July’s the month I take a blogging sabbath. Throughout the course of the month, I’ll re-run some oldies but goodies. Enjoy!
I thought it would be fun to look over the goals I set for my writing this year, to see what worked and what didn’t. And in light of this recent discussion on author output, comparison, and finding peace with my own creative processes, the timing felt right.
At the end of last year, our SCBWI-NM monthly schmooze focused on personal writing goals. During that session, I took a one-page calendar and marked out school holidays, family vacations, and other important dates I knew in advance. And then I aimed high.
Here’s what I wanted to tackle in 2013:
- research for a new picture book
- twelve new picture book manuscripts (!!!)
- six months of research for a new novel
- three months of drafting this new novel
- blog/reading goal: re-read The Complete Journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Volumes I-V and write about it here
Author Chris Eboch led a second schmooze discussion in July about reassessing our goals. I noticed a few things:
- I was already waaay off on the picture book goal.
- Due to some wonderful news, I needed to change my novel goals.
- This was all A-okay.
One of the best things I got from Chris’s talk was information on author Kristi Holl’s Rx for Writers: Managing Your Writing Space and Your Writing Time (a free mini e-book).
Kristi talks about four terms that are key to a writer’s success:
- DREAMS: not under your control
- GOALS: under your control
- SUB-GOALS: specific to-do steps under each goal
- HABITS: daily practices that support your sub-goals
The distinction between what an author can control and what she can’t is key.* For example, while aiming to nab an agent is wonderful, it’s a dream, not a goal. But there are steps (sub-goals) a writer can take to do all that is in her control in this regard, from completing a manuscript, working with critique partners to revise it, taking advantage of contests or grants that might give feedback on her work, researching agents for the best fit, writing and evaluating a query letter, and finally sending it out.
A dream that wasn’t in my control changed the course of some of my writing goals this year. Some goals, such as the twelve picture books, were way off track.
Here’s what I actually did in 2013:
- research for a new picture book
- two new picture book manuscripts
- four months of research on a new novel
- one month drafting this new novel
- work on first and second-round edits for Blue Birds
- blog/reading goal: met! Plus I read the new(ish) LMM biography, THE GIFT OF WINGS by journal co-editor, Mary Rubio
Over all, I’m pleased with this year’s work. As for next year, I’ll consider re-visiting some of those picture book ideas, work on my novels within my editor’s time table, flex when surprises come, and keep re-assessing what’s best for my work and me.
Do you set writing goals? How have you fared this year?
*Unless you’re a local superstar author who recently shared with me she likes to set goals like “I’ll sell two novels and one picture book this year”…and does just that!
First: Wow, you are organized. Second: I never reach my goals but I am getting quite good at forgiving myself. Third: What does your “local superstar author” eat for breakfast because I want some!
I try to be organized, but you should see my office right now. I like your attitude, Stasia. I think it’s great to aim high and perfectly fine to head in a different direction.
Congrats Caroline! What a productive year!!!