Skip to main content

How I did on my goals for 2005

Captain's Log, Stardate 12.24.2005

Well, I didn't make all of my goals from 2005, but I liked making them and having them up for me to see.

How well did I do?

Long-term goals:
I completed only two manuscripts by the end of December rather than the three I was aiming for. Two completed mss is more than the previous year, which was one ms. Next year, I want to up the ante and write three manuscripts.

I didn't come up with new Chick-Lit or Suspense series proposal ideas, although I'm working on the Chick-Lit now, it's just not finished yet. I did find two new critique partners.

Short-term goals:
I don't think I wrote even one short story this past year, and I was supposed to write one a month. I wanted to spend the time focusing on my novels instead. I think that's okay--short stories are nice, but I prefer the larger projects. I didn't have a goal for it, but I ended up writing several articles. Maybe I'll change this goal to articles instead.

I didn't critique much on Writing.com, unfortunately. I did more critiques for my dedicated critique partners and for my freelance editing business. However, I need to be better about critiquing on time, doing a little each day.

I did update my website each month for my contest, and added some new content. I have new content planned for next year, too. It depends on if I sell my suspense series proposal or not. I had planned on embryonic stem cell articles that would fit my BITTER DRAGON novel, but if I don't sell it, I'll switch to other articles pertinent to my next series proposal.

I wrote on my blog at least once a week--usually more like 2-3 times a week. I didn't write everyday as I wanted to, for accountability. I'll need to do better next year, but not spend too much time on it. It's fun and a little addictive.

Daily goals:
I didn't always get an hour of writing done every weekday, but I think I averaged about that much since I tended to write in spurts. I have kept Sunday as my day of rest.

Project goals:
I finished my manuscripts late. Suspense ms and series proposal done in April, novella in September.

Learning goals:
I did read one writing book a month and at least one writing article a week. It was much easier once I hit on the stupendous idea of putting my Writer's Digest and RWR issues in the bathrooms. I've also been sticking writing books there to read a chapter while I'm otherwise engaged.

Did anyone else make 2005 goals? How did all of you guys do?

Comments

Oh man, I don't even want to think about the goals I SO didn't make this year.
Oh, let's not go there. But actually, didn't set any solid goals for the year. So maybe I will for this year. LOL! Merry Christmas!
Mirtika said…
No, I didn't reach my health or writing, spiritual or social goals.

However, just by SETTING goals, I got back to writing (which I'd stopped for over a year and a half as my mother was horribly ill and dying.) I got two short stories, one poem, and 4 chapters of a large novel done. I joined organizations. I started blogging, which forces me to think on writing and to write non-fiction. :) And I reconnected with online writers with whom I'd grown distant during the worst time of my life.

I also changed churches (leaving the one with the toxic pastor who messed up the congregation) and tried harder to be patient with siblings (success there).

So, yeah, I need to improve. A lot. And while I'm awful at discipline, at keeping goals, I know that if I don't set ANY, I do worse.

Here's a cheer for resolution making--because goals help us at least focus on what we need to change and any step forward is a good step.

HAPPY NEW YEAR all you lovelies.

Camy, you're one of my fave people on the planet. I adore you. May 2006 see you with a multi-book contract, sweetie. Hugs to Heather, Dineen, Robin, Marilynn and all the sweeties who come by here regularly.

Mir
ahhh Thanks Mir!!

Hey Camster!! Where's your Sunday prayer?? LOL I've grown to love it as well as fear it! :p

Popular Posts

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures...

Brainstorm - character occupation

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.23.2009 Hey guys, I could use some help. In my current manuscript, The Year of the Dog , which is a humorous contemporary romance, I have a minor character, Eddie. He’s my heroine’s ex-boyfriend, and they’re on good terms with each other. He’s a bit irresponsible, but not so much so that he’s a complete loser. He’s got a very easy going attitude, he forgets to pay his bills sometimes, he’s friendly and charming. He’s adventurous and fun to be around, but he’s a little forgetful sometimes, and he tends to spend a little outside his income. I need an occupation for him. What would a charming, easy going, slightly irresponsible guy do for a living? He’s not too irresponsible, because otherwise readers will wonder what in the world my heroine saw in him to date him in the first place. She was attracted to his charm, his easy going attitude (her family’s uptight, and he was a nice contrast), and his adventurousness. But his forgetfulness and irresponsibility ...

Chinese Take-Out and Sushi for One

Captain’s Log, Supplemental My agent sent me an article from Publisher’s Weekly that discussed this incident: Chinese Take-Out Spawns Christian Controversy And here’s also a blog post that talks about it in more detail: The Fighting 44s This is Soong-Chan Rah’s blog: The PCS blog In sum: Apparently Zondervan (yes, my publisher), who has partnered with Youth Specialties, had put out a youth leaders skit that had stereotypical Asian dialogue, which offended many Christian Asian Americans. In response to the outcry, Zondervan/Youth Specialities put out a sincere apology and is not only freezing the remaining stock of the book, but also reprinting it and replacing the copies people have already bought. I am very proud of my publisher for how they have handled this situation. The skit writers have also issued a public apology . (I feel sorry for them, because they were only trying to write a funny skit, not stir up this maelstrom of internet controversy. I’ve been in youth work long enou...

I sold to Steeple Hill!

Captain's Log, Supplemental Remember that romantic suspense proposal I blogged about earlier? Well, it just sold to Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Suspense line! I am so jazzed! I am beyond jazzed! The story’s working title is Sinister Spa The story's title is Deadly Intent and here’s a blurb (but it’s probably not what will appear on the back of the book): Massage therapist Naomi Grant could use a massage herself. With her father at home recovering from a stroke, Naomi is put in charge of the family’s elite day spa in Sonoma county. The new responsibilities sit awkwardly on her shoulders, and things only get worse when handsome Dr. Devon Knightley breezes into the spa, demanding to see one of the female clients. And the woman is found dead in Naomi’s massage room. Suddenly, Naomi is a suspect and her family’s spa is shut down. How could God let this awful thing happen? Devon only needed to see his ex-wife about a family necklace she still hadn’t returned, but when she dies and...

Grace Livingston Hill romances free to read online

I wanted to update my old post on Grace Livingston Hill romances because now there are tons more options for you to be able to read her books for free online! I’m a huge Grace Livingston Hill fan. Granted, not all her books resonate with me, but there are a few that I absolutely love, like The Enchanted Barn and Crimson Roses . And the best part is that she wrote over 100 books and I haven’t yet read them all! When I have time, I like to dive into a new GLH novel. I like the fact that most of them are romances, and I especially appreciate that they all have strong Christian themes. Occasionally the Christian content is a little heavy-handed for my taste, but it’s so interesting to see what the Christian faith was like in the early part of the 20th century. These books are often Cinderella-type stories or A Little Princess (Frances Hodgson Burnett) type stories, which I love. And the best part is that they’re all set in the early 1900s, so the time period is absolutely fasci...