Filbert Publishing

Writing Etc. Make Your Writing Sparkle. Write Killer Queries. Get Published. www.FilbertPublishing.com

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Writing Etc. – March 15, 2007

ISSN: 1545-5580

Make your writing sparkle. Write killer queries. Get published.

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Notes from Minnesota

What is Your Ultimate Goal? by Beth Ann Erickson

Paying Markets

Highly Recommended

~~~~~Highly Recommended~~~~~~~~~~

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Notes from Minnesota

Four fast observations today:

First, I cut my finger yesterday. Got a bandage on my left pointer finger. Feels odd to type. I hate that.

Second, yesterday my dear husband and I traveled to the St. Cloud Barnes and Noble. Place was packed.

Turns out a famous author was signing books. I’d never heard of her but was struck by how gorgeous she looked on her dust jackets. We meandered through the store looking for the titles I wanted. Found “our” section and dug around the throngs of people looking for the book I wanted.

Then my husband said, “Well, look at that.”

I turned and I was face to face with said author. She didn’t look anything like her picture. Not a wit.

I smiled, turned, and continued looking for “my” book. Never did find it. Can’t remember the author’s name either. All I know is that she’s described as a “prolific” writer.

That comment made me ponder a moment. I’ll have to flesh out my thoughts on that for an upcoming Writing Etc.

Third: I woke up this morning at my usual time. Wrote until around 9:00am, then decided I should probably wear clothes (as opposed to pajamas) today.

Traipsed into the bedroom, got dressed, made the bed.

But I had a rather large lump in the center. Just as I was “sweeping” it away, I heard Cutie Rudie (my Doxie-Cross puppy) groan.

That danged lazy bones was still sleeping! In my bed, no less.

Gotta love dogs.

Finally, if you’ve read this column for any length of time, you’ll remember I had eye surgery around two years ago. You’ll probably also recall that my left eye has struggled since then.

Well, as of March 30, it won’t struggle anymore. I’m having one more procedure on it. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

I mention this because I may get a bit (more) behind on e-mails.

And lastly, (OK. I know I said four observations but I lied) my writing career is going through another transformation. I can feel it.

I’m making changes right, left, and center… monumental changes I would have balked at even six months ago.

But here I am.

Today’s article is a bit off beat from the usual fare. But I think it has a strong message that needs to be considered.

I think that’s it! I hope you have a fabulous week.

Beth

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~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feature Article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is Your Ultimate Dream?

By Beth Ann Erickson

Everything you need to succeed lies at your fingertips.

However, you don’t acknowledge it.

Instead, you run from guru to guru searching for the magic elixir that will bring you one step closer to your ultimate dream.

But what is your ultimate dream?

When was the last time you quieted yourself long enough to ponder that which you desire above all else?

Your mind floods with ideas, short cuts, tips, yet each pulls your attention away from your ultimate goal and on to an often useless tidbit that serves only to distract you long enough to lose another day, another hour, another minute.

Imagine the power of totally realizing exactly what you want? Imagine how that will focus your attention, along with all your actions, towards one ultimate goal. Everything that didn’t move you towards that goal would fall like chaff along the wayside.

Instead you spend most of your time flitting from one promise to the next, like a wave in the ocean, full of untapped energy, unlimited potential.

And all the while, the answer to everything you seek lies dormant within you.

This is why you must guard your dream like a lion.

We live in a glorious time when opportunity presents itself at every turn. If you don’t possess a clear picture of your ultimate goal, you will get lured from one “fantastic” opportunity to the next.

All the while your dream quietly waits.

How do you reach this nirvana of focus?

It’s not always easy.

First, you must quiet yourself daily. I mean every single day. Ponder your ultimate goal. Once you nail down this desire, you proceed through your day, keeping this thought clear in your focus.

Every new idea that presents itself must be evaluated based on how it will enhance your ultimate goal. If it will bring you one step closer, by all means, jump on the opportunity.

If the new idea/opportunity will not bring you closer to your ultimate goal, immediately jettison it because it will not bring you joy.

These past few months, I have found myself going through this process. It’s been difficult to throw out old projects, turn down lucrative writing assignments… but every time I have “suffered” such a task, my writing has turned from a chore into pure joy.

You must evaluate whether taking on a writing project will bless your finances or whether it will torture your muse.

Be aware that every time you take on a project “for the money” you will most certainly earn every cent.

However, when you choose projects that feed your soul and nurture your muse, you will experience such joy that financial gain will soon follow.

But everything you need to know rests at your fingertips. All you need to do is observe, feel, and listen to that little voice deep within you when it warns of a soul-draining assignment. Also listen when it leaps for joy when you have written a phrase that caused goose bumps to erupt on your arms.

Everything you need to truly succeed as a freelancer already rests within you. You know the way, intuitively.

But this only happens when you listen. It begins when you quiet yourself. It becomes a part of you when you write.

And writing is of prime importance. For if you don’t release your unique message, it will be lost forever.