write a book and have it published

Wow, it’s been a while since I made any strides toward this goal. So last November came and I took a crack a NaNoWriMo. I survived about 8 or 9 days before cracking and jumping ship. I even deleted the goal from this list.

Last week, while running on the treadmill, I was inspired to write a non-fictional work about my life and running. Sure, there are lots of running books out there. But no one can write about my experiences with my voice except for me. Most of these authors are ex-Olympians, former marathon winners, psychologists and exercise scientists.

Not me, I didn’t race my first 5k until I was 19.

I believe I can inspire a lot of people. Call it the busy professional’s guide to running.

Ever knock out a 20-mile run in the early morning and put in a full day at the office? Ever taper for a marathon while doing an international assignment in China – only to jet back to Chicago to make the race? Ever run a marathon in the morning only to fly to South Korea that same very night for a business trip, while cramping up from the toll of the distance? Yes, yeah and yep.

So there were two “Write To Win” contests that I had planned on entering so far this year, and I am zero for two. It simply boils down to my competing priorities in life. I am beginning to realize that I am about stretched to my limits in life with career and related travel, running, writing, family and social/relaxation time.

The first contest deadline was right after the Boston Marathon. It probably was not a brilliant idea to try to come up with something right before this major life event. I failed to have a complete story worthwhile of submitting.

The second contest deadline was just this past week. Again, I have been so ridiculously busy with work, running and my on-line writing class, I was not able to complete a decent, finished piece of work.

On the positive side, I am currently working on lesson 9 of 12 of the class “Write Fiction Like a Pro” and have a decent story idea that I am working on. The class teaches story structure and has been a real help so far.

I think this class will be a real benefit when I make my preliminary outline for NaNoWriMo in November.

I still have two writing contests to submit to if I plan to make my 2007 goal. Then again, I did not plan on doing NaNoWriMo, and I am certain that 50,000 words in one month has to be worth at least two contests.

Not to mention, on the running front, I am now chasing a sub 3-hour marathon. I thought I would mention that since this massive ambition does have a direct impact on available writing time.

I am a writer. Plain and simple. I have endless ideas, thoughts, dreams and fantasies that I can and will put to paper. I have drive, ambition and a natural tendency to make my writing aspirations come to life.

I have completed my first ever on-line writing class.

I was a sort of pseudo-journalist back in high school for our newspaper. I wrote some columns and covered many of our school’s stories. Shortly thereafter, despite having dreams of becoming a journalist, I somehow ended up on a different path. I have no regrets, but the passion to write has been reborn.

This class was the first step toward writing on my own accord. I am writing without the direction or influence of any teacher or manager. I am writing on my own terms. I am writing because it is what my inner being is driving me to do.

I am only in my early 30’s. I have a very strong career with a healthy salary; with plenty of challenges to keep me interested and motivated. I have a great house and a loving wife. We hope kids will be in our near future.

So, then, why would I be spending a huge chunk of my valuable free time writing? Because I can. And it is what I am supposed to do.

I am an avid runner and marathoner. I am fortunate enough to have pushed myself to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Between running and writing, these are my passions. This is a very poignant change that has occured for me over the past couple of years. Career has taken an intriguing slip in the priorities.

My next two goals are to submit for two upcoming contests, both of which are sponsored by Writer’s Journal magazine:

1. Write to win! contest – 1,500 word limit – Starting with the phrase “He reached for…” – Deadline, April 20, 2007.

2. Short story contest – 2,000 word limit – Deadline: May 30, 2007

In addition, I am contemplating taking a Creative Writing course online that begins on March 21. However, I do need to carefully balance these plans with my work, running and personal activities. I don’t wish to overload myself into frustration, grief and failure.

I am continuing to build confidence in my writing. I simply need to spend more time writing. We are now in the last week of the online writing class. I am contemplating taking another one to keep me writing.

I found a Creative Writing course that starts today and I could sign up for it. I think I will hold out until March 21st, when it starts up again.

The characters in my story are Kate Sanderson, Logan Kinkade and Dr. Randall Prowphett. I plan to keep free writing about these characters.

I may take a crack at some non-fiction or personal essay for the upcoming Boston Marathon.

I pulled my original start on a novel out of the archives. Every day, I have been trying to reconstruct the plot. It is bloody difficult, this writing thing. It is a form of self torment.

I need break free from my inner critic. Forgot about perfection. Forget, for now, about coherence and style. Start creating.

Start to deeply characterize the players of Logan, Kate, Alex and Prowphett. They are my fictional figures trapped within my world of fictional glory. I can make them come to life for anyone who reads about them.

What do they look like in the morning? How do they feel when they start their days? What color are their eye lashes? What are their best features? What does each of their homes look like? How do they dress?

I have begun my online writing class last week. So far, so good. I am writing. I don’t care what about, just writing.

I have been doing silly little exercises in my class and get my thoughts onto paper. I stared at a lit candle and wrote a detailed, creative description of what I saw.

I wrote a dialogue between me and a old coffee mug. I may write an essay on my Boston Marathon upcoming in April. I will write a book to be published some day.

See my reasons for writing here:

I want to write a non-fictional piece of work on an inspirational, extraordinary person because I want to influence the lives of others with my written profile of a human triumph.

I want to write a compelling novel because I will achieve great satisfaction by watching my characters come to life within a meaningful and provocative plot that I have created.

I want to write a compelling novel with credible, beautifully complex characters, because I want readers to relate my characters to themselves and their immediate universe.

I want to write a suspenseful novel with an intricately diverse set of deeply defined characters that all collide toward a major conflict because I want to entertain readers.

I want to write fiction that originates from the depth of my creative soul because I want to express a side of me that is untapped and full of potential.

I want to write a book that becomes published because I want to show my unborn children that, with passion and commitment, they can accomplish any goal that they dare to pursue.

I want to write a creative non-fictional article for a magazine because I believe readers would enjoy my perspective and insight.

I want to write a column or article for any tiny magazine or publication that I can find willing to listen because I want to get published again…soon.

I’ve decided to take an online writing class. The assignments should keep me focused and get me to write more. I haven’t written much since I entered the contest a couple of weeks ago. The class I will sign up for begins in January and last 8 weeks. I will then decide what writing goal I will set after I improve my skills.

Yesterday, I sent my manuscript to the Writer’s Digest Short, Short Story competition. The name of the piece is “Along for the Ride”. I hit the deadline.

It would be simply a miracle if I were to place in the top 25 in the contest. No matter what happens, I finished a story and proud of my work.

I shared it with my wife when it was nearing completion. She was excited about it and gave input on the characterization. I think she was surprised at how I could write. I was glad I did this.

I think she feels left out when I engage in what are my two main interests out of work: Running and writing. Neither tend to include her.

I know I have a ton to learn and that I need to develop my talent, but I know I have a book to write in my lifetime. One that will be meaningful.

I need to identify my next writing milestone to hone my skills. It may be an online writing class or writing another piece for a contest.

I have also started a second blog, after my running blog, to track my writing endeavors, to which these entries will be posted.

I spent some time this morning writing the first draft of my short, short story entry for the Writer’s Digest contest. The deadine is December 1st. The challenge is that it is a 1500 word limit.

I am not sure if my story is absolutely compelling or interesting, but it is a start.

I have written about 1,100 words. Based on where the story is going, I don’t know how I am going to keep it to the limit.

I once read that the difference between good writing and bad writing is editing. I’ll be doing a lot of that between now and December 1st.

I toyed with the idea of submitting a short, short story into a Writer’s World contest by the 12/1 deadline. I’ve been so focused on hitting my marathon goal (which I did yesterday) that I’ve only drafted one story idea. I need to start writing at least 3-4 times per week for 30-60 min per session to turn in a decent piece of work. I don’t want to half-ass this thing. I need to decide over the next couple of days if I am going to deliver something for this contest.