How do you reward yourself when you meet your writing goals? Answer for big goals (i.e. I will buy a Lear jet when I get published) and/or small goals (I eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's in one sitting when I finish each chapter).
I don't have any traditional rewards for meeting my small writing goals, though I do use liberal amounts of Twizzlers, spice drops and sourdough hard pretzels to keep me going throughout the process.
I do have a planned reward for my first publishing contract. It will be opening a bottle of Gewurztraminer wine I bought on our ten-year anniversary trip to Traverse City, Michigan on Old Mission Peninsula. One of the most beautiful spots in Michigan, IMO...wineries and water views...perfectly romantic.
I'd written my first book, gotten my first agent and was about to go on submission for the first time when I tried this wine. I already loved Gewurztraminer wines because they walk that tight rope between dry and sweet and they're a little spicy, but this one had the added bonus of blooming in my mouth. I'd heard food and wine people say that could happen...that burst of flavor after the first taste...but I'd never experienced it before.
So, we bought the bottle, and I'm still saving it for my first publishing contract. It's a well-aged wine by now. I'm still waiting for that burst of flavor after all the taste of regular Gewurztraminer, but I still love the wine by itself.
I post on facebook when I reach numbers of ten. 10,000 words, 20,000 words, 30,000 words etc . . .
ReplyDeleteI love that you're saving a particular, special bottle of wine for the first contract! There's just something about having that bottle waiting eagerly for you to pop it open. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it. And I also love Gewurztraminer--the manager at a restaurant I used to work at it always sang its praises.
ReplyDeleteI hope you pop the bottle soon, and that it's delicious.
Oh awesome reward! And you totally reminded me--I was saving a bottle of wine hubs and I bought on a trip to Napa called The Novelist to drink once I got a publishing deal. Um, oops! I know what I'm doing this weekend! :D
ReplyDeleteFor right now, I reward those goals with investing more time in blogging, reading more, or watching some good movies. I know, nothing too exciting.
ReplyDeleteI love Gewurztraminers, too. That's a great reward. I love that it's tied to another milestone in your career.
ReplyDeleteSpice drops! Mmmm, now those sound good. Going through these RTWs are making me hungry, lol.
ReplyDeleteI love how your saving the bottle. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to ask: What are spice drops?
ReplyDeleteKate- Spice drops? They're like sugar-covered chewy fruit slices, only small and spicy.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a lovely reward-- here's to having a glass soon!
ReplyDeleteYum Gewurztraminer! That's a great reward, something tangible that you can look at and anticipate :) Hope you get to open it soon!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds AMAZING. I hope you get that contract soon.
ReplyDeletePS - I keep an unhealthy supply of pretzels handy - meaning I eat way too many while I'm writing, but eh...
Wow, that is a wonderful way to celebrate. Adding in my hopes that you get that contract soon!
ReplyDeleteHow have I never heard of sourdough bread pretzels? That sounds amazing! And celebrating with good wine is such a fabulous idea!
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