Over this past weekend I had occasion to do a couple of related tasks. For one, I sat down with my writing notebooks and sifted through them to review ideas. While I was going through them, I happened along a list of goals for 2008. Here’s my list:
Work on publishing Greenville
Write 3 new short stories
Finish editing interviews
Buy a new laptop
Create a book list
I managed all but the second item on the list. I started work on two short stories, but haven’t finished them. While I haven’t yet uploaded Greenville so that it can be purchased in book form, I’m almost there. The book list is a list of books I want to read and the GoodReads website allowed me an easy way to do that.
I figured I should set some writing goals for 2009. Here’s what I’ve come up with:
Upload Greenville to Cafe Press; work on marketing & distribution
Create merchandise to go with book
Make website live
Write 3 short stories
Edit Family Enchantment
Do research for a larger story
Go through past novel ideas – decide to revisit or abandon
Keep blogging & tweeting
Decide whether to turn a short story into a book
My non-writing related goal is to stay active. It’s too easy to become a slug while sitting in front of my computer.
The second related task was filling out the yearly calendar – well, three calendars, actually. We keep a family calendar with birthdays, special events and appointments. Now that Eldest Son is living away, I figured he should have his own calendar to help him keep track of those important family dates. Plus, I bought my new journal notebook for the year, so wanted to enter everything there, as well. It took me over an hour, but going through the process helped me to focus on the upcoming year – just as setting yearly goals did.
How do you get ready for the upcoming year? Any special plans or goals for 2009?
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December 30, 2008 at 9:38 pm
lkwinter
I like the laptop idea; slumping at the desk is undesirable and too much editing time is lost avoiding “the chair.”
As for the upcoming year, never works for me but I have ongoing goals I hope to accomplish, though the chocolate one, err…
Your winter wonderland looks just breathtaking compared to my area, wow, so beautiful, thank you for posting those pics, Mary!
December 30, 2008 at 10:08 pm
woowooteacup
The beauty of the laptop is that you can take it anywhere. If you’re not feeling inspired at your desk, you can plop down in bed, or go outside. It’s fab. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a desktop computer.
Glad you liked the photos. The snow is light and fluffy.