INTENTIONS; OR HOW I PLAN TO SPEND 2019 #writing #goals #resolutions

The “First Ladies of the Pikes Peak Region” blog posts will return in February. 

With the New Year upon us, I wanted to take the time to talk about where I/we plan to travel these next twelve months.

Most people around this time of year will make resolutions or set goals. For myself, I prefer the word intention. Intention to me is less strict or more fluid if you would prefer. If you look online for the definition of intention, you will find it is a thing intended; and aim or plan. The nice thing about intentions is they can change. By using the word intention I don't feel I need to put myself down when I don't succeed, yet it is strong enough to keep me going.

My intentions for the last two years, at least in terms of my writing, have been to write a novel and a short story. Since I work outside the home at a day job, although not full time throughout the year, it does cut into the my writing time. So how do I feel about what I’ve done so far? Not too badly. I credit my Thursday night writing group, the discipline and the support pf the other writers, with a lot of what I've been able to accomplish. And yes, I did complete a novel and short story. The short story, 'The Homestead' appeared in the Western Fictioneers anthology "The Untamed West". But for 2019 I feel like I wish to accomplish more.

So what is my intent and how shall I accomplish it? Ultimately it's still the same, to write a novel and a short story a year. But I also wish to start sharing some of my historic research to the nonfiction readers. I do a lot of that with blog post, but to a certain extent that's a limited audience. To reach a wider range of readers will require my reaching out to publications that are interested in the history that I research.

Yes, I have done four scholarly papers for our library district. Two have been published in the regional history books, and two more are awaiting a decision. But again that's a limited audience, and the publications not one the general public reads.

So, for those who want to know, this year the intent is to write a certain number of words at least five days a week, with the cumulative amount due at the end of seven days. This does not include blog writing or article writing, only the fiction writing.

To guide me on this journey I look to other authors, deep thinkers, and visual stimulation. Perhaps some of my favorite quotes may help you also.

Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow

until the faucet is turned on. - Louis L’Amour

Your going to be someone favorite author.

Just write everyday of your life. Read intensely. Then see

what happens. Most of my friends who have been put

on that diet have very pleasant careers. - Ray Bradbury

If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live. I wouldn’t

brood. I’d type a little faster. - Isaac Asimov

What are your intents, goals or resolutions for the coming year? And of course if you take this writer's journey, there is also the business side, but that's for another blog.

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

WHY BLOG? #PrairieRosePub #Blogging

Today is July 1. For most it's the half-way mark through the year and time to take stock of where we are in our plans and goals. Are we on target in our writing? How about that 'blessed' think called marketing? How does blogging and the time it takes fit into all that? Why blog if no one reads or comments of what you've taken the time to think, research and write about?

I'm sure others beside myself have asked themselves these questions. I rethink this every year, asking myself the same thing. So why blog?

For me the answer is a bit complex. I'll break it down into three sections. 1. Marketing 2. Research and 3. Name recognition, and that one gets a bit tricky for me.

1. Marketing: 

If we write stories, be they short, flash or full length, we want people to read them. Even the non-fiction we want the information to get to those who might enjoy what we've written.

For someone like me, who writes slow, there can be a long time between the various stories I write. Added to that, I write in two historical genres: Western and Medieval. I love both equally. Added to that is the poetry I write. Facebook can only do so much, as well as emails. Plus, how do you expand your readership. To me, blogging is one of those ways.

I realize not everyone will like what I write, despite my desire that they do. At the same time, finding those readers who will like my work, is a challenge. It helps to use all the options at my disposal, and blogging is one of those for me.

2. Research:

This is probably the primary reason I blog. I want to share the research I have done with others. History and the people who made it are almost a compulsion for me. For me, telling their stories is something I want to do. I don't want them to be lost to history. The nice thing about blogs, especially with the tags, your posts are available via searches.

For almost ten years I've been researching the story of a Colorado criminal. I haven't written much, for he has been hiding the rest of his story. Since the Symposium presentation, I feel I have enough to start talking about him.

The other research that is important for me to share is the story of the early women doctors in Colorado. While 'Doc Susie' is a part of that story, it has been slanted her way for far to long. There were so many others who did as much if not more than she. If the book of their lives never gets written by me, at least I've shared enough that others can start and find out more based on the blogs I've written, and will write, about them.

The stories of the doctors and so many others need to be preserved for future generations. When you feel like you can't do something, just take a look at what those who preceded us did. It helps put things into perspective.

3. Name Recognition:

Since I write fiction under a pen name: Angela Raines, it is important that when I write blog posts I share that information. When you add my online name: Renawomyn it can get a bit tricky.

At the same time, my non-fiction work is important. I simply do not want readers of romance to pick up a book with my real name expecting a sweet story and they are reading about juvenile delinquents, early criminals or lynchings. By using pen names I hope to avoid that problem. Of course the reverse could also be true. Can you imagine buying a book only to find out it's about the trials and tribulations of early women doctors, many of who decided to remain single and focus on their careers?

In the end, whether anyone reads or comments on my blog posts, I have things I want to say. Yes, it hurts when no one seems to care, but in the long run, it is the future I write for. So, here's to the future and to the readers who just have to know what I have to share.

And on a lighter note, the book birthday for my first story is this July. It will be four years old. How time does fly.

Purchase Here

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Member of National League of American Pen Women,

Women Writing the West,

Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here