If you turn on to Determined Drive, you must be a determined driver. And a determined driver has a destination in mind.

Writers must have goals, whether you are a new writer or a best selling author.  Often we set unrealistic goals and end up becoming overwhelmed and discouraged. One of the best ways to accomplish your writing goals is to start small. It could be as simple as:

• listing your current ideas

• organizing your writing files

• choosing one periodical, studying writers guidelines and drafting a query letter

Or it could be more involved:

• completing six chapters in your novel

• crafting a book proposal

• writing four new articles

I have found an accountability partner (waving at Jorlyn) who has helped me in reaching my goals. Every month we email a short list to each other. And the next month we compare our progress. It works!  I challenge you to comment and list three main goals for the rest of October. Let’s check back again next week and compare our progress.

My goals: submit one article query to a magazine, write two blog posts, update writing submissions.

List three writing goals for the month of October. 

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul…”

I never fully realized the power of words till I had an article published. I remember my husband had taken the magazine to work so he could make a few copies for me to use as clips for my file. He forgot and left it in the copier. One woman read it. Another woman passed it on. It traveled from office to office and he received comments all day on my article.

It was a simple nostalgic story about my sister and I and our different personalities. This article resonated with these woman and each one had their own sister story to share. Dwayne called me twice that day laughing, because he kept being stopped in the hallway by someone else who had read my story. Great feedback, nice ego boost. But it also made me take a serious look at my writing. My words had influenced others. And yes, I felt the responsibility resting on my shoulders. Remember –

Our words are powerful.

They do make a difference.

What words have you written or spoken that you know made a difference to someone? Have you shared “pleasant words?”