I’m going to write a novel. There. I said it. No going back now! Well, I could hit the delete button. Or maybe I won’t publish this post. But that would defeat the purpose.
I’ve been kicking around the idea of doing more writing for a while now, but I wanted to keep it on the down low. I didn’t want to tell anyone. I even got all bashful when I told my husband! (Of course, he wasn’t surprised, and he was totally supportive.) It’s scary to admit that I want something, to admit it to myself and to other people. But it’s necessary.
I read this post on No Meat Athlete this morning about making your goals public. The idea is that if you put it out there, other people will hold you accountable and motivate you to keep trying for your goal.
The idea seemed so obvious to me. I’ve done that for most of my running goals. I post all about my training on this here blog. I tweet just about every run I complete. My Facebook friends are probably sick to death of hearing about which I race’s butt I just kicked and which one is next.
But in all fairness, writing about my running goals doesn’t scare me. I am usually shooting for something within reach, and I respect running enough to know that if I don’t reach a goal, it’s okay as long as I did what I could. (There are a lot of things out of our control when we show up on race day.) But writing a novel? That’s a much scarier goal. I might not do it. I might not even come close. I might complete it, but it might be complete crap. But I want to do it! So I am proclaiming it here and now: I am going to write a novel!
What’s it about, you ask? I’m not sure. I have a few kernels of ideas floating around in my noggin, but I need to do a lot more brainstorming. My plan is to do some brainstorming techniques that I used to do with my students. That seems like as good a way as any to get started.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So here I go, step one…
Do you typically share your goals or keep them to yourself? Anyone else out there hoping to write the next great American novel?*
How exciting! I think your blog posts are really well written; I can only imagine how good a novel would be.I’m not very good about publicly sharing my goals….but that could be because I don’t have that many. Perhaps I should get some goals and then share them? Ha.
Happy writing!!
How exciting! I think public accountability is a great idea
It took me a while to get to the point of being comfortable doing that, but it definitely helps – at least with my fitness goals!
I have also found that it helps with my fitness goals. All the support that I’ve gotten online has been beneficial to my running. Here’s hoping it translates to my other goals!*
Hmmm. Well I am regretting (a little bit) making running a marathon such a public goal because I failed and now everyone gets to know about it. Bummer.
Writing a novel would be so cool! Good luck as you start brainstorming.
I don’t think you failed! You just won’t be running that marathon. And hopefully you’ve gotten some support from the people you’ve told and not, “I told you so” or eye rolls. (Those are the worst!)*
That is awesome. I love the idea of how making the announcement publicly you really commit yourself to following through. I think I am going to do that with my running goals for next year. I’ll probably do a post in late December or early January with my schedule and goals for finishing times.
That sounds like a great idea! I usually go into training with some kind of time goal in mind, and then adjust it as needed after completing the bulk of my training. My last full was just under 4:25, and I’ve love to run another closer to (or under!) 4:15. It would just depend on how my training goes and which race I end up running.*
Wow! What an amazing goal. I bet you have a lot of amazing things to write about, and I’m sure that tons of people would want to read what you have to say.
You’re too sweet, Jamie!*
Yesterday I read that NMA post, thought of you, and had it open to send you the link to make sure you read it (obviously I didn’t end up emailing you but you read it anyway!) It’s like I knew something BIG was coming for you! Fuh-reaky.
Are you doing NaNoWriMo and writing it in a month? I think this is sooooooo cool and I am super happy/proud/EXCITED for you!! Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help
Oh and to answer your question, I try to share my goals in a very subtle fashion most of the time. I don’t typically shout them to the whole world because I set a bazillion of them and it’s hard to narrow them down into a manageable number for folks to handle. (<– character flaw) Oh heck who cares about me… I'm just so pumped that you've decided to write a novel!
Haha! Well, I know you’ve said a couple times that I should do something big (like writing a novel!), but it took me a while to commit to the idea. I finally figured, “If not now, when?”
You seem like a very goal-oriented person, so I’m not surprised in the least to hear that you have many, many goals. I don’t think that’s a character flaw at all; it’s a good thing!*
Man that is so rare to feel like “now is the right time” for something. Props to you
That is awesome!!! Congratulations on setting forth what will be an amazing journey to write a novel! As John Bingham says, “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” I can’t wait to hear how your novel-writing progresses!
I get nervous about sharing my goals publicly because I fear embarrassment if I don’t achieve my goals. I was super nervous about blogging about my marathon training. I was really worried that I wouldn’t finish the marathon, and I really didn’t want to have to go back to everyone to admit defeat! So I think it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there!!!
Great quote! It makes me feel a little less scared about this undertaking. At least I’m going for it!
I agree that it’s scary to make your goals public. I have found that most of the time, people are surprisingly supportive, regardless of the actual outcome.*
Yay! Love it! I officially proclaim myself one of your first customers. And I also (nerdily) love proofreading (it’s like getting a sneak peek before everyone else!) so if you want any non-Amy eyes to read over your masterpiece, I’d love to help!
I definitely make my goals public. Especially when it comes to dissertation-writing. Accountability is what’s up!
Good luck!
I’m not surprised in the least that you enjoy proofreading! I may just call you up and ask for your input. (That is, if I’m not too embarassed to let what I write see the light of day!)*
Awesome goal! I’m not a super strong writer but for whatever reason I’ve always aspired to be able to write something. Maybe after this CPA test thing is over and I have so much free time. Anyways, you need a proofreader or anyone to bounce ideas, I’m here! (Warning: I’m nit picky.)
I love nit-picky proofreaders! That’s the point, right? Stephen and I used to proofread each other’s essays in college and we’d go to town on each other. It’s a necessary step.
And CPA test – gag! I think you are a rock star for taking that on! Good luck!*
Awesome! In the times where I was struggling to find a job I have definitely considered writing a novel. I think making your goals public is very important. It both makes you accountable, but also gives you a big support system to help you on your way.
Wow! That’s so awesome. When you get published, I’m totally buying it! And I’ll have to somehow get you to autograph it for me..
Haha! Thanks! And of course I’d autograph it for you!*
That’s exciting! I think making it public is a great idea, and I can’t wait to see what you write.
I think the real question is YA or adult? I bet you could write a pretty badass YA novel. I’ve considered trying to write children’s books because they are awful and thus should not be that hard. As long as it rhymes, the kids are happy.
YA! I don’t read (or like) much adult fiction. I’d feel way out of my league taking that on.
For a while, I had an idea for a children’s book. It revolved around Geronimo taking on an army of snowmen. I never wrote a lick of it on paper, but I thought about it a lot when I’d take him out on walks.*
Yay! Yay! Yay! That is so super-uber exciting, Amy! If anyone can do it with great success, you can! I can see you having so much fun pumping it out….good luck!
You know me…love to talk, so many goals are just put out there, but the nearest to my heart are kept quiet cause think it would just kill me to fail….even though just going for it is the important part!
Thanks, Susan! I’ve honestly been wanting to do more writing ever since Abydos. It was such a good experience, and boosted my confidence as a writer. Time to make it happen!*
Love it!! Definitely scary to put that out there but glad you did share it! Can’t wait to hear more about it as you get going!
This sounds like a novel idea! LOL! I would totally read your book, whatever it is!
I am! I’m getting ready to kick of NaNoWriMo!
Good luck!*