Comments on: What Do You Want To Achieve?

By: Get In The Habit Of Writing Every Day

Get In The Habit Of Writing Every Day — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:32:25 +0000

[...] So before you choose a side in the great “write every day” debate…you need to ask yourself: What do I want to achieve? [...]

By: Update Your Annual Writing Goals on Your Birthday, Not For New Years

Update Your Annual Writing Goals on Your Birthday, Not For New Years — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:28:25 +0000

[...] you set your goals for the year, you should think about what you want to achieve over the next 365 days. Be sure to think about all areas of your life, such [...]

By: Writers Take Note: Wherever You Ended Up This Year Is OK

Writers Take Note: Wherever You Ended Up This Year Is OK — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:25:28 +0000

[...] you’ll make mistakes and you’ll learn what works for you and you’ll find a way to make writing a priority and you’ll become less and less of a procrastinator as the years go on (if you keep working [...]

By: 43 Most Inspiring Writing Advice Posts of 2009

43 Most Inspiring Writing Advice Posts of 2009 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:17:48 +0000

[...] What Do You Want to Achieve? by Jennifer Blanchard [...]

By: K.M. Weiland

K.M. Weiland — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:34:33 +0000

Good advice. I think it can ll be summed up in the line “If writing is important to you, make it a priority.” If you don’t care enough about your writing to set time aside for it, no one else is going to do it for you.

By: jblan

jblan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:37:47 +0000

@Jason Ok, well my advice to you for getting started again is this:
–maximize your weekends and other free time…this means instead of writing one article a day, try to write several when you have blocks of time.
–maybe aim to write 2-3 a week, instead of one a day…since you’re so busy, it’s unlikely that you can find 2 hours in your day to sit down and research, write, edit and post an article. and since you’re just starting out again, i’d try not to overburden yourself right away. sometimes less really is more.
–ask for help…have a friend edit some of your articles for you, so that is one less task you have to do yourself.
–write when the kids are asleep…as soon as they go to bed at night, sit down immediately and write. work for as long as you can until you get tired/need to do something else.
–set aside “me” time…yes, this is very difficult to do, but if you don’t put yourself as a top priority, who will? set aside a couple hours a week where you are “unavailable.” and be unavailable by stepping away from your home to write, such as in a coffee shop, at the library, etc.

This is all I have right now… I hope that helps a little.

Anyone else have suggestions to help Jason get started writing again?

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:18:45 +0000

Jennifer,

From choosing an assignment, to researching the piece, to writing the first draft, revision, and publishing -> about 2 hours.

Thanks,

- jason

By: jennifer blanchard

jennifer blanchard — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:13:54 +0000

@Jason How long does it take you to write a 400- to 500-word article?

@Larry Aw thanks, Larry! Coming from a writing veteran such as yourself, that’s probably one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received!

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:38:41 +0000

Jennifer — want to chime in with a hearty congrats on this great series, which drives toward an important mindset for writers. All of us teeter on the brink of doubt at times, and this stuff brings us back to the most fundamental of all truths — we must understand why we’re doing what we do. This high level thinking about the writing life is scarce out there (I’m trying to do my bit on that front, too), and this is a major contribution. Keep up the great work here on PW. Larry

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:34:50 +0000

Jennifer,

Excellent conclusion to a great three piece series.

Since these articles hit so close to home, I am going to throw this out to you and your readers in an attempt to restart my writing career. Please bear with me and feel free to offer any feedback/advice – it is all appreciated.

I have a BS in computer science and I am a developer/geek by trade. I have always wanted to write and so I responded to a LInkedIn opportunity in April of 2007. The position is freelance but has been a paying position since day one. I have published over 100 articles on this website, I have handled editorial duties, I have mentored junior writers, and I have a great relationship with the publisher of the site/owner of the media company.

In the last two years, a series of events has brought my writing activity (e.g. career) to a complete halt:
– A new job with more responsibility that has included a disastrous project, layoffs, etc.
– The birth of my 5th child (that’s right, I have five children – all boys)
– My father’s diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma
– My mother’s diagnosis with colon cancer and her eventual passing in late June

I know those are excuses but I think it is important to provide some context.

With my life beginning to settle down a little bit, I want to start writing again. I want to write for the sake of writing and for the extra income for my wife and I to enjoy. But I also want to pay back the publisher who gave me my first opportunity and has been incredibly supportive and patient.

My goal is simple:
– I want to write one 400 to 500 word non-fiction article (in a specific technology sector) every day

That’s it. I know it sounds simple. I have done it over 100 times and I have it broken down into the basic steps. But between being a husband, a father, a son, an employee, and a leader of volunteer organization; I am not finding the time to make this happen (e.g. starting on step 1).

I have been searching for a silver bullet or a switch to flip, but I have come up empty.

Thanks again for these articles and for taking the time to read this.

Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated.

@jemorycampbell