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Blogs by Pamela C Labud
A clean slate 1/2/2006 9:05:50 AM
Hello gentle readers!
I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season and are ripped and ready to start a new year. As I'm sure you've heard before, it's the time to dig and and get started on new goals. In other words, a clean slate is before you and only you can make your mark on it.
Like a lot of people, my goals for this year are pretty much the same. I want to lose weight, save some money, and continue writing. They say it's good to start with the big stuff, but the trick is to narrow things down and make them more obtainable from there.
For losing weight, I've signed up for a trial period with a weight loss regimen. It's a start, and even if it doesn't work out, at least I can check it off of my list. My main goal here is not so much just losing the pounds, but getting into a more healthy life style. This way I can measure my success or failure on more than the scale. My blood sugar and blood pressure are two other ways. So you can bet I'll be watching them closely.
I also have a membership at my local wellness center, so I'm back to the treadmills and equipment tomorrow. No excuses.
Next, the money. That should be simple. Don't spend it. Ah, yes, that seems to be the plan, except, it's not that easy. It never is. How about we cut down on things like eating out and impulse spending. Definitely on my list. Like I said. It's a start.
Finally, writing. Now, that's a biggie. I want to crank out 10 to 15 new pages a week, in addition to revisions and edits. I'd like to complete one more screenplay this year, too. I think these are doable. I already have 165 pages of one book completed and a synopsis and first chapter of a second. Also, the treatment for the screenplay is finished, so who knows where that will go.
Also for my writing, I need to work on a newsletter, update my website and blogs weekly, and get busy on bookmarks and promo stuff, (things I really suck at). Should be easy? Of course not, but it's part of the biz, so it must be done.
Advice to new writers? Absolutely the best two pieces of wisdom I was given.
First, (I know you've heard this before, but it bears repeating!) Write the darn book. That's it. Page by page, word by word if you have to. There's no other way to become a published author if you haven't finished the book. One page a day equals 365 in a year. You can do it! Don't give up. It took me 9 years to get there. You will too!
Second, (also another goodie) become a contest slut. Take everything you've ever written, clean it up, and start entering contests. Listen to the judges, but be careful and throw away what doesn't work for you. SPIRITED AWAY won 7 contest finals, and I absolutely know that's how I attracted an editor's eye. It may not be the only way, but it's still a good one. Don't give up.
Also, want a couple of good writing courses? As always, Deb Dixon's Goal, Motivation, and Conflict and Discovering Story Magic by Laura Baker and Robin Perini. They are absolutely the best! These can usually be found hosted by local Romance Writers of America chapter conferences.
How about a good reference book? Self Editing for the Fiction Writer, by Renni Brown and Dave King.
Finally, I wish you all a happy and successful new year! Cheers! Happy reading, Pam.
