I have been having some trouble dealing with my life. I hate airing my dirty laundry but I need some advice from friends and family. I have this need to do something, to matter in this world. And I have plenty of ideas I'm just afraid of failure, and certain things hinder me, like the fact that I may not have enough resources to help me achieve my goals. I would love to finish a book and be able to publish it, but I don't have the contacts to get it published. And I would love to use this site I found, etsy.com, and put my photography out there so I can start making something of myself and share my dreams with the world. But I'm so worried it won't work.
I know, I know. Most of you are saying, just stop worrying! But what I need is some solid advice on how to get started. How do I begin a big project? What are the steps you all take?
2 comments:
make a list of all the things you want to accomplish.
separate them by short-term and long-term.
pick a long-term goal and divide it up into littler pieces.
ie:
Goal:finish that book
steps:
1. edit what you already have
2. call every small publisher in the state. ask them what their process for submission is. (some may want a sample, others may want a complete book).
3. call three local authors and meet with them for coffee about how to go about publishing.
4. write, revise, edit. repeat. :)
5. get comfy... it's going to be a great cold winter for writing, buy yourself some fun background music and some fuzzy pjs.
6. find out if there's a group you can join of new writers in your area. having people there to support you is definitely going to keep you motivated.
That's just one tiny idea for one of your many goals. what you've gotta do is stop wondering if it's going to happen. it will. now you've just gotta do it.
by the way, today was the first time i stopped and realized that a year ago, i was a student, with no idea what i wanted to do with my life, nothing but term papers and stress. now... in less than a year i've seen the other side of the world, met new friends, found the best job for myself, and have new plans on the horizon. if you go back and look at how far you've come, it will motivate you to keep going. ps. you're amazing.
Call the guy who interviews for channel 8 authors here at the local library and see if he can put you in touch with anyone. Try to contact your favorite authors.
Most important, follow through......I have that problem also. Maybe we should get together and make contracts of our goals together and hold each other accountable.
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