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Kelley York | Writing Goals for the Year
January 6, 2012
New Year's resolutions. Fun stuff, right? Especially for writers, because
undoubtedly we set these goals for ourselves to get so many books, pages, words,
written through the year. And if you're me, you set these unrealistic goals...and fail. Then you feel terrible. Useless, really. Down on yourself and you wonder, "Do I
even have what it takes to be a real writer?!" I have friends and acquaintances that can finish three, four books in a
single year! I've managed one book a year. That means, in three years,
they've written nine books and I've written—yep. Three. (See, I math real
well.) In my case, it usually isn't a lack of motivation (key word: usually) but
a lack of time. I don't have an uninterrupted hour a day to set aside and write.
I write mostly when I'm at work, on lunch and breaks. That's if I get
time to take a lunch or a break, which happens maybe two or three times a week.
I find setting a daily word goal for myself is a quick way to leave me
disappointed, ‘cause I might make it for two weeks, but inevitably there comes a
string of days where there just isn't time to write. For other people, it might be a lack of motivation. Maybe you're stuck on a plot
idea, a scene, a thought you don't know how to express...and you dwell on it and
fuss and stress over it. Or maybe you can't settle on an idea. I've had that
problem, too! Too many ideas, and three, four different projects calling your
name... What to work on?! Sometimes, for whatever reason, when you aren't making those goals...the fact
that you're so far behind can send us delicate writers into a downward spiral
and we get so overwhelmed that the feeling in of itself prevents us from sitting
our butts down and getting the words out. We already feel like we're failing, so
what's a little more procrastination? Which means, for 2012, I present a new writing goal for myself: enjoy
writing. That's it. No word goal. No ‘write twenty books and sell them all for a
million dollars!!' or even ‘write every day.' For some people, those
goals might be realistic. For me, they aren't. So I'm resolving to really get
back to what made me start writing to begin with. Loving it. Loving the process.
Every stage of it. First draft, edits, revisions, from start to finish. I will not worry about rushing through a first draft, because I like taking my
time in order to prevent revisions and massive edits later. I will not worry
when others write more than me. I will not worry so much about agents or
publishing. And I certainly won't worry about what people will think of my
story. There's time for that later. In the beginning, I just...want to write and
fall in love with a story and its characters. I will simply write, and I will enjoy it. Who's with me? What are your GOALS for 2012? Let us know and one commenter will win a copy
of HUSHED
Comments
20 comments posted.
Re: Kelley York | Writing Goals for the Year
to pay off bills and not hit someone i work with..
(Jennifer Beck 9:34pm January 6, 2012)
I am not a writer. I am a reader. My goal is to read 150 books this year. I work
full time or I could read more.
(Tammy Yenalavitch 10:55pm January 6, 2012)
To use coupons more often. We spend WAY too much money on groceries!
(Renee Pajda 11:46pm January 6, 2012)
My goal is similar but for walking or exercising. I never have time!!
(Molly Wilsbacher 12:27pm January 7, 2012)
My goal is to read at least one "new to me" author a month.
(Cheri Minott 2:40am January 7, 2012)
Just to be healthier .... no specific goals because they never
work!!
(Diane Brixius 9:21am January 7, 2012)
To get organized and live less stressed! Happy New Year!
(Dawn Staniszeski 9:32am January 7, 2012)
I've been running into the same problem with my knitting. The will is there. This year I would like to start making shawls, lapghans, or afghans, and take them to shelters or nursing homes to keep my late Mother's name alive. She passed away from Alzheimer's disease, and it's something I wanted to do for her. I'd also like to design some clothing that I've had in my head. As they say in our world, just take a few minutes every day to do your work. Soon you'll be in your groove, and you'll be increasing your time. Best of luck in the New Year and your writing ventures. I'm sure it'll work out fine!!
(Peggy Roberson 11:45am January 7, 2012)
HI KELLY! I'D LOVE TO WIN YOUR BOOK AS I'VE BEEN TRYING FOR
SO LONG. IT'S JUST MY LUCK TO MARRY A SCROOGE! LOL
(Linda Bass 1:18pm January 7, 2012)
My goal this year is to feel better and be well enough to keep my house clean. Between back trouble, migraines that last weeks and general sickness, I never feel up to anything anymore. I hope that changes this year.
(Patti Paonessa 2:54pm January 7, 2012)
I hope this year to learn to pace myself, to turn off the
computer at 11PM every night, and to start fewer projects and
finish more.
(Jennifer King 3:06pm January 7, 2012)
This year I am focused on being more positive and proactive (a positive way of saying "stop procrastinating!).
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 3:49pm January 7, 2012)
reading 300 books and make 52 hats
(Rhonda Laney 4:29pm January 7, 2012)
This year my goals are to discover more new authors and to read even more books (by turning off the TV--even though, I often read during commercials), to organize all my newest recipes I've copies onto recipe cards and file them, go through my closets and get rid of a few things I no longer want or wear, and to get back into my craft projects again. I enjoy crocheting, making silk floral arrangements, wreaths, Christmas ornaments, etc. I love being busy and these are my 2012 goals of which I may have additions to later. Patti P...I hope you feel better soon! I've had back trouble my entire life, migraines, fibromyalgia, etc., and I can relate to how hard it is to clean. Just do a little at a time or find someone willing to help you. I was born with a congenital spinal fusion and have degenerative discs from an accident, so I know the pain that goes with back trouble. Just don't get depressed about it, and keep telling yourself, someone has health problems much worse than you do. Keep your chin up!
(Linda Luinstra 4:37pm January 7, 2012)
I'm not one to set goals. I did enjoy reading your blog and hearing about someone else that has trouble with goals.
(Sheila True 5:54pm January 7, 2012)
my goals for 2012 are to save more money,lose weight,be a better mom and wife. those are just a few,
(Tracey Taylor 7:01pm January 7, 2012)
Hello Kelley, I am so excited about 2012 and our future too.
I would love to become a Writer like You and others. I am so
full of great ideas about our future. Also, I am trying to
get my body in better physical shape and lose a bunch of
weight too. Please enter me in your fantastic contest and
please let me know if I win too. May GOD bless You with
Success and more time each day for writing too. Thanks,
Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 7:08pm January 7, 2012)
My goal is to enjoy this last year before my son goes to college. He has lots to do to finish school and sports. I want to enjoy my time with him.
(Renee Brown 7:55pm January 7, 2012)
To stress - less, be happy...healthy.
barbbattaglia at yahoo dot com
(Barbara Battaglia 12:43pm January 9, 2012)
The first time I heard about word goals was with museconference and the NaNoWriMo (November writing contest where you write a novel in one month). The other time was my first Writers Group where the guy sitting next to me had 10,000 words while I had 2 paragraphs, the beginnings of 2 stories. I started to sweat, but a fellow colleague asked me, "Yeah 10,000 words, but are they any good?" My goal is to made time to write weekly.
(Alyson Widen 4:57pm January 11, 2012)
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