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, New Cheer

Well, it's taken three days, but I'm finally reviewing my 2009 goals and the results are just a hair above average. The big winner is this here blog thing. My goal was to post 10 times a month and I posted 365 times! The key to my success was to shorten the posts and stop adding pictures. However, I have been severely chastised by my husband (who just started blogging a month ago) that blogs without photos are boring, so I plan to integrate some longer photo posts with my event posts. These longer posts will have to do with my goals, so with any luck, I'll do better at fulfilling in the coming year.



Besides the blog, I had intended to:

• Finish the first draft of a novel-- I'm only about half done


• Set up an office -- I have a table stacked with folders, but need to sift through file cabinets and get an actual desk


• Reconnect with friends and family--I did spend more time with a few people I've known for a long time, but didn't make any new friends; I did join a book club and a writing group and volunteered at 2 places.


• Grow organic vegetables -- I took a composting class and made some compost mix; I got self watering pots and planted peppers and tomatoes and basil. The basil grew like wild fire, but the tomatoes and peppers were less than satisfactory


• Travel more -- I went to the San Francisco area, visited friends and family in Richmond, VA and western Massachusets and Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara, CA, had a "couples' weekend" in San Luis Obispo, and a 30th wedding anniversary week in a cabin near Glacier National Park (and blogged about it)


• Get a new job -- I applied for one job at CSULB


• Take better care of my health -- I've been pretty good in the last four months of maintaining a regular weekly exercises routine of 2 simple yoga sessions, 2 sessions with light hand weights, 2 half-hour or more walking sessions, and 2 meditation sessions; I have maintained my weight but not lost any

Some unexpected achievements this year were: listening to 25 recorded books, setting up a regular housekeeping schedule, and reading several writing magazines regularly.

So this year, I will pretty much attempt to do better on these goals than I did last year.

• Blog -- Continue short event-oriented posts and add longer pieces at least one a week focusing on my annual goals. Goal: 5 posts a week =260 posts (Continuing post series--Blog-a-rama--will feature blogs I like and why)
• 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 (Continuing post series--Scribblocity--will discuss thoughts about the novel and writing in general)
• Set up office -- break down office set up into doable pieces; (Continuing post series--Sanctuary--will examine what will make an office efficient and inviting for me)
• Friends and family -- Continue to volunteer; continue to look for opportunities to go out with friends; join at least one social group (Continuing post series--People who need people--will feature local volunteer groups)
• Organic gardening-- get out there and get my hands dirty; this year concentrate on herbs (Continuing post series--Down to the roots--will chronicle what's growing and what's not)
• Job--I will apply for Census job and at part-time agencies as well as investigate starting up a research business
• Travelling -- Visit New York City, take a camper trip with the family, take a long weekend by my self; take a trip with a friend (maybe Elderhostel); go on a cruise (Continuing post series--Road Trip!--will report on these trips)
• Health -- Continue exercise routine; do more biking and walking--2 pleasure excursions and 2 functional excursions per month; work up to having at least one vegetarian day per week (Continuing post series--Paniers a-plenty--will discuss bike and walk routes)