Friday Focus
I can honestly say, with pleasure, that I haven’t been so single-minded in a long time. Whereas before I was working, blogging, reading blogs, surfing the Net, etc., now that I still don’t have work and am able to devote time to EditQuest, everything else has easily been put on hold.
I don’t read your blogs as often, I don’t comment as often, I don’t surf what I don’t have to, I check the phone number on call display and throw the phone aside, I forget to eat. I walk the dog, do laundry, cook dinner on autopilot. I don’t hear what my neighbours are saying outside. I’ve shut something down, it seems, and think and eat and breathe EditQuest. I sit on the grass in the morning, Lucy’s head in my lap, or watching her wriggle around happily on her back or repeatedly barf creek water and reeds, and I watch spiders trek the green jungle underneath. All the while I’m thinking of EditQuest. I feel, for the most part, lost in details. I feel oddly free.
The predominant vision I keep is the launch of my new site, which I eagerly look forward to. Staring all the time at my awesome theme (as you can see, I found an image in the file Harry sent!), how could I not? I might not wait until the ebook is finished. I think of new clients, editing stories I enjoy, getting even better at what I do, the sense of accomplishment and cheer when I make someone happy, when I offer something of value. I think of being busy doing what I want to do. I also hope to get past this scary financial time we’re going through.
The fact that I am so focused seems to be a good thing. It means to me that I’m on the right path. It’s not as though I’m not taking care of myself. I still shower and eat some things and take in sunshine and read with Colin before bed. Although, I’ve been boiling water at least three times and forgeting about it before I remember I was going to make tea.
And I know I will catch up with your blogs again. I miss you when I don’t. I know I will find something more interesting to blog about eventually, too, even though not leaving the house and having ditched my hole-in-the-crotch jeans, I can’t think of anything amusing to write. I’m sure one of these days one of Friar’s posts will trigger a memory that will make me want to write something different, but at the very least, when EQ is up and running, I will be able to get back to my personal development posts people seem to like. Right now, I’m learning and developing, doing my research and helping fellow blogger-writers who know what I do, but I’m enjoying it, not tormented. Kind of like getting exercise without trying, like going hiking instead of working out at a gym.
Today Writer Dad shot me a tagline I’m considering might be IT. If so, that will be really cool — my business name from Brett, and my tagline from Sean. (I’m glad I suck at my own promotion.)
What do you think of this:
EditQuest: Your words bring adventure. We bring the map.
Filed under: freelancing | 25 Comments
Tags: blogging, EditQuest, focused, single-minded, tagline
I wish I could be that committed to something.
The tagline is great. Especially combined with the image.
@sw: Don’t even try to tell me you don’t feel that committed to writing?
Perfect: I do want the tagline to go with the image as well as the name and concept of the biz!
Steph,
I understand focused with a capital F.
I can feel one of those times coming on myself. They are a sdarn good thing. AND its a good time of the year for them.
Good for you. No worries. I will be here there and everywhere waiting for you when you get back.
You totally didn’t have to credit me, but thanks. In fact, there’s only one comment above mine. Hurry, it’s not too late to take the credit.
Wendi: Oh, you know I can’t disappear entirely! Especially when I say I’m going to be totally focused and will disappear. Somehow I end up blogging and getting around even more! Well, I hope to keep that in check, at least as much as is reasonable. I’m not going to ignore everyone, that’s for sure.
@ WD – Now, now. Never mind the modesty! Are you crazy? You don’t understand how hard it’s been and how much I just want this tagline to be set in stone and how happy I am to give credit where it’s due! Taglines are not easy! If your line is used, you’re getting a dedication mention, along with Brett, in the first ebook! You will be forever venerated.
You’re on the path you were meant to travel, Steph – I think that’s why your focus is so clear.
(And Writer Dad, that is a great line worth of credit.)
@ Brett: It’s almost overwhelming to have finally found the path I’m meant to travel. I get a surge of excitement, and I’m not even going to entertain the thought, then, that I you or I could be wrong! I don’t feel wholly prepared, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do it. We all have to start small.
Steph,
The pioneers who worked where Friar and I work now probably felt the same way – and it’s a great feeling. Excitement, knowing you’re on the right path, but not quite knowing what will happen next, only that it will be great. That’s the exciting part… and you sure can do it!!!
Yay Steph! I love the tagline, I love the image and I am cheering this period in your life. Birthing a business is a bit like the nesting thing I’ve witnessed with Moms to be,they become singularly focused on preparing for the birth, noticing minute details. You are doing the same only your baby is your business. When I started my business, I locked myself away for the winter, reading, writing & rewriting business plans, meeting with the SBA, etc. I shared my vision with only one person and I shut everything else out. I emerged when it was done and my site was up. You can do this Steph and make no apologies for taking care of your needs.
Oooh, I love that banner! I think the tagline is great.
Amy – I’ll assume you’re talking about EditQuest! Thanks! Though, I can’t take any credit at all.
My hubby doesn’t get it. He says the tagline doesn’t tell him anything, like what I do. I lost it when he said that. i was like, doesn’t EDIT give you a hint? Then I wondered if everyone really likes this tagline or they’re just saying it because of the way I asked. Not that I’m saying everyone is lying. But Colin’s words have a lot of sway.
DAMN this tagline thing!!
Karen: Thank you for your very kind words and encouragement!
Edit Quest: Where we stomp on elves.
GASP!! Friar! But we DON’T stomp on ELVES!! We loves our elves!!
PS. I’m playing with the theme again. Don’t get used to this…
Steph,
I love your banner and your tagline. And I am impressed by the way you are concentrating on Edit Quest!
Thanks, Ulla! Good to see you here.
Edit Quest:
Where your manuscript is PRECIOUSSSSSSSS.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That’s AWESOME!!!
I LOVE your tag line…what can you do for an opera singer?
Whoa! That banner is smexy!
I thought you were serious when you said you were gonna use that thing I said a few weeks ago as a tagline.
“Making you publishy good”, was it? LOL
Elizabeth: thank you! And welcome. You’ve intrigued me. I know an Elizabeth from this area and she’s a singer and everything…but your blog doesn’t say much about you…are you who I think you are? Have we met?
As for what I can do for an opera singer…hmmm. Do you mean by way of taglines or by way of how EditQuest might contribute?
Cirellio: I did seriously consider it! It makes me laugh. It’s right up there with Friar’s last one in terms of funny. But…but… I don’t know…
I’m actually going mental. Everyone loves WD’s tagline (Your words bring adventure. We bring the map) except my husband. Why does he have such sway over me? The thing is, he offers no alternatives. He just keeps saying he doesn’t get it. GRRRR!
He has sway over you because he’s important to you, because you need him to believe in and support you in what you’re doing. If he doesn’t get it (bearing in mind he knows you and your work inside out), maybe you should reconsider?
Not saying *I* don’t like it, you understand – although I do prefer Friar’s. Balrogs and uruks and orcs, oh my…
Ooh, I like the tagline lots! And of course I love the image that Harry created – as an author, I want help seeing the forest for the treas and not getting trapped by something unknown and nasty hiding in the woods.
And super-yay to the focus. I’ve been there and (more or less) am still there (I say more or less because my Canadian vacation – in 11 days – is beginning to take over in terms of focus and excitement).
Hawthorn: You’re totally right, of course, as to why Colin has influence. It’s just driving me mental. (Everytime I say “mental” this way now, even though it’s always been a part of my vocab – there’s always something to go mental about! – I hear Rupert Grint’s voice saying it in one of the Harry Potter movies. The way he says it, yeah. Exactly.)
Friar’s precious tagline makes me howl. It’s hilarious! Colin did think that was “okay.” EditQuest: Your manuscript is prrreciousss to us. or Where your manuscript is prrreciousss. AHAHAHA! Cracks me up every time. I’m sorely tempted.
@Alex – You’re coming to Canada in 11 days?! COOL! Somehow that feels so neat, you being so much closer. Good for you! Will you see Panther, then? And party it up in TO?
Glad you like the image! I do too, very much. Great atmosphere. Thanks for that comment on what you want as a writer. It’s validating as far as my ebook goes.
Which tagline do you love? The one by Writer Dad? I’m getting mixed up now, because Friar’s is also good. So you get it? It seems everyone does. Maybe Colin doesn’t quite understand EQ as well as everyone else (which could be my fault). Is there that possibility? (GASP!)