This is fascinating. Breaking work down by quarter is a cool way to do it. I have often done that with writing music, where the concert season is April -- Nov, for performing and honing new songs when it's warm; and then recording albums in Dec/Jan when it's quiet and cold.
P.S. 4 tendencies is a favorite of mine. I saw Gretchen live once and her comment about my type (rebel) was "I don't follow anyone's rules, not even my own"
Wait, most writers are upholders?! I have never heard this—and I personally only know a handful of writers who would fit into the upholder category. I used to think that I firmly fit into the rebel category but I just retested and got obliger—ugh, the worst one! But yes love the quarterly framework, spent most of Q1 being depressed but maybe Q2 will be focused on embracing my obliger tendencies.
In my (very unscientific) experience, when I give this test to students, they are upholders or obligers almost all of the time. It's been very interesting, and it's a great way to know how to set deadline that will motivate you—obligers do well with classes where they have to send work in for feedback, since they are afraid to let the teacher and classmates down. I think I meet a lot of upholder writers because I work with people with full-time jobs who are writing creatively for fun, so they a) steal time at work, and b) know that no one cares except them if they do it. I think I've become a Questioner because it's been 13 years since I started working for myself and I've gotten less tamed haha.
The quarterly idea is new to me, and interesting. I feel like making plans for the year gives me plenty of runway and is doable, but during the year I'm pretty reactive from week to week, figuring out how things look and what I'm capable of and have time for. I'll think more about quarterly goals and cadence.
I would take your Zoom class on teaching online! And would be interested in learning from you about teaching, period.
Hurray! Will send an email soon. And yes, I also have yearly goals, but I need to chunk them up to make sure I'm making steady progress instead of mad dashing and crying at the end.
I love this way of thinking about each quarter as aligning with your needs/energy and also the realities of the external factors that impact your work as a writer. So good!!
is it possible to be thriving and surviving at the same time ??
oh yes, you can thrive in one zone and definitely not even be surviving in another.
This is fascinating. Breaking work down by quarter is a cool way to do it. I have often done that with writing music, where the concert season is April -- Nov, for performing and honing new songs when it's warm; and then recording albums in Dec/Jan when it's quiet and cold.
P.S. 4 tendencies is a favorite of mine. I saw Gretchen live once and her comment about my type (rebel) was "I don't follow anyone's rules, not even my own"
Ha, very interesting you're a rebel! Not many writers test into that one from my experience.
excited to read your 100 days essay! love this newsletter
Thanks so much, Luke! Here's the essay! https://mailchi.mp/e91422cb2a95/caitlin-kunkel-joking-about-the-impossible?e=5f932960d4
I have recently become a quarterly planning convert. And I would be interested in the how to teach an engaging zoom class idea :)
Cool, will add your name to the list! More info soon.
Wait, most writers are upholders?! I have never heard this—and I personally only know a handful of writers who would fit into the upholder category. I used to think that I firmly fit into the rebel category but I just retested and got obliger—ugh, the worst one! But yes love the quarterly framework, spent most of Q1 being depressed but maybe Q2 will be focused on embracing my obliger tendencies.
In my (very unscientific) experience, when I give this test to students, they are upholders or obligers almost all of the time. It's been very interesting, and it's a great way to know how to set deadline that will motivate you—obligers do well with classes where they have to send work in for feedback, since they are afraid to let the teacher and classmates down. I think I meet a lot of upholder writers because I work with people with full-time jobs who are writing creatively for fun, so they a) steal time at work, and b) know that no one cares except them if they do it. I think I've become a Questioner because it's been 13 years since I started working for myself and I've gotten less tamed haha.
thanks for the insight Caitlin!
Your newsletter always makes me smile.
Thank you, Nancy! That is totally my goal, so I really appreciate your comment.
Was just thinking how incredible your classes are! I’d love to take a class on how to structure on online classes
Hurray! Making a list and will send an email with details soon.
Surviving...
The quarterly idea is new to me, and interesting. I feel like making plans for the year gives me plenty of runway and is doable, but during the year I'm pretty reactive from week to week, figuring out how things look and what I'm capable of and have time for. I'll think more about quarterly goals and cadence.
I would take your Zoom class on teaching online! And would be interested in learning from you about teaching, period.
Hurray! Will send an email soon. And yes, I also have yearly goals, but I need to chunk them up to make sure I'm making steady progress instead of mad dashing and crying at the end.
I love this way of thinking about each quarter as aligning with your needs/energy and also the realities of the external factors that impact your work as a writer. So good!!