Showing posts with label keep learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label keep learning. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Critique Circle


I wanted to take a moment to talk up a great website called Critique Circle.

http://cdn.makeuseof.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/critique-website-critiquecircle.png?x92042

It's where authors submit their works in progress for review and critique. In order to submit you have to critique other works. This site is monitored for trolls, those that don't play by the rules. I have not had any instances where I've gotten a critique that wasn't honest.

Critiques are best when they are detailed. If you leave a critique explain why you liked or didn't like a part. Be nice and use academic speech. Don't just leave positive, happy face, remarks all over because no one learns anything that way.

Join. There are thousands of members and they are all aspiring and even published authors, so they take things seriously. You get great feedback on your work. You are not alone in writing!

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Energy Well Spent?

We all only have a finite amount of energy each day. The way we spend it determines how successful we are.

Massive effort = Massive results, right?

If I want to write a book, I have to use my energy writing. If I am reading social media, but not promoting my work and receiving motivational feedback from fans, I am wasting my energy.

If I want to learn how to publish, how to market, how to grow, then I have to seek out resources, study, and get tips from pros.

I can't help but think that massive energy can be spent in all the wrong places, though. I could have great intentions and work really hard on something only to have it all end or unravel no matter how many times I keep trying.

Yet, if I am truly learning, then I won't retry a failed attempt and will instead try something different. Even if the massive effort ends, it is a step towards the ultimate goal.

Keep learning.

Two of the pros I subscribe to seem to be saying the same thing; to focus your energy without distractions and work smarter, not harder. I have had these moments of "flow" before where I get a massive amount of work accomplished in a small amount of time. You get "in the zone" and nothing else matters but what you are working on.

They ask us to dream big and then act big. The dreams they had were just ideas, but instead of running from them or convincing themselves that they were frivolous, they actually tried to make them come true. They contacted people to ask questions and gain permissions. They researched sponsors, shared their dreams, gained support, and did something cool.

What cool things can I do this year? What about you?

I will admit that I do not have clearly defined writing goals as of this day. I have a few projects I want to work on, but no large ultimate 'dream' goal. That may come later as I simply get my head into the habit of writing. I certainly hope so.