Scribblocity--Writing Wrap Up for January

Working full time has really put a whammy on blogging. Here's a breakdown of my goals for January and what (little) I've done to achieve them this month.

Download my stories to a USB flash drive by end of March SPECIFIC How many stories? What memory stick? MEASURABLE yes ACHIEVABLE yes, by breaking into steps (a) review files and USB memory sticks for stories and create a file of titles noting location, (b) review USB memory sticks for capacity and decide if I need to buy a new one, (c) buy a new USB memory stick if necessary and (d) make the transfer REALISTIC yes TIMED not yet PROGRESS: broke it down into steps

Set up a database in google docs with possible markets and submission tracker by end of July SPECIFIC no possibly there is a better platform for this than google docs, probably better to start this after the inventory of stories is complete MEASURABLE yes ACHIEVABLE yes, but again it will have to be broken down into steps (a) decided on google docs or another platform, (b) input information from various market files kicking around, (c) match stories to markets, (d) set up schedule or quota for submitting stories REALISTIC yes TIMED not yet PROGRESS: broke it down into steps

Write ten minutes a day and experiment with different times and places, looking for peak performance. Review results in June. SPECIFIC half way, need to list times and places, TIMES: before breakfast, after breakfast, around lunch, afternoon, before dinner, after dinner, before bed, wake up for midnight sessions; PLACES: living room, bed room, rumpus room, kitchen, patio, garage, library, branch library, coffee shop, park, beach, office (I wish) MEASURABLE yes ACHIEVABLE yes REALISTIC yes TIMED yes PROGRESS: brainstormed different locations and times

Set aside 2 [start with one and build up] hours each weekend for Anonyme during month of February and adding more time as schedule develops. SPECIFIC half way, need to think about to add more time (how much, how often) MEASURABLE not without an end goal (8 hours a week, including time on weekdays?) ACHIEVABLE by decreasing to 1 hour, I think it’s achievable REALISTIC I’ll be challenging myself, but I know it’s possible TIMED the timing is part of the goal PROGRESS: reduced amount of time to make it more achievable

Read 3 writing books by the end of December and at least one article each month from Writers Digest, The Writer, or Poets and Writers. SPECIFIC yes MEASURABLE yes ACHIEVABLE yes REALISTIC yes TIMED yes PROGRESS: I promise I'll read an article tonight!

Submit 12 pieces during 2011, aiming for one piece each month SPECIFIC yes MEASURABLE yes ACHIEVABLE no, since I only have 1 more day in January, revise to 12 pieces by the end of December REALISTIC yes, but challenging TIMED yes PROGRESS: am keeping up with markets in Funds for Writers and Practicing Writer

Give myself a long weekend alone somewhere to write. Start planning in March for November-December SPECIFIC not yet MEASURABLE yes ACHIEVABLE yes REALISTIC yes TIMED not yet PROGRESS: looked at prices for cruises out of Long Beach

Blog twice a month for Scribblocity. Mid-month Moan, and Writing Wrap-Up SPECIFIC yes MEASURABLEyes ACHIEVABLE yes REALISTIC yes TIMED yes PROGRESS: one out of two ain't bad. Next time I'll have a photo

Ah yes! The novel

Scribblocity: The up side of not accomplishing any of your New Year's resolutions is that you save so much time on the following New Year's Eve. Why I'll have time for at least two more glasses of champagne. So here's my novel resolution:

Finish novel --Set aside at least 5 hours a week for writing; continue to read writing magazines and books; set aside a long weekend for myself as a birthday present (ongoing blog post: Scribblocity will discuss thought about the novel and writing in general)

I did read some writing magazines and books, but as for setting aside time for writing -- hoo boy! don't even go there! A long weekend! Ha! And as you can see, this is the first and only 2010 installment of Scribblocity.

So this year, I'm going to kick start the writing urge with an email blast from Write it Sideways called Better Writing Habits 31 Day Challenge.

I'll make a habit of checking out writers blogs like Courage to Create, Victoria Mixon, The Creative Penn, Word Play, Writer Unboxed, The Renegade Writer, Cats Eye Writer, Make a Living Writing, Men with Pens, Story Fix, and Procrastinating Writers

Read 3 writing books and at least 2 articles in every issue of Writers Digest and The Writer and skim Poets and Writers.

Submit one piece each month

Give myself a long weekend for writing somewhere

Blog twice a month for Scribblocity: step one-- get an on-going photo for the post. Mid-month moaning and Writing Wrap Up

New Year's Eve eve

Well, it's resolution time again. I'll have to pull up my crazy brave list of goals from last year and face the music. Beliefnet has a great list of tips for making simple but effective resolutions, one of which is don' make too many. Now that's advice I can make use of.

Kava, Kava

Since I missed my beginner's yoga class this morning, I can congratulate myself that I did attend two consecutive days at Kava Yoga on Tuesday and Wednesday. The studio is serene in its simplicity, although there is the occasional bus or truck disturbing the peace as it rumbles down 4th Street. Cindy Anderson, the only teacher I've had so far, is nurturing and very good at communicating the essentials of a pose without confusing a perpetual newcomer like me. And the price can't be beat! $10 for 10 days!

Civil War Sites Gear Up for 150th

As a girl who grew up in the midst of the Civil War Centennial, I was amazed and just a little chagrinned to realize that 2011 will mark the beginning of the 150th anniversary of that bloody war. A group called Journey Through Hallowed Ground has created a website with information about the major battlefields from Manassas to Gettysburg. Closer to home, the Drum Barracks Museum in Wilmington housed soldiers and military supplies during the Civil War era. A 360-page book, The Civil: A Visual History, will be released in April with photos from the Smithsonian and eyewitness accounts.