwise you might be out of the running before you even leave the starting gate.
The Reprint Markets
Note: Where a separate link to the market's guidelines has been provided below, I've done so because a Submissions link was not immediately apparent on the site's home page. All the remaining sites' Submissions links are prominently displayed on the pages linked to below. (At least they were at the time this post was published.)
The Houston Literary Review
This market accepts poetry, prose, and visual arts. It doesn't appear to offer payment, other than "an editor's choice award of $100 (which) will be paid to the poet whose published poem is selected as the best for that quarter." The site also states that "(a) similar award will be given to visual artists as well (pending quarterly budget requirements)."
Flashquake
This publication "focuses on works of flash fiction, flash nonfiction (memoirs, essays, creative nonfiction, humor) and short poetry."
Joyful! (Submissions page)
This is a market for "new AND experienced storytellers, poets, artists and photographers."
The Shine Journal
Described as "a home for some of the best, most exceptional flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, art and photography in the world!"
THEMA Literary Journal
Accepts "short stories, essays, poems, and art."
GlassFire Magazine
This "non-genre literary e-magazine, is looking for fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry."
Ancient Paths (online and print magazine)
This publication seeks "poetry, prose, or art" with Christian or "universal religious" themes.
Fear and Trembling: Stories from the Shadowscape
This market is open to "Christian-friendly horror" fiction and poetry.
Crime and Suspense Magazine *
This publication is "interested in nearly any sort of crime and suspense fiction. Mystery, detective, noir, horror, action/adventure, and thrillers are all acceptable." They also "consider both short and feature-length films for online distribution."
Best of luck selling your reprints!
Jeanne
* Note: There's some question whether this market actually accepts reprints. At Duotrope's Digest, they have checked the "Reprints OK" box in their listing, but their submission guidelines seem to indicate a strong desire for first rights. Perhaps this is a new development, since their site has recently undergone reconstruction. You may either want to seek clarification from this publisher before submitting reprints or simply submit new material instead.
Know any other great reprint markets? We'd love it if you'd share them!
September 26th 2009 22:38
September 21st 2009 19:00
September 17th 2009 18:04
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Comment by Jeanne Dininni
on Goals and Drives: The Push-Pull of Planning and Inspiration in Writing
Writer's Notes
I understand exactly what you're going through, and I can definitely sympathize! The truth is that no matter how much we may love to write, it can be difficult to overcome our inertia and get started, because, after all, writing is work--and often it's hard work. That's why setting goals is so important. Yet, moving from goals to action is another thing entirely, isn't it?
That's why it can come in handy to use some helpful little technique to get us going. Anything that can get us started is good. For example, jotting down a few ideas for our article or story, researching some aspect of our topic online, or even just beginning to write somewhere in the middle of the piece--anywhere it suits our fancy at the moment--can all help us overcome inertia and begin building the momentum that can tide us over until inspiration kicks in.
They key, really, is to get started. I know that's hard to do when we're not feeling particularly inspired, but sometimes that's the only way to get inspired. As we work, our topic, story, or some other aspect of our project will often help inspire us; so, if we never get started, we'll never reach that point!
Sometimes, too, it helps to just take a moment out to visualize what we hope to accomplish through our writing--to think of a larger goal than the single task before us. Developing this kind of vision for ourselves as writers can really help cement our resolve to tackle the task at hand as a means of fulfilling that larger creative vision.
Hope that's helpful!
Jeanne