My 2013 goals

Last week I talked about my writing goals, which really had nothing to do with the fact it is the beginning of the year and everything to do with the fact the dramas of the last 6 months are over.

Now normally I don't do New Year Resolutions, but Heckle decided the family needed to sit down and each set some for 2013. So we did. We wrote them and then shared them. The Hub has resolved to do more outdoor family activities (like camping), Jeckle wants to play everyday with his big brother, while Heckle wants to have a set daily routine (his mother's son *grin*) and improve his behaviour (which is actually pretty good anyway, but I wasn't going to dissuade him).

As for me, I was careful to set two resolutions I'm pretty sure I can meet without too much drama. The first was to spend more time having fun with my family. Not that I haven't but the last couple of years have been pretty full on, and I feel I haven't done as much with them as I have wanted to.

The second was to make time for me. Again, with the craziness of the last few years I've pushed myself to the bottom of the pile. 2013 is going to turn that around.

To be honest, it's been a few years of total chaos, finishing with a complete change of life for us in late 2012. But I really believe that change heralds the start of a much more peaceful time in our lives (and I am going to hang onto that belief for as long as I can!!). I guess only time will tell.

What about you? Did you set any resolutions for 2013?

My Writing Goals

My writing goals usually run from September through until August (based on Romance Writers of Australia's contest year). Unfortunately, the day after the annual RWA conference was the day we discovered we were packing our bags and moving 1,600km south for The Hubs work.

So rather than thinking about goals (or writing, for that matter) I was readying our house to sell, packing, house hunting and moving. Then followed the resettling of Heckle and Jeckle into a new school, sports etc. Follow that up with Christmas and the last 4 months have slid by without any resemblance to the routine I was used to.

Finally I seem to have some time to me again. So here are my goals for the rest of my writing year:

1. finish editing my Emerald entry in case it makes round 2
2. finish the first draft of the manuscript (and edit) started back in mid-2012
3. submit manuscripts

Not extensive, but achievable.

What are your goals for 2013?

The Year Ahead...

I seem to have slid sideways from my goals for this writing year (which for me is September - August). I always take note in January to see how I am going and where I am aiming, and I seem to be on a detour, lol.

But that's okay.

I do have a clear view of what I am wanting, so I'll aim for that and see where it takes me. My biggest goal at the moment is to submit my wip. Sooner, rather than later, but better to have it shipshape than rush it. When I write "The End" I want to be sure it really is :-)

I'm still on track to attend conference, and I've made a conscience decision to hold back from contests for a while.

So my goals have reduced but I think that can only be a good thing (more focussed, right?). I guess time will tell.

Writing Goals

September looms and with it the start of another writing year.

For the year just gone I didn't achieve all I set out to - but sometimes life throws curveballs you just don't expect. Even so, taking into account those curveballs, I am happy with what I have done. I entered 3 contests, submitted to Harlequin, completed a manuscript and started another. Not bad for a year with more ups and downs than a frog with hiccups.

What for the year ahead? The next twelve months are already shaping up to have a number of life challenges, but even so I'm determined to keep my writing steaming ahead. I may be reaching for the stars but I'm going to do my darndest to get them:

• complete my wip (#1) and write a second manuscript (#2)
• enter #1 in at least four Aussie contests
• enter #2 in one contest
• enter #1 in at least one US contest
• submit #1
• attend conference and pitch #2

In addition, should Harlequin run SYTYCW or Mills and Boon another New Voices I'll join in.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

Moving the Goal Posts

Every September I set my goals for the writing year. So far I have done everything I needed for the first 6 months. But now I'm moving the goal posts. I'm no longer going to enter the First Kiss with two manuscripts, in fact, I'm not going to enter it with any. This is because I have made the decision to be more selective with my contests, eg picking contests with finals judges I'd like to get my ms in front of. I think I'll have to put a lot of thought into my 2011/12 goals!

Goals for another year...

Last week I reviewed the goals for the past year. This week I'm setting my goals for the next 12 months.

This upcoming year has been the hardest yet for setting goals, in fact, the list below is my third version - things keep happening to make me change them. But because I know setting goals always ensures I achieve more than I would otherwise, I've persisted.

Goals 2010/11:

1. Finish two manuscripts
2. Enter High 5 (two mss)
3. Enter Selling Synopsis (one ms)
4. Enter Emerald (one ms)
5. Enter First Kiss (two mss)
6. Enter VPA (two mss)
7. Submit to agent
8. Attend conference and pitch

Might as well aim high, right? Fingers crossed I can do this!

Writing Goals - How did I go?

It's that time of year again where I look back over my goals for the last year. Making myself accountable sure helps with the incentive of meeting them. So here goes:

1. Sub partial - Done, rejected.
2. Finish revised ms - Done, rewrote ending a third time, now in metaphorical bin.
3. Enter High 5 - Done.

4. Enter Emerald - Done.

5. Apply 5DI - Applied, accepted and participated.

6. Enter First Kiss - Done.

7. Write next ms - Started but on hold due to 5DI mentoring.
8. Enter VPA with 2 mss - Only entered 1, but second ms started.
9. Enter an American contest - Entered The Gotcha! contest.
10. Attend and pitch at conference - Attended conference, didn't pitch because of my change in direction post-5DI (although ended up doing a pitch I didn't even know I was doing - but that's for another blog post).

Reviewing my goals I'm quite proud of what I have achieved. Okay, so it isn't perfect, but I think I've done really well in meeting what I had set. And I can honestly say, every point on my goal list has helped improve my writing and move me along my writing journey - what more do you want?

Now to set my goals for this year (check out next week's blog to see my 2010/11 list).

Is Publication A Sound Goal?

I read an article by Jenny Crusie recently. She advocates writers give up their goal to be published, and compares it to the pre-feminism era when a woman's goal was to be married. Both are totally out of your hands. You've no control over whether you succeed or fail.

I agree. A publisher isn't going to play by your rules and send you that contract to meet your deadline. BUT I do think having something to aim for makes you work harder; makes you keep trying, even through the hard times; makes you set achievable goals (all of which will take you that one step closer).

It may be splitting hairs, a goal versus something to aim for, but I value the difference, and will continue to have publication as that gold star to aim to.

You can read the full Jenny Crusie article here.