I’ve been thinking about 2014, how about you? I know it’s not even Christmas yet but you know it will come fast now. I’m hoping that I’m able to accomplish some things in 2014 that I really want. I’m getting my passion back which took a nose dive earlier this year simply because of exhaustion. It’s not that I haven’t been writing it’s just that I haven’t written as much as I’d hoped. Writers have to make time to write and that can be challenging. Since I finished up the last novel of my first series in January 2013 I just needed a break.
I thought I was going to catch up a bit in November with NaNoWriMo and I ended up getting a horrible virus that put an end to that goal of 50,000 words. So now I’m looking ahead. I’m going way outside my comfort zone and plan to be BOLD. I will write 3 short stories to self-publish simply for the experience. I think you’ll like them. I’ll have a new novel in my new series ready by August 1st and see if I can sell that with the help of my agent. And I’m writing a non-fiction e-book as well.
That’s a lot for me to tackle with the counseling job during the day but I’ve already been figuring out daily word count and what I want to have completed by specific dates. I’ve built-in margin for family needs, illness, and the unexpected. But there’s always something that sneaks up on me and wham! While I’m planning to be bold I’m also sticking to these five important Ps this year that I know will help when the going gets tough.
- Pray
- Plan
- Pace
- Persevere
- Peace
Compliments of Photobucket
When you plan out your writing goals at the beginning of a year what are some of the things you take into consideration? How do you pace yourself to meet your goals and still maintain your health and sanity when the adversity doggies show up?
Well stated, Jillian! You go!
Thanks, Jim! I’m going to explore my abilities this year.
As a mother of three, the youngest being 4 months I have learned that flexibility is optimum. I have also learned that in order to take care of everyone and still get my writing done, I have to put my health first. If I’m unwell everyone suffers and nothing gets done.
Unfortunately, planning anything more detailed than having a general idea of what needs accomplished that day tends to go awry quickly. I’ve learned to let the little things go, choosing my battles so-to-speak.
You are wise, Davonne, to let little things go. When you have young children life is chaotic. If you can write anything at all in these circumstances that’s awesome! And staying well is crucial. I’d love to know when you get most of your writing done or if you write in spurts as time allows.
I do indeed tend to write in spurts. Often I write after the children are in bed since this allows uninterrupted time, usually. When I’m on deadline I’m not above asking friends to come over and entertain while I write.
I lie the idea of the 5 P’s. It’s easy to remember. The picture of the adversity doggies is hoot!!
Glad you like it, Vicki! I look at that long line of doggies and wonder what I would name each one as far as adversity goes, let’s see, I think I’ll start with a doggie named distraction and the next named ticking clock and . . . you get the idea.