Picture
2010 was pretty good for accomplishing my goals. I didn’t write them down, but from what I can recall, I did okay. I got a full-time job. I joined RWA National and the local chapter, North Texas RWA. I finished two books and submitted them.

I know there’s some stuff I didn’t do, but I didn’t write them down, so they don’t count, right? Ahem. This time, they will be in print for the whole world to see. And I’m excited about that.

Writing Goals
1.    Devote one hour every day to writing. No TV, no Internet. Just music and an open Word document. Right now, I’ll write for a bit and then feel an overriding need to check Twitter and it’s all downhill from there. I know if I can concentrate for 60 minutes per day, I’ll be able to get sooo much accomplished, such as…

2.    Write two books targeted to Kimani Press Romance and one single-title. In 2010, I finished two Kimanis, but I want and need to up my output. I plan to Nano the first Kimani in January. I look at the single-title as a challenge. I’ve never written that many words before, and frankly, it scares me, which means I need to try it.

Career-Building Goals
1.    Join and actively participate in social media sites, Facebook and Goodreads. Do better at the sites I’m a member of, like Romance Divas, where I’m the best lurker ever. I do okay at Eharlequin and Twitter, but I can do better.

2.    Attend the DFW Writers Conference and the RWA National Conference in New York. I had so much fun at the RWA Conference that I want to repeat the experience every year. Plus, there’s so much to learn.

3.    Read the craft books I bought. Again, so much to learn. I’m committed to being a better writer.

4.    Be more regular with the blogging. I’ll never be an everyday blogger, but I’d like to stick to the MWF schedule. The best way to do this is write the blogs in advance.

Personal Goals
1.    Keep track of all the books I read in 2011. Goodreads and/or an Excel spreadsheet here I come.

2.    Get my books organized. There are some books I hesitate to buy (i.e. Carly Phillips) because I think I own them, but I’m not sure. I’ve moved so much, my books are packed in boxes, and I have no idea where any specific title is. I want to go through them all and fill my bookshelves with my favorites, so I have easy access to them.

3.    Exercise 2-3 times a week. That might not seem like a lot, but considering it’s a big fat 0 right now, it’s a big step.

4.    Pay off the student loan. My 2010 goal was to get it under $10,000 and I succeeded. Now, I want it GONE. It’s my only debt, and I hate sending the payment every month when there are so many other things I want to do with the money.

That’s a lot of goals. I could put more down, like clean my condo on a regular basis and eat at home more often to save money (both of which I hope to do), but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I’m a work in progress after all. :)

P.S. Obviously, my biggest 2011 goal is to get published, but I can’t control that. Instead, I will focus on becoming a better writer, so my books HAVE to sell because they’re so fabulous.

What about you? What are your 2011 goals? Do you even believe in New Year’s Resolutions?

 


Comments

Rachel Carrington link
12/31/2010 09:14

Great goals, Jamie! Good luck with them, and fingers crossed that 2011 is the year you will get published! It certainly sounds like you're well on your way.

I'm not so sure I'm brave enough to list my goals out for all the world to see so kudos to you on that, too! :-)

Reply



Leave a Reply