It's Thursday Already?

Thursday, June 05, 2008 by Bethany

I'm a big fan or writing goals. Granted, I don't make them daily any more (with children getting in a shower on a daily basis is hard enough), but I do try to make them weekly. It keeps me writing and at least aiming for some amount of content to get done.

Now, before you even think I am some sorta Super Mom (far, far, far from it), I rarely make these personal goals. Not unless it is a deadline sorta thing and I might lose a gig or say, miss an appointed timeline for an agent/editor. Then I do EVERYTHING I can to make those goals. The other ones? Those are personal writing goals. Stuff I try to make myself do in order to one day get a book published. Or get my name out in the world of authors, agents, editors--publishing. So "making" the goals are based on my self-evaluation. And with two children in tow and a day job. Well, we have to be a little flexible in these parts.

But, when I DO make them, well it is cause for celebration. Which, for this week won't be really happening. I had wanted to outline out (by outline, I mean loose plot points) a new book idea. One that is a bit of a break for my normal writing but fun at the same time. And by pure luck, I just realized it's Thursday. All that is written is a title in a word processing document and a few items of note on a notebook piece of paper. Wish I could tell you that is an improvement from last week, but it's as far as I had gotten then.

I have a ton of excuses if you want to hear them (new preschool arrangements, grocery shopping, the day job, a clingy baby on a new schedule, a 5 year old getting ready for day summer camp), but I am sure they will pale in comparison to other writer schedules who actually wrote this week. So, I will leave you while I eat some humble pie. And see how I can manage to actually write this weekend while I am single-parenting it (husband's off for fun, sun, beer, and golf) and have the two kids in tow on my own. Then again, I could hire a sitter for a few hours...

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2 Year Countdown

Thursday, January 10, 2008 by Bethany

Yep, that's the timeline I'm demanding of myself for this ole writing gig. Or the whole Corporate gig. Depends on how you look at it. By the time my daughter is rearing for preschool, I'm aiming to have my head above water with my fiction writing, as well as some articles under my belt (read editorial contacts) so that I can quit the Corporate thing and be on my own.

Yep. On. My. Own.

Do I love my job? Sure, I like it plenty. I get charged by it. Sometimes super-charged. But most days? Well, I get annoyed with people. I wonder what I am doing spinning my ever-ready wheels about the tediousness called marketing, writing, and product groups, when really, I want to be writing. Or talking about writing. Or talking about talking about writing. And not just any old writing--MY writing. So why not give myself a lofty goal. Then I have to commit to the insanity. And admit to myself that this writing thing is not just a night-time hobby. But a real, live goal that I will have to accountable for.

So, who's with me? Ready to kick some virtual ass? Because I swear, this little goal of mine, when it happens (notice the positive thinking there), it's going to be one hell of a celebration. And you'll be the first to know about it. Let the countdown, begin... now.

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Outlined to Death

Monday, December 03, 2007 by Bethany

Remember those writing goals? Well, yeah. It's been over 4 weeks and I wish I had more to report. See, that is the thing with reporting to the world your goals. Your held accountable. To which, I can now report I am (still) behind. But at least the outline is done!

Yes, numero uno on my list is finally complete. Sure I set a 2 week goal (meaning Nov. 16) and I am... ummm...more than a few days (weeks) late--and was hoping for a one week completion date. I would have been ahead of schedule. A nice little trick I learned from Corporate America. Set expectations that are very doable and then beat the expectation to look fan-tabulous.

Well, okay. It doesn't always work that way. And it really doesn't matter with this book, since I'd only be impressing myself. But hey, it was a goal. What is a girl to do? Anyway, at least I am still somewhat on track. And with Thanksgiving and my start back at work this week. Well, I'll need all the positive thinking I can muster. The end of the year is approaching and I have the first half of the book to complete.

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It's Monday.

Monday, April 02, 2007 by Bethany

Honestly, I wish I had more to report but it's all I got.

Oh and the weather that is supposed to turn to rain and nasty? Psffft! Give me sunshine. I'll need it for some super-uber writing inspiration.

Latest goal: finish next book (at least first draft, hopefully second) by the time the baby arrives. I've got about 5 months left. Anyone game for some betting action?

Something about the weather, summer, and all those family barbeques the prime my writing brain. You know, nothing like locking myself indoors when the weather is the most inviting.

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