Slept like a baby until four am, at which point I rolled over and began dissecting SHERLOCK HOLMES and how a person could learn some things about crafting a good story, just from watching that movie. It’s still too early in the day to articulate anything worthwhile, but suffice to say, I’m looking at two current projects a bit differently now.
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Writer Unboxed is a great blog, with fantastic advice on writing and the business of writing. Loved this recent entry called Untangling Story Knots in Six Steps”—though as always, it’s easier said than done. At least, however, it gives you a good place to start when you’re feeling all “tied up” about your writing.
Also, this cool entry from Lisa Sonora Beam: “Journal Peek: My 2010 Strategic Planner—Goal Setting for Creatives”
Find a higher purpose for your strategic plan: In business, this would be the mission statement. For individuals, this is tapping into your value system. Why do you want to create a plan, and what do you most hope to achieve? What burning desire do you hope to accomplish in the next year or five years? What’s going to motivate you enough to stay interested and committed?
Something I’ll be thinking about, as well, over the next several days. It’s hard not to have end-of-year rituals, sort of a cleansing-of-the-system before that weighty New Year’s day. Looking at what went right, what went wrong. But I can’t even outline a book, let alone outline my life. That’s why I like how Ms. Beam frames her strategic planning—it’s not about a checklist, as much as it is defining your life through dreams, values, visualization. Going with the natural flow of who you are.
I think I’ll be making my own journal in the coming weeks. I’ve got a sense of where I’d like this year to take me, but self-reflection combined with pretty paper are too much to resist.