What did you accomplish this year? Writing-wise, that is. Though I do tend to include exercise and eating healthy on my list--it doesn't always happen, but it's a good reminder.
I know that it's only the beginning of December, but when January blows around the corner we need to know where we are with our writing, and where we intend to be at the beginning of the year so we can start off with confidence. Wow, that sentence was a mouthful, wasn't it?
The first question that I'll pose to y'all is this, have you even LOOKED at your goals from last year? I know it's hard to remember to open that document . . . uh, I'm going to assume everyone uses a computer for their goals--don't waste paper on this, because that's just silly.
My list of bullet-pointed goals, including add-ons and deletions, covers a couple of pages. This sounds like a lot of goals, but considering my goals changed mid-year I simply added to them.
One of my tricks, that I'll share today, is keeping track of the books I've read throughout the year ON MY GOAL SHEET.
Why?
Because it forces me to glance at my goals as I add each book to the bottom of the list. I've read from various sources--therefore I couldn't quote or credit it if my life depended on it--that to keep your goals fresh in your mind is to periodically go over them. It doesn't do you any good if you make goals in January, but don't look at them until December. Sometimes we go off on a tangent, such as veering off in totally unexpected way. For example: writing a middle grade novel. Ooops. :-)
So back to my list of books that I've read. This was my goal:
--Read 35 books, including craft books (keep log on this page)--DONE
I made this goal at the end of August, and I'm in the middle of reading book #48. I usually put the title, author's name, and date I finished the book. But I also added MG novel if I was reading a middle grade book--gotta keep up with the current trends, especially in the genre you write! I also highlighted the books that I couldn't finish, or if they were excruciatingly boring, but felt compelled to finish reading it.
I didn't read any craft books this year as I seemed to have exhausted the interesting ones. Now, I just skim the information to figure out what I need to know and then move on with life. The same goes for research books. Either I thumb through the books, or simply look up the information online.
So for my 2010 goals, I'll up my reading goal to 50 books.
I'll deal with writing goals on Friday. Remember to be flexible with your goals adjusting them accordingly.
Until later. . .
Write On!
That's a great idea, writing down all the books you've read all year. I need to do that. I have no idea how many I read this year. Had to be a lot. Thinks I'll snag that idea from you to use next year.
ReplyDeleteI know my goal was to finish my Pirates book, course, I didn't do that. I did start and finish and subitted another book though. So it's all good! :) I need to look up my goals. See how far I got.
See--if you'd been keeping track of all the books you read, then you could have updated your goals when they changed. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is what my first goal looks like:
--•Send partial of Demon Spawn to DD at Belle Bridge Books (January)—Done 1/24/09-dumped it and started over—decided to write younger.
The second part is in red starting with DONE, and I highlighted the entire thing when I decided not to persue that particular manuscript.
Good for you on the 35 books. I don't set reading goals. I know I started more than 50 books, but I probably didn't finish half of them.
ReplyDeleteOut of the 47 books that I have on my 'read' list, I couldn't finish four of them.
ReplyDeleteOf those I highlighted, I also put a note as to WHY I stopped reading.
--bored to tears (slow pacing)
--too much description (sorry, but I don't want to learn the details of dying fabric in the 1600's
--couldn't get into it (characters were dull)
I think it helps me with my own writing to pay attention as to what can cause a reader to lay down a book.
I love to write but I don't particularly care for reading. How odd is THAT? Don't think I read a single book this year. I think it's mainly because I would rather spend my free time doing artwork.
ReplyDeleteSo many creative outlets, so little time.
When I do read, my rule is that I will not read anything from the same genre I happen to be writing at the time. It's too easy for me to be subconsciously influenced by another's writing style.
I used to feel the same way about staying away from reading the same genre that I'm writing in, but I read a lot of historical and couldn't write it even when I tried. So it's a non-issue.
ReplyDeleteMiddle grade books span such a huge range that I've never had problems with them influencing my writing.
Saw your comment at Erica O's blog today; loved it so much that I had to check yours blog out; found that we have some parallels regarding the writing path.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that out of the way. Super idea regarding reading goals and keeping up with what they are. I'm a terrible goal keeper, so I'm putting your blog on my Google list with the hope that I'll learn something. (Very cool entry!)
Hi, Kath! Thanks for following me. When you mentioned Erica's blog, I thought, "ACK! What did I say?!" Uhm, trust me on this--especially after what I wrote on another blog--but that one is all about eye candy.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, thanks for stopping by. I hope my blog helps you get some goals started.
When I worked full-time (night shift, at a hospital) I ALWAYS got full marks for my 'efficiency'. I tried to explain to them my 'efficiency' stemmed from unadulterated laziness as I wanted to complete my work with as few steps as possible so I could sit on my butt and read. They didn’t buy it. :-)