Back in July, I insanely thought we could discuss career planning, but I wisely shoved it to the side. September's here and I think we're all ready for it. I'm looking forward to hearing your tips and tricks to keep your writing career on track.
Okay, some of you are snickering. I can hear you. What career? I'm not even published yet.
So what? You're going to be published someday, so it's time to plan now.
The first thing we're discussing is your career map. You may have never delved into what you want to accomplish as a writer, but I'll bet if you do, the answers will come to you fairly quickly.
A career map is a basic list of what you are doing, or plan to do in the future, to make your dream of becoming a published writer a reality. For those of you who are published, your career map would consist of steps you're taking to publish more books and further your career.
Grab a pen and a notebook and think about the following questions for a few minutes. Write down your answers.
Daily: What do you do on a daily basis to further your writing? (Write X amount of pages/words, read writing related blogs, post on your own blog, network with other writers via the Internet, subscribe to a word a day e-mail service, etc...)
Monthly: What do you do on a monthly basis to further your writing? (Read trade magazines, review how much you've written the previous month and set new goals for the next month, attend writing group meetings, take an on-line class or read a book on writing craft, add new contacts to your social networking sites, read books in the genre you write in, query agents, study publishers, back-up your writing, etc...)
Annually: What do you do on an annual basis to further your writing? (Write a goal list for the year, review your progress and compare to the previous year, attend one or more conferences, research ways to market yourself, etc...)
Five Year Plan: Where would you like to be in five years? (Do you have small children at home? Be realistic. Maybe where you want to be in five years will be more appropriate in ten. Do you have a full time job you can't imagine giving up anytime soon? Take it into consideration.) The point of a five year plan isn't to set unrealistic goals or to make you wallow in frustration at your life. It's to look ahead and see a possible and desirable future for your writing.
Five years ago, my plan looked very different from the one I have now. Back then, I decided I couldn't write much the first two years, but I knew I could find the time and energy to read. I read everything I could during that time. I also belonged to a writer's group with twice a month meetings and writing assignments. I knew that would fit my life as well. Then, three years ago, my schedule changed as anticipated. I had several hours a week to devote to writing. The following year, I had even more time to write.
The plan I have now is not only realistic, but it's attainable. And I'm pretty excited about it. It fits my life and keeps me focused.
We might not have much control over when we get published, but we have complete control over the actions we take to help us get published.
Do you have a career map? If yes, what excites you about it? If no, what's keeping you from writing one?
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss studying our favorite author's careers to further our own.
Love this post. That is it. I am out to write my map. I never thought about the value of doing this. What a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI currently keep my writing on track by giving myself daily goals. But I like the longer term planning that yu refer to.
Good Morning!
ReplyDeleteTabitha: Yay! My annual list is my favorite because I can refer to it every few months and see if I'm on track or not. Plus, it gives me a sense of accomplishment to see how much I really do to realize my dream. I hope you have fun with yours!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi Jill! I so enjoyed this. A career map is a great idea, I actually think that is EXACTLY what I need to do. I see you found my random blog, but for so long I have been trying to decide whether or not to EVEN start a more focused and well-thought out "writer's blog" with the focus on writing more than anything else. So, that will have to come into play as I look at my own "career map". So when that blog DOES happen, I will definitely let you know! Great post!!!
ReplyDeleteI love making goals, but the problem is that I don't meet all of them. For my yearly goal, I always include at least one writer's conference. Love that one!
ReplyDeleteI'm just now working on a new set of goals being fall and all. Thanks for the tips of what to include in them.
I have honestly never made a career plan. What a smart idea. And since I love setting goals, this is right up my alley. Thanks for the post, Jill! I look forward to reading your posts this month.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant and worth it. This reminds me of some things I wrote after reading, Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell. Think I'll work on this later today!
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
I love this series, Jill! I'm such a goal-oriented person, especially in my day job. We can all learn so much about ourselves by going through the simple exercise you outlined in your post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow this is a great roadmap guide. I def. need to use this and map out a plan of attack. I think most writers are goal oriented but to varying degree's. Love the post.
ReplyDeleteAmber J: I was so excited to see your blog! I'll keep coming back. And don't worry about it being a certain way--all blogs evolve. I know mine did!
ReplyDeleteEileen: It's okay to not meet all of your goals. The important thing is to keep track of your progress. As long as you're regularly working to fulfill your dreams, you're okay.
Katie: You know what they say about written goals, don't you? They have a way of coming true. I know how much you want to stay at home--write your goals down--it might happen sooner than you think!
Wendy: Oh! I'll have to check that book out--thanks!
Heather: Your comment brought a lightbulb on for me. We often write goals down for our "real" jobs, but we fail to plan our "dream" jobs. We should be focusing on the dream!!
T.Anne: Oh, yes. We are goal-oriented, but we all have such different schedules, drives, and ambitions, there is no one size fits all career map for writers.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great post. I can't believe you're so organized! And so goal-oriented. It's inspiring :) I write out weekly plans on occasion but I really think it would help me follow through if I was more detailed about it. Set down specific things I need to work on each day or each week.
ReplyDeleteOooh--this is great! I can't wait to think through all of this stuff for myself and figure it all out! Thanks!
ReplyDeletegreat stuff, jill. really gives me something to churn around in my head. :)
ReplyDeleteEek! A career map???
ReplyDelete*eyes rolling around, hoping no one notices my very red face*
Uh, plans are not my forte. LOL I do have my daily goal but I usually don't plan too much ahead. I would say I have a very vague goal in mind, and that is to have a contract before the youngest goes to school. Three more years. Also, I'd like to write two books a year.
Does that work? LOL
You're very organized, aren't you? ;-)
Jill, this post comes at a good time for me. Our one and only heads off to college in less than three weeks, and we'll have an empty nest. I'll be able to devote more time to my writing, and I realize the importance of having a plan. Your ideas are great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. I need to make a map. I've always just flown by the seat of my pants, and I think setting realistic goals would be very beneficial to me. Great post!
ReplyDeleteCindy: Weekly goals are great! It makes it easy to see what you got done and what still needs to be done so nothing falls through the cracks. They don't have to be elaborate, either!
ReplyDeleteKristen T.: Have fun with it!
Jeannie: Head-churning doesn't sound good. Hope you enjoy it!
Jessica: See? You have the goals in place--now just break down ways you can get there! Easy!
Keli: Congratulations! College--empty nest--sigh. Hope the transition isn't too painful. This is really the perfect time for you to focus on your career! Good luck!
LazyWriter: Nothing wrong with flying by the pantseats. It's just nice to have evidence you're taking steps toward your dream, especially during the discouraging times.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I love your list, Jill! I've had a to-do list this summer, but I haven't thought much past what I HAVE to get done in the near future. But I love the idea of having longer term goals! And keeping them realistic.
ReplyDeleteYou're right...I need to come up with a map. I'm just trying to get to the "published" point...I haven't felt like I could be picky beyond that!
ReplyDeleteJody: I know! Looking at the HAVE to do can be daunting! But, it's fun, too, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteStephanie: Well, I think you could be picky! It's nice to narrow down what you want out of your career. For instance, I don't want to publish just one book. I want to publish at least two every year. I've set my life up now, unpublished, to reflect the schedule I plan on accomodating in the future.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I need a map. I think I will do this and I'll let you know how it goes. I know where I want to be and when. So I might as well map it out. This is a great idea. :0)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Thanks for the follow! :)
Great post! I...uh..yeah. :S I write. Six days a week. And revise. And network.
ReplyDeletePretty much the best thing I have going for me is that I write. >.<
But I also try to stay professional anytime I leave a fingerprint on the Internet. And I research. And I need to make a plan. :p
Robyn: Welcome! It sounds as if you know what you want--definitely write it down! Let's take advantage of those proven secrets of success--that writing down our goals puts them on the fast track to getting accomplished. And you're welcome--I enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteDanyelle: See? You write. Six days a week. And revise and network. You're working toward your goal--doesn't that feel good? I bet if you thought about it for a half hour, you'd realize how many other things you do to further your dream.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Wow, this is awesome. I only had a general plan in my head and a few goals written out. I've been working hard but since my schedule recently changed and has allowed me more time to write and advance my career, I'll really benefit from this planning exercise you posted. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRegina: How exciting for you that your schedule has opened up to allow more writing! Good luck planning everything out!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
I have a list of goals that I try to set time limits for. I need to have it visible or I easily get off track. Sometimes I get off track and that's a good thing because I realize maybe the goal I had needs to be tweaked:)
ReplyDeleteKara: Good point! Our goals and steps evolve. It's good not to get stuck in "one right way," you know?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!