My Blogging and Writing Goal: A Journaling and Storykeeping Encyclopedia

MY PERSONAL JOURNALING

MY BLOG'S GOAL?
Yesterday, I started to get a clear vision as to what I want exactly from this blog. In other words, I asked myself, What is my overall goal and the main objective of this journaling and storykeeping blog?

The answer that came to mind ended up being a little intimidating. I want to create the world's largest journaling, storykeeping, and memoir resource, including journaling prompts.

Huh. Was this presumptuous or even possible?

I started to do some research and discovered if I keep going the way I am going with my blogging, I will most likely accomplish that goal by the end of this year.

Huh. (Another one.) Isn't that interesting? I could not help but think to myself.

This thought kept plaguing me since I thought of it. It has been in the back of my mind and has not let go of its grip on my heart.

So, how can I accomplish this? He answer is obvious. All I need to do is write journaling exercises and prompts, along with blog posts on everything regarding journaling, storykeeping, and memoir. That is too easy. This is my passion and has been for almost 30 years.

I keep thinking on this and just a few minutes ago, I got the idea to write a journaling and storykeeping encyclopedia. Every year, I can write a new version of it and add material to it. Throughout the year, I will offer it for free on Smashwords, but at the end of the year, I will edit it, add material, and publish it.

So, that is what I am going to do.

Welcome to: THE JOURNALING AND STORYKEEPING ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1ST EDITION. (Real name is pending.)

This is what I am going to write in 2013.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

6-Word Goal for 2013: A journaling exercise or prompt

2013

Write a 6-word goal for 2013 in your life and in your journaling. You may need to write one for each--or maybe one will cover both. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper, Writer, Author, & Storykeeper

PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR

2013

It's hard to believe, but it's true. It's the time of year again, when we need to start to prepare for the New Year.

I've always loved this poem:

I AM THE NEW YEAR
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Life, I am the new year.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice
what you have learned about life
during the last twelve months.

All that you sought
and didn't find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out
with more determination.

All the good that you tried for
and didn't achieve
is mine to grant
when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do,
all that you hoped but did not will,
all the faith that you claimed but did not have -
these slumber lightly,
waiting to be awakened
by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity
to renew your allegiance to Him who said,
'behold, I make all things new.'

I am the new year.


The original source of this poem is: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/poetry.cgi?record=101

The New Year provides us with a blank canvas in which we choose how to fill and create. The choice is ours.

However, we should not even think of starting the New Year until we evaluate the past year and from there, we can then choose what we want from the new year.

Shall we start to prepare for the new year? It's that time, after all.

JOURNALING EXERCISE
* If you could live the perfect year next year, what would that look like? Describe in great detail. Take at least 1 day, preferably 2-3, in order to look at this fully.
* What would it take for you to do it?
* Make sure to write out an actual plan for the new year. Be thorough and specific. Write an 1-sentence, a 4-sentence, an 8-sentence, 3-paragraph, 1-page, and 2-page plan.
* Put your plan into action. Write out a goal for the entire year. This is your mission statement.
* Write a goal for each of the things you mentioned previously in order to live the ideal life.
* Write out a goal for each month.
* Write out a goal for each week.

* Put it all on your planner/calendar/schedule.

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Dreams Journaling Exercise

So, what are your dreams? What do you want to do with your life? Why don't you take some time to journal about your response to those two questions now?

Then, continue to answer the following questions:
* Are you in the process of making any of those dreams come true? Yes or no. It so, which dreams? When did you start the dream? What have you done to bring it to fruition?
* Look at each of your dreams and number them in priority order.
* Take a look at your number 1 dream first. Then, do the following with each dream:

Dreams are something that usually take years to make come true. They are not an overnight phenomenon. (NOTE: If you have some of those, they are goals. They are not dreams. Goals are short-term and are what you do to lead to making your dream come true.)

Goals are bite size chunks of actions you need to take in order to make your dream come true.

Answer these questions for each dream:
* Why is this a dream?
* How will you know when you fulfill your dream?
* What goals do you need to make your dream come true?
* Take each goal and write an action plan needed to make it be fulfilled. Then, put it on your calendar/planner.
* Every week, you need to check and see how each goal is coming along, along with each dream. You need to analyze that, along with what is working and what is not.

NOTE: Make sure to keep dreaming and make sure to dream big.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

A New Plan

I took some time to plan the next year or so of books I want to write. 

What I did not expect was how there will be eight books on Jamestown between the years 1607 and 1624. (Gulp!)

I hope you are ready to learn a great deal about Jamestown, Virginia. I know I am. 

(Photo Credit: Stacy Duplease. 2012. At Jamestown.)

-- Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer
Sent from my cell.

How is NaNoWriMo Day 4?

How is your NaNoWriMo novel and Day 4 coming? In other words how are you doing? How is your writing? What do you think of your novel?

Is your novel starting to take shape yet?

Are you stressed already? If so... Remember it's all about the journey. This matters more than anything else. 

Just write. Who cares if you make your daily word count? Just write.

If you write your novel, and focus on that, the word count will fall into place. And, the worst case scenario is you don't get 50,000 words in November. But, guess what? You could get 50,000 words in December or January, for instance. 

If your novel is going well... Well, why? What are you doing that seems to work? Can you replicated it later? 

Keep on keeping on. Keep the faith. Just remember the story of the rabbit and the turtle. Persevere.

Stacy Duplease
Inspirational Historical Romance Author
A timeless kind of love...Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Smashwords Results of the Day

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: The Close of NaNoWriMo Day #2

Journaling Chronicle: Memory Lists

Book Cover and other preparations for novel writing

It does not matter where you are in your preparation for your novel for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). There are a few steps to always take when you are coming up with an idea for a novel. You might want to grab a journal and go through each of these points one by one.

1 What is the title of your novel? (Even if it is a temporary one.) 

2 What genre is it? 

3 What is a sentence summary and hook for the book?

4 What is a two-sentence summary for the book?

5 What is a four-sentence summary for the book?

6 What is a paragraph summary for the book?

7 What is a two-paragraph summary for the book?

8 What is a three-paragraph summary for the book?

9 What is the back cover (one-page) for the book?

10 Design your front cover. 

11 Start to make an outline.

12 If you have the time, expand your outline and include more subpoints. 

Type and print all of the above out and carry with you at all times for inspiration.

So, where are you in the planning process? 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Author
A timeless kind of love... 

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Keep an eye on my writing blog

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month Begins 01 November

Journaling Chronicle: Weekend journaling

My blog: Etc. etc. etc. and other misc.

13 days until NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is in 13 days.

How is your preparation coming?

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Author
A timeless kind of love... 

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Keep an eye on my writing blog

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month Begins 01 November

Journaling Chronicle: Weekend journaling

My blog: Etc. etc. etc. and other misc.

NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month Begins 01 November

14 days and counting...

I am getting excitedly nervous. I wish it was today. I am at the hurry up and wait phase and want to get this story started. So, I guess I will keep adding more and more sub-points to my outline.

Are you ready? Getting closer? Or are you still searching for either the idea, the nerve to write a novel, or both? 

Just write. It's that simple. You can do it. All you need to do is put in the time and make the commitment.

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Author
A timeless kind of love... 

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Check out my new blog

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: NaNoWriMo Countdown: Do it

Journaling Chronicle: What is journaling? The simplest response

What is your plan?: How much writing per day? How many days per week?

So, what's your plan?

How many words do you want to write each day?

How many days per week are you going to write?

With NanoWriMo, the goal is 50,000 words in 30 days. So, that's at least 1667 words per day if you write every day--including on Thanksgiving. If you don't want to include Thanksgiving, that's at least 1725 words per day.

If you want to write only 5 days per week, not including Thanksgiving, you need to write at least 21 days and at least 2381 words per day. 

So, what is your plan now?

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Author
A timeless kind of love... 

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Check out my new blog

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: Check out the new blog

Journaling Chronicle: What is journaling? The simplest response

NaNoWriMo and clearing your schedule

So, you want to write a novel... Have you cleared your schedule so you are able to do so?

Have you put writing on your calendar/schedule at least five days a week? 

Have you told people that you are going to be basically unavailable during the month of November--except for Thanksgiving? 

Have you set your vacation responder in your email so people know it might take you a while to get back to them? 

Just a few suggestions.

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Author
A timeless kind of love... 

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Check out my new blog

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: Check out the new blog

Journaling Chronicle: What is journaling? The simplest response

Blog Number One

Today is the first day of my blog. I hope I don't bore you. I've never done this before and am a little apprehensive. So, bear with me, please.

My goals with this blog are:
1. To share stories with you. I will talk about all of the books I'm in the process of trying to get published, am writing, or are in the process of editing. I write several different aspects of the drama genre. I write thrillers, murder mysteries, speculative fiction, and romance. There's always a romantic theme, a lesson learned, and I show how life is real and raw.
2. To help you escape for a while.
3. To help you look at life from a different perspective.
4. To help you learn how to leave a lasting legacy or create a way to preserve your memories.
5. To develop a stronger interior life.
6. To share my process of making my dream of becoming a published author come true.
7. To talk about writing.
8. To share how I am in the process of moving to a different state with my husband and hope to start our family soon and how that impacts life.
9. To show how life is difficult, but it's what we put into it, the lessons learned, guard our hearts and minds, and how we hold fast to our faith that makes the difference.

What lofty goals I have and wish I could make it simpler. However, in order for me to be realistic about life, faith, relationships, and dreaming, I am forced to recognize that I cannot put it in a pretty box with a pretty bow. Life is complicated. However, we can find a simplicity in it and I want to share how I've learned, and am learning, how to do so.

A wise man in my life taught me a long time ago to focus on making my every today and tomorrow better than my every yesterday. Even though life sends me curve balls, I can look beyond them and life a life focused on leaving a meaningful lasting legacy to future generations of how to live life fully and simply through the sharing of stories and the lessons learned. I would love to hear how you've learned to do the same.

I want this blog to be interactive. Write me. I will choose what gets put on my blog and ask for no profanity, but beyond that, I welcome differing perspectives as well. Life is hard enough without learning from one another and helping each other through things.

I also welcome critique on my stories. I will share my writing with you. Again, I have the choice as to what to apply and what to ignore, but I welcome it.

How do you plan to live a meaningful life and leave a lasting legacy? What's your story?

Blessings to You,

Stacy D.