Take Time to Celebrate by Nevada McPherson
Let’s welcome back monthly columnist Nevada McPherson as she shares with us “Take Time to Celebrate.” Enjoy!
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Happy Lunar New Year!
Even though 2022 is now underway, it’s still a great time to set new writing goals, to reflect, and celebrate goals reached.
My Celebrations
I’m celebrating the publication of my new novel, Poser, first in a series called the Eucalyptus Lane novels.
This marks the culmination of a lifelong dream for me, and even though I wrote the original screenplay upon which this novel is based some time ago, I’ve further developed the story considerably, and added new characters and storylines.
I’m fully aware that it takes a lot of work to get a novel out there into the world, and that a new Herculean task is just beginning with that part of the process: getting the word out.
However, this has been years in the making, so I really feel the need to reflect on what it took to get to this point before I continue working on the second book in the series, and on other projects as well.
How does one celebrate a major writing goal reached?
For one thing, a treat is in order, so I bought a new watch.
For another, I’m getting back into the habit of reading again, along with celebrating other authors’ milestones, and writing reviews.
After countless late nights and hours of editing and re-editing this project, I’m re-discovering the fun of reading.
Some of my celebrations will involve travel; that’s temporarily on hold for the moment, but something to look forward to when the time comes, and I hope to combine travel for discovery and enjoyment with several book signings!
Once the Celebration is Over
Once the launch date is history, the party is over, and the long road to the next novel in the series opens before me, I plan to keep a celebratory spirit to lift me up in times when I’m staring at my outline for hours or re-working a single paragraph (or sentence) all evening.
Each well-wrought sentence, paragraph or chapter is something to celebrate, each plot point reached.
As I’ve learned from experience, long projects have to be tackled piece by piece or the road gets too lonely and grueling.
To focus on something fully, maintaining that unswerving commitment to excellence requires a willingness to surrender, to let go and trust oneself even when it’s hard to do so.
Overcoming self-criticism, self-doubt and self-censorship is a constant battle, and I celebrate that I’m getting better at overcoming all those things. When it creeps in, I make a conscious decision to trust in the process, look to my Higher Power, and to know that my destination awaits if I keep trying.
What about you?
How do you celebrate the steps in your writing journey to help you maintain forward momentum?
Let me know in the comments!
Happy writing!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nevada McPherson writes in the southern Gothic town of Milledgeville, Georgia: former home of Flannery O’Connor and site of Central State Hospital, once the world’s largest mental institution.
She recently completed Poser, a novel (first in a series) set in the noir corners of Silicon Valley. A graduate of L.S.U.’s MFA Screenwriting Program, Nevada has written several award-winning screenplays, as well as stage plays, non-fiction pieces, graphic novels, Uptowners and Piano Lessons. Queensgate, the sequel to Uptowners, is her third graphic novel, and countless to-do lists. For more information, visit www.nevada-mcpherson.com.
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Other Articles by Nevada McPherson
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2021/12/21/fuel-for-the-flame-new-years-goals-by-nevada-mcpherson
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2021/10/22/inspired-by-a-photograph-by-nevada-mcpherson
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2021/08/24/seasons-of-change-by-nevada-mcpherson
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2021/07/20/on-the-heros-journey-by-nevada-mcpherson
