I’ll be updating this blog a couple times a month when I have something particular I want to share (basically, while I still plan to talk about random what nots and have yous (and link to randomness because, well, why the hell not)), my posts are going to be a tad more focused on my writer’s journey). Make sure to subscribe to my blog feeds (*points to Subscription Options*) to receive notice of my updates.

I’ve decided to hold off on my more serious works – contemporary Women’s Fiction - for the time being (let’s see how long this promise holds) and concentrate on my light, fluffy slipstream fiction and humorous (at least to me) space operas (flashbacks to NaNoWriMo 2005 – aahh!). I have so many ideasa and I cannot wait to start working on these projects!

Random Link: Arthur’s New Year. Let me tell you, that is one cool aardvark. I have to watch more PBS

Arthur’s New Year on Youtube

I’m not going to lie – I spent the last few days moping as I’ve done the last few years (as one college friend put it, birthdays tend to go downhill once after your 21st) . I just think of all the stuff I should have accomplished in life because anyone who is my age should’ve done so by now. Yesterday was no different, I skulked around and melted into nothingness as I watched the boob tube.

Then a thought came to me –
It’s a new year, a new me. I don’t have to wait until January 1st to do something different and new with my life. I can start today and use the New Year to reconsider the goals I’ve already set and put into motion.
So, that’s the plan – I’m going to spend a portion of the day listing out things I want to achieve by the end of December 2009 and even, possibly, 2010.

Off the top of my head, I already know I want to:
• -Get into shape (haha, is this ever not on anyone’s New Me list?)

• -Do what’s important for my future career aspirations (and in that vein, stay somewhat organized – lots of goal, not so much time…)

• -Ignore those who are petty and just stay positive (happy minds, happy bodies, happy everything – one of my many mantras (those of you who know me may be groaning right about now, don’t think I don’t know that;). Life’s short enough as it is and I think it’s so much better when you can stay optimistic.

• -Stop sweating the little stuff if I can help it. I decided to step back from NaNo (not completely; I’m still going to write as much fiction as I can, but due to outside events a couple weeks ago, 100k is out of my scope). I decided to forego entering the Golden Heart (after thinking about it, I decided it really wasn’t for me, at least not right now…maybe that’ll change in the future, who knows)

• -I do know I want to keep reading novels for fun. I barely read for fun the last four years and, well, it sucked. I carved out time this year to read more and I realize I’m a happier person because of it. It’s important to keep stuff that makes you happy and keeps you sane. 

So, yeah, I’m looking at new beginnings and to be honest, I’m kinda stoked about it.

How about you? What are some things you’re looking forward to changing or doing or even keeping the same for 2010 or your next birthday?

This is what I’ve come up with:

If you’re reading this blog, please share – What are your Dream Big goals?

I enjoy writing and I enjoy living. Setting and writing down goals will help me achieve what it is I set out to do. So, without further adieu…

The Short Version:

 Daily Writing Goals = 600 words a day

Writing Life Goals = Reading books in favored genres three times a week, Blogging five days a week, Participating/Reading blogs, forums, etc two times a week

Daily/Weekly  Real Life Goals =

-Have Meaningful Employment (aka, do something that you actually enjoy while getting paid)

-Be More Fit (start off by walking two miles, two days a week).

-Continue Education (complete this year with flying colors by prepping for classes every day, being at least once chapter ahead with assignments, and stop procrastination – avoid the all nighters!)

And the Longer Version (writing wise, at least)

Sunday is my writing free pass. It’s the only day that I consistently don’t have classes and the one day I’m going to be adamant about not going into work (unless there’s a real emergency). The only things that should be happening on Sunday is catching up on/getting ahead with homework, updating blogs, editing pages from the week, and reading a book for fun….assuming I’m not snoozing the day away instead.

Sat +Weekday Schedule: Scheduling is tentative until I actually learn my class schedule. The classes I’m taking are at an intensive level, so one class can last from 3-6 hours depending on the day and the week. It makes planning other things a bit more difficult. Not impossible, but difficult. I know all classes start in late afternoon, so with the exception of T/R when I have one mid afternoon class, I know I’m available every week day before 4p. If I’m not writing or doing something work related, I’ll be studying.

Saturday classes seem to fall from 830 or 9a-3p. Before class or after, if I’m not doing something school/work related, I’ll edit pages written from the week and update my blogs. If needed, I will try to beta as I really do like giving feedback.

The plan is, since I wake up very early, is to write in the mornings, go to work and study during the day, and head to class in the evenings. I will write a minimum of 600 words for each day for 6 days…. or 3600 words/week …or 14,400 a month.

Will it suck, especially in the beginning? Hell yeah.

But will it be worth it if I achieve on my goals? Hell yeah!

Short Term Goals of 5 Months (Aug 1 2009-Dec 31 2009):

TALLY:

Written work monthly breakdown: write 21.07k in rough drafts which breaks down into 4.2k a month (~ 140 words/day)

Written work half year breakdown: write 77k in rough drafts or 15.4k a month (~514 words/day)

Edit: S

Submit: S

Order of Importance: S, TTR, MS, V

 
Long Term Goals of 7 Months (Jan 1, 2010-July 31, 2010): Part of my post disappeared Here’s a quick recap:

…So on and so forth…And through it all, continue to grow as a writer…

I know this is kind of ironic considering my last post about patience and doing things one at a time, but hey, when life throws you curveballs (or in this case, plot bunnies), you gotta at least swing (or write:).

So, basically, I need to pull myself together. Organize what I want to accomplish, set some deadlines, and be realistic. Here we go.

I. WIPs:
Back Burners

MT: I’m not going to make the deadline and that’s okay. Seeing as holidays tend to be a yearly event, I’ll be ready next time there’s a call out.

TTR: The plot bunny that’s been hopping alongside me since 2005 and all I have to show for is 22k eeked out for this year’s JulNoWriMo. I’m not trying to meet a submissions deadline, so this is going on the backburner once again for a little bit of time. I will, however, be working on it when I have downtime/contemplating other works.

DD: The MG novel I actually finished and had edited so long ago (4+ years), I know I really need to go back and read/edit again. I’m in no rush to do so, hence its hiatus/current back burner position.

*Various Others: stories that I’m currently ignoring because if I start paying attention to them now, nothing will get accomplished (but at some point…their time’s a-coming…)

Front Burners

(SS): I saw this post on RD and was immediately captivated by one of the covers. Shoot, its what spawned this sudden kick for organization and order.

(S): For weeks, I’ve been lurking in this thread debating if I should enter or not. In the midst of the writing/plotting  frenzy of last night, I decided to go for it. The deadline is around my birthday and if, for some reason, I’m lucky to be accepted/receive feedback on the novella, I’d be on cloud 9.

II.Goals:
1)Write a minimum a day of 1.5k for SS and S – a grand total of 3,000 words a day for both WIPs. I will also be trying to hammer out TTR’s first draft and a couple of short stories/novellas (MT and V) that I’d like to submit a couple places….

2)I rather like organic writing, but I do need to make basic outlines for WIPs so I know where I’m going and how I’m getting there. I want to do this before I start writing, so I don’t find myself suddenly stuck and aimlessly typing nonsense…

3)Organize WIPs for easy reference. I have a thumb drive with WIPs, notes/research, outlines, character plots. I plan on protecting that usb like a child, but I’ll also make additional backups, just in case.

4)Two hours a day, maximum, for what I successfully convince myself is research ( lurking through forums, reading blogs, checking email, etc) and actual research (world building, character building, essentially making sure things are realistic).

5)Read more. It’s been so long and I see so many authors with links to their enticing stories…. 

If you have suggestions for things/goals I should keep in mind, please share!

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Also, a goodie: Dawn Halliday is holding a contest to celebrate the release of her novel Highland Obsession! This week, all you have to do is send in a tagline for your book. I just sent one in – nothing ventured, nothing gained!