New Year's Resolutions
Ah, the start of a new year . . . the changing of the calendar is much like starting a new journal. I love the fresh, clean feeling of starting over. Of course, part of starting over is looking back to see what we've accomplished over the past year. Perhaps you're like me, and you either find yourself thinking, Thank God that's over, or Wow, what a great year. What was 2006 like for you? I'm still having a hard time believing it's in the rear view mirror. Just doesn't seem possible. Seems like just yesterday . . . Nah, I won't get sappy on you. 2006 was a good year for me. My biggest accomplishment was seeing my first novel, Denim & Diamonds, published. WOO-HOO!!!! I am also proud of the fact that I got my blog and website up and running, that I participated in nearly all BIW challenges, that I won NaNo (as a co-ML! And while mentoring young writers!), that I took the challenge of becoming an officer in my regional paralegal association, and that I got involved in the local Mustang club. For those of you who don't know me, I have a real problem with being the center of attention. I'm not a joiner. I am much happier sitting here in my little room, with the only company being my Miniature Schnauzer puppy. If I could be a hermit, I think I would. So, for me to get involved in anything is a big step. And doing publicity for my book was a HUGE step. In my personal life, there were some bumps in 2006, the biggest being my daughter's unplanned brain surgery in July. But my husband and I also went on our first solo trip (no kids? are you kidding?), which brought us even closer together after the difficulties of the past year, and I bought a Mustang - a dream come true for me.
So, now I'm looking ahead to 2007, and wondering what I'll be writing in a year. I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions, which are usually forgotten by mid-January, but I am big on goal planning. I spent a couple of hours yesterday really giving thought to my values, my priorities, my goals. These are my big goals for 2007:
1. Be more organized.
2. Get an agent.
3. Better myself professionally (we're talking paying job here).
4. Be healthier.
In order to make those goals a reality, they have to be broken up into more manageable, tangible goals. For instance, take "Get an Agent." What do I have to do to make that happen? I set up some building blocks towards that goal:
a. Edit Widow's Web.
b. Write a synopsis.
c. Write a query letter.
d. Research agents.
e. Send out three letters/packets per week - and keep sending them out. That means for every rejection, three more letters go out to agents.
I figure, if I follow this plan, I can make it happen. And I can easily build these smaller goals into my schedule every week. For instance, tomorrow evening, I plan to start editting.
You know me well enough by now to know what's next. Set some goals. Share them with someone who will make you accountable. Post them where you will see them every day. And schedule time every week to make those big dreams become reachable goals.
So, now I'm looking ahead to 2007, and wondering what I'll be writing in a year. I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions, which are usually forgotten by mid-January, but I am big on goal planning. I spent a couple of hours yesterday really giving thought to my values, my priorities, my goals. These are my big goals for 2007:
1. Be more organized.
2. Get an agent.
3. Better myself professionally (we're talking paying job here).
4. Be healthier.
In order to make those goals a reality, they have to be broken up into more manageable, tangible goals. For instance, take "Get an Agent." What do I have to do to make that happen? I set up some building blocks towards that goal:
a. Edit Widow's Web.
b. Write a synopsis.
c. Write a query letter.
d. Research agents.
e. Send out three letters/packets per week - and keep sending them out. That means for every rejection, three more letters go out to agents.
I figure, if I follow this plan, I can make it happen. And I can easily build these smaller goals into my schedule every week. For instance, tomorrow evening, I plan to start editting.
You know me well enough by now to know what's next. Set some goals. Share them with someone who will make you accountable. Post them where you will see them every day. And schedule time every week to make those big dreams become reachable goals.
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