Pro Blog – Butt In The Chair

January 14, 2009 by in category Archives with 5 and 0
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By Janie Emaus

Since this is the first PRO blog of the year, I’m thinking about New Year’s resolutions. But while most people write about making resolutions, I’m going to write about breaking them. Why exactly does that happens? Because most often they are unrealistic.

Take last year for example. I made a resolution to write at least ten pages a day. That would amount to 3,650 pages for the year or about ten books! Of course, that was impossible. Some days I did write more, some days I wrote way less. This year in order not to get frustrated I was going to drop it down to a word a day. Well, I’ll have completed my goal by the end of this blog. That’s just plain ridiculous. So, I’m going to settle for about a chapter a week. Forget the page count.

Last year I made a resolution to stay sharp-minded every time I sat down to write. Some days it just wasn’t happening. My mind was a muddled mess. My heroine had straight blonde hair on page ten, auburn curls on page twenty and then brown waves on page twenty-five. And I don’t remember her going to the hair salon. My hero wanted to confess his love on the third page of the novel. Forget conflict and plot. Forget that book! The only thing sharp was the number two pencil I used to mark off all those mistakes.

My last resolution was to have a book published by my birthday. Well, my birthday came and went. At first I was depressed. Then I realized there are some things I cannot control (such as the state of the publishing business) and others that I can. I can control how I live my life so that I do keep having birthdays. And I alone have the power whether to write or not. And to write the best books that I can.

So, no matter how old I am – that’s my plan. Keep on writing. Whether I write five words a day or two thousand. Whether my mind is dull or sharp. I’m going to keep on doing what I love most. I’m going to keep my butt in this chair and write!

How about you?


Janie Emaus writes both adult and teen fiction. Her agent is currently submitting several of her novels. She currently writes a weekly column, THE BLOGGING BABY BOOMER at www.fabulously40.com

P.S. Since writing this blog, I broke my finger and I’m still writing!

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A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers. The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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    A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers. The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
  • Anonymous says:

    So far I’ve been doing okay with my resolutions, Janie, including writing goals, but the year is still young!
    –Linda

  • Anonymous says:

    Thanks, Sandy. “Goals within reason” is my new motto.

  • Anonymous says:

    Janie…sounds like you’re peeking inside my head. lol. I quit with the “goals” too. It just wasn’t working for me. I too, need to let my muse run this show and my writing’s much better for it.

    As always, love your blogs–

    Sandy

  • Anonymous says:

    Tina,
    Thanks. It’s slow process but my finger is getting better and so it my writing!

  • Anonymous says:

    Janie, I am with you! I can’t seem to keep up with writing goals, either, so I stopped setting them, and just let the muse take over. It worked!

    Sorry about your finger and hope it heals quickly!

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