Intrinsic Value
After discussing writing fears with my daughter and husband, they shared nearly the same idea with me. Their separate but exact alignment on the subject forced me to recognize that I might actually be wrong.
I might be wrong . . .
What was I wrong about? Writing and being an author has to make me money.
While both of them think that if I keep practicing and working hard to become a better writer, that someday my talent will be acknowledged and possibly make me some $$ cold hard cash, there is an intrinsic value to my writing that can’t be measured by money, by critique partners, an agent, an editor, or the entire publishing industry.
There is value in my writing for myself and those who see how happy it makes me. I hope that if writing makes you as happy as it makes me, you won’t let anyone take that away from you. Not even yourself.
#WriteMotivation Goal Check:
1) Write fifteen pages per week of new material.
See below.
2) Edit five hours per week.
Week 1: Edited 6 hours.
Week 2: Edited 10 hours.
Week 3: Edited 16 hours.
I’ve learned that I prefer not to edit and write new material at the same time. I tried, but my brain can’t switch very well on the same day, and while I can switch every other day, I would rather not.
Week 4: Edited 5 hours (My husband and I went on a weekend away for our birthdays, so no regrets.)
3) Read one book per week.
Week 1: The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas
Week 2: Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
Week 3: The House of the Seven Gables, by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Week 4: Am reading The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner
4) Critique SS for my critique partner.
DONE!
5) Read/crit L for my other critique partner.
About 2/3 done.