It is so easy to discredit our efforts—even before we begin, we’re already criticizing our output and our efforts. Many of us have the instinct to diminish the value of our work and to determine we’ll never develop our work to the level we desire based on our early efforts. It’s really important to pay attention to your inner critic and commit to activities, exercises, communities, and thought processes that will free your voice.

Goal Check-In:

• I met my February goal of completing and submitting my first draft of my YA novel. My strategy is let it be messy and keep it in motion. I turned it in one day ahead of deadline!
• I completely missed my goal of writing two nonfiction book pitches. Why? Because so many other writer administration tasks jumped the line. The two weeks while the above YA draft was being read, I:

> Picked headshots from photo shoot proofs
> Outlined my new site
> Reviewed and responded to the copy edits for the middle grade novel
> Wrote new bios and back cover copy
> Filled out the writer’s questionnaire for marketing the middle grade novel
> Worked on the animation for the middle grade novel cover reveal
> Completed the slides for my upcoming writing workshop

Phew! I was busy. Don’t let anyone tell you the writing career is only about writing!

Word on the street is that the notes from the editors will be a day or two late–so now that I’ve taken care of all of the above, my fingers are crossed that I’ll be able to get to my book pitches!

Let’s invest in our voices—whether they’re developing, floundering, or flourishing.

Let’s go!