Writing and Publishing Changes

Marty’s Muse

Something to think about …

Feb 2010

Writing and publishing opportunities have changed since 2000.

In fact, there have been some pretty significant changes in these last 10 years. Back then, many of us still searched the web using dial-up connections; social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace didn't exist. Instead, there were things called “bulletin boards” and “chat rooms” and the ubiquitous IM (instant messaging.) The word “blog” had not yet been coined, and a social network was the group of people you had coffee with down at the local espresso shop. So in keeping with the fine tradition of once-a-decade look-back pieces, I present the following gems I’ve gleaned from WritersMarket.com, which launched 10 years ago*, and other sources:

1. Publications and publishers now accept, and often require, electronic submissions online or via e-mail. Rarely, 10 years ago.
2. These days, writers have to brand themselves. (Please, no red-hot metal applied to the flesh; this is a different type of branding.)
3. Every writer has to carry shameless self-promotion in his or her tool bag. Writers must be market and marketing savvy to promote themselves to agents, editors, publishers, and readers. (Considering the rise of POD, blogs, and eBook publishing, perhaps to readers foremost. It’s sometimes easier to attract an agent or publisher if you can lay claim to an existing readership.)
4. Personal networking and blogging sites have made it easier for writers to attract and cultivate an audience. (See item #3 above.)
5. Internet- and Ethernet-based models dominate, and print media resources (magazines, newspapers, traditional publishing houses and book sellers) have to remold themselves, adjust their content, business strategies, and pricing models to compete.
6. Both print and online media, whether or not ad-based, are relying extensively on freelancers.
7. Free, online content providers (web and blog sites, etc) have opened up vast opportunities for writers of all genres and experience to have their works read by wide audiences.
8. Online tools help writers research and write with knowledge and effect.
9. Social media and website forums offer numerous ways to network with publishing professionals, other writers, and potential contacts.
10. The rising trend of online “content marketing” (ad copy) and other types of “entrepreneurial” writing is giving writers a broad range of money-earning opportunities. Businesses and organizations rely heavily on powerful, captivating content to attract customers, sell products, provide information. (See item #6, above.)

Opportunities abound for the writer today. If you are not finding an avenue of expression for the frustrated writer in you, you just aren’t looking in the right places.

Just keep writing!

Marty “Caught-in-the-Web” Gorsching

*The Writer’s Market, Jan 2010

SMART Goals and Resolutions

Marty’s Muse

Something to think about …

Jan 2010

Did you make any resolutions about your writing projects? I did.

I prefer to think of them as goals. Resolutions generally fail because they are vague, unspecific, and unrealistic. They’re not goals. A resolution is something you say. A goal is something you do.

Motivational speakers will tell us that goals need to be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

Specific – This is the “what, why, how” of the SMART model (the “who,” of course, is you; “when” comes under Timely, below.) State your goal in clear, simple, succinct language. A goal should be full of action words: “I will (plan, organize, complete, obtain, build, lose, gain, run, write …”)

Measurable – “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” In other words, how will you know when you’re done? You want your goal to have incrementally measurable elements: “in one week,” “by March 15^th,” “every day.” Larger, broader goals should be broken down into smaller-step goals, with the SMART model applied to each phase.

Attainable – Can I expect to master kinetic teleporting any time in this century—or ever? Make your goal something you truly can achieve. This doesn’t mean make it easy; always aim a little bit higher than what you think you are capable of.

Realistic – See “Attainable” above. Always strive to succeed. But you should also retain a clear understanding of your capabilities and limitations. It’s not likely I will ever be in shape to run the Boston Marathon—or any marathon, for that matter; but maybe I can walk a 5k this year.

Timely – This is the “when” in the model. Set an end date and a timetable. Without a set timeframe, a designated endpoint, your goal is too vague. It lacks the urgency. Your timetable must be measurable, attainable, and realistic, and, as before, stated in incremental steps (see “Measurable” above.)

So, what are my writing goals for this year? I thought you might ask that. My writing goals for 2010 are:

1) I will write a minimum one hour every day

2) I will read for at least one hour every day (novel, story, article, book on the writing craft, etc.); further, I will note in my journal what I read

3) I will have my novel manuscript “book ready” for submission by December 31, 2010. (Of course, to meet our SMART criteria, I should break this goal down further into measurable, attainable, realistic incremental steps. Since I already have the manuscript written, making it “book ready” is the next, larger goal.);

4) And my “Pie in the Sky” goal: I will spend 5 hours a day, 5 days a week on my current writing project(s)

Just keep writing!

Marty “Be-SMART” Gorsching