Yearly Wrap-Up (Part I)

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!