October marks the beginning of the final quarter of the year. ?Time to evaluate where I am on my goals and either push myself harder or modify what’s left to accomplish.
Goal 1: I will finish two of my manuscripts and begin seriously seeking publication. ?Modified in June: ?Finish one manuscript.
I need to kick my butt big time on this one. ?I need to pick a direction and go with it as I have everything solid until I hit this one point, then I have three different versions from there. ?Maybe a writing group or support would help me on this one.
To also get some pen pushing going I’ve signed up to be a part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). ?This will involve writing a 50,000 word or more novel in one month, not using any manuscript I’ve already got in?existence. ?I’m allowed to have ideas and right now that’s all I have. ?I’ll be using an idea that has been hanging out at the back of my mind, but that hasn’t developed past that. ?This will be quite an experiment.
Goal 2: I will read the six books that have been sitting on my night stand taunting me. ?Did not modify in June: Had read one and was beginning on another at that time.
I’ve been rereading, but not reading the books that have been unread until September. ?In September a friend and I began the Dark Jane Austen Book Club. ?It is an on-line book club open to anyone interested in joining us as we read through and discuss the works of Jane Austen, the monster infused retellings of her novels, and more. ?September got us started with Pride and Prejudice AND Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. ?October we will be discussing them some more with the addition of Dawn of the Dreadfuls and Dreadfully Ever After, both of which are intended to be part of the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Trilogy from Quirk Classics.
For my reading goal, this means I have now read two of the books that had been sitting on that night stand as part of this book club. ?I have also read the last three Anita Blake novels by Laurell K. Hamilton that had been on my reading list, though not on my night stand. ?My reading is coming along in?spurts, but I’ve made it a point to read a little each day now.
Goal 3: I will write something every day regardless of whether it is for work or a personal project. ?On target as of June.
I remain on target with this one. ?Now if I could just make myself focus on writing more for that manuscript of mine, I’d be getting somewhere.
Goal 4: I will deliver the killing blow to some creature in a D&D game. ?Accomplished as of June.
Sadly, in light of all the stress of managing the other aspects of my life at present I’ve had to withdraw from my D&D play group. ?Even though I Skyped in and never actually sat around the table with the guys, even that has become too much to balance. ?I really am disappointed about that, but they play on and hopefully my character will live on as an NPC.
Goal 5: I will try at least five new blends of coffee while out with a friend. ?One away from accomplishment as of June.
This was totally accomplished with the discovery of my new favorite blend Mocha Coconut Latte. ?Since then I have settled with it until it either is no longer offered or a new flavor is introduced that must be tried.
Goal 6: I will take at least one kid free mini-vacation. ?Accomplished prior to June.
Even though it had been accomplished, I did get one overnight adult slumber party with two of my best gal pals. ?It was pure bliss to have a bed all to myself in a very quiet room.
I can see where I’m challenged in my life. ?Without making excuses, I have been paying attention to the things that have been out of my control, but that required my attention that have hindered my goal accomplishing efforts. ?That doesn’t mean that I set myself up, but there are always some things you just don’t and can’t plan on before hand. ?So going forward from this point I’ll be stressing a little. ?I have a few projects on my plate that are important, which push my manuscript writing back a little in addition to the?conundrum of having to pick a direction. ?Send me good vibes, people. ?I’ll take what I can get and I push myself to do what I can.
How are you doing with your goals? ?Have you been keeping up?
*Photo: Montmartre by John Althouse Cohen, obtained through Flickr.
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