Do I Even Have Goals?

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Goals. It’s something writers talk a lot about. We spend time in twitter chats discussing our writing goals for the new year, we participate in #goalwars with other authors, and we even announce crazy goals on our blog and work our butt off to reach them.

I’ve even participated and pwned (yes it’s a word) the Kiersten White Challenge where she gives you some insane goal and you bust your butt and basically do nothing but write until it’s done.

But, for all this–I’m not sure I have actual written down on paper goals and what I want my writing career to look like. I think that’s probably important for several reasons.

First… Why the hell am I doing this? I mean… dude… it’s a LOT of work. Am I just doing it for fun? Well.. no that’s not it. It’s super fun, and I love the heck out of it, but that isn’t the only reason I spend my Friday and Saturday nights in a trendy coffee shop banging away on my laptop. (Okay, that part is kinda awesome, because I love froofroo coffee and I have the coolest pink computer that you ever did see.)

Am I doing this because I want to make a living at it? Well… sort of. It would be nice to support my family with something as awesome as writing. Few people get to do what they truly believe in, and I’m slowly beginning to realize that I might just get to be one of them. That part’s pretty cool, but it can’t be the reason I am doing this. If I wanted to make a living and support my family, couldn’t I just sell Pampered Chef or something. (Aside–I’d rather shoot my own self in the foot and then hop around on it for ten or so minutes than sell Pampered Chef.) So, that’s not my end game goal–but I think it might be a part of it.

I have a quote taped to my desk. It’s kind of nerdy, so just be cool and don’t make too too much fun of me–k?

I write only because
There is a voice within me
That will not be still.
—-Sylvia Plath

I guess that’s kind of true. It’s why I don’t have any real writing goals right now. I just write because I can’t stop doing it. I love the way writing kind of completes me and my day. I appreciate that my words make other people laugh, and dare I dream that someday I might get to see them in a true to life bound book?

It’s kind of nuts to think about, but it makes me realize that while goals seem like something I need… I’m not really sure how to go about even deciding what I want to happen with my career right now, and instead I’m just going to enjoy the ride.

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19 Comments

  1. Hi Jamie,
    I am not sure if you got your issue worked out with your blog or not…but I love your thoughts about why we write. Beautifully said-and funny, too. Not an easy combination to pull off.
    🙂
    .-= Reading Countess´s last blog ..Confessions of a Junk Food Reader =-.

    1. @Lisa, ohmigosh yes! I hate that it’s sooo slow! But we’re patient… right? (You know, in that we’re TOTALLY not patient!)

  2. I like that quote!! And good luck with everything, in 2010 and beyond!

  3. Only a non-writer would find that Plath quote nerdy lol. I’d tape it somewhere if I had room.
    I don’t think you should feel bad about setting goals if you are having no trouble getting the words out. Written down goals only become necessary when you feel like you have to force yourself to write.
    Great post, Jamie, and make sure to keep us updated on your publishing career!
    .-= Annarkie´s last blog ..Succulent Turkey Recipe =-.

  4. I don’t write, but it seems that setting too specific goals for writing would be somewhat limiting.

    1. I totally agree! (Also, are you getting my reply as an email to you?) I am testing out a new wordpress plugin 🙂

    1. @Cari Quinn: Thanks! Okay, I am testing two wordpress plugins to see if they work in conjunction with each other. Are you getting this in your email?

  5. I love Kiersten White and her blog! As for goals, it does seem like a good time to set them. Personally, I have some own goals about the sales I hope to achieve with my first novel when it pubs this fall and I decided after reading Allison Winn Scotch’s year-end post last night that it’s totally OK to have big dreams and big goals and to work your butt off to achieve them!

    1. Yeah… I think I agree there. I mean hell… it doesn’t make us snobs to work hard and GET what we work for, right?

  6. I’m with you (and Plath) — “be still my voice?” — ha, no way.

    jjshannon (real name Sharon)

    1. Exactly! I mean, heck… why else would be spend hours and hours doing something this crazy… right?

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