Writing to Reach the Finish Line

As you regular subscribers to Sharing with Writers know, I love to have guest bloggers come talk to you. Especially when I'm away speaking. Especially when I can have a dynamo like Deb Eckerling. As you might guess, an A personality like hers is all about organization. So today she shares with you on that topic.  And do take the time to read her end-of-article bio. There are opportunities for you there! (-: 

Writing to Reach the Finish Line
By Debra L Eckerling



It’s that time of year again – summer is over, things are settling down, and you realize that you have just over three months to accomplish your goals for 2010. Before you freak out, panic, and decide to never write again, take a step back. It’s okay. The time you spend beating yourself up could be used for writing!
Here are some steps to get you back on track for the year-end writing push.
1. Write down your goals for the rest of the year; make sure they are ones you can actually accomplish.
2. Look at your goals daily. Put them in a place where you will look at them on a regular basis. You can’t accomplish them if can’t remember them.
3. Make your writing a priority. It’s easy to get sidetracked … that’s probably how you got toward the end of the year with multiple half-finished projects. Realize your creativity – your goals – are just as important as everyone else’s. Own them. And set aside time on a regular basis to indulge your passion.
4. Explore your craft – try new genres and media. Participating in writing exercises and contests, starting a blog, and trying new things will make you a stronger writer. Variety is the spice of life.
5. Write through any blocks you may have. If you get stuck, write around or through the problem. You can always revise once you have a finished draft, but if you are constantly self-editing, the road to “The End” just gets father away.


Believe in yourself. Your novel, non-fiction book, screenplay, or blog is important to you. So go for it! Writing is exercise. The more you practice, the better you become. Write On!

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Debra Eckerling, creator of WriteOnOnline.com, is a professional writer and coach who trains individuals, experts, and entrepreneurs, so they can organize, articulate, and complete their writing projects. http://www.writeontrackla.com/

LA Writers' Debra will be leading a weekly workout series, starting the end of September.

This unique retreat will allow you to explore the art and craft of writing though exercises designed to stimulate your creativity, develop your style, and increase your productivity. Each session will also allow time to work on your current projects, brainstorm blocks, and ask questions.

Mondays, September 27, October 11, 18, 25, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, in Venice, California. Space is limited. All participants will be invited to an exclusive post-retreat follow-up teleconference on November 1, 2010. To register, go to http://writeonfall2010.eventbrite.com/

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and how to books for writers including, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't; The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . The Great First Impression Book Proposal is her newest booklet for writers. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor . If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about this blog: