Tag: (business) Writing

My Strategy Plan for 2022 – a review

Erin Penn

Photo by Scott Blake on Unsplash

Time for the last post of the 2022, and it’s the perfect time to do a review of the strategic plan I started back in March and see what tweaks are needed for 2023.

First off, success, though not a great success. I got a lot more done this year than the previous two years of the pandemic. And I’ve done some maneuvering in my day-job life this past month that I hope will drive me to do even better next year. Small steps in this marathon.

Goals were:

  1. Increase sellable words volume. — Did not happen, but I think it will happen in 2023
  2. Get blog up-to-date by December 2022 (adjusted to a more reasonable production of update complete by March 31, 2023). — Went from 257 blogs behind to only 72. Note that for 2023, another 157 blogs will be needed (72 + 157 = 229 … still ahead of where I started!)
  3. Produce novels regularly, setting up a production line by December 2022. — Did not happen, but I think it will happen by December 2023.
  4. Stay healthy. — No new injuries! Doc wants me to get on a better diet, so more work is needed.

Ditto the goals for next year. And release the Water Rabbits!

Other Cool Blogs: Liana Brooks 3/20/2019 – Escape the Writing Slump

Erin Penn

Photo by Tadeusz Lakota on Unsplash

As you know, I’ve been attacking my writing this year – catching up on blogs and started the NOVEL and SERIES with the hopes to finish it before Package Season and Tax Season starts again. I’m now just over two months in with another four or five to go. Enthusiasm is flagging. It’s not easy spitting out 20,000 words or more per month; and to finish in time, that is what I need to do.

So I need to take the writing slump by the teeth and 

Shake It Off

My favorite author, Liana Brooks, gave some advice about “How to Escape a Writing Slump” in her 3/20/2019 posting. (URL: http://www.lianabrooks.com/how-to-escape-a-writing-slump/)

Not all of them will work in my particular case. Many of the suggestions focus on when the words just aren’t coming because the writer has went down the wrong path. In my case, it’s looking at the long path before me. Maybe I should take a couple days break and mow the lawn; maybe see friends tonight. Maybe look at tax training and remind myself why I am trying to escape taxes.

Anyway, whether you hit a road block or just an energy need, stop, reassess, and rest or move forward – whichever is best. I’ll do the same on my end. Good Luck!

Magical Words: The Five Mantras

Erin Penn

Photo by Rachel Nickerson on Unsplash

The Five Writing Mantras of James Maxey:

  1. The worst novel you put on paper is better than the best novel you have in your head.
  2. Here. Now.
  3. To write a good novel, you must first write a bad novel.
  4. Never look back.
  5. Little by little, the work gets done.

In other words – Write it, concentrate, write to grow, perfection is the enemy of the good, climb a bit every day.

Get the full picture at Magical Words 2/19/2011 –

Writing Exercise: Which mantras do you need to work on? Which of one hit you the hardest when reading about them? Choose that one to work on this week. Make a colored card and stick it on the wall where you write with the beginning date.