I’m finding it a little difficult to focus these days. Normally I am a super-self-motivated and productive human being. Usually I am not only a list maker, but a list dominator. I set big goals and I work hard to achieve them. And while I don’t always make it to where I want to go, I almost always move the needle of progress.

I, like everyone else in our country (or quite possibly planet), suddenly find myself with an exorbitant amount of free time. My part time teaching responsibilities, which will end in April, take up minimal time and my author gig calendar has been wiped cleaner than a Clorox-ed door handle. You might think that this would be the perfect time to dive into a massive writing project. After all, I have the time.

My newest book, Champion Chocolatier: For Better or Worse, is all but done and will be released on April 14. (You can pre-order the Kindle version here.)

Champion Chocolatier_ For Better or Worse_1.jpg

I’m searching for my next big idea. Again, it sounds like the perfect time for a new project. Probably even a big one. I literally do not have to be anywhere for six months! So, what’s the problem?

The typical Amanda Zieba would have already had a story bible in progress, and an entire folder devoted to character pictures, scene snippets and overall ideas. I might have even brainstormed collaborators for promotion or cover design. I likely would have had at least two blog posts lined up in the queue to share my initial story excitement.

But I just can’t.

I can’t focus. Or probably more accurately, I can’t force myself to wait. Waiting is hard. It feels like our lives have just been placed on pause, and all we can do is wait it out. I am struggling to commit to a project that will force me to do the same.

Right now, I can’t begin a thing that will make me wait five months to see the end of it.

Right now, I want to see progress.

Right now, I can’t commit to a long journey.

Right now, I want to move forward.

Right now, I want to work on something that I can cross off my list.

So instead of digging into Close Quarters #2 as I had originally intended, I’m going to focus on a bunch of short projects. A few little submissions. These small movements, these tiny steps of progress, will do more for my psyche than massive progress on a large project. Even coming to this conclusion feels like a small success. I know what to do. I can get going.

If you are feeling the same way, here is a list of short-term projects you could work on or enter. Several are on my personal to-do list. Hopefully, when we are done waiting out this virus, we’ll have a handful of publications and maybe even a few awards to show for this chaotic time.

Besides waiting, I suppose I could also do a little writing. Emphasis for me, at least right now, is on the word little. Each day. One task. A few words. Little by little we will make it through this, and I know I’ll be grateful if I manage to have something, even a small something, in the time we spent waiting.

Hope is the Thing Community Writing Project

The “Hope Is The Thing” Project is a state-wide, collaborative writing project committed to finding the hope in the heartache. Each day throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Chippewa Valley Writers Guild members (and their friends!) will post a new piece of writing inspired by glimpses of hope observed in this difficult time. Deadline: Currently ongoing.

Cricket Media

Cricket Media publishes literary magazines for young children, featuring original stories, poetry, nonfiction, and activities written by the world’s best children’s authors-both known and new. Several magazines, including Babybug, Ladybug, Spider, Cricket, Ask, Faces and Muse span childhood ages and grow with readers as they do. When reviewing submissions, the editors look for clear and beautiful language, a sense of joy and wonder, and a genuinely childlike point of view. Varied Deadlines.

Barstow and Grand

Barstow and Grand is the literary journal published by the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild. They welcome submissions of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and hybrid text genres from writers with some connection–any connection–to the Upper Midwest, USA. Deadline: April 30.

The Hal Prize

The 2020 Hal Prize offers publication to a readership of more than 18,000, cash awards for winners and a week stay at Write On, Door County. The Hal Prize is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and to photographers throughout the United States. All winners will be published in Peninsula Publishing & Distribution’s new literary magazine – 8142 Review – coming out in late summer 2020. Deadline: Mary 1.

The Jade Ring

Gain attention and valuable feedback on your fiction, nonfiction and poetry work. First-place winning stories and poems are published in print and online issues of Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine, and all award-winning authors have their work published in WWA’s annual Creative Wisconsin Anthology. Deadline: June 5.

Finally, here are a few writing ideas from me to you!

Starting a Blog

If you’d like to use your time to start a blog, I’d love to help you. This Blogging Bundle will give you all the resources you need to get started.

Creative Writing Prompts

As a child I always knew I WANTED to write, but often I didn't know WHAT to write. I think this is often true for people, especially at the beginning of their writing journey. Or, maybe you are someone who is interested in stretching your creative muscles, or in need of a break from a larger project. If one of the writers I described above sounds like you, or you, like me, want some bite-sized writing tasks, this is the perfect bundle for you.

If you liked what you read on my blog today (or are in search of weekly word nerd goodness) and would like to have it delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning, you can sign up HERE. If you are interested in any of my email lists (with free goodies/downloads!) click the audience that best describes you: Writer. Teacher. Reader. As always, feel free to share this post with others you think might be interested via email, Facebook or Pinterest.

Today’s post post was made beautiful by CANVA and is categorized in my blog archive under Writing Tips. Check out the entire collection here.