I've been reading Carolyn See's book, Making a Literary Life.  I've gathered two new goals from it.  1) I will start writing at least 1,000 words a day and 2) I'm going to be writing what she calls "Charming Notes" - at least one a day five days a week.

The second goal is the one I want to talk about here.  I don't know why, but it never really dawned on me to write my favorite literary folk.  Some might think that this goal constricts the writing process, but for me, I feel so liberated.  Her...
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It is so important when working on projects that we take the time to celebrate when they are done. Even if the celebration involves getting up and taking a walk or playing a much-loved computer game for a few minutes before beginning the next task, it's important to acknowledge a job well done.  According to Ali Hale in "The Importance of Celebrating Your Success," we should make a list of achievements as well as goals.  When I was in school, I would celebrate each final I took - even before ...
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