Monday, December 30, 2013

2013 Goals in Review

Every year I sit down and reflect upon my goals for the year to see what I have accomplished and to figure out where I am going. This year has been pretty momentous in loads of ways. I've had to redo my goals at the mid-point due to signing my first contract. As always goals are flexible. They should be flexible because life happens, different roads become available to trod upon, and if we are too rigid in our thinking, then we won't be able to see the opportunities that are available to us. With that in mind here are my checkpoints at the beginning of 2013:

 
Writing Goals for 2013

*clean and organize office to get ready for the new year CHECK
*finish first draft LHD by end of January CHECK
*revise MINO by mid February. HALF-CHECK: partial is complete, but full was put aside. Will revisit in 2014
*check in with editor by Feb. 1 regarding MINO CHECK
*revise first three chapters of LHD and be ready to query to editor by mid February CHECK
*March: revise and query MAVERICK CHECK
*April: revise and query HPOL DID NOT DO THIS DUE TO OTHER EVENTS
*May: revise and query TYCOO: DID NOT DO THIS DUE TO OTHER EVENTS
*build query list for above three books: CHECK
*go to both readers’ luncheons and participate with Digging Out of Distraction basket CHECK
*brainstorm 2 new category books with CP CHECK
*write 2 new category books CHECK plus wrote one Novella
*Attend the RWA National Conference in Atlanta CHECK
*Attend Moonlight & Magnolias CHECK
*Pitch at both conferences if necessary NOT NECESSARY
*build name bible of all names I've used in my books STILL WORKING ON THIS
*maintain personal blog KIND OF LET THIS SLIDE AFTER SEPTEMBER 14
*add new feature to blog for recipe rut DIDN'T DO IT
*continue to build my brand name via social media, web page, professional presence in writing world CHECK
*coordinate the Linda Howard Award of Excellence for 2013 CHECK
*get a publishing contract CHECK
*continue building professional mentor relationships CHECK
*continue to streamline writing and business of writing with proper schedule STILL FIGURING ALL THIS OUT
*Review digital and e-publishers for submissions ONGOING
*take at least two master classes in craft; one with Margie Lawson CHECK
*judge at least two writing contests CHECK
*set Top 5 Priority List and review every quarter CHECK
*read for fun CHECK: READING AN AVERAGE OF 3-4 BOOKS A WEEK
*continue to analyze published books in my genre CHECK
*continue learning and growing in my craft with online courses and craft books CHECK
*attend chapter meetings which aid in my professional development and in my goal for achieving publication CHECK; AM PRO LIAISON FOR ONE, NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR ANOTHER ONE
*build my new critique partnership: DID NOT GO FORWARD AS PLANNED. HAVE ONE MAIN CP AND THAT WORKS BEST FOR ME
*be courageous, strong, and focused in pursuing my dreams and goals CHECK

In addition to the goals that I had at the beginning of the year, I also added new goals at the mid-point of the year to reflect the sale of THE MAVERICK'S RED HOT REUNION. 

*Write and complete my first novella CHECK; SENT IT IN NOVEMBER
*Brainstorm sequel with CP: CHECK; BLURB AND SYNOPSIS WITH EDITOR AND WAITING FOR FEEDBACK.
*Quarterly check on Website: CHECK; AM GEARING UP FOR SOME MAJOR CHANGES TO THE SITE.
*Continue building CP relationship: CHECK PLUS: CP HAS SOLD!!

I'm pleased with all that I have accomplished this year. Many wonderful things happened and I'm thrilled that I've sold. That shifted a lot of my focus and energy into a new direction. And, looking ahead to 2014, I will have to incorporate what I've learned about myself into building my career as well as managing my time more efficiently. 

What goals did you set this year? Did you accomplish them? Did you veer in a different direction? Do you even set goals? If not, why not?

Monday, December 23, 2013

When the Outside World Presses In

Hello Again! It's been 3 months since I blogged. A new record for me, but the Outside World has been pressing in and it's been occupying most of my time. In story writing world, that means the hero and heroine are dealing with challenges to their internal flaw and/or are busy fighting off the bad guys before they hit the Big Black Moment and fail to overcome the challenge to their internal flaw--everything goes to -- fill in the blank.

In my world, it means that I've had a lot of other things going on that have taken priority over blogging. A friend visited all the way from the Netherlands, I've written my first ever novella and brainstormed my sequel to the Maverick, and the Physicist and I have been going on mini-exploration trips. I've also been playing in different Cyber Playgrounds as my world has shifted from "before I sold" to "I have a contract to fulfill" and new people to meet in different Cyber Clubs. My paradigms have been shifting, and I've been adjusting. But now I need to regroup and look to the months ahead and figure out how to manage my time again.

Every year I use the holiday time to sit, reflect, and review my goals as well as the challenges that I will face in the upcoming year. First comes sitting. Really sitting and letting myself "be" in the moment. What's been working for me? What hasn't? What new internal changes do I need to focus on so I can improve as an individual? What external changes do I need to make to ensure that the internal changes will happen? Still mulling and letting these thoughts percolate over the next week.

Another big part of the holiday season for me is the time I get to spend with my family. We're a small unit and most of our friends and family live in other states and countries. This means we're just we-three, but we enjoy our annual holiday traditions. Some of them include making goodies, going to special movies as a family, creating a fabulous meal for Christmas and welcoming in the New Year with our annual batch of Kick A$$ Chili served up with all the fixings.

How do you ring in the holidays? Do you reflect and review? Do you try to find an area of your life that you'd like to improve?