Final 2020 Goals Review

We came to the end of 2020. Thank goodness for little favors. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have aged five years over the last 12 months. Enough said about that. Let’s look at how the year went. Here were the goals I set before all the craziness happened.

Goal 1: Develop one of the ideas from my stash.

As I mentioned in October, the closure of one of my publishers caused me to shift gears. All these ideas came out of my participation in STORYSTORM over the last several years. The idea I would like to flesh out is a humorous Christmas story.

Goal 2: Decide which of my completed stories to submit next. 

Still undecided. They didn’t garner interest in some Twitter pitches, so I’m not sure if my pitches were off or if the story ideas just aren’t of interest. I planned to sit down over Christmas break to review them, but work got in the way.

Goal 3: Edit The Sisterhood and submit to the agent I met at a conference. 

Still working on the rewrite of this one. Only on Chapter 4. 😦

Goal 4: Finish additional material for the new version of A Christmas Kindness.

It was great to see the second edition of this book published. It is currently listed in the Critters Writers Readers’ Poll. You can vote for it here.

Goal 5: Acquire and edit three manuscripts for 4RV Publishing. 

It just ended up being two manuscripts this year, but I have edited manuscripts for several other authors as well. I am proud of myself for keeping my toe in this end of the business. My editing services are also in the Critters Writers Readers’ Poll. You can vote for me here.

Goal 6: Write for Guardian Angel Kids.

I am still not over the unexpected and sudden closure of Guardian Angel Publishing. It makes my heart so sad for all the Angels. You can purchase copies of the three books they published for me on my books page. After I go through my stock, they will be unavailable until I find a new publisher.

Goal 7: Write five chapters of Amelia’s Mission. 

This poor story. I even figured out the ending to it now, but just haven’t had time to focus on it with everything else going on. At least writing group happens once a month, so even if I don’t have time to polish it I should be able to move forward with this story.

Now, I am off to bed to finalize my 2021 goals. Hope you accomplished what you wanted to in 2020. Feel free to share your accomplishments. Happy new year!

Third Quarter 2020 Goals Review

I like to review my goals quarterly to see how things are going. Who knew going into 2020 that the world would be plagued by a pandemic and civic unrest the likes of which I’ve never been old enough to witness or understand. Both have definitely been distracting, but I plug away and do my best to stay focused.

Goal 1: Develop one of the ideas from my stash.

Progress: The upcoming closure of one of my publishers has waylaid this goal a bit. I’ve spent more time figuring out what my plans are for the books that will go out of print than in writing anything new. I did, however, figure out which idea I want to work on. It’s another Christmas book.

Goal 2: Decide which of my completed stories to submit next.

Progress: None, because I’m not happy with them yet. I’ve reviewed them, but they really aren’t ready. I plan to take Christmas break and sit down and go through them all to see what I should focus on for 2021 (hard to believe that is only months away).

Goal 3: Edit The Sisterhood and submit to the agent I met at a conference.

Progress: The work on this project continues. We decided that it needed a total rewrite. We are about a quarter of the way through it.

Goal 4: Finish additional material for the new version of A Christmas Kindness.

Progress: Finished this in June. The book went out to the printer recently. I can’t wait to see it!

Goal 5: Acquire and edit three manuscripts for 4RV Publishing.

Progress: I have worked on two this year. I’ve also been editing for others I know. I’m not sure what 2021 will bring for me at 4RV, but I am looking forward to the future.

Goal 6: Write for Guardian Angel Kids.

Progress: Sadly, Guardian Angel Publishing will close next month. I am beyond sad. They published three of my books and hundreds for other authors. COVID left it’s mark on the publishing world with this loss.

Goal 7: Write five chapters of Amelia’s Mission.

Progress: None. Amelia is stuck on chapter 20 because of my focus on other projects–The Sisterhood, A Christmas Kindness, finding a new publisher for three books, editing, etc. I will read through the last chapter once I am done with this editing project.

That’s it from my neck of the woods. How are your 2020 goals coming along? Are you considering what you’ll work on for 2021 yet?

2020 Goals Review

Typically, I review my goals quarterly, but 2020 has given all of us a run for our money so far. Between the pandemic, a brief slow down in the real estate market, and the loss of my father-in-law to COVID-19, my goals got buried as I struggled to find a new normal. It’s time now, though, to stop the negativity and focus my attention on moving forward. Here is my list from January and an update on my progress:

Goal 1: Develop one of the ideas from my stash.

Progress: None, however I did float around to one of my publishers that I had more story ideas similar to two of the books that have already been published.

Goal 2: Decide which of my completed stories to submit next.

Progress: None, though that is because of Goal 3.

Goal 3: Edit The Sisterhood and submit to the agent I met at a conference.

Progress: The first draft of a full-length novel was completed before I ever wrote a children’s book. It simply has never seen the light of day. Even edited once or twice, it needed help. I had been reading it to my writing group, which provided some good feedback. I also pitched it last fall to an agent at a conference who expressed interest if some work was done to it. That work started a month ago. My sister/co-author and I are on Chapter 3 right now.

Goal 4: Finish additional material for the new version of A Christmas Kindness.

Progress: Done and in the hands of my publisher. I am waiting for word from the editor.

Goal 5: Acquire and edit three manuscripts for 4RV Publishing.

Progress: I have worked on one totally new manuscript this year, completed edits to the first novel I acquired for them, and hope one more comes to fruition in 2020.

Goal 6: Write for Guardian Angel Kids.

Progress: Sadly, this will remain an uncompleted goal. Guardian Angel Publishing announced that as a result of slow book sales thanks to the pandemic, it is closing its doors after 15 years. I am so grateful for the faith they had in bringing three of my books into the world. We don’t have word if Guardian Angel Kids will continue, but I don’t think so.

Goal 7: Write five chapters of Amelia’s Mission.

Progress: None. Since my focus has been on the additional material for A Christmas Kindness and The Sisterhood, I simply haven’t had time to think of poor Amelia. With my limited amount of time, I know I need to dedicate what I can to one project.

Did you set goals for 2020? Where are you at right now? I hope you’re happy with your progress.

Clever Tom Contracted by 4RV Publishing!!!

 

I am happy to announce 4RV Publishing has contracted to publish my fifth children’s book, Clever Tom. This will join Little Shepherd, A Christmas Kindness, Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving, and Amos Faces His Bully on my author’s bookshelf. This is my second children’s book to be published by 4RV Publishing. I will keep you posted on the release date.

2020 Writing Goals

 

I posted my personal and professional (real estate) goals at my Christian mom blog. Now, it is time to set my writing goals for 2020.

Goal 1: Develop one of the ideas from my stash.

Over the last several years of participating in STORYSTORM (formerly Picture Book Idea Month), I’ve amassed a ton of ideas. Now, it’s time to develop at least one of them … or a few of them if I can manage it.

Goal 2: Decide which of my completed stories to submit next. 

I submitted Clever Tom in December. I have three totally completed stories and two that I’ve tried pitching in PBPitch more than once that don’t seem to capture any interest. I also have two others that need reworking.

Goal 3: Edit The Sisterhood and submit to the agent I met at a conference. 

I pitched the first full-length novel I ever wrote (with my sister) to an agent this fall. She expressed interest after some reworking of it. This is probably a year-long effort considering the state of the manuscript.

Goal 4: Finish additional material for the new version of A Christmas Kindness.

This book is be re-released with additional material that is due to the publisher this month. I’m halfway done, but need to stay focused on completing it.

Goal 5: Acquire and edit three manuscripts for 4RV Publishing. 

This isn’t entirely under my control, but this is a role I enjoy. I’ve always felt I’m a strong editor than writer.

Goal 6: Write for Guardian Angel Kids.

This is a carryover from 2019. I would love to write a story for their Christmas issue, which means submitting in October.

Goal 7: Write five chapters of Amelia’s Mission. 

I am so close to done. I think I’ll use writing group time for this, because then I can get quick feedback.

I’m sure there are more, but I’ll stop with lucky number 7. How about you? What are your writing goals this year? Have you submitted anything recently? How do you keep yourself focused on your goals throughout the year?