Monday, January 3, 2011

Exiting Safe, Chasing Fantastic

Stale. Boring. Blah.

That sums up how I've felt about my blog lately. For the past month, I've been brainstorming what I want this sliver of cyberspace to accomplish. What is it I'm trying to convey three days a week? Have my goals changed from when I started it? How do I keep it fresh and satisfying?



Blogs evolve. Mine started as a place to encourage and share tips with other writers. Last year I broadened the content to apply to more than just other writers. Honestly, my writing-related posts generate the most traffic and comments. Who doesn't want tips on creating a synopsis and crafting a great query letter? But there are oodles of wonderful blogs with excellent advice on the writing craft.


I'm in a different place this year. As many of you know I signed with an agent this fall (read about it here). Everyone has been very supportive. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "you must be so excited." Yes, I was and still am excited! But the process brought out unexpected feelings I really didn't know I had. All of a sudden, I was leaving the safe life I'd carved out over the last few years.


Could I handle the new responsibilities? What if no publisher wants my book? Will my agent regret signing me? What if my new books aren't as good? Will my schedule change? And finally--the mother of them all--what if this dream I've been chasing turns out to be a nightmare?


It took me a month of praying and living to work through these fears. In the process, I learned what I really want to share here three days a week--I'm exiting "safe" because I want "fantastic." Don't we all?

Join me on Wednesday to discuss what "fantastic" means to us.

Happy New Year everyone!

29 comments:

  1. Love the idea! And every single question you typed in italics...yep, I struggled with all of them too. My post next Monday is about finding peace - and I talk about my exact same struggle and how no matter where we get with publishing, the scary questions are always there.

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  2. Good for you, Jill. I wept when I received my offer from my agent, not sure I was ready for the 'big leagues.'

    Looking forward to your next post!
    Jen

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  3. I'm all about fantastic!

    For you, for me, paint the world fantastic!

    Looking forward to reading more here.
    ~ Wendy

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  4. You ARE and always will BE fantastic!

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  5. Great idea! You made the right choice :D Looking forward to following your journey.

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  6. Fantastic! Maybe that could be your word for 2011. Been pretty fantastic here. But know nothing has limits, does it. Like the new blog header!

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  7. Jill, I'll enjoy reading your fantastic blog if for no other reason than you put prayer into what you're doing and that makes all the difference in the world. The question isn't, "What should I do?" but "What would God have me do?" That's what makes it go from good to annointed and powerful! I'm looking forward to cheering you on, taking encouragement from your postings and maybe along the way giving you some added encouragement as well! Blessings!

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  8. This sounds great, Jill! Can't wait to see what you have to share with us. :-)

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  9. Love this.. and I can't wait to see what your new FANTASTIC 2011 brings.

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  10. Oooh, this is exciting, Jill! I love leaving safe behind in search for something fantastic. Can't wait to see what YOU have in mind.

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  11. you all are freaking me out! :) I'm sending my requested proposals out next week and I'm quaking in my shoes. :)
    Great blog, though, I'm excited to read more! :)

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  12. Looking forward to all the FANTASTIC things you share, and very much admire your new attitude! :)

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  13. Jill, I can relate to the concerns you experienced after signing with your agent. The truth is that you are fantastic, and so is your writing. I look forward to reading your future posts and have a hunch you'll have big news to share soon.

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  14. I'm sooo addicted to safe, so this idea sounds great! :)

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  15. I missed the wonderful agent news- congratulations Jill! I can't imagine what that feels like- Christmas all year?! Yep it must feel like Christmas all year!

    I'm looking forward to sharing in your new direction:)

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  16. Good afternoon everyone!

    Katie: I agree. Each phase brings a different set of scary questions!

    Jen: I cried too. It had just been such a long road--I had a hard time believing it!

    Wendy: Love it--paint the world fantastic--what a great way to look at it!

    Em: Aw, thank you. You know I feel the same about you!

    Georgiana: I hope so! It's hard sometimes!

    Lynn: Yes! My 2011 word! Perfect! Hope you're all healed up. :)

    Jessica: Your questions are dead-on. It's easy to slip into a self-centered way of thinking, not realizing God has big plans for me. Great reminder!

    Melissa: I'm looking forward to it too!

    Erin: Thank you and right back at you!

    Heather: You ARE adventurous! Love that attitude!

    Jaime: Yay!! Send them! Praying for you to hear good news!

    Beth: Thanks! I hope your year is fantastic too!

    Keli: You are so supportive. I don't know what I would do without you! Thank you.

    Sarah: I hear you! I like schedules and being in control--safe!

    Tamika: Thank you! Christmas all year pretty much sums it up!!

    CJ: Me too. Because then it won't be Monday. :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  17. Can't wait to see. I need some excitement in my life right now! :O)

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  18. I look forward to reading all you write here!

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  19. Yes, fantastic is good! I've been feeling a little blah about my blog also. I can't wait to read Wednesday!

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  20. Oo- intriguing! I can't wait to hear your thoughts as you aim for fantastic. I'm thinking about the direction of my blog, too. I have some ideas, but I don't want to lose the personal touch.

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  21. Diane: I do too! Winter gets depressing.

    Terri: Thanks!

    Kristen: Thank you!

    Susan M: Maybe it's a January thing? I feel like sprucing everything up!

    Rosslyn: I agree--the personal touch is so important.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  22. Fantastic is a term that always changes for me. Depends on the day. Looking forward to tomorrow.

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  23. A very happy 2011 to you!Looking forward to the new direction of your blog, Jill! See you on Wednesday! :)

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  24. Girl- I feel like I am reading my own thoughts! Press on!

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  25. Sounds like a good plan for the new year. Go for it!

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  26. New starts, new things! It's all exciting! Can't wait to see your next post. :D

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  27. I think you already are fantastic but I am waiting with baited breath to see what your version entails on Wednesday. ;) I have to tell you that back in November (?) when I had just finished one WIP and was trying to outline my next you did a series on how to write a synopsis that went on over a period of three posts. Because of those posts not only did I manage to write the synopsis before the book (a new thing for me) but I outlined in detail every chapter of my new WIP. Now that I'm writing my WIP it is a breeze! Thank you! ALso, I still cringe when I think of how I embarrassed myself in front of your agent. Some things never change.

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