Wishing aint gonna do it, I’m stepping up! But I’ll take any magic too…
In my Christmas Miracles post, I told you that I believe in all kinds of things: Magic, Christmas, Goodness… I do. However, I don’t I believe in New Year’s resolutions. I did when I was young, but after enough failed attempts, I realized that I just don’t need one more thing to hold myself up to, and be let down. Inspiration: believe in that. Conviction: believe in that. Aspirations, Commitment, Effort, Motivation… I believe in all of those. If you tied them all up into a neat package, then you could argue that I do believe in the annual ritual that is part of New Year’s. But I don’t. Really. I think that vowing to take something on, just because it’s a new year, and then beating your head against an expectation-laden brick wall is at the least self-destructive, and at the worst almost criminal. I feel like I have enough things that thwart me; there are already too many things I judge myself harshly for; there is plenty that I set myself up for, and then feel frustrated by; I haven’t seen the need to publicly create a goal and then struggle under prying eyes to reach that goal. So I stopped making New Year’s Resolutions a long time ago, and my only resolution each December 31st, has been not to make a resolution… and not puke.
Until now. I’m stepping outside my bubble, and I’m making this very public. I’m making some resolutions and I’m going to keep them. I’m giving myself this one year: 2014, to set these resolutions and bring it. If I fail, next year’s post will look very different.
The clock is ticking!
image: http://www.percederberg.com
Resolution #1 is the Big Kahuna. I will publish my first novel by the end of 2014. Yes, you read that right. I will publish my first novel. While I am still waiting for 6 editors and agents to tell me if they want to publish my work, I will not sit on that. If I don’t have a publisher (my dream), then I will self-publish my novel, as so many have advised. When I attended the North West Writer’s Conferences last July (read about that star-studded event here), nearly ever single agent, publisher and speaker said what we writers have been reading: self-publishing is where it’s at. There are so many good reasons to self-publish. I haven’t done it because I’ve clung to a long-held dream of having my work published by an establish publishing house. But, the reality is that I am turning 51 next week. The collagen is drying up in my skin, and my brain cells are melting. I want to look good for my Oprah close up. I am impatient. I have worked hard on this. I’ve edited this manuscript; I’ve had it edited professionally; I’ve sat through lots of feedback; I’ve dreamed; I’ve dreamed some more, and it’s time. So, this is the year. I plan to write to the folks who are still holding on to my work, and I’ll ask them respectfully to make up their minds… then I’ll make the next step. By January 1, 2015, I will either have a contract to publish with an established publisher, or I will have published my book. Count on it.
Resolution two: Own my game, and bring it. About finding my game: it’s been a process, but I’m stepping it up, stepping up that “game” that everyone talks about. Last week I read a really interesting article about a blog post that went “viral” and how that changed everything for the writer of the post. He had a lot to say about putting yourself out there, tooting your own horn, building your platform: finding your game, and then bringing it. As I read it, I realized that I really haven’t done that. I can’t count on going viral, without taking off my clothes and doing something truly crazy. Fact is: I started something nearly ten years ago (TEN. YEARS. AGO), and I’ve gingerly stepped along ever since, not really stepping outside my comfort zone. Starting this blog was a big step. I wanted to be writing; I wanted to have my work read; I began envisioning the blog I would have, and then I started it. But, I did very little for a long time, and that has morphed over time into doing the bare boned basics.
Yes! This is me, tooting my own horn. Hear it, ’cause I’m serious, baby!
In the beginning, I hardly told people about the blog, so promoting it on my Facebook page and on Twitter seems like a leap. But those are just baby steps. I write a post, and humbly ask folks to read it, by saying something like “check out my new post” on my private FB page and the Tales From the Motherland FB page. I send out a simple Tweet. This is not the way to build a platform that knocks the socks off of publishers. I need a big ass horn, and I need to learn to blow it. Loud and bold. It’s time to bring out my inner pimp. If my work is to sell, if I want a book to not just be a self-published blip, I have to push it myself. I have to push myself. On you. All of you. It’s not enough to say “hey I wrote a blog post, and I wrote a book; I hope maybe you’ll read it.” It’s time I say: Hey you, YOU, you like my work? You tell me it’s great in the comment section, right? So help a girl out, Share it! Tell your friends to read my work. Subscribe to my blog. And no, I don’t actually know who is subscribing, so you can even remain all private about it. It’s not like you’ll start getting spam in the mail; but you will get each new post, right in your inbox… there for you to read or delete. Of course I hope you’ll read it, and like it, but ultimately it’s the numbers that talk. I need those numbers. I need people to “follow” my blog. See, this is me getting bold. Those numbers mean something to publishers, who expect you to have an audience, before they even want to read your work. I’m currently about 40 subscribers short of 2,000. It’s a big number; I’m proud to reach it. But, I’m aiming much higher. I’d like to double that, at least, in 2014. I’m setting my sights on numbers, and I’m going after them. Pimp is on. So, I’m asking: If you like my work, Follow it, subscribe. Then, hit Like. And after you do that, share my work. Send the link to other friends; tell them to do the same things. Read, Subscribe, Like, Share. That’s right, I’m asking. Help me out. Here’s my game; I’m bringing it; now play with me. I’m tooting my horn here, folks! Toot!
Yo, damn straight. I mean business!
Image: incserv.com
In an effort to bring that game, I’m putting myself out there. I am looking to do guest posts. I am pushing to get my name and my writing further out there. This week I will be a guest blogger for Emily at The Waiting. If you don’t already read The Waiting, you should. Her current post, on Search Engine Terms is clever, witty and full of laughs; check it out here. Emily’s super talented; I’ve followed her for ages and I’m never disappointed. She’s big; really big. Her numbers make mine look like little afterthoughts. She’s in the 6,000s… She’s edgy; I love her stuff. Emily writes about being a mother to a very entertaining toddler, as well as her own interesting take on so many other things. I’m honored to be invited to be a guest writer on her blog, and hope you’ll check out the post this week… and hit Like. It’s not enough to just show up; I want to show Emily that she didn’t make a mistake inviting me. I’ll share the link, once my post is up at The Waiting, and then I hope you’ll all flock over there and cheer me on. Toot!
Yeah, that’s right: Tales From the Motherland and Hot Pink Underpants are wild and crazy girls… we zip line, and we’re writers! Yo!
Finally, Resolution #3: This is a fun one; I plan to travel this year and meet more bloggers in person. Seriously, I plan to get out there and meet some of you face to face. Share a sandwich, or a cocktail, or a lost weekend even– let’s brainstorm. This past year, I had the honor of meeting Mike at Applecore, when he was in my area, and we hung out for a couple of hours. Read about it here. Mike’s had my back for a while. He’s supportive, a friend, and a good blogger. If you’re interested in what it’s like to sell everything, move to amazing countries and live there for 6 months and then move on, check out his blog. Over the summer I drove to Olympia, WA and visited Meagan at Hot Pink Underwear. Meagan has cool friends; she has chickens, and an even cooler daughter. We hung out (read here); we went zip lining, we went to kool bars and wrote, and we wrote some more. It was an amazing couple of days, and whether she wears hot pink underwear and whether I’ve seen them, well, that will remain our secret. Her writing is always clever, often beautiful… girls got talent; check her out. Finally, just a few weeks ago I went to New York City to see the holiday displays I’ve wanted to see since I was a child, to visit a childhood friend, and to meet Lisa at Cyclingrandma. We have followed each other’s blogs for ages, and she included my work in her book Tangerine Tango: Women Writers Share Slices of Life (available on Amazon). It was fantastic to finally meet in person! We shared a lovely lunch at the famous Algonquin, trading details about our lives and comparing writing goals and plans, and then we explored the city together (read here). Lisa writes about all kinds of things that matter to her, check her out. As evidence that the infection that would land me in the hospital just a few days after returning from that trip was messing with my head, I forgot to contact Madame Weebles at Fear No Weebles, and she let me have it when I got home. She was a wonderful support when I was sick, and kept me smiling despite the needles and other scary stuff. I’m making it official here: she is high on the list of bloggers I plan to meet in 2014. The fact that this would entail another trip to NYC is just thick buttery frosting on top. So bloggers, leave me a comment; tell me why should I come visit you? So far, these face to face meetings have been great, so if I’m gonna take this giant leap and start making resolutions, I might as wall make them fun. I want to do some road trips; I love to travel, and I love meeting other bloggers. Tell me where you live, and why I should visit. Woo me. I just may show up in your city, and we can take this form cyber to flesh. Lucky you; lucky me.
Cyclingrandma and TFTM kicked some NYC ass together!
AppleCore and TFTM get real, face to face.
So there you have it: me identifying my game, and promising to bring it. Me telling you that I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, and then making ones that I intend to keep. Me putting it out there. Wow! Now I might vomit. Really. Once I hit publish on this blog post, I am in the hot seat. Time to actually bring it. I’m not getting younger; I’ve never been in a more solid place with my writing: I feel good; and it’s time to shit or get off the pot. There’s the pot; I am not getting off. So please avert your eyes, while I proceed.
Do you believe in resolutions? Do you make them? Do you keep them? Would you like me to visit you? Tell me where, and why… be creative, I need to be wooed. Who knows, maybe you’ll be on book tour. Yeah, cause I’m publishing a book in 2014. For real. It’s a resolution.
Check out the links on this page; there’s some good stuff there. If you like what I have to say: Subscribe; Like; Share; Repeat. Toot, toot!
All work here is property of Tales From the Motherland and Dawn Quyle Landau ©2013
The owner of this blog and TFTM do not endorse any ads that appear on this site. We’re just too cheap to block them.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Now THAT’S what getting your act in gear looks like! Thank you for showing the way. So is shooting for 100 followers too much? 😉 Looking forward to buying the book!
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No, we all start somewhere… man, I limped to 100!! Seriously. Thanks for the support and the encouragement… this is me stepping out of my very carefully built bubble. It’s been very comfortable in there. I’m feeling a little naked now.. but it’s done! 😉
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You go lady! Woot!
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Thanks Jackie! Glad you’re along for the ride!
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I have no doubt in my mind that you will not have a need to self-publish your work, Dawn. If anything, you are going to have to turn down multiple offers. Thank you so much for your kind words; I just read your guest post that will be appearing on The Waiting later this week, and it is absolutely fantastic. It is an honor to have YOU on my blog, wise lady.
I would love to meet you sometime this year! Currently I live in North Carolina, but we’re planning on moving this year likely back to Memphis, our hometown. Hope you like barbecue ;D
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I love BBQ, and I love Memphis… I love NC too. I have cousins there. So, that’s a done deal. Maybe twice, to see both cities… sounds like we’ll be doing some face time darlin’! The honor is mine but you are so kind. 😉
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PS) so far, no one is pounding on my door, but from your mouth to the Publishing God’s ears! Thanks Emily. 😉
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Great post Dawn and i wish you well in all these ventures, if you don’t stick your neck out and try you’ll never know what might happen, so good luck to you. Resolutions? No not really though as I told someone earlier today I plan to stay alive and treat everyday as a good day. Best wishes.
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Staying alive seems like a really good one! Let’s hope we all get our wish on that one. 😉 Thanks Michael! Glad you’re on board!
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Always felt like you about resolutions and so, don’t do them….always hope for a better year though which is a bit sad! I want a great year!!
You know I live in Sydney, Oz – you can either make that a huge travel plan 🙂 OR one of these days I’ll get back to NY city to visit my sister and meet you there!
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Not likely that I’ll get to Oz this year. I’ve been two times in my life, including 3 months in college; and love it there! It’s tempting. But NYC, that is a definite possibility… though I know you have your sights on Ireland! Maybe there. 😉 I hope we both have a GREAT year! 😉
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The 3 months in college – were you at university here or during your break you mean? (if so which uni)
Ireland!! July…
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I came during my summer break in 1982. Ireland in July! Way to go!! Happy New Year!
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ah..maybe we passed in the street 🙂
Happy new year to you too x
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A sweet thought!
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Good for you!!!!!!
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Thanks! And welcome to Tales from the Motherland! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. Right now, I’m revved. Let’s hope it lasts. 😉 Happy New year!
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Congratulations on putting your resolutions ‘out there’. I am excited for you already :). You are in Washington right? We were just in Seattle to take in the last Seahawks game of the season. Cheers to 2014 and all the best!
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Yes, I’m north of Seattle… love it here! I’m excited too. I knew that if i didn’t put it out there, I’d just stay in my comfortable bubble and continue to drag my feet. It’s time to do something! Thanks for the encouragement, Holli. Much appreciated! 🙂
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You go girl! Rock it!!
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Thanks! Glad to have you along for the ride. 😉 Happy New Year!
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I love every morsel of this. And guess what? I’m in Memphis, too, so get your badass, resolution-full self down for a visit. We’re not right here (seriously, we’re not), but it’s the honest to God capital of the real world, I promise. Happy new year to you.
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Thank you so much Jennifer! Sounds like Memphis it is! We’ll have to see when Emily is moving and coordinate this baby. Thanks for your enthusiastic support; it means a lot! Happy New Year to you as well!
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Ha ha – you crack me up, Dawn! First, you offer a lengthy intro about not making New Year’s resolutions, and then you make some. That is funny – and edgy. I like it! And I am rooting for you, too! As always, I will support your efforts to get published, and I would love to see your blog posts go viral. Heck, I would love one of my own posts to go viral. Maybe someday.
Thank you for mentioning my blog and sharing our experience meeting last Spring. I hope to see you again this summer when I visit the grandchildren. In the meantime, stay strong, edgy, and have a prosperous and healthy New Year! Love from Croatia – soon to be from Spain. – Mike
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Thanks Mike! This summer… you, me, Florence (?) = another visit! Thanks for your ongoing and true support; you are my kind of people, friend. Happy New year! xo
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Wooooooooo girl! I’m all fired up over this! Get on with your bad self! It was a great pep talk for me as well, as I have some similar goals for 2014. You will be seeing a children’s book with my name on it this year, Watch out NY Times Bestseller List…Dawn and Kelly are bringing the thunder 🙂 And I’ve got blog work to do. Things finally started picking up for me this past year, but I’m hoping the new year finds more success not just for myself, but for lots of the amazing bloggers I read…you included. There’s some mad talent out there that people just aren’t reading. Maybe if we all put our heads together, we can make good things happen.
Speaking of putting heads together, anytime you want to do that in person in St. Louis, drop me a line! The city is great and all, but do you really need a reason to visit beyond seeing my sweet stacked minivan in person? I think not.
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St Louis… ooh, that would be fun! And a minivan to boot! too much to hope for! I am wishing the best for all of us this year Kelly! Let’s top the charts together! I warn you, mine has some bad ass sex scenes… it may not be shelved anywhere near your children’s book! Here’s to a stellar 2014!
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Well then, people can read your book to get in the mood, then buy my book for the the resulting baby. I think we unknowingly created the perfect plan.
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Let’s market it! 😉
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Love this! Kick some arse Dawn!
I’m aiming high too, but my high is to just get where you are now! A girl can dream….
Happy New Year!
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Oh and I’d definitely say come visit me, but I think Germany was a bit farther than you were thinking. 😉
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A bit… does it count that we have a German exchange student this year? 😉
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Haha….well, I suppose it will have to do. 😉
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We all should be dreaming! Let’s kick arse together!
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You are awesome! I love the big bold resolutions! I think so many of us who write are so shy about the “promotion” of it. I was in marketing for my career and know all about building an audience, and did this for retailers for years…but for myself?? Subdued at best. Anyway, I love your writing and know you will do well whether you are self-promoting or some publisher finally gets smart enough to take the chance. Look forward to seeing you materialize your goals in 2014! Oh, and resolutions? I don’t set them but do set goals…and just wrote out my list yesterday. I’m pumped to have a plan!
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Thanks so much Robin! I appreciate the support and kind words. Yes, the self-promotion is hard. I’m not an introvert by any measure, but it’s hard to toot your own horn. Come on, you can do it too: toot, toot, toot… give it a try! 😉
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Have always appreciated the support you’ve sent this way–was very enlightening to take in your journey threaded through your goals—provides a road map for others to follow and be inspired by. I look forward to seeing your novel–let me know when it’s published.
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Awesome post! So excited for you to kick ass this year!
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Thanks Rebecca! Can’t do it without YOU, so be prepared oh wise one. I am really ready! Seriously. 😉
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Hey, great post. I am glad I stumbled upon your website. 🙂
This is a bold post. A very bold post, indeed. And in many ways much inspiring too. I wish you all the best for your goals. I am sure, you’ll achieve with the same zeal which I found in every of your post 🙂
I am a new blogger around the corner. Would LOVE a feedback from you on my blog.
Also, if you like follow. Now, that is your policy, I am using 😉
Great to find you. Cheers!
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Thank you for checking out my post, Hardik. I’ll check out your posts, and welcome to blogging! I’m glad you enjoyed my posts and wish you all the best in your own.
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We have VERY similar goals for 2014, Dawn! I have said this a billion times, but if I hadn’t helped plan Blogger Interactive, I wouldn’t have gone. Fear, you know. But now I can’t imagine not going, and it is definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done. There is something about being around bloggers you love that really invigorates a person.
Best of luck on your book! Please keep us updated. I have loved reading about Carrie Rubin’s adventures in publishing, and would love to hear yours.
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I so wanted to go to Blogger Interactive, but had other plans that couldn’t be changed. Next year. It sounded fantastic! I’m not very scared of meeting others… it’s a goal, and has been for a while. I’ve written about meeting at least 3 other bloggers. Each time, it’s been better than I thought it might be. Portland is not far at all, and a city I love… let’s make it happen! 😀
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I so wanted to go to Blogger Interactive, but had other plans that couldn’t be changed. Next year. It sounded fantastic! I’m not very scared of meeting others… it’s a goal, and has been for a while. I’ve written about meeting at least 3 other bloggers. Each time, it’s been better than I thought it might be. Portland is not far at all, and a city I love… let’s make it happen! 😀
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DEAL!
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