It’s so good to see you back with me. I hope you had a great weekend and you are ready to hit the writing road running. I know I am.
I have mentioned before in earlier articles that I have a five-year plan for my writing. Everything is geared towards that five-year goal, and everything I do is aligned with the plan. For me it is the only way to approach this writing gig. I have bigger plans than to publish a few articles in magazines, or make a living writing for content mills. I’m building my platform one step at a time and when I’m all done I’ll have a solid structure and hopefully a nice income to boot.
Do you have a long-range plan? Have you sat down and mapped out where you want to be with your writing and where you want to go with your writing? How are you going to get there?
There are so many ways to approach this writing gig. There are magazines and there are writer’s sites like HubPages and there are newspapers and books and on and on and on….and it can get confusing and overwhelming, and I think sometimes writers try the shotgun approach and miss their target….if they have a target at all.
So that brings us to the tip of the day…..
TIP OF THE DAY
Make a plan for your writing adventure. Have a clear goal and then plan how you are going to reach that goal.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
Thomas Jefferson
Just something to think about. J
BOOK OF THE DAY
Yes, another friend of mine, Sydney Spence, just published her first book on Amazon. It is a children’s book and it is called Whiney Weenie’s Christmas Carol. You can find it here.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
See it…now write 100 words on it, stream of consciousness, no thought, just start writing…..GO!
CONTEST OF THE DAY
How about something a little different? A haiku contest….Black Heart Magazine is holding their 3rd Annual Kick Ass Haiku Contest and you can enter here.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
If you are submitting articles to magazines, or thinking about it, remember that time slows down with magazine editors. It may take them months to respond to your query letter, so don’t give up…and it may take them weeks to pay you, so don’t forget. Keep sending out those queries, keep them logged somewhere where you won’t forget them, and keep trying.
TIME TO GO
Gotta run this morning. Customers are calling and my platform isn’t going to build itself. Have a great day and thanks as always for stopping by.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Great plan and I am still trying flesh that out at this point, but definitely great advice on doing this and thank you as always Bill. Wishing you, too a wonderful Tuesday now!! 🙂
Janine, I swear you look like you are right on target….great job that you are doing online. 🙂
Great advice, once again. I need to start working on some query letters. Another insecurity to tackle!
Sha, you are knocking those insecurities down rapidly…you go, girl!
Currently my writing plan is to add as much content to my blog as possible (in the small amount of time that I have). Baby steps, right? This is a great post – thanks, Bill.
I hope you have a really great week
🙂
Marissa, that’s a good start. When time is a factor, as it is for you, then you do what you can do in that time….you have years to build your platform so be patient.
Thank you my young, talented friend.
Thanks for this post Billybuc. I should do a better job in making some goals. The shotgun affect probably has been my primary method, and in many ways, it hasn’t worked.
Thanks for your words which get me thinking.
Greg I think most of use that shotgun at first. It takes time to formulate a good plan and stick with it. Hang in there buddy.
My plans are always a but short sighted:). Thanks for making me think about that today Bill!
I meant a BIT short sighted!
You and me both, Kelly! That’s why I have mine posted right in front of my face. LOL
Life sure is short and one gotta plan and plan and plan…lol
Loved your piece of advise.
Also, a request if you could feature/advertise my book in your post. Self marketing sure can be tough…phew!
LOL…yes it is. You missed it…I featured your book last week, but I’ll do it again. 🙂
That’s awesome Bill! I didn’t know you had a 5 year plan… I love that! And by the looks of it, you are well on your way to reaching it. I have actually stopped submitting articles to magazine because I hit a bump in the road. It’s SOOooooo hard! But I’ve got to make the time and send it out to one or two more and then wait a while and then another few. Things were a lot easier when I had a full day to plan all my freelancing. Now it’s crammed into 3 hours when I get home. I’m trying to stop work at 5pm so I have time to exercise and spend time with hubby. So far, it’s working really well. So grateful to have the afternoon to get writing on my blogs, yay! Although I am very grateful for the freelance work that seems to be coming in now all of a sudden 🙂 Enough waffling, just thought I’d give you a mouthful as I’ve been a bit quiet. Have a great arvie!
Mel, I completely understand. We have to make time for all the things that are important….few writers have the time and freedom that I have. I appreciate you stopping by my friend. Take care and be happy.
Hola, Billy! Ah, a plan! Something Libras HATE to do, or – just do poorly..lol
In any case – i’ve got one, but – i’ve left wiggle room, shall we say.
Have you told Martin about the haiku contest – he used to write a LOT of them..
have a glorious rest of week..
xx
Hola Leslie….no, I didn’t mention it to Martin…thanks for the idea. Hope you are well my dear and thanks for the visit.