Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Surfing to Save The Cat

I got the happiest email from a friend yesterday. She's new to writing, working on some web content for her job, and just discovering what a wild ride the highs and lows of the creative life can be. She said:

Writing is so intense! I keep thinking of you. It's like this huge creative process (okay, obvious!). I've already put in a zillion hours and things are just starting to flow which is awesome. And then things flow and it's satisfying but then you get to this point and you're exhausted but you have to keep going because the juices are flowing. Wow...it's quite a process. Okay, now i'm going back in...

My response was deep and profound: I said, "Yep. That's exactly what it's like." Writing is like surfing. It might be a long wait for the wave, but once it comes it's a fun ride.

Which brings me to Today's Goal: I've conquered flossing and lip gloss. I'm feeling confident. It's time for a bigger challenge! Today, I will...read ONE chapter in book! I can do it! I have what it takes to succeed!

The book is called SAVE THE CAT. Every writer friend I know says it will rock my world. Today I'm stepping up to the plate, ready to be rocked. Just to be clear: I won't read the whole book. At the end of today, the cat will remain unsaved. But I will read the first chapter, and consider today a success.

Low bar goal setters of the world, unite!

4 comments:

kim said...

I love these bite-size goals (kind of like my favorite bite-size salted brownies from Trader Joe's!). I feel so much more successful. Today's goal: read a few scriptures on patience.

Enjoy the chapter!

Trish said...

Oh Trish, it will rock your world. I live and die by that book. Thanks it that book I now have too many novels to write in my lifetime. Ah! Good suffering, I guess.

Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

Trish Lawrence

Sarakastic said...

I love your new take on goals I'm totally going to start trying it!

Anonymous said...

I share your LOW BAR GOAL SETTING. And your love of SAVE THE CAT. Brilliant book. If only there was one for TV writing (not just movies). And too bad author died suddenly this summer! So sad!