I attended my very first “check-in” session with Delve Writing, and I already have revisions to do. Revisions to my thinking and expectations, as well as to the language in my earlier blog post. But for the sake of illustrating what I’ve learned, I’ll include the new info here rather than actually editing the previous post.
I participated in this morning’s check-in meeting as an attendee, not as president of DW. That meant I didn’t know in advance what Aaron (my instructor) was going to present. If only I had, my first blog post wouldn’t need revising at all. I could have gotten it right the first time, no need for corrections. Oh, if only.
But perhaps this is best—having to face right-off-the-bat my impossible-to-achieve perfectionistic expectations of myself.
I hate wrestling the perfectionist demon. He's time consuming, and never satisfied.
I hate wrestling the perfectionist demon. He's time consuming, and never satisfied.
Back to the check-in, and back to the beginning of my original blog post. Right up front I state that my goal is to be published. Even my title reflects this: “I am Writer, see me Goal.” But it turns out that “to be published” is not my goal after all. This, Aaron explains, is because a goal should be a PLAN.
“To be published” isn’t a plan. After all, it’s largely out of my control. It’s more accurately a hope. A dream. A vision of what I want to happen in the future. It so happens, this is the definition of “Intention,” and identifying my Intention is step one on Aaron's Goal-setting Worksheet.
“To be published” isn’t a plan. After all, it’s largely out of my control. It’s more accurately a hope. A dream. A vision of what I want to happen in the future. It so happens, this is the definition of “Intention,” and identifying my Intention is step one on Aaron's Goal-setting Worksheet.
STEP ONE: identify Intention: to be published
As an aside, I just have to say that “I am Writer, see me Intend” doesn't have quite the ring of my initial title. But let’s face it: I’m no Stephen King (yet). And if there’s one thing I’ve gleaned about the publishing industry, it’s that few of us mere mortals get to keep our titles. (Upon reflection this seems a bit frivolous to tout as the “one thing” I’ve gleaned, but titles and character names are important to me.)
Back on task, the next step on the worksheet is for me to decide —keeping my Intention in mind— which one of the following categories to focus my energy on: Productivity, Submission, Marketing, or Other (which includes craft).
This step is easy. Since I have a completed novel, and since I plan to pursue publishing in the “traditional” model, my next step on the road to publication is to submit my work to agents.
This step is easy. Since I have a completed novel, and since I plan to pursue publishing in the “traditional” model, my next step on the road to publication is to submit my work to agents.
STEP TWO: identify Focus: submission
Okay, now the worksheet is calling for goals. Specifically I’m to identify goals in my area of Focus that will take me in the direction of realizing my Intention. That’s a mouthful. In plain English: what do I plan to do in the area of submissions that will take me closer to getting published?
How about this: I'll write a good book and show it to good agents.
How about this: I'll write a good book and show it to good agents.
Those are perfect goals. They will get me well on my way to publication because if it’s a good book, a good agent will certainly offer me representation, then get me a contract to publish my book. Intention realized. Check, check, check.
Wrong. Apparently all goals aren’t created equal. The statements “write a good book” and “show it to good agents” are too vague. Too subjective. It would be almost impossible to know if I’ve achieved them or not.
Wrong. Apparently all goals aren’t created equal. The statements “write a good book” and “show it to good agents” are too vague. Too subjective. It would be almost impossible to know if I’ve achieved them or not.
Aaron suggests using a method you might already be familiar with: “S.M.A.R.T.” goals. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. (More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria).
Dang. Step Three is complicated. I need to break it down. I’ll go backward since Aaron's worksheet provides the answer for “T” so I don't have to think about it.
Dang. Step Three is complicated. I need to break it down. I’ll go backward since Aaron's worksheet provides the answer for “T” so I don't have to think about it.
Time-bound: my goal needs to be attainable within one week
Relevant: it has to relate to my Focus and Intention
Attainable: it must be reasonable for me to accomplish in the time allowed
Measurable: there should be a gauge by which to assess failure or success
Specific: the goal should be explicit, clear-cut, and well defined
Yes, I used a thesaurus and I’m not ashamed.
Relevant: it has to relate to my Focus and Intention
Attainable: it must be reasonable for me to accomplish in the time allowed
Measurable: there should be a gauge by which to assess failure or success
Specific: the goal should be explicit, clear-cut, and well defined
Yes, I used a thesaurus and I’m not ashamed.
Alright, thanks to Aaron’s worksheet and the use of said thesaurus, I’ve got a handle on this now: I need to articulate a goal related to submitting my novel; one that’s well defined and measurable, and one I’m likely to accomplish in a week.
I can do that.
I can do that.
STEP THREE: S.M.A.R.T. goal for this week – revise the first 50 pages of my novel, write a cover letter, and submit these to Agent A.
(I mentioned last post that three agents requested submissions from me. We’ll call them Agents A, B, and C. I don’t really have a reason for this. Just go with it.)
The last step on Aaron’s Goal-setting Worksheet is to commit to working toward my goal at specific times this week.
Okay, I did that. But forgive me if I decline to tell you when. I don’t want a scolding if you happen to see me on Facebook or at a coffee shop during those times.
Then again, maybe that’s exactly that kind of public shame (Aaron prefers to call it “accountability”) that will keep me on track….
Fine.
The last step on Aaron’s Goal-setting Worksheet is to commit to working toward my goal at specific times this week.
Okay, I did that. But forgive me if I decline to tell you when. I don’t want a scolding if you happen to see me on Facebook or at a coffee shop during those times.
Then again, maybe that’s exactly that kind of public shame (Aaron prefers to call it “accountability”) that will keep me on track….
Fine.
STEP FOUR: commit to schedule – Tuesday through Friday mornings
You may notice I left out today - Monday. That’s because the time I would have spent on my goal today was instead spent processing the goal-setting information and writing this blog post. Plus my non-writing life blew up a little, as it is wont to do on occasion. Which reminds me of a tip that Aaron shared: have a back-up plan for times such as these.
So permit me another revision.
So permit me another revision.
STEP FIVE: commit to schedule – Tuesday through Friday mornings, plus Sunday if needed
There. Not only do I have a “big picture” vision of what I want, I know the area I’m going to focus on to get closer to making that vision a reality. PLUS I have a plan for what specifically I’m going to do this week, and how it will fit into my schedule, with a contingency plan for catching up if I stumble along the way.
I feel pretty good about this. With a clear plan, the daunting task of sending a 50 page submission to Agent A seems a lot less daunting.
I feel pretty good about this. With a clear plan, the daunting task of sending a 50 page submission to Agent A seems a lot less daunting.
Of course as soon as I start on those 50 pages, my perfectionist demon may try to destroy my worksheet with his spiky brown teeth and foul-smelling slobber. Maybe I should give him a name….
You’ll have to check back to find out if I get distracted by creating a shiny new name, allow my demon (Bob? Joe?) to derail me, or if I actually make progress on revisions of my 50 pages.
I love revision. Almost as much as I love naming. And contingency plans.
You’ll have to check back to find out if I get distracted by creating a shiny new name, allow my demon (Bob? Joe?) to derail me, or if I actually make progress on revisions of my 50 pages.
I love revision. Almost as much as I love naming. And contingency plans.
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