New Years Resolutions that went all wrong.

Last year at this time I had my first contract and was working diligently through all my edits, getting ready for my release in February.
The days rushed by and before I knew it New Years had arrived.

2013 was going to be my year. I had so many plans. Release my new book on February 16th. Have my second book ready for submission by March and work towards my third by the end of the year.
I had goals.

Well father time was not my friend.

It is the beginning of September and I am three fourths of the way through two books. So close to the end but life keeps getting in the way.

As writers we realize the best made plans can go so wrong so we must be flexible.

If we push, the words won't come, or at least that's the way it works for me.

So I made a list. of ways to stay on track

1.  Set up a calender and mark out time to write.

This gives me a schedule so I can't say I don't have time.

2.  Keep a journal 

This keeps the ideas flowing. If I happen to sit in front of the computer with nothing to write I grab my journal.

3.  Plot my success

I no longer mark out on the calender when I want a book done. I mark word counts. Each scheduled writing time I plot my total words written. 

4.  Set a goal to write one more word than the last word count.

Each scheduled writing time I attempt to hit just one more word than the last. This gets me one more word closer to the end.

5.  Find a tangible prize for each goal you have set.

Mine is a new book. I am a writer, but I have always been an avid reader. 

My goals are still tangible this year, just more towards the end of the year.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated towards your goals? 

I'm off to write more words for today. Like I said earlier it's September and another New Years is right around the corner.

Until Next time

Lynda

www.lyndakayefrazier.com

Food, Sex, and Violence--Does Your Character Need Some?

I had an interesting discussion with a friend about what usually makes for a riveting story. On some group or another, she came across the comment that sex, food, and violence are often woven into story lines, albeit in differing measures and proportions.

This made sense to me, as they're all basic drives and speak to the human condition. What gets more primal and raw than sex and violence? They're definitely attention grabbers. Even if these happenings make us uncomfortable, we often can't look away, at least for long. They grip us and hold us in thrall.

And food? Not only do we need it to live, but food can be highly sensual, say, in a romance or highly disturbing in a horror flick.

For romance readers and writers, the most important basic need is undoubtedly love. But other primal drives add conflict and richness to a love story that would otherwise be lacking.

Because ultimately, we humans always want something, and our fiction should portray that. I guess it really does come down to GMC (goal--what the character wants; motivation--why character wants it; and conflict--what's stopping the character from having it).

So everyone go pick up a good book and get your drive on!

Lisa Kumar

http://www.lisakumar.com/

Boxing Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Couple eating apple: Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net