Friday, January 6, 2012

Just Keep Swimming

My New Year’s Resolution this year isn’t to get an agent.

Or a book deal.

Or even get to published in any shape, way, or form.

This year’s resolution is to simply stay in the game.

I will not stop writing.

I will not stop blogging.

I will not stop making connections.

I will not stop querying.

I will not stop critiquing.

I will not stop learning and improving my craft in any way I can.

I will not stop. 

Because this is what writers do.

Real writers- the ones that eventually make it onto your bookshelves or into your kindle are there because they did. not. stop.

THAT is my goal this year.  No matter what happens- for the next twelve months- January to December, I will keep doing what I’m doing.

Because through the deception, the small victories, the heartache, the difficulties, hair-pulling revisions and personal matters knocking down your door- sometimes the most difficult thing to do is to just. keep. swimming.


Even swimming in place is something to be proud of:)
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53 comments:

  1. Laura PaulingJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:05 AM

    Love this - I'm in! These are terrific goals.

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  2. Susan Kaye QuinnJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    Perfect!

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  3. Alex J. CavanaughJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:23 AM

    Because those that stop swimming won't achieve any of those things!
    And if they are a fish, that means they also die. Sad.

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  4. Christine DanekJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:23 AM

    You said it perfectly. I've found that I've been saying this on a daily basis. Love it!!

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  5. S.A. LarsenッJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:29 AM

    I love you!! This is my saying!!!!! OMGosh...too funny. You have to repost this or at least something like it on Jan. 23rd for my blogfest. We're posting goals!

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  6. UnknownJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:58 AM

    I LOVE THIS AND LOVE YOU!!! This was exactly what I came to realize this morning while I was driving to work!!!

    We focus so much on the end game but never think about the middle. For once, just enjoy writing, blogging, querying. Take those moments for what there worth, time to grow. The minute they've past your drowning in a new place with no escape. Be prepared, be smart... but most of all, be a writer.

    Much love on this friday! :D

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  7. DL HammonsJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:00 AM

    AMEN Girl! And when swimming seems to much...tread water! :)

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  8. JennaQuentinJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:00 AM

    Amen! It encourages me to hear a goal like that said out loud - I'll join you! Do you think it's a bit harder of expats like us? Or does it not make much difference for you? Bon courage, quand même!

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  9. Connie KellerJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:15 AM

    Thanks for the encouragement!

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  10. shellyJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:35 AM

    Smniles to you! It's always nice to have a swim partner. Especially when the ocean is so enormous you can't see the end or the bottom.

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  11. B.E. SandersonJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:39 AM

    Perfect goals. Just keep swimming and you reach where you want to be. =o)

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  12. Natalie AguirreJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:40 AM

    I have similar goals. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:01 AM

    Some days I need to stop, but I always get back to it the very next day.

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  14. Talli RolandJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:03 AM

    I think those are great resolutions, because they're things you can control! Good luck, and happy 2012!

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  15. Jennifer HoffineJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:03 AM

    Yay! I love this...esp that it leaves you open to whatever possibilities fate decides to send your way :)

    And, you're right, writing have no choice but to keep on going.

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  16. TonjaJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:07 AM

    I love your last line!

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  17. vic caswell January 6, 2012 at 6:09 AM

    *fist pump*
    oh yeah!

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  18. UnknownJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    YAY, love this! It's hard to make goals that are out of your control, like get an agent or a book deal - but swimming - that's totes doable! (also, Swimming is my fave Florence + the Machine song - whenever I want to just throw in the towel and quit, I stick that song on, and sing it into my hair brush full blast (I'm tone deaf so this is probably a terrible thing) and it keeps me going :D )

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  19. SlamdunkJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    I appreciate you providing the inspiration CQG. The kids had Nemo and that line on this weekend.

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  20. BrindaJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:33 AM

    Hey, is that fish Dory up there? Great post and I, too, am swimming.

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  21. CheyanneJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    This is exactly me. Totally me. So much has gone on in my life lately that staying in the game is all I can hope to accomplish - and it's all that really matters anyway! Don't give up!

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  22. Cherie ReichJanuary 6, 2012 at 7:20 AM

    Those are fantastic goals and ones you can control too, which are the best kind. Just keep swimming, you'll get there. :)

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    Also brilliant advice for the unemployed actor. Sigh.

    ::straps on floaties::

    LET'S DO THIS!!!

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  24. StinaJanuary 6, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    Great goals, Katie, especially since the first ones wouldn't be goals either way. You can't control those. You can only control the ones you listed as your resolutions. Fate and luck has nothing to do with them.

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  25. Hart JohnsonJanuary 6, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    Very very good plan, in particular because none of those other things are in your control, but keeping on keeping on IS. Absolutely. Just Keep Swimming.

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  26. Chantele SedgwickJanuary 6, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    GREAT goals. All of them are in your control. Keep writing and keep dreaming! :D Have a great weekend!

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  27. JulieJanuary 6, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    I guess I don't need to post my goals for the year since you said exactly what I was going to say! LOL.
    I agree ONE HUNDRED PERCENT! Just keep swimming. That is what will pay off in the end.
    Good luck! We're in this together. :)

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  28. JulieJanuary 6, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    I guess I don't need to post my goals for the year since you said exactly what I was going to say! LOL.
    I agree ONE HUNDRED PERCENT! Just keep swimming. That is what will pay off in the end.
    Good luck! We're in this together. :)

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  29. MeredithJanuary 6, 2012 at 8:01 AM

    I love this! It's definitely how I feel, too. I know we can do it!

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  30. AnneJanuary 6, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    I second that motion!!!

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  31. Matthew MacNishJanuary 6, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    At least we can't drown.

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  32. Shannon O'DonnellJanuary 6, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    *sigh* I like that goal. I like it a lot. :-)

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  33. UnknownJanuary 6, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Well said!

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  34. PattiJanuary 6, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    I totally had Dorie's voice in my head as I read your post. Well said.

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  35. JEMJanuary 6, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    I'm on board! I feel the same way.

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  36. farawayeyesJanuary 6, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    You go girl!

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  37. Heather KellyJanuary 6, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    Love this goal! (And love Dorie!) And I love the attitude behind this goal! I'm excited for all the work I'm going to put into 2012!

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  38. Angela BrownJanuary 6, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    DO.
    NOT.
    STOP.

    Excellent goal. I wish you the best. By not stopping, you're setting yourself up to go, go, do and become.

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  39. Cynthia LeeJanuary 6, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    This is all very true. Good for you!

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  40. prerna pickettJanuary 6, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    awesome goals. Keep going!

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  41. Nicole ZoltackJanuary 6, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    Awesome post! Good luck!

    Now I'm gonna have that song stuck in my head all day long....

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  42. Dianne K. SalerniJanuary 6, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    Yay, Katie!!!
    I like that attitude, and I'm rooting for you!

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  43. UnknownJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    Yep! I believe you can do it. Persistence wins out over a lot. I have a great feeling about this year. I hope it brings you everything you're swimming toward.

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  44. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    Sounds very healthy to me.

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  45. Kelsey (Dominique) RidgeJanuary 6, 2012 at 5:51 PM

    I share your goals for the year. I wish you great success. High five!

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  46. Misha GerrickJanuary 6, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Excellent goals! You go girl! :-)

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  47. Jessica ( frellathon )January 7, 2012 at 1:00 AM

    Yay. You go for it.

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  48. Old KittyJanuary 7, 2012 at 6:55 AM

    Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!

    I love Dori - what a fabulous fun fish!!

    You go GIRRRRRRL!! Take care
    x

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  49. Kittie HowardJanuary 7, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    Fantastic and inspirational resolutions. It's soooo nice to read about optimism, the bright side of life. Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  50. LTMJanuary 9, 2012 at 7:16 AM

    Hey! That's MY motto, Dori! And I'm glad it's yours. Just keep swimming~ :o) <3

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  51. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2012 at 12:53 AM

    Wonderful goals. Happy 2012!
    : )

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  52. Tony MontanaJanuary 11, 2012 at 7:24 AM

    I want to add something for CQG because I dig this blog. It's honest. Stephen King stressed honesty on an apocalyptic level in On Writing, and my take is you're on the right track.

    Don't just get "novel"-vision. Satisfaction from writing can and does also come from publishing in a dozen other ways. King also stressed earning credits and paying dues. Slap out a magazine article. Do something for a local paper. Contribute to a newsletter or ____.
    Seeing your byline on that is nearly as exciting as seeing one on a book. Plus, then you have street cred - ie, others have paid for/utilized your skill.

    That kind of work goes miles toward landing an agent. It's quick, it's fun, and you would probably shine.

    -MC

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  53. ScarlettJanuary 11, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    Great minds think alike! I'm just getting around to checking up on all that I missed while out of town last week, and see that you and I both wrote about "Just Keep Swimming"!

    I hear you! You have *my* support!

    Love! And Happy Writing!

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