Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Goals


I set a thousand words a day goal for myself. It’s been working pretty good. Some days I go over some days a little under. On the average I manage the thousand words. Not during May. I’ve only written about seven days the entire month. Granted I’ve had a lot going on in my life, but seriously that’s no excuse. I find I’m spending more and more time browsing blogs, hanging in the loops and doing just nothing.
I have an extensive editing pile that needs my attention, two books in progress and a few new voices that are demanding to be put onto paper. I’m afraid to start any new books with the ones needing editing lingering. I can’t sell them if I don’t edit them and get them in front of editors.
What’s holding me back? I cringe when it comes time to edit. I’m fine when the edits come from my editor, but once I’ve written a book I’m done with it for awhile. I’m finally getting around to editing a story, Cabin Fever (don’t really like this title, but the perfect one eludes me at this time). Three full length novels wait behind this one.
So, I’ve decided to move past the goals and set must-do’s or rules for myself. Starting June 1st I’m going to work on editing a chapter a day (if I do more great), a thousand words a day(Monday-Friday), one query a week, and read at least one book a week. You see I’ve neglected my non-fiction writing for almost six months. It was a nice extra income. Nothing I could retire on, but money I could use for those extra things I love so much. Like books. I love to read. I have a TBR pile a mile long. Reading fuels my writing. Maybe that’s why I’ve slacked this month. Whatever the reason, I need to get back on track and get these books off my editing pile so I can add new ones.
So, why am I telling you this? I’m telling the world to keep in check. Once a week I’ll report my status on my blog. Hopefully the must-do’s will work better than the goals. Check back and see!

5 comments:

  1. Amber, setting goals is the only way I get anything done! The temptation to dive into my TBR pile, retail therapy and the dust bunnies over running my life are all trying to take their place but I have a crit partner who is not shy about saying "where the hell is your story?" Bless her heart:-) Let us know how you're doing! Cheering you on, girl!

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  2. Thanks, Paris. Maybe I should find a crit partner to kick me in the ass. I do post daily totals to a loop with a few of my local chapter friends. I don't think that's enough.

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  3. I try to set goals too. At least two or three pages a day plus a little polishing. If I get more, wonderful! If Not, I remind myself that LIFE happens and try not to be too hard on myself. Critique partners DO HELP. When mine are sending me scenes and doing some great stuff, I begin to kick my own ass to get in gear.

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  4. Like your new blog. Yes, it's good to set goals. Mine are hit and miss at times. I can multi-task, but when I have edits, I drop everything to finish those, even if it takes me out of the mood for a WIP. The WIP picks itself up eventually.

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  5. Good luck! I've had dry spells too, and they SUCK.

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