Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Work in Progress Wednesday


Work in Progress Wednesday

I’m thrilled to be adding Work in Progress Wednesday to my blog! Not only is this blogging tool a springboard to share, network, and offer support to the online writing community – but it will also be a great way for me to stay accountable to my writing goals! So, without further ado, my first Work in Progress Wednesday:

I’m taking a writing class! I am so excited to be taking this course, but also questioning my sanity. With both my husband and I working from home, his masters program and oh yeah, our 2 kids under age 2, I must have been a lunatic to sign my name to another time commitment. The fact of the matter; I NEED it. I desperately need something of my very own right now. We are working so hard over here and have just been through a time of crisis. My soul is craving something of my very own – something that does not fall into the categories of wife, mother or employee.

Starting Oct. 7, I will be taking the course Personal Essays That Get Published with Abigail Green! I know this class will be a perfect fit for me personally, and for my writing goals. Special thanks go out to Abigail Green and my father for making this possible. Abby was very willing to answer my questions while I was making this decision and my dad helped me make the decision by telling I must take the course and then writing the check for me to do so!

When it comes to marking progress in my writing, my methods are a bit untraditional. Because I write non-fiction, word count and story plotting are not goals on my to do list. Instead, I keep ongoing lists of essay ideas and prompts. When I’m feeling inspired, I write the rough draft of an essay, take the initial line or thought that sparked the idea off the list of potential essays and then place the first draft of the essay in a “to edit” folder. My current goal is to finish edits and re-writes on the essays in that folder BEFORE starting another essay. I have too many unfinished pieces of work floating around on my desktop. This week’s goal: 2 essays.

Another writing goal I am working on is choosing a writer’s conference. I’ve been reading on agent and author blogs about how beneficial this experience has been to the writing process. I am stating to research and save my pennies. I hope to make my appearance at a writer’s conference next fall. Any suggestions for a conference offering information on non-fiction would be greatly appreciated!

Until next week, if you need to find me, I’ll be glued to my computer!

6 comments:

Kate Karyus Quinn said...

Welcome to WIP Wednesday! Thanks for joining in the madness... err, I mean, fun;)

Your class sounds great too! And I know what you mean about needing something other than being wife and mommy - personally, writing is such a important outlet for me for that very reason!

Roxane B. Salonen said...

Holly, proud of you for taking these leaps, and feeling the blessing with you of supportive people in your life. Isn't that such a wonderful thing? I've been a recipient of that generosity many times over and it is truly life-giving!

Kim said...

Holly, what a wonderful thing you are doing! I am inspired by the fact that you are marching ahead with your writing! I may be interest in joining you at the conference next fall if you'll allow a companion.

Kelley said...

Awesome! I've often dreamed of taking one of my own hobbies to a professional level... but I'm still waiting on God's "go ahead" and an indication as to which of my hobbies is the ONE... for now I'm content to be a jack of all trades. I'm SO excited that you have your green light! You'll be awesome!

Maria Korir said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! I am so happy that your heart is finally able to allow you to share your writing with the rest of us. May God's blessings be upon your writings. And don't feel ashamed if you write something you don't feel the need to share. There is a time for every season as there is a time for every piece of your writings.

Christina said...

Holly! Just found your blog and love what I see! I'm glad you're acting on your instinct and taking this class, even if the timing isn't ideal. You may need it most now. I'm very interested in this class and in your writing. I'm the assistant editor of a Catholic magazine and would be open to publishing some of your work. Drop me a line to learn more: christinacap@gmail.com.

Blessings!
Christina