Short Story

Over the Christmas period I wrote a short story, which I have subsequently entered in the Little Gems contest. I hadn't intended on entering the contest, instead I had been going to continue focusing on my work in progress. However, things didn't quite work out that way. Probably because of a discussion late last year on the contest I had been thinking about the topic and a little idea for a story began to worm its way into my mind. No matter how much I tried to shake it, the idea just grew and grew and I just couldn't stop thinking about it. Needless to say, it appeared the only way to clear my mind was to write the darn thing.

It was actually a lovely experience writing the story, as the idea had been swirling about in my mind for such a long time that I had the characters, plot and story twist all worked out. And at least I can say that I have completed one story this year, lol.

So, I have entered it into the contest. Being rather proud of it, I can't help but wonder how the judges will find it. I think that the feedback from this contest will be very enlightening, to see if work that I am proud of translates to reader satisfaction also. Not that I have high expectations. This is the second contest I have entered and my biggest goal is to just do better than the last. Besides, with all the feedback I am going to receive and use to edit, there are always other short story competitions.

But, if truth be told, I have a feeling that there is really more to tell, that the few words we were allowed in this contest didn't give my hero and heroine a chance to really tell their story. I think the true potential of my short story is the one that is still to be told.....

Goals

Well, as you can see I have missed last week's blog. On a positive note, though, I am currently editing my First Kiss entry and I have made the 30 minutes writing each day. Unfortunately, the 30 minutes, as it turns out, hasn't always been 30 minutes of increasing my word count. Instead it is a combination of my writing, critiquing, research, technical development, blog etc. So I need to focus and make 30 minutes each day just about my writing. Obviously I need to try and find more time in my day to attend to the other writing related tasks that are ever present.

2009 Resolutions

Well, this is it. 2009 is here. I've always set New Years Resolutions, sometimes I achieve them, sometimes not. But I think that calling them New Years Resolutions is part of the problem. I think I would reather have goals, that way, If I don't achieve them, it's not so much failure as just having them incomplete.

So I'm going to set some writing goals and do my darndest to stick to them. It is so easy to blithely rattle off a word count to achieve, but the reality is usually something completely different. So, in the interests of helping to make my goals happen, I thought I'd post them here for all to see. Then it will be sooo much harder to let them gather dust and fall by the wayside. Public failure is NOT acceptable.

Late 2008 I followed an online workshop on goal setting by Susan Meier (http://www.susanmeier.com/) which has really helped me focus on my writing goals (a big thank-you to you Susan). As Susan pointed out what holds us back from reaching our goals is either a Fear of Success or a Fear of Failure. I am a Fear of Failure kinda gal. I usually set the goal posts way too high, and then knowing that I can never achieve them... never do. But this year I am going to do it.

Clearly outlined in the workshop were the 7 steps in goal setting:

1. 1. Determine what you really want
2. 2. Write your goals on paper
3. 3. Determine the price you have to pay
4. 4. Make an action plan
5. 5. Take action immediately
6. 6. Do something every day that takes you to your goal
7. 7. Resolve in advance you will never quit

Each goal should also:

1. Be clear (in otherwords, if you told your cat she'd understand)
2. Be specific
3. Make them measurable (know when it is achieve because you can measure it)
4. Set a time frame (without a deadline a goal is just a wish)

The other thing to remember is that we do everything to BE HAPPY. So your goals should be set to achieve this.

For me getting published will make me happy. It will enable me to make a living doing something I love and let me work from home, which lets me be there for my children. These two things will drive my motivation to achieve my goals more than anything.

So, what are my goals for 2009? I really have only 2 goals - but then I have numerous little ones which will help me achieve the other 2.

Goal 1: Finish writing my M&B Sweet #1 and pitch it at the RWAust August conference.

Goal 2: I will write M&B Sweet #2 and have it in complete draft form by the end of year.

To achieve these goals I have the following Action Plan (really just mini-goals):

1. Enter RWAust competitions with my #1 ms (First Kiss and Valerie Parv)
2. Enter RWAust competitions with my #2 ms (High 5, Selling Synopsis and Emerald)
3. Write a synopsis for #1 ms before August conference
4. If #1 ms unsuccessful from August pitch, review and rewrite and submit in Emerald also
5. If #1 ms unsuccessful from August pitch submit synopsis in Selling Synopsis also
6. Write for 30 minutes every day
7. Blog every week and include how my goals are going
8. Attend the August RWAust conference

Success or Failure are my choice and I choose Success!!!

Merry Christmas

This is going to be the last post on my blog for 2008. With December arriving next week my time is going to filled with a 5th birthday, painting, the MIL coming to visit, packing up the house and us moving out for a week for renovations, Christmas, New Years, and a 3rd birthday.

In between times I am going to be working on my Nanowrimo ms to finish it. Having just lost my job I'm hoping I will have a bit more time to focus on my writing... although I am sure that the kids will keep me busy :o) 2009 is my year for submission and I am going to keep working to that goal.

Wishing you all a Merry and Festive Christmas.