Showing posts with label goal setting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goal setting. Show all posts

12/31/12

Putting the Old Year to Bed

It's convenient that the last day of the old year falls on a Monday blog day, because it will force me to face the facts that many of my goals simply gathered dust and cobwebs.

A year ago, I was gung-ho about my goals, explaining in excruciating detail how I keep track and on top of them. Well, it worked until July. Once I managed to put FOR WHOM THE BELL TROLLS up for sale and went on vacation, my goals went on vacation, too.
I stopped writing my walking time down on my calender--I tweeted about it instead--and I had no real reason to open my goals since I had hit a mental wall with my writing.

Besides, I was crocheting afghans for Christmas and that, my friends, was very time consuming. . . and I still have three more afghans to make for three brothers who live quite a distance away.

I tried to keep track of too much and that was simply overwhelming to me last year. This year, I'll try to streamline it a little bit and make my list a bit more user friendly.

I'll be posting my New Year's goals on my Weighty Wednesday blog. It seems appropriate since many of them have to to with eating healthy and staying active--something I haven't been doing since the Christmas holidays and my bronchitis started when I had to stop walking.

Here were my 2012 Goals:


·         Edit TROLL -- polished, format, pay for cover and self-pub -- July 23--DONE--though I managed to lose my cover artist. I'll need to find a new one when I publish GA #4.

·         Write GA #4 (Book 4 in The Goblin’s Apprentice series), DRAGON?--edit, self-pub by December 2012--DRAGON WHEEL OF TIME? PAINT YOUR DRAGON? Of Dragon’s Blood and Tears, DRAGON DAYS OF SUMMER--thought about it, does that count?? I do have the first few pages written, but haven't been motivated to write more.

·         Write short story w/Kyte Webber and dragon-dog--NOPE, but the ideas I had will go to the above story.

·         Plot (bullet point) Mystical Elements series (FIRE, EARTH, WATER, AIR)--Been thinking about all these stories, since they intertwine I've been a little intimidated with them. I need to have a wipe board to figure out how they will all crossover each other. I have written a little of each of these beginnings. . . except WATER, Water scares me.

·         Write FIRE--NOPE

·         Continue healthy lifestyle by portion control, more fruit and veg, and exercising--DONE! MANAGED TO HIT LIFETIME GOAL AT WEIGHT WATCHERS and 50 POUND LOSS RIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING! . . . though I've gained 5 pounds over the Christmas holiday--see note above: Bronchitis = no walking outside. :-(

·         Judge at least 3 contests (name, # in category, date rec’d)--forgot to document the last two contests I judged. Oops. For some reason, it's getting harder for me to read these things. I probably will limit my contest judging again this next year to five or fewer.

o   SARA Merritt--5  4 para-1 returned, rec’d 2/18, sent back 3/1,due 3/17

o   No. Texas Winter Rose--5 paranormal, rec’d 2/2, done 2/16, sent back 2/20 due 3/22

o   Daphne -- 3 historical,

o   Lone Star -- 4 historical June 23, returned 7/9/12

o    Golden Pen--5 historicals
 
The Emily-- 5 historicals
 

·         Crit when needed (document): Cyndi--TTT 21K (Feb) 2/20; I've done a few more crits for Cyndi, but forgot to jot them down. No one else seems to want crits from me. Wonder why?

·         Blog at least three days a week--I did this more or less. I'm going to still count this as an accomplished goal. Coming up with blog thoughts is draining sometimes. I might revamp this system for next year.

·         Read 50 books--keep log--documented reading 41 books, but STOPPED reading 5 of them. Why waste my time when it was boring, overwritten, repetitive, or just plain bad? One of the stories was a book I read by an author 10 years ago--she'd gotten her author rights back, repackaged the story and self-published it. I thought it was something new. WRONG! this made me mad. I'm certain that I read more books, but simply forgot to write them down. Yep, just looked at the list, I forgot to write THE HOBBIT down. I wanted to reread it before the movie came out. Part of the reason I didn't meet my reading goal was because I was crocheting afghans.
  • Crocheted 9 or 10 afghans. Yes, I lost track of how many I did since I just gave them away, and I donated one to Brenda Novak's For The Cure auction in May.
  • Donated 5 one pound boxes of candy to Brenda Novak's For the Cure auction--made in November.
  • Donated 2 one pound boxes of candy to Writer's Police Academy in September
  • Made and gave away 55 one lb boxes of candy for Christmas. Finally sent the rest of candy to hubby's work.

For the most part, this wasn't a bad year, per se, but more of a disappointing one. I haven't had to deal with serious losses due to wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes or family deaths.

But I also haven't found the focus that I used to enjoy.

I was disheartened by the fact that people whose friendships that I value don't seem to value mine to the same extent. Though I try to shrug this off, I do find it isolating and depressing.

I need to get out more.

Think about your goals for 2013. Remember, GOALS not RESOLUTIONS. Resolutions tend to be broken, but goals can be modified.

Later, Peeps 

12/1/11

Writing 101--Goal Setting--How to get Started

Originally I planned to simply link to an article that I wrote last year . . . until I looked for one and it wasn't there. I didn't write my goals setting hints in 2010, I had written them in 2009. I didn't want to be totally lame-o about this, so I'm writing my current perspective on this.

Shoot, I was probably more entertaining in December of 2009. Feel free to peruse those articles. I'll probably repeat myself, but repetition is  a great learning tool. Okay, that's probably blowing too much smoke up your skirt, but I thought I'd try.

Yearly Wrap-Up, Part One
Yearly Wrap-Up, Part Two
Yearly Wrap-Up, Part Three
Yearly Wrap-up, Part Four, Monthly Goals
Yearly Wrap-Up, Part Five, Weekly Goals
Yearly Wrap-Up, Part Six, Daily Goals

So how to start?

First of all think of your goals as a fluid object. If you don't meet one, then that's okay. Stuff happens. Goals change. Life (er, or the child) interrupts. Blah, blah, blah.

If you set goals last year, look over how you did. Did you call them 'resolutions'? Well, that was your first mistake. Resolutions are broken all the time. Goals are the end product that you strive for.

If you didn't set any goals, then that's okay because I'm willing to share mine with you. I will warn you though that I don't just set writing goals, I set LIFE goals. Plus the goal must be tangible. Something that you can accomplish, not something that is dependent on another person.

For example: I want to sell a manuscript to a New York Publishing house.

Everything about this goal is outside of your abilities to manipulate.  
1) you are simply one of a gazillion authors wanting to be published,
2) there are a gazillion stories that are a) better than yours, b) more salable, c) more unique 
3) it's subjective. You can't make someone buy your story. Trust me, I've tried. Doesn't work.

I'm also not a fan of, "Write the best story that I can." 

Simply because you spew something onto a page and think it's the best story ever written, doesn't make it so. I don't care if your mom, girl/boy friends, kids, spouse, etc. think it's the best thing since sliced bread, reality is that it probably isn't good enough. You can always improve your story. The more you write, the better you'll write. The more you study craft, the better the story you'll write. The more you write, the more you will learn your strengths and weaknesses, your voice and your genre.

Here is an example of my goals for this last year.
2011 Writing Goals

 ·         FAERIE—send out queries, edit –esp. pacing ch. 8 –Published 5/9/11
·         GNOME—at Jabberwocky R 2/1/11, Reread and edit for possible self-publish 2/11/11, rewrite 1st chap.  PUBLISHED 3/1/11
·         TROLL—edit, write blurb self-pub
·         TROLL 2—write the second part of the story once I figure it out--THOUGHT ABOUT IT
·         DEMON—finish the damn thing!
·         GARGOYLE—semi-plot--DONE, SYNOPSIS WRITTEN + 25 PGS, 2 CONTESTS ENTERED--JUDGES HATED IT
·         Judge at least 3 contests (name, # in category, date rec’d):
o   Golden Heart (5 historicals) rec’d 1/7/11, returned 1/11/11
o   Winter Rose (1 historical, 3 paranormal) Rec’d 2/2/11 ret, 2/10/11
o   Dixie First (5 paranormal), rec’d 3/5, returned 3/11/11
o   Daphne (6 paranormal), rec’d 3/21, returned 3/29/11
o   Molly (3 paranormal), rec’d 6/1/11, returned 6/3/11
o   Lone Star (3 historical), rec’d 6/15/11, returned 6/22/11
o   Golden Pen (5 historical), rec’d 8/22/11, returned 8/31/11
o   Where the Magic Begins (4 paranormal), rec’d 8/25/11, returned 9/7/11
o   The Emily (5 YA), rec’d 10/9/11, returned 10/23/11
·         Crit when needed: Edie 1/20, Dale 6/22
·         Return to healthy lifestyle by portion control, more fruit and veg and exercising—joined Weight Watchers and started walking daily mid-June, as of 12/1/11 LOST 35 lbs!!
·         Write short stories when the urge hits
o   Writer’s Digest Jan. photo prompt--Done
o   Writer’s Digest Feb. sentence prompt—Done

 ·         Attend one conference
·         Read 50 books—keep log
·         Self-pubbed LOST LEPRECHAUN LOOT 1/2011
·         Self-pubbed TO GNOME ME IS TO LOVE ME, book one of The Goblin’s Apprentice 3/1/11
·         Self-pubbed THE FAST AND THE FAERIEOUS, book 2 The Goblin’s Apprentice 5/9/11
·         Self-pubbed A MAZE OF MONSTER MIX-UPS   8/29/2011
·         Self-pubbed SUGAR PLUM DISASTER   11/1/11
·         Write 3  1 post leprechaun stories--thought about it, nothing written
Reviewed TWIST OF FATE (a romantic suspense), and sent it to Carina Press--I only did this because Cyndi pestered me. 11/28/11
Books read in 2011
Title, author, book type (MG, Novella, romance, UF, craft), date finished
1.       Mammoth book of Paranormal Romance—anthology of short stories—1/9/11
2.       The Hobbit—classic—JRR Tolkien—1/15/11
3.       Treasure Island—classic—Robert Lewis Steven—1/15/11
4.       A McKettrick Christmas—romance—Linda Lael Miller—1/16/11
5.       A Creed Country Christmas—romance—Linda Lael Miller—1/17/11
6.       The Burning Bridge—MG Ranger’s Apprentice series—John Flanagan—1/23/11
7.       The Icebound Land—MG Ranger’s Apprentice series—John Flanagan—1/24/11
8.       The Battle for Skandia—MG Ranger’s Apprentice series—John Flanagan—2/28/11
9.       The Sorcerer of the North-- MG Ranger’s Apprentice series—John Flanagan—3/2/11
10.   The Siege of Macindaw-- MG Ranger’s Apprentice series—John Flanagan—5/24/11
11.   The Lightning Thief—MG Percy Jackson series-- Rick Riordan—3/8 /11
12.   The Sea of Monsters—MG Percy Jackson series-- Rick Riordan—3/10 /11
13.   The Titan’s Curse—MG Percy Jackson series-- Rick Riordan—3/ 14/11
14.   The Battle of the Labyrinth—MG Percy Jackson series-- Rick Riordan—3/ 17/11
15.   The Last Olympian—MG Percy Jackson series-- Rick Riordan—3/ 23/11
16.   Mammoth Book of Scottish Romances—anthology—4/1/11
17.   Fired Up—romance—Jayne Ann Krentz—4/5/11
18.   Stranger in my Arms—romance—Lisa Kleypas—4/7/11
19.   The Fellowship of the Ring—fantasy—J.R.R. Tolkien—4/24/11
20.   Immortal Warrior—romance—Lisa Hendrix—5/14/11
21.   Immortal Outlaw—romance—Lisa Hendrix—5/18/11
22.   Immortal Champion—romance—Lisa Hendrix—5/19/11
23.   Royal Weddings: an anthology—romance----5/28/11
24.   The Perfect Poison—romance—Amanda Quick—6/11/11
25.   Burning Lamp—romance—Amanda Quick—6/13/11
26.   I’d tell you I love you, but then I’d have to kill you—YA series—Ally Carter—6/14/11
27.   Don’t Judge a girl by her Cover—YA series—Ally Carter—6/15/11
28.   Just Like Heaven—romance—Julia Quinn—6/19/11
29.   The Red Pyramid—MG series—Rick Riordan—7/1/11
30.   Throne of Fire—MG series—Rick Riordan—7/8/11
31.   Running Hot—romance—Jayne Ann Krentz—7/13/11
32.   The Devil who Tamed Her—romance—Johanna Lindsey—7/26/11
33.   A Well Favored Gentleman—romance—Christina Dodd—8/1/11 COULDN’T FINISH
34.   Thirteen Chances—romance—Cindy Miles—8/6/11
35.   Highland Knight—romance—Cindy Miles—8/7/11
36.   MacGowan’s Ghost—romance—Cindy Miles—8/16/11
37.   Into Thin Air—romance—Cindy Miles—8/20/11
38.   Night Magic—romance—Jennifer Lyons--on Kindle read while on vacation, but then it became like all her others.
39.   Cowboys & Aliens—novelization— Joan D. Vinge—9/9/2011
40.   The Captain Jack Sparrow Handbook—research—Jason Heller--9/10/11
41.   No Plot? No Problem--research--Chris Baty--10/5/11
42.   Candy Cane Murder--mystery novellas--Joanne Fluke--10/31/11
43.   The Naughty List--romance novellas--11/10/11
44.   Highlander for the Holidays--romance--Janet Chapman--11/11/11
45.   Santa Baby-- romance novellas--11/19/11
46.   Christmas at Timberwoods--mystery--Fern Michaels--11/26/11
47.    

I will tell you that the main reason I log the books that I read is to force me to open this document. Though it is on the main page of my documents, I don't always look at it. But the more you review your yearly goals, the more likely you are to accomplish them, adapting them as circumstances change.

Since it is only the beginning of December, I still have a month to finish my goals. I know I'll finish reading the 50 books. I might finish editing TROLL, but it won't be formatted for publication, etc. etc. I also tend to judge contests instead of critiquing people.

When I set up my goals for 2012, I'll probably follow this similar format with different books to be written. In 2011, I decided to self-publish my middle grade stories. I knew it would take a tremendous amount of time to edit, format, etc to get them ready to publish and I didn't plan to write much. I did write on GARGOYLE and the beginnings of two other inter-related Young Adult stories. Those will probably be my primary writing focus of 2012, along with Book Four of The Goblin's Apprentice.

Start jotting down notes with what you want to accomplish in 2012.

I'll be back soon with another installment on goal setting.