Wednesday 22 September 2010

Writing Reviews

While I live in the word of my imagination for a good portion of the day, I also venture out into the real world once in a while.

Even though the bright light hurts my eyes, and turns me into a slimy monster if a drop of water even touches me. Oops, sorry that's what I get for watching Gremlins last night.

Anyway...today I am off to the land of the bank for an account review. I've been putting it off for a while. Sorting out my current/savings accounts is not something that fills me with glee. I'd rename it "Book Funds" rather than savings if I had the chance.

But then it hit me...a review is an awesome way of checking in as a writer.

During the account review they ask you loads of 'useful' questions like "What do you want your money to do for you?"

What I want to say is "Buy books and pretty things." Instead I mumble something like, "Grow."

And that is what I want to do as a writer -- grow.

- Am I investing time in learning my craft?
- Am I returning my debits from the writing community with interest? By this I mean do I contribute to the writing community enough?
- Do I push myself hard enough to make my money/wip) grow (with a word count)?

So far I hope I'm meeting all my goals. Because, like money, writing only works for you if you invest in it.

P.S. Today is also my day to post over on Operation Awesome.

14 comments:

Renae said...

I fell your pain...I can't go out in bright light without my sunglasses! Congrats on meeting your goals! Now I'm off to Operation Awesome!

Hannah said...

I have been increasing my writing investment this past year. If it pays off like I hope/wish/pray it does, I will have to really crappy novels written by 2011. Huzzah!

Stina said...

Yay, I do all those things. :D

Hope the investment pays off in the end!

Christine Fonseca said...

So so true!

Amie Borst said...

what a clever analysis!

i haven't had any time for investing lately! URGH! been too busy critting for other people and preparing for this humungo baby shower i'm hosting.

sunday, baby, is all mine!

Matthew MacNish said...

Great analogy Lindsay!

Unknown said...

Hmmm.. I agree that asking this question tends to concentrate the mind as to why we write. I'm still trying to work that out. I tend to give conflicting answers every time I'm asked.

Janet Johnson said...

I'm not such a fan of balancing the checkbook either, but it does parallel quite nicely.

If only we could just choose the put our WIP in a nice CD and have it flourish on its own!

Elana Johnson said...

Excellent analogy. But there's nothing I hate more than discussing money. In any capacity. So good luck!

Bethany Elizabeth said...

Yeah, it's really important to invest as a writer - you're so right. Community, skill building, it's all important... if only there was more time!! :) But we find time, don't we? Somewhere? Sometime?

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Great point. I think like any other career, it's important to have a sense of goals and objectives, to invest yourself in what you're doing.

Vicki Rocho said...

I think you should tell them you want to buy books and pretty things. They can't really help you if you only tell them what you think you're supposed to say.

*getting off soapbox*

You're right about the analogy. A writerly review is a great idea!

Laura S. said...

If only we could spend our money on books, books, and more books and still have it grow! Oh, wait, that is the idea since we're writers, investing time and money into writing books and hopefully we'll make it all back some day!

Good luck venturing outside your imagination! Remember your sunglasses. :)

Christina Lee said...

oooh good analogy! and very true!