ABC's of Writing - (F)orward Thinking in All That You Do

This is really a difficult task for many authors. While you are knee-deep in a writing project, you tend to end up with tunnel vision. That's OK! You are "in the moment" and all of your attention and energy does need to be focused on that project. But with that said, you have to sit back, every now and then, and look to the future. How will this project fit into my career? Where is my career going to? Where do I want to be and how will I get there?

I see this problem arise frequently when an author jumps from one genre to the next. Again, there is not problem with doing this, but if your career is heading in one direction, what will this jump to a new genre do with your career? Will your readers really follow you? Will you even have the time and energy to give 100% to both of the genres?

The same thing happens with many writers who jump into the self-publishing arena. At that single moment, sending that project to a self-pub, or putting it on the internet to "test the waters" or using another alternative publishing method, might seem right at that moment. But what will happen down the line. Did you just elimnate the chance of sending that project to another editor later on? Did that project really represent the best you can be?

Motivational speakers frequently state, "If you don't know where you are going, you will end up some place you don't want to be." This is 100% true with publishing. Decsions you make now. Actions that you take now will directly influence where you are heading to. Make sure it sends you toward where you intend to go to.