Goals follow-up

On January 2nd I wrote the following goals on the blog:

1 Finish the novel for real. Close only counts in horseshoes.
2 Get my PRO pin.
3 Pitch the novel at the RWA conference in July.
4 Write more Trues to help fund my way to said conference.
5 Start another novel.
6 Get in shape. Really.

I'm delighted to say that I have completed 1 and 2. I will be presented with my pin at our RWA meeting on Saturday. This was my NaNoWriMo book and I'm just pleased as punch with myself.

#3 ain't gonna happen because I got the opportunity to pitch it on eHarlequin to Susan Litman of Silhouette Special Edition and she requested the full manuscript. It's printed out and ready for a last read-through tomorrow and on Friday my baby's going in the mail to the Big Apple.

#4 I'm teaching a class about writing for the Trues this week and next. I am working on an idea and maybe between answering questions and critiques I can at least start on it.

#5 I have one other book started (a chapter or two written) and I have a vague idea for a book featuring a secondary character from the book that was requested. I need to hunker down and really get a feel for her and what her story might be. She's a feisty gal with a take-no-prisoners attitude and she's going to need a strong alpha male as her hero.

#6 I've lost 12 pounds since the first of February. Yay me! It's been difficult to exercise because I also have bad plantar fasciitis in my right foot. But I'm getting there.

Anybody else making headway on their goals?

Gripe and Hope

Gripe: I despise the navigation for blogger. I guess this was why I chose not to use this particular tool. Ah well. Perhaps I neeeeeed to anyway, LOL!

Hope: I wrote through the holidays, though it was limited. I am now amping up the time spent on writing and finishing my studies for realtor.

Got Resolutions?

A few years ago a writing friend told me she writes her yearly goals in a piece of paper and puts them in a box on her desk. Then at the end of the year she pulls out the paper and studies her progress.

Last year I did that and here are my goals and results:

* Finish the novel. (I am really close)

* Get PRO pin. (once I finish the book, I can start down this path)

* Sell 6 Trues. (I sold 10)

* Get in shape. (well…)

I bought the pretty box in the photo for this year's goals. It caught my eye at a little gift shop and didn't cost much at all. I'm already regretting I didn't buy a few of them to use as gifts. I guess I could go back to the shop; it's about an hour away.

Anyway, here are my goals for 2009:

* Finish the novel for real. Close only counts in horseshoes.

* Get my PRO pin.

* Pitch the novel at the RWA conference in July.

* Write more Trues to help fund my way to said conference.

* Start another novel.

* Get in shape. Really.

Goals should be realistic and attainable, and I think mine meet that criteria. However, chapter 10 is being very stubborn at the moment and slowing my progress on the first goal. I just need to keep plugging away.

My sister gave me this paperweight for Christmas. She was my biggest cheerleader during NaNoWriMo. I think this will be my mantra for 2009 because the first novel sure was difficult and became easier as I went along.

Did you make resolutions for 2009? Set any goals for yourself?

P.S. I also made my first sale of 2009 today -- a short feature article to Writing for Dollars. It didn't pay a lot but it'll pay for more than half of my local RWA chapter dues.

Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Holidays, dear friends!!!

The holiday season is whisking by. Did we already have Thanksgiving? I wish everyone a productive New Year and may ALL your dreams come true.

I am playing around with my photo editor. :D Outside has turned into a winter playground. Time for fun. :D

Hugs, Nancy

NaNoWriMo Day 10

There's still some writing time left today, but here's where I am now.




The head honcho of NaNoWriMo had challenged all writers to be at 15000 words by bedtime tonight. I'm there!! And it's not bedtime yet.

To be on target, though, I still need 202 words. I'd love to get ahead of target and stay ahead because I have an un-missable board meeting next Sunday and then Thanksgiving will be upon me before I know it. #2 son is coming home from grad school, and while he'll spend some time with all his old high school chums who are also home for the holidays, I want to spend time with him too and find out all about his studies and the classes he's teaching. I can't believe my baby is teaching college classes!

Back to the grind... er... keyboard.

2386 / 5000

I had to run an errand and took my AlphaSmart to Books-a-Million to write. Armed with my outline and a grande latte, I wrote for about two hours and added quite a bit -- 5 1/2 pages (1686 words).

I'm determined to finish this short story and send it to the Trues before November 1st.

I also joined a new club over the weekend -- the FTDB* club.



* Finish the Damn Book

New WIP

I'm starting a new WIP today, based around some blogs I've been reading lately. I want to submit at least one new story before I begin National Novel Writing Month in November.

Here's my progress so far.

What's One Extra Among Friends

0 / 5000

Write, Marilyn, write!