The Writer's Devotional

12/30/2014 Week 1
 Tuesday/Motivation

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want."-Ben Stein

I restarted this Writer's Devotional yesterday, because I didn't do any of the exercises last week. It is the problem I have had all along.  My writing has never actually materialized.  As crazy as that sounds the most I've done is journal and not even consistently.  So, no more of that.   Goals. That's the topic in TWD.
Here's what stuck out to me:
 "Begin by deciding what you want to achieve as a writer".   I thought I did that, but after reading this again, I realize I have been thinking too small. Not admitting the real goals I have.
 
1) I want to be a great fiction writer, an amazing fiction writer- the kind of writer whose stories you miss when they are over. Stories that are so real they make you weep, or laugh & change.  Change in a way that you are better.

2) I want to write non-fiction articles/ books that give you that "ah ha" moment- an epiphany- a light in the dark tunnel you were seeking to find a way out of.  Mainly I think on the topics: of educating black boys,

3) I want to write about the people like myself, the people in the upper lower or the lower middle- people that are always on their way to making it.

 " By defining what you want, you're creating a type of road map to follow, helping you steer clear of distracting detours." Above I wrote the kinds of things I want to do, but I need to make SMART goals.

1) I will write a fictional series- that will start in the mid 80's in Bham. This will be borne out of my time in Hoover apartments- (12 years in 2 different ones).  I have a few key characters in mind.

a) Finish the Series course by March 1, 2015.
b) Write out a general synopsis & character sketches by Feb 1, 2015
c) Remake goals after completed but no later than March, 15, 2015

2)  I will write an article/ true story?  about 'schooling' our sons in times like this.
a) Finish "Writing for Story. Using knowledge gained write an article by Feb. 1, 2015
b) Look for a contest to submit to - 1/15/15
c) Look for a market to submit to -1/15/15