Everyone who’s been talking about writing and publishing lately should check out Chey’s latest blog entry. There’s some good advice there.
I’ve been thinking about goals ever since Charli brought it up in one of the comments. I pulled mine out and wasn’t happy with what I saw. Out of the several things listed, I’ve managed to accomplish one. ONE! ONE! How pathetic is that? I believe part of the problem is that I write my goals down, then put them away. I can’t even remember what I ate two days ago. How can I expect to remember my goals, if they aren’t in front of me? Sigh.
I spent this evening looking at my 2006 goals. Well, more like mourning them. I would like to start 2007 out with a better understanding of what I’d like to accomplish. So how many things have I come up with so far? Zip. Nada. Zero. I’m staring at the page like it’s a WIP. 
Sadly, I think the problem is that I have no idea what I’d like to accomplish next year.
What about you? Any ideas for 2007? 2008? The next six months?
December 12th, 2006
I did pretty well this year, my big one was accomplished (falls to knees and sings praise, LOL)
Next year I’d like to get at least eight books out with EC and Samhain and I’d like to sell at least two more to NY.
I used to name my projects in my to do list, but that never works for me because things come up and I get distracted or pulled onto another project. So I try to think in terms of general projects now, which helps me actually cross stuff from my list.
I’m a list maker so having a list with things crossed off makes me feel better when there are times when I feel like I’m slacking.
by Lauren December 13th, 2006 at 11:31 amOne of my fave books is “Write it Down, Make it Happen”. Great stuff on goals. Pretty much every success book I’ve read talks about goals and planning. It’s huge.
I wrote a list of what I wanted to get done in Dec. at the beginning of the month and there are only a couple of items not done. I use computer Sticky Notes software to keep a post-it on my desktop that lists my current short term goals. It’s in front of me all the time.
I have surpassed my 06 goals *ducks* and am working on 07.
by Charlene Teglia December 13th, 2006 at 11:33 amI keep writing down goals that I have no control over. So this year I’m going to write down the things that I CAN control. In 2007, I want to write one urban fantasy, one TT, two paranormal romances, and one screenplay. Attend two conferences, and take my dd to Disneyland.
by Vivi Anna December 13th, 2006 at 11:35 amLauren, Can you give me an example by how you make a ‘general list’? It sounds interesting and I wonder if it’ll help me. I currently name projects by titles.
by Jordan December 13th, 2006 at 11:38 amCharli, You’d better duck. *ggg* I plan to get the sticky note thing once I get my new computer. I’m really looking forward to it because right now I have a half dozen sticky notes scattered across my desk. My desk is an unorganized mess right now.
by Jordan December 13th, 2006 at 11:40 amVivi, I used to do that. I went to a talk at my local romance chapter that addressed goals. They taught us the difference between the ones you have control over and the ones you don’t. It did make a world of difference in the things that I set on paper…even if I didn’t achieve them. Sigh. *g*
I have to finish the urban fantasy before I go to Japan in Feb. I also have to finish the Blaze revision. Once I get back from Japan (and recover), I need to write book two for Tor. Followed closely by book three for Tor. I’d also like to write another Phantom Warrior for EC. But that will only happen, if I can finish the other books first. I suppose I do have goals, even if they’re loose. Strange, but they don’t feel like goals. They feel like things that I have to get done. Wonder if there’s a difference?
by Jordan December 13th, 2006 at 11:47 amBy general, I’ll say, “two erotic romances - paranormal for EC” “two contemporary romances for Samhain” “Write four books to pitch to NY - target: Blaze, Bantam” or whatever.
I used to be very specific and say what books I’d write but this year I had it planned to start a side series from the WK world but ended up doing several totally new books I hadn’t even envisioned, LOL
by Lauren December 13th, 2006 at 1:13 pmLauren, Oh okay, thanks!
by Jordan December 13th, 2006 at 1:31 pmRight now I just want to finish my edits on my Nocturne book so I can get it turned into my crit partners and enjoy my weekend without thinking about it! LOL!
Well, Jordan, sometimes goals are moving targets and not as set in stone as we’d like them to be. Maybe you should call them accomplishments instead. You’ve accomplished a LOT this year…ie, new EC releases, request on edits for a Blaze novel, new agent, a 3 book deal with TOR! So even if you didn’t reach the goals you’d set for yourself it’s probablyl because you’ve just redirected your energy toward a different path. Taking a chance on changing genres is a big step that you made successful! Be proud, woman…we are of you!
by Patrice Michelle December 13th, 2006 at 1:39 pmI don’t set up goals. If I miss them I’ll only feel bad, and I don’t need another depression.
Stop defending myself for writing for fun, working on several NiPs at the same time and edit while I got, should be one, though
by Gabriele December 13th, 2006 at 3:58 pmPatrice, Wow, it sounds a lot different put that way. LOL! Thank you. Seriously, thank you. I’m going to have to take a closer look at those accomplishments.
(((Hugs)))
by Jordan December 13th, 2006 at 4:33 pmGabriele, That sounds like a good start. I think we should all take Patrice’s advice and look at our accomplishments for this year. Much more positive spin on things.
Thanks again, Patrice.
by Jordan December 13th, 2006 at 4:35 pmStop procrastinating and just do it. Making all these lists doesn’t get anything accomplished. Concentrate on getting one thing done at a time. Once you start a project, finish it.
by Anonymous December 13th, 2006 at 10:55 pmI will…mom. *ggg*
by Jordan December 13th, 2006 at 11:07 pmhehe…you tell her, mom!
by Patrice Michelle December 13th, 2006 at 11:13 pmIdea for 2007? I wanna borrow Jordan’s mom.
by raine December 13th, 2006 at 11:26 pmI’ve not yet decided, but it’ll be either One book ready for submission in 2008, or one first draft.
by May December 14th, 2006 at 9:33 amPatrice, My mom needs no assistance from the peanut gallery. *ggg*
by Jordan December 14th, 2006 at 10:27 amRaine, She isn’t going to cut you any slack either.
by Jordan December 14th, 2006 at 10:28 amMay, You could always do both.
by Jordan December 14th, 2006 at 10:28 amActually, that’s my ultimate writing goal, one first draft and one book per year. Next year, I’m moving for university, hence the maybe Just one draft issue.
by May December 14th, 2006 at 12:29 pmI have my list of goals for 2007. My agent blogged about writing a business plan for the coming year. Yes, the very word Business Plan makes me shudder…but she brought up some great points I never thought about.
by Julia Templeton December 14th, 2006 at 1:17 pmHey, it can’t hurt.
May, School first. Writing second.
by Jordan December 14th, 2006 at 1:35 pmJulie, Yes, those words make me shudder, too. *ggg* I’ll have to check out her blog…if I can find it.
by Jordan December 14th, 2006 at 1:45 pm