By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Writer Lynda R. Young wrote a great post for the Insecure Writers Support Group: 4 Reasons to Celebrate Your Writing Milestones. In it, she talks about the benefits of thinking back on past accomplishments.
I love looking back on past achievements. That’s because my to-do list is frequently so scary that it gives me a sense of security to see what I’ve finished. I read once that to-do lists help us be more productive if we keep the crossed-off items on our list instead of making new lists all the time. I can see why—it’s motivating to see how far we’ve come, no matter if the project is writing and promoting a book or cleaning out a garage.
This is particularly important, I think, during this time of year. That’s because it’s resolution time.
I’ve gotten so that I’d rather make to-do lists for my year and plop the tasks on my calendar than come up with a list of resolutions that might be lost or forgotten. Even then, the list seems unmanageable sometimes. I knew, for instance, at this time last year that I’d have at least four books release in 2013 (if I didn’t, I’d be paying back some advance money). I also knew I’d promised readers to put my self-published books in print. In addition, I wanted to explore going into audiobooks. Plus, I knew that my blog—which had issues ever since Blogger had pushed through a major update—needed to migrate to WordPress. It was a lot to do.
But—I crossed all those tasks off my list this year. And instead of relentlessly moving forward to the next item, I slowed it all down a bit. I stuck most of my accomplishments up on my website’s News page. My news page is always a bit sad, anyway, since I don’t really do readings or signings anymore. What’s more, these accomplishments help alert readers that I’ve got print books and audiobooks available for sale now.
Even if you don’t do something as public as a website list, you might want to keep a note somewhere that you can look at when you get overwhelmed by what’s ahead. You could keep it in a Word doc or your calendar, on Evernote or on a sticky note. These could be tasks as big as finishing a first draft, or smaller, important tasks like finding a cover designer or formatter, researching agents, reviewing self-publishing options, or learning social media and how to effectively promote.
Do you track your accomplishments? Celebrate your milestones? What did you accomplish in 2013?
Addendum–I should also mention that I had a book release yesterday! (Not sure where my brain is with promo lately.) Quilt Trip, a Penguin NAL book, is now available. :)
I used to keep a list of every story I’d finished — kind of a tally sheet. I stopped about ten years ago, but your post here made me go look at the list. I’d stopped just short of a hundred items. (Many of which are items which will never ever be published.)
The list, though, reminded me of some stories I’d written that I should pull out and polish. Thanks for posting this!
Even better! Now you’ve got content to publish. :)
Elizabeth,
I love your idea and approach. Patting yourself on the head for accomplishments is a great way to prime the pump. I am stalled in the process of finishing my first draft. I think it is more just allowing so much of life to take the time I need to devote. I have so many ideas for stories and books, but refuse to allow myself to work on anything new until I get this first draft complete. I intend to follow you and gain knowledge from your experience.
Just think about how far you’ve come. And I do like your approach of sticking with a project until it’s done…I do the same thing. But it’s always good to jot down those other ideas in a Word file for later (at least, if your memory is as bad as mine is).
I need to do that. This has been one of those years I’ve felt like I was spinning my wheels and lagging in certain areas. But I’ve branched out into new ones and I need to remember that.
Diane–You’ve accomplished a lot this year…write it down.
Elizabeth – I couldn’t agree more. It’s important to reflect anyway; that’s how we improve as people and as writers. And part of that reflection involves looking at how far we’ve come and what we’ve accomplished. It’s ‘money in the bank’ for those times when things aren’t going so well…
Margot–Exactly. It can be tough to take time out to reflect, but it’s worth it on many levels.
Lynda’s post was awesome!
This year wasn’t as good as last year, but I did produce a book and am working on another.
Congratulations on the release!!
Alex–Sounds like a lot to me! And what about the ISWG site? Another accomplishment. :)
I’m too busy and like to declutter anyway I can. I don’t keep lists of accomplishments, but perhaps I should consider this. Like yourself, I’m revamping my blog for 2014 and now that you mention it, I could devote a bit of space for this.
Stephen–Good luck with the blog! And yes…I find these types of lists really motivating.
Hi Elizabeth
I love to-do lists! OK, a bit strong maybe, but seeing things ticked off is strangely motivating.
I like your idea of listing things on your news page. I find I spread my information around, so some ends up on Facebook, and other bits on Twitter. Keeping it all together on a news page would help people who wanted to know how everything was going, and be a good motivator as well, so I’ll be adding one to my site :)
2013 was the first year I’ve seriously taken to writing, and I’m proud to say I’ve stuck to my resolution which was to write every day. I feel like I’ve come such a long way in the last twelve months, from almost complete ignorance to published, and I’m even beginning to get the hang of promotion!
Not to get too soppy, but sites such as yours have been a massive help, so thanks :)
Cheers
Mike
I think, especially in your case, that it would make great sense to put it on a news page–you’ve done so much this year! And thanks so much for following my blog…glad it could help!
[…] Elizabeth Spann Craig (Mystery Writing is Murder) with Listing Our Accomplishments […]
I’m not very good at writing things down … boy that sounds odd for a writer! But I rarely do lists on paper or on computer. I’ll have to make more of a focus on celebrating the accomplishments though – that’s something I really could do better!
I like the new site!! :)
Always good to celebrate! And thanks, Jemi. :)
Hey Elizabeth – Congrats on the book release! (And a very nice post!)
Thanks, Michael! I appreciate it.
Oh, very nice new site–feels open and airy and I find it easier to read.
Haven’t kept a list of what I’ve written, mostly because I’m so focused on what I’m doing at any given moment–I work on one thing until it is finished, and have to drag myself away to write a blog post or something on g+. The list of things to do the next time I sit down to write, however, is an essential part of jump-starting the process, helps me to remember exactly where I left off, etc. Maybe after I’ve published three novels I will start listing what I’ve already done!
Oh, one other thing–the way you can juggle more than one series at a time, plus this blog and other writerly efforts (and all on top of active motherhood) just amazes me.
Meg–Oh good! Glad you like the site. :) I wanted to keep it as uncluttered and easy to read as possible…good to hear it came across that way!
I’m like you–I live by my lists. Listing what you want to write each day is half the battle!
I might have to do a post on fitting writing into crazy days. I rely a lot on my crockpot and calendar and lists…ha!
Hi Elizabeth – thanks for the reminder .. I really want to migrate to WP in 2014 – and will make that a goal … the memory stories seem to crop up in my blog as something triggers my mind – it’s a good addition to one’s news, as it’s a little bit of personality creeping in …
I do keep lots of part written posts .. and must also get to use Evernote in 2014 – an essential as I clear the paper work …
A great reminder though .. cheers Hilary