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Kathryn Mayer • Writing Out Loud

I write stuff down. writer • humorist • activist

Writing and dog goals instead of quitting to bag groceries

January 11, 2017 by Kate Mayer 6 Comments

Like most writers, I have a to-do list of goals, which waver between packing up my words and shutting down the blog, facebook, the virtual world for good, never to write again …

… or, aiming high – very high – to become rich and famous, changing the world, connecting people, making them laugh and cry and think and maybe getting a beach house, yeah, a beach house. Ocean front. Or ocean block. Preferably in Rehoboth.

Writing and dog goals for the new yearMost years I waver somewhere in the middle, not wanting to quit, but with a firm grasp on reality that I can’t even afford to vacation in Rehoboth any longer, not with tuition times two, the mortgage, and not one, but three vehicles with over 150k miles on them.

Then the election happened and my brain hurts and problems loom larger than I ever dreamed possible, so why not pack it all in and read, drink, and run, watch some Netflix, and find a permanent gig bagging groceries, where I can turn off my brain at the end of my shift.

It was on the edge, about to do just that, when an editor shared she thought an essay I wrote was “pure gold.”

And while commiserating with One Funny Broad, an established writing colleague, real live journalist, a humorist from the great state of Texas, about the plight of politics, ageism, and writing in an empty room, she messaged this:

encouragement when writers don't want to write

 

This is refrigerator worthy praise.

Something to stick on the fridge to remind me again and again to keep at it, because “beautifully deadly” are some damn good words to be associated with. Except my fridge don’t stick, stainless steel is complete bullshit, so I’m posting here.

I’ve long been a list maker; often listing items already completed, just for the sheer joy of crossing them off. However nothing here is done yet; it’s a long-term to-do list, not a quick trip to Costco for boxed wine.

Kidding. Costco doesn’t sell boxed wine.

So here goes it.

Writing Goals for a New Year

Setting my goals for this year, (read last year’s here) and writing it down so we have it. Here. In print. This is in addition to scribbled index cards taped to the filing thingy (official word) to stare me straight in the face and remind me I got people to see, places to go, words to write.

Mostly, I’m posting here to fulfill #1 of the new goal list:

  1. Post weekly (hence this lame-o post)
  2. Submit 3-5x a month: goal for monthly publication.
  3. Create system for submitting/pitching
  4. Increase social media presence: twitter, facebook, insta
  5. Increase my blog subscribers to 250 (subscribe puh-leeze! sign up above!)
  6. Earn 5k in essay writing; earn 30k income total
  7. Attend 3 writing conferences, maybe: BlogHer (?), ASJA, Writers Digest, BinderCon
  8. Learn Excel, google analytics; become proficient in WordPress
  9. Meet writing mentor Kathy Curto 4x/yr for support and accountability
  10. Present at spoken word, writers read event;
  11. Speak at Working Womens/Newtown Arts Festival again
  12. Establish a writing group
  13. Run a 5k each month for entire year
  14. For the love of Darwin, organize iPhoto
  15. Call congress weekly, and every time I post political on social media
  16. Write handwritten note to someone somewhere monthly

So there we have it. I wrote it down. Now I just gotta sit my arse in the chair and get it done. Time will tell.


All about the list, ’bout the list, just write it
The inauguration and why my roots are showing

Comments

  1. Robin says

    January 25, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    We have #14 in common and the other day I was reading CL “Help Wanted” entries to my husband. For me.

    Not today though.

    Love this, needed this!

    Your writing makes a difference; the life-changing kind. And there’s proof.

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      January 26, 2017 at 2:36 pm

      smooch

      Reply
  2. Kari Lynn says

    January 29, 2017 at 10:24 am

    Well, you did it again. You inspired me to make a f*cking list and put my arse in the chair. Inspiration is a valuable commodity these days, and I’m grateful that I have women like you to keep me in supply! Since we struggle with many of the same issues, your list really prompted me to look at what I’m doing/not doing. While I admire your dedication to #13, I won’t be replicating because I haven’t been chased in a long time. I will replace running 5k’s with eating a Fudgesicle. I’ve been handwriting letters for about a year (something my millennial son began) and it is one of the best things I do. I write a letter to my kids each month entitled “Cul De Sac Gazette” and it keeps my writing and imagery sharp. Keep going sister…you may be writing in an empty room, but you are not writing to one. Mad love from Texas!

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      January 30, 2017 at 11:57 am

      I’d subscribe to that, “Cul De Sac Gazette.” And thanks.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. You can't win if you don't play: I won something - Kathryn Mayer • Writing Out Loud says:
    April 27, 2017 at 5:21 pm

    […] me out: I’ve been a woman with a mission, checking goals off my to-do list, entering contests, submitting stories, doing what needs to be done as a writer with bills to pay, […]

    Reply
  2. Well that didn't go as expected - Kathryn Mayer • Writing Out Loud says:
    February 25, 2018 at 5:00 pm

    […] year ago I got on my high horse and touted the benefits of writing things down to make them happen and had every intention of following through, and was even off to a good start […]

    Reply

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About Kathryn Mayer

Kathryn Mayer

An irreverent storyteller with a foul mouth and big heart, Kathryn Mayer (aka Kathy and/or Kate) is a writer, humorist, and (former) activist writing out loud with humor and grace about little life moments with big ripples, including the space between parenting and aging parents, social issues, angsty reflections of midlife, and, sigh, gun humpers. Still. Sometimes a big deal, sometimes not Mayer is a national award-winning columnist, according to the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and her essays have been recognized as Voice of … Read More Here...

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