I'm going to play along with YA Highway's Road Trip Wednesday this week, answering the following question:
How do you reward yourself when you meet your writing goals?
This question is an easy one for me, because I am really into using the reward system as a way to motivate myself. It's win-win, right? I do something that's good for me, I get a treat. For dragging my butt to the gym, it's clothes shopping. For writing, it's usually some form of entertainment--sometimes a movie, usually a book. I think reading something great is the perfect way to cap off an intense writing session.
Speaking of books, last week I received $150 worth of Amazon gift cards (it was my birfday, yo), and yesterday I dipped my toe in the pool and bought three new books for my Kindle: Unwind and Everlost by Neal Shusterman, and Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor. I was sold on two of these three books solely on the basis of one reviewer's recommendations on Goodreads, fyi.
RTW also suggested mentioning any big picture writing goal rewards, and I do have those as well. Those "if someday I got a phat advance even though I know it's all a daydream and this is not a moneymaking biz" rewards I have planned out for myself. One daydream reward is a shiny new laptop. The other is Lasik or some sort of similarly permanent corrective procedure (I heard intraocular lenses work well), because that is a perk you daydream about when both your eyes are -8.0.
Happy roadtripping!
I hear ya on the Lasik. I'm -7.5 and all this staring at the computer is making my prescription go up much faster than it used to before I stared at the screen all day. That's a great reward. I might have to make it mine. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are great. I think rewarding with a book purchase makes tons of sense.
ReplyDeleteAnd, lasik is an investment, a good one for a writer. Maybe then you can write it off on your taxes, too?
Great book selections! I'm with you on the needing/wanting a shiny new laptop!
ReplyDeleteOh, Lasik is something I've been thinking about too! Also, I'm totally with you on the movie/book reward thing! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally dream of Lasik and Amazon gift cards. :)
ReplyDeleteTotally jealous of all of those Amazon gift certificates. And that motivation for going to the gym...maybe I need that. And getting a reward for writing doesn't sound too bad, either.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to dream big! You never know what might happen. And a new laptop will be a very useful reward :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE that Laini Taylor book. I'm anxiously awaiting her new one.
ReplyDeleteI think some kind of entertainment is a GREAT reward. We spend so many hours locked in front of our computers...sometimes it's nice to go out and socialize again. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a -4 and a -6 (Weird, right?) and I dream of Lasik. Fantastic reward. Also, happy belated birthday!
ReplyDeleteWow! Somebody got a lot of loot for her birthday!
ReplyDeleteI don't really celebrate my writing, which is probably kind of weird. You've now given me a goal to shoot for :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your big reward choices!
ReplyDeleteYour laptop reward reminds me of my big advance dream of a nice desk chair big enough to sit cross-legged in as I write (I'm currently sitting in a $50.00 manager chair).
ReplyDeleteLasik is AMAZING. Don't wait! Reward yourself today! Definitely one of the best things I have ever done :)
ReplyDeleteLasik sounds like a great reward! I just might have to look into that someday. Love the book purchase idea for celebrating the smaller milestones.
ReplyDeleteIf Lasik can become tax deductible, sign me up.
ReplyDeleteI love rewards! I like the idea of a nice new laptop too! :)
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