Friday, April 29, 2011

What Step Are You On?

I'm hovering between step two and three myself.

By Monday, May 2nd, I hope to begin my journey of bouncing from step three to step four until I earn a firm standing on the prestigious top step.

Goal setting is not new to me, but by laying all of it out here, having all you dear writing buddies witness this, and thus giving you the ability to call me on it is terrifying. I'm thinking I'm more vested in this goal planning now than I've ever been before or I wouldn't be so scared.

Okay, so while inhaling a load of earth thaw and horse waste outside the stable this week as my girls rode, I created a pros and cons list to make a wise and informed decision on which story I should really be tackling first. Turns out it isn't the one I've been working on since returning from my sabbatical. Hence the change in the meter on the side bar.

So, I'm truly starting from scratch for my May goals.

May's Writing Goals:

1. Assess merits of GMC of my first draft of The Unlikely One. (I'm a SOTP writer, need I say more?)

To do this, I need to:


  • Read first draft--it's been well over a year since I looked at this novel

  • Create road map of story as it stands

  • Note weaknesses and highlight desired fixes in road map
2. Rewrite The Unlikely One reflecting new story road map


May's Writing Related Goals


  • Post on Blog minimum of 2x/week

  • Keep up with critique submissions

  • Research agents and editors attending the 2011 ACFW conference to figure out who I would like to try and meet with there

  • Register for ACFW Writer's conference, book hotel room and flight

May's Reading List:



  • Emily March's Heartache Falls

  • Catherine West's Yesterday's Tomorrow

  • Laura Frantz's Courting Morrow Little

May's Personal Goals (I have lots, but I'm only sharing a few here)



  • Exercise 5 days a week (walking or working out--minimum 30 minutes/day)

  • Intake minimum 4 cups of water per day

  • Stay away from processed foods

So that's my goals for May. Now, how can I help you stay accountable to your goals? I'll be lifting us all in prayer with a special emphasize on God sending us Angels to help us "stick to it".


As the May flowers bloom may our writing sprout in leaps and bounds as well!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

13 comments:

Katie Ganshert said...

Good luck on all the goals, Eileen!

Sarah Forgrave said...

I'm sitting here nodding as I read your goals, Eileen. :) Especially those personal goals. I was just thinking the other day that I need to get back into a water-drinking and exercise routine. Ugh. :) But I'm ready to feel healthy again...It's been too long.

Joanne said...

Lots of effective goals here, it sounds like you're on the right track. I'll be squeezing planting the garden with everything else in May, getting those tomato seedlings into the soil :)

Keli Gwyn said...

Wishing you all the best as you set to work on your story, Eileen. May you fall in love with it all over again and feel the excitement as you think of ways to take it from good to great.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I could use prayers of ulifting to complete my goals! You have started well here, having clear and focused goals with a plan to execute. I'm sure you will be successful!

Erica Vetsch said...

Yay for goal setting!

you can do it1

Terri Tiffany said...

I love your goals! Some very concrete ones--some I can relate to as well--especially about excercizing and drinking more water!! LOL
So glad you are going to the conference. Wish I was!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Yeah, it's sunny here. Bloom, flowers, bloom.

I'm generally sticking to 'em.
~ Wendy

Loree Huebner said...

Best wishes on your goals!

I'm on step four and it's not easy.

Love your organization...

Yay! It's sunny here too! Haven't seen the sun in a week!

Jeanette Levellie said...

Wow. I"d lay down and take a nap after that list!

My goals for May are:

Finish my one sheet for new book

Finish my proposal for same

Edit a friend's proposal

create my testimony talk for Stonecroft.

Thanks for praying--I need it!

quietspirit said...

Eileen:
I need to set some goals for myself. I have need to learn and exercise time management skills. I have started a new story (after a year of not touching anything but newsletter data, short play scripts, and my blog essays). I really need to better manage my time.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Eileen -

Love the title of your book!

I'm working on a new project - sort of, kind of. With a new job, I'm still trying to adjust my schedule.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan Anne Mason said...

Congrats on setting your goals, Eileen. That's a huge first step. Must do my own!