I usually review my year’s goals on a quarterly basis, but I am feeling such a sense of accomplishment I couldn’t wait. I’ve been working on Amelia’s Mission for an eternity. Real estate and family responsibilities don’t leave me with much time or energy. However, I promised myself I would dedicate some time to writing this month. This project is now 80% complete.
One of my critique partners will be reading the newest chapters and providing feedback next week. Happy dance!
I will let you in on a little secret… I never posted 2021 goals for the year. Not that I didn’t have any, but I mixed my reading, real estate, and writing goals all together in a post at The Book Connection and never looked back. Yikes! So unlike me.
Honestly, I was coming off an unusual year where I spent a lot of time reeling from my father-in-law’s death from COVID and a real estate year where my volume increased despite all the craziness of 2020.
Since I set aggressive real estate goals for 2021, I only set two writing related goals for this year:
Increase my editing volume
Choose one writing project to finish
I can’t say that I’ve done much about the first one. I am editing, but not as much as I planned.
I’ve chosen to finish Amelia’s Mission, which makes sense since I am 21 chapters in. There are probably only another 7 to 10 chapters left to this story, so that is manageable.
What will I need to do to get this goal accomplished?
I really need to find my focus. My publisher is asking for more work from me, but I know that picture books take forever to get to market. A middle grade novel is a good choice.
Wish me luck!
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?
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.
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?
The Children's and Teens' Book Connection 