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This week: Keeping track of goals and glory Edited by: Elle - on hiatus  
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Hey, I'm a guest editor for this For Authors newsletter. I'm not sure I'd call myself the queen of lists (I already have one royal title, and that's the Queen of Unfinished Projects  ) but I do have rather a reputation for them on this site. So it seems appropriate that I share my addiction wisdom with you, and hopefully you can take something from this that will help you with your writing. |
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Despite Heat Fivesixermiser  's point of view in his recent poem, "Lists" , I find lists to be endlessly useful. Maybe it's because I'm forgetful, but I think that's not the key reason. Mostly I think it's because I'm easily distracted, overly ambitious and struggle to validate my own achievements.
These days there are multiple sites devoted entirely to lists. So what's the purpose of a list? Well, it depends who you ask. One blogger, Nathan Hurst , says that 'A list is useful because it removes the cognitive load of having to remember things.' On the flip side, Michael Linenberger says 'The primary purpose of a to-do list isn’t to get everything done.'  In fact, he goes even further and says 'you intuitively know you’ll never do it all'. Man, I can relate to that sentiment!
As I browse through the newsfeed, I often see contests or activities that I'd like to enter. Some are closing soon, others don't close for a few weeks. Not all of them are listed at "Writing Contests @ Writing.Com" or "Activities @ Writing.Com" . And while some hosts are good at advertising regularly, others may only advertise at the start and just before the deadline. So, I write them down as I find them, and then when I'm in the mood (or simply have time) to write, I have a fantastic starting point. Does it matter if I don't participate in all of them? Nope.  Like I said, overly ambitious. I have come to accept that, and oftentimes the ones I don't get to will form the basis for the next list (especially contests that run regularly). "Invalid Item" is a good example of a contest 'to do' list.
So how do lists relate to my struggle to validate my own achievements? It's easy to look at what other members achieve and feel inadequate (*cough* "Something Clever About 8 Years?" *cough*). When you're crossing things off a list, it not only engenders a feeling of accomplishment, but it also provides a clear and visual record of all that you've achieved. You can even take that one step further and keep a list of accomplishments to look back on, such as "Invalid Item" .
Lists are a fun way to track large or complicated challenges too, like reading or reviewing challenges. And yup, lists are just fun. 
Lists don't have to be fancy. But sometimes that's satisfying too. I like to use {e:box} and {e:boxcheck} for mine. For example:
 Enter "The Writer's Cramp"
 Write the For Authors newsletter
Enter "Rhythms & Writing: Official WDC Contest"
#protip Just, er, don't be surprised if 🌖 HuntersMoon  starts teasing you about all your empty checkboxes.  |
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This item number is not valid.
#2126380 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2091338 by Not Available. |
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Do you use lists? Why or why not? I'd love to hear how lists have been useful for you, or why you refuse you to use lists.
Feedback from my last For Authors newsletter, "Stepping out of your comfort zone" :
Elle,
 Informative newsletter, packed with fantastic advice while highlighting many items. As always, well done.
~ Lexi  |
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For Authors: July 12, 2017 Issue [#8384]
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