Goals Time

Posted by Jen on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 @ 11:45 pm

Tomorrow is the last day of 2008, and I’m ready for the coming year. This past year has been great, but I’m ready to see what 2009 brings and get ready for another year of resolutions and goals.

Last year, I had only two goals. One, attend a writing class. I met this goal when I attended the writers’ conference since I sat through several craft and industry classes those two days. Two, finish a novel. And I meant not only the first draft but several rounds of editing. I met this goal. Twice. Plus, finished the first draft of a third.

Last year, I made sure I gave myself goals I knew I could meet. Goals that were completely in my control. But this year, in listing my goals, I will be including one that is somewhat out of my control. Yes, I control certain aspects, but I can’t make it happen like making myself sit down and put the words on the page. I can only do my part and trust the rest will fall into place.

So, here they are. My goals for 2009:

1. Sell a book, preferably the one my agent has right now. This is the one I don’t have complete control over, but it’s my number one goal for the year.

2. Revise CLASH.

3. Write and revise SHATTER ME.

4. Attend either the RT Convention or RWA Nationals.

And that’s pretty much it. Sure, I’d like to exercise regularly, but I know that isn’t going to happen. I’d also like to make a resolution to do laundry more often, but that isn’t going to happen either. Maybe make a resolution to pick my painting hobby back up, but once I get a job, I won’t have time for anything in addition to working, writing and reading.

So, there they are. My 2009 goals. What goals do you have for the new year and do you even find it helpful to list them?

Comments

By Jill on December 31st, 2008 at 10:55 am

I hope you meet your goals! I can’t wait to see a book with your name on the shelf. I would love to attend a writers conference, but my bank account says, “No! You’ve been buying too many books!”

By Rinda on December 31st, 2008 at 1:07 pm

Happy NY to you, too! We share most of the same goals–with different titles, of course. ;)

By Andrew on December 31st, 2008 at 5:08 pm

Happy New Year and good luck for your goals - hopefully I can meet some of my own.

By Chandler Craig on January 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm

I agree with Jill. I’m jealous that you are going to attend conventions. Someday…someday

By Jill on January 3rd, 2009 at 7:27 pm

I linked you! Come visit me!

By Diana Peterfreund on January 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 pm

Why RT? That seems an odd choice for someone at your stage in your career. It’s really a fan convention more than a pro convention.

By Kristin on January 5th, 2009 at 9:32 am

*Sigh*. I’m so slow in commenting. Maybe that should be my goal for the year…keep up with the blogs better.

I actually made a month-by-month plan back in November, although the timeline changes on a weekly basis now. Mostly I plan to finish multiple revisions on Grim Light, get my website up and running, and start my next one.

I just became a member of RWA, and I’m going back and forth on the conference. It’s so expensive, but it’s right in DC, such a short drive…I might break down and do it.

By Kristin on January 5th, 2009 at 9:33 am

P.S. I have no idea what SHATTER ME is about, but damn. Nice title.

By Jen on January 5th, 2009 at 9:09 pm

Diana: Hmm. Well, I was thinking RT because a lot of fellow agent-mates are going, and I thought it’d be great to meet everyone. Do you think RWA would be a better idea?

Kristin: Oooh, website! Can’t wait to see it. And thanks about the title! It’s definitely my favorite one so far.

 

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