I’m sure you’ve got your word of the year. Goody. It’s nice to have a guiding principle.
Now, what are you going to make happen in 2015?
I’ve seen that we glean the most satisfaction and actualization when we specify a creative edge for the year. When we dedicate ourselves to a very specific phase of the creative process and dig down deep.
Look at the following four creative edges in the writing process below. If you were to focus on one, which would give you the most satisfaction this year?
- Gaining confidence by getting your shaggy first drafts on paper
- Leaning into revision and polishing your writing
- Seeking and responding to useful feedback
- Publishing your writing
You may identify a different creative edge for yourself this year. Whether one of these is right for you or not, I assert that having one specific area of focus for the whole year will help you make satisfying progress. This is not to say you won’t dabble in other areas. But knowing where you need to apply your efforts will yield results you’ll love.
My focus for my writing will be on publishing my work. I’ve got several projects that I want to publish in new formats. I’m also focusing on making several new products to inspire writers and artists.
So my creative edge for 2015 is Products. It’s an edge because I will need to learn new skills. I’ll be forced to delegate. This edge forces me to grow in many ways. I’m so excited to know my focus because it means I can make decisions more easily and serve you, dear reader, much better.
Where will you place your focus in 2015? What’s your creative edge?
Leave a comment below to help stay on track with it. I won’t be pestering you all year, but simply committing here can help you hold your focus.
My creative edge this year is DRAFT. I’ve got a new book brewing (“Ferguson Girl: A Memoir of Family, Place, and Race”), and I need to get it out and on the page!
I like that, Linda! Simple, clear and doable.
When we’re in DRAFT mode I like to think of us as draft horses with blinders on, marching steadily forward. I know it’s not sexy and not exciting but steady forward is what gets books done.
I am cheering you on!
I haven’t been submitting my writing for publication in magazines for a long time. My creative edge this year is SUBMISSIONS. I am going to get back in touch with some favorite magazines and stretch myself to submit essays to new markets.
Great focus, Donna! It’s going to be really fun for you in December 2015 to look back and see how many places have accepted your writing, and how satisfying it has been to step even more into your writer’s shoes. 🙂
I’ve got so much material from the free write flings last year! Now my biggest challenge is deciding which topics I want to develop into essays first. And I can’t remember what I did with my notebook from last April. I think it’s green but not sure. 😀
Donna,
If you want, I will email you my exercise on how to choose which projects to focus on first.
If others are interested, I will post it here in the Writing Salon.
After finishing my novel in August last year, I did some editing on it before sending it to a professional editor for a deep edit, so this year is definitely about rewriting and polishing. Whereas last year was about letting the words flow out of me and getting it down, this year is about thinking even more about the words and finding better ways to describe the world and characters I’ve created. Last year was a great start. Now is the time for a great finish. The challenge is to ‘feel’ productive – this process is a lot slower than the initial writing and is as much about thinking about the writing as it is about writing. Once I’m happy with it, I will start looking for an agent or publisher.
I had thought of asking for feedback from other people before doing this, but really don’t know if it is a good idea. I don’t know many people who like the genre and would actually read it. I’ve asked friends to read short stories for me and they’ve either said no, or said yes and not read the story – and this is 86,000 words (not short at all). A lot of people I know who might read it are professional writers / editors, so asking them to do it for free is a bit cheeky. And I’ve already spent quite a bit of my savings on the professional edit.
Karen,
I love your focus. That’s good, deep work. It’s the deep love affair with language that you get to embrace.
I think you’re on the right track to take the pro’s editing suggestions and work with those. After that, I’d look at what kind of feedback you feel you need. From there you will know what kind of readers to look for. You may, at that point, consider doing it serially on your blog.
I know that asking others for feedback can be a double-edged sword. I know with my novel I got quite a range of feedback, some of it useful, some of it hurtful.
My sense is you have the feedback you need to do this next edit. I’d dive into that and really enjoy it.
Also, I’d develop some kind of metric for satisfaction, so you can feel you are making progress. Perhaps some visual way to see the edited page count add up. I know how important it is to feel a sense of progress on long projects like this.
Hope this helps!Thanks for sharing your focus for the year. I love the variety I see here already!
Great challenge, Cynthia!
After careful consideration, I’ve concluded that my goals for this year put me squarely on – All Of The Above. I’m thoroughly pushing myself through a substantial personal/professional challenge, where I shall spend two months backpacking around Scotland – writing, photographing, and field sketching. Total immersion is key, as I will be absorbing as much as I possibly can from this experience. The final outcome from all this has three major components – a large new body of paintings, an exhibition and presentation examining putting one’s self on a prolonged solo low-cost high-adventure backpacking excursion into the wilds and back-country of a distant nation, and a published illustrated artist’s travel journal produced from this little adventure.
I am currently in the throes of rapid learning, honing and practice on many levels, particularly on field sketching and writing. I stumbled upon a graphic meme that so beautifully captures all that I am taking on this year: “Set a goal so big that you cannot achieve it until you grow into the person who can.” Predictably, my word for the year is “Vitality” – I’ll need it! So will the work that is produced from this. 🙂 Roll on 2015, I’m looking forward to every moment of it!
Julie – I’m really impressed with what you’re attempting. I think we’re on a similar track. I hope you keep us all updated on how you’re doing. I’m going to write down your meme and stick it on the shelf above my desk so I can see it everyday. Where is your work? Blog? Instagram? Let us/me know.
Thank you, Bobbi, and likewise! It really does sound like we’re on very similar paths this year, though yours is coming up much sooner than mine! I too need to be learning a new camera, I’ve got a Nikon Coolpix L830 to replace my wonky little Kodak Easyshare. It’s going to take a *lot* of learning to make it work well for me, and I might regret the weight of it as I hike across the mountains west of Glen Affric with up to 50 pounds on my back.
Sad to say my Facebook is my most active platform right now, but I’m working on changing that. The website needs a lot of updates, but there is a fair bit there. The blog is where I’ll be putting a greater push for regularity shortly, with updates every Tuesday.
Your trip sounds so exciting! Where are you most active, that I may follow? Good luck!
I’m following you on FB and checking out your blog. I’m most active on my blog (bobbirubinstein.com) and in spurts on FB (Bobbi Rubinstein) and getting into Instagram (Bobbi.Rubinstein). Good luck with learning your camera!
OMG Julie, that sounds great! It sounds like a major project that will be your focus for 2015.
May I suggest naming this venture? You probably have already done this, but if not, give it a name. Doing so helps contain it as a specific project that you are committed to. It may or may not be the name of the final art pieces from it, but it will help you talk about it and contain it in your own planning.
I’m so excited for you! When do you leave?
Thanks so much, Cynthia! You’re right, I kind of named it early last Autumn when I decided I was going to go after it for sure. I’ve simply been calling it Scotland Adventure 2015 as I promote and talk about it on my website, blog, and Facebook pages.
I even went so far as purchasing a notebook in which I’ve been writing notes and attaching internet photos and maps of the projected journey. It’s where I can solidify routes and some of the itinerary, but not so much that it feels too planned out. The notebook has been of great help! Some parts of the trip are locked in with dates to coincide with a couple of festivals, but a large portion of it will remain flexible to allow me to take advantage of calm weather, connections made with folks I meet along the way, and far-flung wanders which I hope will include places like Torridon and some of the western isles. I showed photos of a couple of pages in this notebook to FB friends, with good response – several said they want to see the rest of it!
I leave July 1st and return the end of August. Indeed, that is the height of tourist season, but I don’t think there will be swarms of tourists in many of the places in which I’ll be wandering.
Oh Julie, this sounds like so much fun! It’s just the kind of creative project I love. When you describe your planning notebook, it makes me so happy.
You’re going at a great time. It will be wonderful. I know you’ll really get a lot out of this trip.
I think you’re on Instagram, is that correct? I love it for sharing images of art/art process.
Okay, I just went to your blog and see that you are offering a package that includes art from your journey. A sort of ‘art share’ of your trip.
I am sure you were being humble in your comment here and not wanting to be overly promotional, but DUDE! we want to know! We want to be part of this!
I’m including the link to your page so readers here can see how you are creativity sharing your art/travel adventures.
http://www.featherlady.net/Scotland2015.html
And I know you didn’t ask for my advice, but I will offer it anyway. I would name the share, name the adventure so it’s more specific to you and your art. So when I say, there’s this cool artist lady who’s traveling in Scotland and you can join in and get art she’s making as part of it….
So I can instead say “You want to get in on Julie Thompson’s Scotland Wilds Feather Art project” Or somesuch. Your art is so cool and this project so powerful and gorgeous…it deserves a framing name so it’s easier to talk about.
I hope my unsolicited advice meets you in the way it is intended – with love and support. 🙂
Cynthia, I just popped back by and saw your lovely and very kind response – thank you *so* very much, on all counts! Your advice is enormously appreciated, I am *always* open to suggestions. I’m going to have to sit down and really brainstorm on names for the project itself and for the package. Though I’m liking the sound of Scotland Wilds! 😀
I had some ideas for getting on Kickstarter at around March or April to further drive this project, so that too will need a name. Not surprisingly, imagery comes to my mind quite easily but not so much catchy names. I’ve already got an illustrative image in my head of myself with backpack hiking across the wild country in Glen Affric for the Kickstarter project image.
Again, thanks so much! It was one of your articles that gave me the courage to believe in myself and travel Scotland solo last time in 2009, and I’m delighting in stepping up the game even further this next time around.
Oh right, I nearly forgot! Instagram – no I’ve not touched Instagram, but should probably look into that, PDQ.
I want to talk about my push for Jan and Feb. We’re going on a political study tour of Israel and I need to learn my new point&shoot camera that does wifi and has a fast lens which I got because I didn’t want to schlep the DSLR.
I need to finally learn how to transfer photos somewhere to the sky and then back to my tablet and probably get a keyboard for the tablet, which I bought early in 2013 :>) so I can post from the road.
I’ve started actively Instagramming and editing photos on the phone. I have to get the Snapseed editing app for the tablet. Or maybe I have it because I have it on the phone? Technically challenged. So we’re talking extreme focusing on technology.
Then since we’re going in a synagogue group and I’m writing for the e-newsletter, I have to think about and pitch an article about the trip. Maybe include/interview the other travelers. Coordinate photos.
I’ve given myself a challenge to post one new photo everyday – for a year – on the blog. More for the habit than how cutting edge the photo might be. So I think it’s doable.
The writing blog will take a backseat, maybe just one or two posts so it keeps the chronology of every month going. Until after the trip. Then I’ll rethink for the spring.
I would call this going deep. Extreme deadline looms. And you know my issue with focusing. But I have to crack these specific techie issues. And this new camera has to become an extension of my arm.
Bobbi, I love your creative adventures for the upcoming year. Are you going to publish the pictures from Israel on your website? I lived in Israel for a while a few years ago, and I loved so many things about the country.
I think your photo challenge is great. I have the same intention, to publish a post every day. It will be great to look back at the end of 2015 and see a consistent stream of posts!
Thank you for commenting on my comment! I posted some photos on the website from my last (and first) trip in Oct 2013. That was more sightseeing and husband’s family. This will be studying contemporary Israel from both sides of the political spectrum. Not sure what kind of touristy stuff we’ll do on our own after the main tour. I’ll probably be posting during the trip on FB, Instagram and my blog. But most of it may be more for the folks back home. And yes, I’m nervous about going. I don’t think about it as ‘going into a war zone’, but in some ways it is. So it could fall apart before we even get on the plane.
Here’s my site. http://www.bobbirubinstein.com I should probably add tags on my blog so you can find categories. Ah. Something to do this year if I run out of stuff!
Bobbi,
What wonderful things you’re up to! I love it!
So, Q1 is about a tech learning curve for you. Upgrading your knowledge. Think of that as your primary focus to prep for the trip.
Then, on the trip, you can focus on the creative reporting with your camera and interviews, etc.
It all sounds great and it does sound focused to me. I like the depth challenge.
When do you go?
We leave in mid-Feb. Staying extra days at apt in Tel Aviv that we rented through airbnb. Love the phrase ‘upgrading my knowledge’. Takes the pressure off just how much I’d like to learn! Also ‘creative reporting’ is another phrase that helps me think about it. Your choice of words makes it less vague and less about frantic floundering. The crispness makes it sound more real and doable. Thanks!
Great, Bobbi! I love crisp and focused and doable.
I just watched the series The Honourable Woman. Did you see it? Intense, complex.
Looks too graphic for me. But thanks. I’m watching Foyle’s War on Netflix. WW2 homefront mysteries set in England. Less blood + English accents.
My creative edge for 2015 is COMMITMENT. Committing to a handful of meaningful projects and making progress on them, instead of allowing myself to be distracted by all those wonderful ideas that keep popping up in my head, day and night! 🙂
Also, committing to my creative career with joy and courage. I have sent my Inner Gremlin to her room to play, and she’s not allowed to come out or make a noise. Her input is no longer welcome 🙂
And last but not least, committing to getting my creative work out and sharing it with the world.
This is looking good for you, Maya Sofia! I love it! I love that you are committing and that your gremlin has been sent on his own adventure.
I can’t wait to see how this feels for you! Here’s to a fabulous 2015!
I’m an idea machine with lots of interests. It’s a curse. In the past my word has been ‘focus’. This year I thought ‘whole’ as in I’m complete as I am. Or diving in wholeheartedly. I decided I was tired of beating myself up, coming from negativity all the time. And nix the Gremlin. Inner Critics should be sent to Siberia, not a playroom!
Bobbi,
What if you enjoyed your ideas like one enjoys fireworks – a brief OOO!!! AAAA! Look at that! and then move one.
Know what your priority is and let the right ideas align to that, and let all the other bright shiny ones flare and flow away.
I’m learning that when I really concentrate on something, I feel good and then don’t need as many ideas. Concentrating on what I’ve done rather than what I haven’t done. Going all in is a form of success in itself.
Bliss = concentration on a creative project.
Lots of ideas = WTF am I doing?
Thank you for sharing what helps you feel great, Bobbi!
This year I simply want to improve on commentary about my art, the healing dimensions of it, other artists, and things I learn that I want to share, on my blog. I am an artist, and really struggle with writing, so it is about just doing it, and expanding my confidence. I appreciate the good model found here in the salon.
Hi Kathleen!
When you say commentary, what do you mean? Your own writing and reflections on your art?
I think that’s what you mean. I challenge you to keep drilling down on that, mainly ask yourself, how will you measure improvement? How, at the end of 2015, will you know you’ve improved?
When we know very specifically what we’re targeting, it’s easier to achieve it and celebrate it when we hit the mark.
I love that you’re focusing on something that’s not your primary competency. You will grow in so many ways because of this!
Glad you shared this here. 🙂
Yes, Cynthia, I mean writing about new art, old art, how it reflects my values, mission as an artist, as a healing practice, as a spiritual practice, at times about the process, and inspirations.
Thank you for recommending to drill that down. I am taking that to heart.
What comes to mind in terms of how I know I have improved, is that I will have more content, not just images, not use the word “I” so much, and find ways to express how my art might be a contribution in someone’s life.
Another wish is that the words help to connect (my 2015 word) my art to the people for whom it is meant.
I appreciate this focus.
My word for 2015 is PURGE. I’ve established a daily ritual and a tracking system to keep things, including writing projects, moving on and through my work systems. Sometimes it’s literally tossing things, but often it’s also about integrating writings into products or programs and using them rather than allowing things to lay fallow. It feels wonderful to have so many pieces coming to life again. Making come true my companion word: COMPLETIONS. (may I say, I’d love to put a little piece of washi tape right here right now? – just because 🙂 )
I’m cheering you on, Debra!
Your year sounds like it will yield immense satisfaction. I love that you’re focusing on systems and releasing things that aren’t relevant.
And on completion! That will feel so good! I still believe that more ideas is not inherently good for us. That completing more things that matter to us is what brings ultimate satisfaction. So I am happy to know you are focusing your attention.
With washi tape, of course.
To a satisfying 2015!