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What if Planning Was In Service to Your Novel?
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September 11, 2014
Hi Friend,
Here's a little Leo love for you! He didn't want to look into the camera, but just wanted to cuddle.
Sometimes we need a little cuddle and purring before we get to work. I know I do! Once I get that hug from Leo or Ezra, then I feel supported and I can get to it. A lot of my work these days is planning: planning my stories, planning my courses, and planning my marketing for both.
I know the importance of planning, but I often put it off. I get it if you don't feel the need to plan. But I'm betting there are aspects of your writing or marketing that you do need to plan.
Planning sometimes feels overwhelming -- just this nonverbal ack... then when I find words for it, I realize I feel alone. Sigh.
Then I regroup and connect with my resourcefulness. I know what I usually do once I realize I feel alone. I reach out. I need company. I need to talk it out. I need my buddies.
With company, and real or virtual conversation, I get my planning done, or at least chip away at it. To get started, I declare my intention to my support groups via email or Facebook, and then get to work. I make lists or talk into my phone or dabble with Google spreadsheets.
Recently in a Business Growth group I belong to run by Leslie Nipps, we covered planning in a really lovely way, which I'll share about in a moment. I really like what Leslie said, "Planning is a service to your business."
Planning doesn't have to be a chore. Planning doesn't have to be something to run from. Planning can be an action of love toward your book and in service toward your dreams.
Here are some success markers for you if you have difficulty planning or if you just want a kick in the bootee to get your planning in action: (Adapted from Leslie's lesson on planning) - Get clear on what you want to accomplish with your planning. Choose something that you really care about.
- Gather your resources. This could be information, your peeps, your tools, your connection to source, or examples.
- Bring your project into your heart or give it up to source (God, universe, the One, whichever way you represent this for you). Notice what you notice.
- Do a check on how it feels to achieve your goal. Notice your concerns, issues, questions. Is your goal really in alignment? Do you have access to all the resources you need?
- Revisit your goal and adjust as you need to.
- Ask for help if you need it as you make your plan. Start with the smallest possible chunk, then take action.
Here are more tips on planning your novel... |
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| | | | You can also prepare your novel with a story synopsis, Post #2. Check it out! I used to be scared of writing a synopsis, so would wait until the whole book was written. Now I try my hand at this outline and cool app at the start of my story writing planning, and it makes drafting a synopsis actually fun. |
| | | I'm super excited about the party we're having! The 30-Day Writing Challenge, starting October 1st.
Join us for support, accountability, and learning how to prepare your novel for the novel-writing challenge in November.
Please help me spread the word! We still have space for you and your friends and your friends of friends. :)
Here's some tweets in the form of tips, because people tell me they like useful tweets.
- Tip#1 to prepare for nanowrimo: Know your ending 1st. Brainstorm 20+ ways it cld be. #30daywc http://bit.ly/30daywritingchallenge
- Tip#2 to Prepare for NaNoWriMo: Hook your readers at the beginning in way thts right for yr genre #30daywc http://bit.ly/30daywritingchallenge
If you want more ways to spread the news about the October course and earn some bonuses -- free passes to the course -- you can sign up to be an affiliate here. |
| | Last week, I shared that I help novelists with their book marketing -- both the strategy and their implementation. And I do!
I also help authors get their novels done.
Why I do this work... I love writing fiction and I love helping authors write their books. And 13 years after the horrible events of 9/11, I realized that I can't let the darkness and hate win. The way I do that is by living my truth and bringing my light into the world. That's all I can do. And I want to help you do the same...
If you're having a hard time getting to your writing, but you know that you really want to...
If you're having a hard time making room in your life for writing fiction, but writing novels is your calling...
If you really want to focus, but need some support and accountability and even to tap into more inner resources you know are there...
If you want to set aside the excuses and understand what you're really afraid of...
If you want to act despite the fear, then let's talk.
Best, Beth
Beth Barany Award-winning Novelist, Keynote Speaker & Creativity Coach for Novelists
www.BethBarany.com
beth@bethbarany.com
PS. Feel free to share this newsletter with your friends via social media and/or email. Spread the love! And thanks!
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| | ABOUT US
Beth and Ezra Barany are award-winning, best-selling novelists, who have worked with over 100 authors to help them get their books written and published.
♥ Happily married for over 15 years, we’re passionate about writing, storytelling, and guiding authors to achieve their dreams.
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