Goals

I am more of a goal-oriented person than a resolution setter. For me, setting a goal and breaking it down into parts to be achieved is a more comprehensible method than simply stating a resolution. I'm in the process of clarifying my goals for 2018 but there will certainly be writing and publishing goals, reading goals (I do this on GoodReads) and health and fitness goals. How about you? Do resolutions work for you or are goals better?

Adjust the plan, never the goal

I had given myself a goal of today to submit my latest manuscript. I'm not quite ready to do it, though! I'm close - so, so close. Yesterday, when I realized I was going to miss today's goal I started to go into a bit of a funk. I don't like missing deadlines of any sort - even self-made deadlines. The thing I realized is that I have to cut myself some slack. I'm only going to be off by a day or two and honestly, that's not bad! I'm not letting anyone down - including myself - so I'm not going to worry about it. Who knows, maybe I will make today's deadline? I have half the day still to go.

Progress

I love this quote and believe it to be true! It has been for me anyway. In July I thought about what I had left to do with my current manuscript in order to get it submitted. I was in the process of revising and making the second draft. I knew I needed to complete that one and go through it one more time. So, with that in mind I gave myself an August 19th deadline. I'm thrilled to say that I am on track to meet my given deadline - which when I gave it was six weeks out. The way I've done this is by working each day. Some days I've been able to do a lot and others only a little but it has all added up to progress!

One step closer

This is a printed copy of my manuscript. I was having a difficult time with the editing of it and my writing partner suggested printing it out. I don't know why exactly but reading through and marking up a paper copy of my book made a HUGE difference in the revision process for me! This afternoon I finished polishing it up and plugging in some of the holes in the story. Now I need to make all of the changes in my electronic copy. Hopefully that won't take too long, though. Then I'll be ready to send it off to the publishing house that is expecting it. I hope they acquire it! Even so, I'm one step closer to achieving my publishing goal and dream. Also, I'm proud of this story and the work I've put into it already!

Centerpieces

This is the lovely centerpiece from my chapter meeting of RWA today. It's adorable! Better than that is that the actual meeting itself was FANTASTIC! There was chat about goal setting (and actual goals set!), a panel that spoke about things new writers should be aware of in the publishing industry and an afternoon presentation on how to be more productive! All in all - agreat meeting!

Camp Nanowrimo

I'm sure a lot of you know that November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). In April, the same organization runs Camp NaNoWriMo. It's the same idea in terms of creating a writing goal and doing your best to achieve it during the thirty days of April. This year, the organizers have set it up so that participants can choose to write a certain number of words or pages per day. You can even write a set number of lines or revise. In other words, whatever works for you. I've decided to go for writing 30,000 words this month. That's less than the 50,000 word requirement in November but it will still be a challenge for me as I have a LOT going on this month!

It's not too late to sign up and participate if Camp NaNoWriMo sounds like something you'd like to do this April. Just go here to do so!

Cupcake clock and goal setting

This clock is made out of cupcakes and symbolizes the New Year of 2017 and also goal setting. Specifically making smart and attainable and TIME oriented goals. I love this and think it is so clever! This was at my Romance Writers of America chapter meeting this morning. They asked us to make an attainable writing goal that we will complete by April 8th. I did, so now in addition to submitting a book by January 31st - I will finish revising and submit a second book by April 8th. This makes me nervous but also really excited! 

Goals

I evaluated my goals for 2016 and made a list of the ones I want to accomplish. This is what I do rather than making resolutions. I get that the two concepts are fairly similar but for me the difference between a goal and a resolution means success or failure. I'm not sure why exactly this is but it's true. I succeed when I make goals and often failed when I made resolutions. Perhaps it's a matter of having the right mindset to do whatever works.

Anyway, here we are, ten days into the new year and so far, so good on my goals. It helps me to think of my goals in terms of daily achievement. Every day I will read with my children for thirty minutes. Every day I will write one thousand words. Every day I will crochet at least one granny square. Every day I will drink eight glasses of water. I haven't quite achieved this last one yet BUT I am drinking water every day - which is an improvement so I'll take it ad call it a win for myself. There are other daily goals I set for myself but these give a good idea.

As I shared in yesterday's post - I went to my local RWA meeting. I learned that I am eligible (and have been) to join the PRO level of the organization. I didn't know this but am glad that I know now. It's one more step forward in my publishing quest. I also realized as I listened to one of the speakers that I MUST make revision a part of my daily process. I have many novels that are complete. At least the first or second draft is complete. Now it is time for me to focus on making several (admittedly not all) of them fully revised, shiny and ready for submissions.

I need to focus more wholly on revision and submission. Will I still write every day? Absolutely. I need to write like I need to breathe. It is something I have done every day now for 851 days. I can't imagine stopping. It's more a matter of allowing myself to adjust this daily goal. Instead of holding fast to my 1,000 word per day goal I am going to adjust it to 500 - 750. And add that I must revise at least two chapters per day. If I do more then great but if not at least each day is another day forward toward being published.

Hello 2016

Happy New Year, everyone! How has your holiday season been? It seems to me that it came and went so very fast. Actually, that is how I feel about 2015 in general. It was a bit of a challenging year for my family so I'm not especially upset to see it go. I am hopeful that 2016 will be better. How was your year? Are you happy to see it go or sad?

Something new I want to do this year is keep a Book Journal. I have a Good Reads account and I love it but I want an actual handwritten accounting of the books I read. I have the journal already. It was a gift from one of my best friends Julia. I decided to do this because I have been encouraging my children to keep track of the books they read along with their thoughts about the books. They are enthusiastic about it but said I should do it, too. And I thought, why not? So, we're going to keep track of all of our books together. It should be fun!

2014 Goals

I am like most people in that I become reminiscent at this time of year. I also start to look ahead and think about the year to come. I am not one to make New Year's resolutions, though. For me, starting something as a resolution because it's January first has never really worked. I'm far more successful if I think in terms of goals, whether they be new ones or ongoing. With that being said, I'd like to share my 2014 goals with you.

Writing

Naturally, as a writer, my goal for quite some time has been to achieve a book publishing deal. I've had some success recently with being published and I'd definitely like to expand upon that success. I've also learned a lot more about the publishing world and querying process in recent months that I intend to apply to my process. Here's my plan:

1. First, foremost and always, I will continue to write on a daily basis. I won't have anything to publish if I don't do this and keep up with it. As Nora Roberts says, "You can't edit a blank page." The most ideal way for me to keep on writing is to continue with the amazing Write Chain Challenge. The premise is to pick your daily goal for anything writing related and stick with it to make a Write Chain. It has been so motivational for me and I can't say enough good things about it.

2. Editing. I write and say that word with a big sigh because I am bad about editing. Some people LOVE it but I am not one of those people. I DREAD it but know that I need to get over it so that I can move forward in my quest for a book deal. So, I will edit more efficiently than I have in the past. And my first order of business in this regard is to figure out the best method of editing for myself. If anyone has any suggestions. please throw them my way.

3. I will query my properly edited and polished manuscripts. I've done this in the past with more than one manuscript but have received rejections. I went through almost two-thirds of 2013 depressed about this and barely writing. Thanks to #writeclub (on Twitter) and The Write Chain Challenge (which can also be found on Twitter) I am over my funk. I have regained and rebuilt my confidence as a writer over the past few months. I have also educated myself on things I needed to know but didn't. So I'm ready to start the querying process again. I plan to do this by the end of January.

4. Blogging. Here is another sigh-inducing topic. I was not a very good blogger in 2013. So, in 2014 I plan to write a blog post at least three times per week. It is very doable and in fact, I have several posts planned already.

Reading

I always start the year with a goal of reading 52 books during the year. I always surpass my goal. For 2014, I'm still starting off with the aim of 52 books but I'd like to read some genres I've never tried. I keep seeing New Adult and while I understand what it is - I don't think I've read any books in this category. I also keep hearing about Steampunk. In fact, this is what the Municipal Liaison for my NaNoWriMo region writes. I have actually read one short story that was Steampunk but I'd like to read more because it was very entertaining.

I have personal and crafting-related goals as well. I crochet a lot of our family's holiday and birthday gifts so I want to keep up on that. I also want to try knitting. I want to keep drinking my water, eating healthfully and exercising. Basically, I want to do the things that make me happy. Isn't that true for all of us. When I'm happy I'm a better person and that makes me a better wife and mommy - which in the end is what it's really all about.

Musing Mondays: How Many Books

Musing Mondays, hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading is back! This week's musing is fun and simple:

How many books did you read in 2010? If you had a reading goal, did you meet it? What books are you most looking forward to reading for 2011 (either new, OR ones that have sat on your shelves for a while)?

My reading goal for 2010 was to read 52 books.  I met it with 53 books.  My goal for 2011 is again going to be 52 books.  To me it is a nice, attainable goal.

I always look forward to new books by Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb.  The first comes out in February.  I am also looking forward to Absolutely, Positively by Heather Webber and Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann.  Both of these also come out in February so it's going to be a great reading month for me.

I am also looking forward to continuing with my IRL book club with my friend Julia.  Maybe we'll even get some more people involved with us.  We read some really great books in 2010 and I hope that trend continues this year.

Rainy Sunday

It has been a very wet Sunday here in Southern California.  It was a perfect day to get some stuff done around the house (laundry, dishes, vacuuming and sorting for the school week).  It was also a great day for family time (building with blocks, reading and catching part of a movie).

This evening, after finishing the prep for the school week and getting the kiddos to sleep, has been for me.  I am halfway through my wonderful brain candy book.  Romeo, Romeo is anice, sweet, romantic, sexy book that is just what I need right now; something to enjoy but not at all taxing on the brain.

Oh, and I also started writing a new book tonight.  It doesn't have a title yet and I've only written about one thousand words but hey, I'm happy with the fact that I have begun a new story.

How was your Sunday? Are you happy with the start of 2011?

Writing Thoughts

I've had a lot on my mind about writing lately.  I need to post this now as I am going out with my firend Julia tonight.  When we get to talking - well, let's just say we both lose all track of time.  Right, Julia? LOL

2010 has been a bumpy year for me writing wise.  I kept up with my writing because it is just something I have to do for myself.  However, I'm not super thrilled with anything I wrote this year.  There are a couple of things I like well enough, but nothing that I really love.  Strangely, I'm all right with this and accept that not every thing is going to be perfect.  Sometimes, I just have to write something to keep in practice and settle the urge I have to do it.

I'm hoping to complete writing projects in 2011 that I am more proud of, though.  I am going to keep better track of what I write, as well.  I'm not going to stress myself out over the amount I write but strive for more fulfilling works in progress.  I'm going to try to write - from start to finish, including editing - two novels this year.  Plus I'll do NaNoWriMo in November and hopefully complete one work in progress that I've had since 2009.  It seems like a lot but I want the challenge.

Of course, there is always my dream of becoming published.  I have to work harder at this part of it.  As I said a couple of months ago - I get lazy about this part of the process.  I am going to put more effort into finding myself an agent this year.  So yeah, I'm filling my writing cup to the brim but I feel up to the challenges I'm giving myself.  Feel free to keep me accountable.  LOL

What are your big goals for the year?