That's me. Conference is over, the jet lag has left, and the laundry is caught up! Hooray! Life is waiting for the new and improved me.
To benefit the most from conference that I can, I've been on a goal setting roll (won't bore you with the details here, but I've written them in pen in my calendar), devised a realistic writing and blogging schedule (I've got to get control of my blogging time, even with the treadmill laptop table being used these days), organized and filed all those wonderful notes from conference, framed Debbie Giusti's beautiful writer's prayer for my office (I've never seen a more perfect prayer for a writer--I do hope you'll check that link out. You'll be blessed if you do!) And I've emailed a few non-blogging people I met at conference, and visited several new blogs of other's I met, so that I can keep in contact that way.
As far as revisions go, I've completed the initial chapters of two of my novels, and am working fast and furious to complete the remaining fifteen chapters in one (this last revision round is just to freshen the visceral responses, really, so it's going at a steady clip, thank goodness), and then I'll delve into finishing the first draft of the other novel closest to me now so that the layering can begin in the revision rounds. All that said, by Christmas, I intend to be brainstorming my second novel in the Emmanuel series, and feeling good about the first novels in both my Emmanuel and Olive Series for sending out proposals in early 2010.
Some time between now and Christmas I also need to work on updating my website, get it to blend more with this blog, and update the content as well. I'm recruiting my eldest to help with the layout--this could prove to be interesting!
Thanks to conference I now have measurable goals (at least for the next three months), and a hubby quite willing to hold me to them, so little time will be waisted. What about you? Have you defined some goals, and have you got an accountability partner who will hold you to it? Do you consider your writing in a career mindset? If so, lets hear those goals and the accountability you have in place.
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
27 comments:
You go girl. That sounds great. My goals are to finish all revisions on first book until the thing shines like a shiny thing :) Hopefully by DEC this year.
Awesome, Eileen! I'm so glad you're re-energized and have been able to get into a routine! I still feel like I'm scrambling a bit. But most of the time that's the story of my life! Chaos is always hovering around me! I'm just looking forward to getting daily word count goals going again!
Fun to hear where you are at in the journey.
For me: 1,000 words a day puts me at finishing current WIP by Christmas (the latest). Hoping to have it revised by spring, send to critique partners...edited by end of summer. When critique group is revising it, I think I'll go back and work on second novel.
Goals help me.
~ Wendy
Sounds like I good set of goals. Good luck sticking with them and reaching them. I need to set some goals myself.
How inspiring!! DId you do a workshop on goal setting? I can't wait to spot the 2009 session downloads now!
Thanks for the Writer's Prayer. I will be printing it for my office too!
I've been watching your blog for a while, and was delighted when you found me! You're my first Canadian follower and you officially make up 11.1% of my audience!
My critique partners have a forum and there I posted my goals for everyone to see and keep me accountable but also cheer me on. :)
You sure have a lot on your plate! But at least the laundry is finished. OH the conviction I find on your blog ;)
Wow Eileen, you're doing such a good job! I am working toward a few goals but I usually set them spontaneously. I really need to get into a schedule that works and stick with it.
Good going! You have great motivation and help (your husband) to stick with those goals. wb
awesome. i'm so impressed with your get-up-and-go. :) i mean...a treadmill desk. amazing. :)
jeannie
Where Romance Meets Therapy
I heard about your treadmill desk a few weeks ago and I was SO jealous! I love setting goals. I don't always accomplish them but they give me something to shoot for.
I'm glad your re-energized! Sounds like it was worth the trip and $$. Good for you!
Your enthusiasm is contagious! I'm so glad you're in the zone. I reviewed my goals and have met all of them for the year with the exception of the amount of books I've written. I had to drop one off the list, but I'm on track with the new goal if I continue my daily word count. Happy writing!
This is great Eileen! Yay! It sound like you really have it in order and that is so great! I am just trying to keep the goals that I posted on my blog. I am trying to get them into becoming a daily routine and I am also carrying around a notebook to take notes on my writing so that I can stay connected to it! :o)
P.S. I downloaded the prayer, printed it, and even sent it to my friend! That was so AWESOME! I cannot wait to go home and hang it up in my place! Thanks so much for sharing! Really! :o)
Yay! I love goals. Tomorrow being the first of the month, I'll be posting goals on my blog.
And now I'm off to read the writer's prayer.
How wonderful that you set these goals. Now we're pulling for you to keep up with everything. And the blogging thing can get to be HEAVY. Do you unplug? It's so refreshing.
My goals are to finish the first draft of my WIP and start the first edits by February. Also to query two agents within the next three weeks on my completed MG novel. I also have a pitch coming up in two weeks. *groan* Trying to learn how to pitch is in my immediate list of goals. You know, my to do now, goals? Wonderful post. I so enjoyed reading it. :)
I can't believe you have a treadmill laptop table. I must get me one of those.
Goals: October - finish revising short story for pre-Christmas publication, and complete two "family faith book" pages for my church. November - proofread/ edit the "faith book" pages written by others on the creative writing team, and - big one - finish my first novel. Accountability? Publisher, critique partner, church ministry team leader. You bet I have people to answer to! :)
Hi Eileen -
I'm happy you've identified your goals and have someone to hold you accountable.
Before this year is out, I want to edit my novel and learn how to write a decent one-sheet, proposal, and query. If I can accomplish that much, I'll be happy.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I've got a lot of goals going too! Yours sound super fabulous, Eileen!
My short term: get ms all polished so I can submit on Monday.
My long term: finish first draft of fourth story by June and use summer to revise, so I'll have a new book to pitch in September in Indianapolis, ACFW conference. :)
Same here - the treadmill desk is a revelation. :-) The goal-setting would probably be even more valuable, but right now my manuscript has just been submitted by my agent and I am at a crossroads as far as what to do next. I'm submitting an old manuscript to my crit partners while I wait for guidance.
I think we may have crossed paths at ACFW.
It's good to find your blog!
Wow, you are on a roll! You inspire me to shoot higher, Eileen.
My goal is book 2 in the Gem of Wisdom series by Christmas. To my agent. Ready to sell.
My professional goal is to continue building my speaking/coaching as I write.
Yes, I consider it a career and a life time calling.
Angie
http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com
I kind of have some vague goals, mostly to finish a manuscript that I started a while back. I think I can finish it by Thanksgiving...or maybe Christmas. LOL
Things have settled down here too. :-)
Enjoy your goals!
Treadmill laptop table? What is that?
Hi, Stephanie:
Here's a link to what my table looks like and how I use it.
http://nourishmentforbodyandsoul.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-finished.html
It's this multitasker's favorite tool!!!
I would like to finish my wip by Dec. 31st, and keep my sanity while writing it. If I only get to chose one, I chose sanity.
Great goals! And to write them down in pen? You must be serious about them. LOL.
Mine (in pencil) are to use what I've learned to polish the current ms. Do the background research on the next book. Start writing at the end of October and have it written/through my crit group by the end of May when the kids get out of school.
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