Sunday, the Wranglers had a discussion about what to talk about this week. After a few ideas were tossed around, we decided on goals. Most people talk about resolutions around the first of the year. This isn't about resolutions because I refuse to make them.
But...I do like to set goals.
For some reason, I'm having a hard time setting goals this year. It's already almost the end of January, and I still don't have a clear goal in mind. Last year, it was to query e-pubs, and that led me to landing contracts with Crimson Romance, Siren-Bookstrand and Still Moments Publishing. I had three books come out in 2012 and am contracted for five more in 2013.
Wonderful! Of course I'm tickled pink.
But those books are contracted, and two of them have edits complete on them. Part of last year's goal.
I need a new goal.
Something to aspire to.
So, here goes....
I finished a new manuscript the other day. I'm really proud of this one. I think it has some of my powerful writing. But I don't have a clear idea what to do with it. It is too short to send to Crimson and Siren.
So...I need to decide what to do with it, there's one goal. And get it subbed, goal two.
I have three partials, and a strong idea brewing. I have to decide which one to work on. I have carpal tunnel, and it is sometimes very painful to write. I'm not prolific like I once was, and I need to pick the one that will engage me the most and be the most salable.
So, there you have it. Sub the new story and decide which book to work on next. Then get 'er done. It's not a lofty goal, but it's a start.
What's yours?
But...I do like to set goals.
For some reason, I'm having a hard time setting goals this year. It's already almost the end of January, and I still don't have a clear goal in mind. Last year, it was to query e-pubs, and that led me to landing contracts with Crimson Romance, Siren-Bookstrand and Still Moments Publishing. I had three books come out in 2012 and am contracted for five more in 2013.
Wonderful! Of course I'm tickled pink.
But those books are contracted, and two of them have edits complete on them. Part of last year's goal.
I need a new goal.
Something to aspire to.
So, here goes....
I finished a new manuscript the other day. I'm really proud of this one. I think it has some of my powerful writing. But I don't have a clear idea what to do with it. It is too short to send to Crimson and Siren.
So...I need to decide what to do with it, there's one goal. And get it subbed, goal two.
I have three partials, and a strong idea brewing. I have to decide which one to work on. I have carpal tunnel, and it is sometimes very painful to write. I'm not prolific like I once was, and I need to pick the one that will engage me the most and be the most salable.
So, there you have it. Sub the new story and decide which book to work on next. Then get 'er done. It's not a lofty goal, but it's a start.
What's yours?
You are on fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Congrats on contracting 5 more! So well deserved! That's exciting!
I think you are on the right track here. It sounds as if you have most of your time tied up in editing these contracted books and of course choosing which ones to write.
Yay you!!!!
Thanks, Mart! Last year was great!
DeleteSheez...red face.
ReplyDeleteThat line should read some of my MOST powerful writing...
Makes me sounds like an arrogant ass.
Why I shouldn't blog after work, when I'm tired.
My main goal for 2013 is to get my 75000+ word manuscript to a point where the publisher it is contracted to will actually publish it. Then I am just going to keep writing I have so many ideas most for works less than 20000 words but still I need to get them finished so I can get them subbed. oh there is always so many things to do but getting a full length novel published is my main goal.
ReplyDeleteYOU can DO it!
DeleteGood goals! You should check with Still Moments for your shorter piece, I think they take shorter reads. or The Wild Rose Press, Samhain Pubiishing, Carina Press. There's many options for you. I'm not sure how much shorter it is than your normal books, but for every length, there's an option. I can't wait for your next books to come out!
ReplyDeleteAs for my goals? Release at least three books this year. Keep learning and bettering my writing for future books. Stay sane....wait, can that be a goal? With some of the people around me, that may not be viable...
Anyway, great post!
Great goals, Nikki!
DeleteThose are excellent goals because your goals for 2012 were so exceeded! You've had an excellent 2012 and I know your 2013 will be even more amazing.
ReplyDeleteAs for my goals, it's just to spend more time writing and less time social networking! lmbo Wonder if I can manage that? hmm...time will tell.
Thanks, Christine! You and LESS social networking??? hehehehe...
DeletePossibly time to be thinking getting a literary agent? You and me both.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best with your search?
DeleteMy goals - like you I have some contracts coming out this year, so the first couple months will be edit heavy. I am finishing my cozy, then I have to return to my two series and write the third book. I'd say last, but I'm not sure either are done. :)
ReplyDeleteMy dream is to sell to a bigger house. Bigger digital or traditional, both would qualify. But in order to do that, I need a bigger product. So back to writing something brand new.
Great goals, Lynn.
DeleteGood luck, D'Ann! Great things to ponder...
ReplyDelete-R.T. Wolfe
Thanks, RT!
DeleteWhat a fantastic year you had, D'Ann! Nice one and big congrats. As for me, I don't set goals/new year resolutions until Feb. The whole world is trying to give up/take up/do this or that in January so I wait 'til Feb until most have stopped and then I start. LOL
ReplyDeleteSuper great plan, Cait!
DeleteExcellent goals, and you will "get 'er done!"
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz!
DeleteI always like to set goals but always stay open to new possibilities. Life is such an adventure. I try to roll with the punches while taking steps toward the goal...even though they may be baby steps.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your successes and good luck this year.
You bet, Brenda. New possibilities is what brought me to Crimson!
Deletethose are excellent - I think the key to goals is to set something achievable, git'er'duuun and do it all over again! Yay, D!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristi!
DeleteSounds like you did just fine coming up with goals. I have to be in just the right mindset to set goals...kind of like you need the right frame of mind for writing blurbs...so far this year I haven't "been there". LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Piper! Blurbs, ugh!
DeleteI did this as an exercise with my RWA chapter during our January meeting. Some people had lofty goals and color coordinated calendars. My goal is simple - to get a second book in contract and to polish a manuscript I love before sending it to agents.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! Great goals, Lola!
DeleteGreat goals and totally achievable. Good luck. Can't wait to read some of the new stuff.
ReplyDeleteThank you, ma'am. Looking forward to your help with the new one.
DeleteGreat goals, D'Ann. And congratulations on meeting and exceeding your goals for last year!! Wahoo!! Personally, I use the KISS method for goals and resolutions. It seems to work for me.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Sheri!
DeleteBest of luck with your new manuscripts - you've certainly been busy since the publishers finally figured out what a great author they were missing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Daryl!
DeleteI don't set goals, bit I do make New Year's Resolutions. Back in 2009, I made one not to create any new series until I finish every book in every series I already had going.I renew this every New Years. I haven't finished them all yet, or even started on some, but at least it's kept me from creating any new series, which was one of my failings. So it's a goal of sorts, I guess. Jane
ReplyDeleteGreat resolutions! Good for you!
DeleteFabulous goals, D'Ann! I don't make resolutions either! I'm a goal setter like you. My goals are to make this a great writing year. I'd like to publish 2-3 books. But, that means I have to write them first :) So, it's off to my writing cave for me! Get 'er done :)
ReplyDeleteGet 'er done!
DeleteI have one additional goal for you, D'Ann--finish Real Bad Burn! I'm still enthralled by it. :) My goal is to have six novels or novellas published or under contract by the end of 2013. I'm working on three of them simultaneously, which is making me crazy. But the goal is there.
ReplyDeleteJenna, I was actually thinking about that one the day. Good goals, Jenna!
DeleteHave you tried Dragon Naturally speaking? All you have to do is talk and it'll wrote your story for you.
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to launch my new SF Romance series this year. I have a contract for the whole series, so that part of the goal is completed. :)
No, but I should. Great goal!
DeleteGreat goals, D'Ann. My goals are to get the hang of marketing my first book, sub two or three more and and write a list of all the ideas I have floating around in my head and make a concentrated effort to put them in order and start writing them.
ReplyDeleteGreat goals, you too! Get 'er done!
DeleteGreat goals. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm dying to see what yours are!
DeleteGoal one is to write and edit two books by June. Goal two is to market the three books releasing this fall and goal three it to hit a best sellers list.
ReplyDeleteGreat goals, and I bet you make it!
DeleteOH goals. I love them. 2012 went amazingly well. My goal is to publish 9 new releases, 3 box sets, and write 2 of my 2014 goals. I'm already well on my way of getting my goals through and I think setting them helped. I'm SOOO happy to hear about your news!
ReplyDeleteWow! You're really hitting it!
DeleteMy goal is to finish my current novel, polish it, and publish it, then start book 3 in the series.
ReplyDeleteGreat, Brenda! You can do it!!!
DeleteThose are good goals, D'Ann!
ReplyDeleteI've been dithering on my goal making this year... Why? I have no idea.
So, here it goes, just for you. My never before written goas... You can hold me to them
1. Finish Gambling On A Dream and submit it to Lyrical.
2. Finish A Family For Jesse (yeah, that was a goal last year too, but this time I'm more motivated because I have a goal for the book). I want to sub it to either agents, or bigger publishers or both.
3. Blog more--Figure out how to draw readers to my blog, not just writers.
4. Possibly start Gambling On A Wish for submission to Lyrical next year.
Awesome! You can do it!!!
DeleteMan that's awesome! You are tearing up the keyboard. :) Hmm perhaps I should set goals. I usually don't, only because I never meet them. Very awesome for you though! I wish you tons of success with your new works.
ReplyDelete