My 2012 Goals, now with more !!
In 2012, I'm going to open every blog post with--
*maniacal laughter*
Okay, maybe not. There may come a time when maniacal laughter will be an inappropriate way to open a blog post, but still...after the butt whooping I gave the goals (and even the half formed promises) of 2011, I'm feeling gutsy about 2012.
But first...a look back...
*wavy lines fill your screen as you glance back into the past...*
So here's my post from last year: http://staceyjayya.blogspot.com/2011/01/thoughts-for-new-year.html In this post I had 8 goals:
Sort Of Not Really GOAL 1: I told you I probably wouldn't have time to write a Megan Berry novel/novella, but that I would try, but that I wasn't promising anything.
Outcome of SONRG 1: I wrote this-->
VALENTINE'S DAY OF THE UNDEAD is a Megan Berry novella that (for me) ties up the loose ends from UNDEAD MUCH? and leaves Megan and companions in an interesting, but not dire, place. It was fun to write, and I've received emails that assure me it is fun to read, as well. Happy Ending for everyone except the people who keep writing me demanding more Megan Berry. To those readers I must simply say, I'm sorry, but the sales just aren't there.
In an effort to be completely transparent I'll tell you numbers. VALENTINE'S DAY OF THE UNDEAD sold 320 units this year (which is great!). But YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME has sold 26,000 copies to date and the sequel roughly half that. The numbers for the self pubbed book can't compare, and I can't justify taking the time to write and self publish more Megan Berry books at this time. If I self publish anything this year, it will probably be a different project.
Don't shoot the messenger, okay! I'm a creative person and a storyteller and a lover of Megan (she's like my much younger sister who I wish all good things for), but I am also a businesswoman. I run a business, look after a career, and have to make decisions that will enable me to keep earning money for my family.
So, anyway, bad news if you are one of the people who writes me email about Megan, but good news for New Year's Goals! I fulfilled a goal that wasn't even a goal! *gives self rare pat on back*
GOAL NUMBER 2: Get off Ambien
Outcome G2: After two promising starts that backslid into failures, I have now been sleep aid free (no Ambien or the Chinese herbs I was taking after I got off the Ambien) for two whole months. Not total victory, but this is the longest I've made it in years. Feeling optimistic enough that I'm not going to list this as a goal for 2012. Going to call 'er done and cross my fingers I've seen the last of chronic insomnia.
GOAL NUMBER 3: Have a big adventure.
Outcome G3: Well, no big adventures were had, but we had several small adventures, so I'm going to add those up and call number 3 a win as well. *high fives self* (Actually did that. It looks a lot like clapping...)
GOAL NUMBER 4: Be a joiner
Outcome G4: Joined SCBWI and it changed my writing life. It's an amazing organization that lifted my soul up and breathed new life into it when I thought for certain I had no more enthusiasm left in my entire body. So grateful that I found them in time.
GOAL NUMBER 5 and 6: More music, fewer apologies.
Outcome G5/6: More music, check (found some amazing new bands and old stuff I'd missed). Fewer apologies, also check, but still working on that one.
GOAL NUMBER 7: A dozen new things.
Outcome: I didn't make it to a dozen, but I did go camping for the 1st through 5th times. And I did train for Roller Derby tryouts (though I ended up not trying out when we moved and I realized I'd never be able to drive 45 minutes home after practice at 11:00 at night. A night owl, I am not). I also got back on my bicycle and my hubs and I were regularly taking 4 hour rides before the weather got too chilly. I also got waaaayyyy into acupuncture (getting stuck with needles once a week is relaxing as all get out, I swear it is). And I also spoke at my first book club meeting (eep!) and self published my first book and competed in my first creepy cake off.
So if I count each camping excursion, I made it to....11 new things, which isn't bad.
GOAL NUMBER 8: Read more
Outcome: My goal was 35 books, I made it to 58! It was an amazing reading year, too. See my previous post for my top ten of the year.
*wavy lines fill your screen as you are sucked back into the present*
Now! My favorite part!
2012 GOALS!!!! (Now with more !!)
Goal One: Read even MORE books. I'm aiming for 60 this year.
Goal Two: Go back to ballet class at least 3 times. I've found an adult class not too far away and I'm going to do it. I miss dancing so, so much. I need it back in my life before I get too old and inflexible.
Goal Three: Avoid becoming old and inflexible, which will include a three pronged attack of a) eating a bit healthier b) doing Yoga once a week and c) taking two days off per week to get out and about and out of my chair and LIVE because after writing 6 books in the past 18 months I have not had as much chance to do that as I would like.
Goal Four: Write fewer books. I'm going to aim for 2 and 1/2. And if I happen to write more, okay. If not, then I'm just a winner! And a goal achiever. (See how I'm setting myself up for WIN!)
Goal Five: Set myself up for WIN! Also a multi-pronged attack that will involve:
a) staying off Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and any other place that reviews my books. I'll read a few reviews here and there, I'm sure, but I can't read them all anymore. I write the very best book I can write, but once it's on the shelves, it's over. I can't change the book, I can only keep trying to tell better stories, and I already do that so... Yeah. I need my self esteem to remain fairly healthy in order to be a productive writer. And I find it hard to hold onto self esteem in the face of stars. Even 10 five star reviews can not banish the one star review from my brain, you know? So I must understand my brain and take brain protective measures. *pets brain* *good brain* *have some salmon and blueberries<--brain foods*
b) Finding more soul feeding ways to procrastinate on the internet. I'm going to procrastinate. I can admit that. But now I've found creative ways to procrastinate! I'll share more on that in a post very soon.
c) Continue to make more writer friends. I made some great new friends this year and I'm so grateful for them. There are times when a writer friend is the only thing standing between you and certain insanity. Thank you writer friends. I heart you.
d) Learn to say no. Some months I have time for interviews, some I don't. Sometimes, I have money to send goodies, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I need to say no. I'm going to learn how to do that and not feel badly in 2012.
Goal Six: Spend at least one day a week spoiling my kids with attention. I'm pretty good about giving attention, but I want to be better. They are growing up waaaaayyyyy too fast.
Goal Seven: Take more pictures. Take a photography class if I can make the time. (So I can more beautifully document the growing up of Loinfruits the Elder and Younger.)
Goal Eight: Learn to speak Spanish (at least conversationally), take a cartooning class and write/illustrate a comic strip, do something wild and untamed that I've never done before, get out of the country (and back in without incident), write and submit something unexpected, hang pretty things from the ceiling in my office, dress in costume on days that are not Halloween, learn how to play the ukulele and start an all girl folk band.
(Had to put goal eight in there, just to really give myself a challenge ;).)
Goal Nine: Spread some loving kindness.
And that's that. I have two more top secret goals, but they are top secret and so I can't share them because that's the definition of secret. If one of them happens to be achieved, however, I'll let you know.
Anyone else want to share a goal for the year? I've been trolling the internet and reading lots of good lists, but would love to hear from you all.
Many good vibes and beautiful wishes for you in 2012
Stacey Jay
*maniacal laughter*
Okay, maybe not. There may come a time when maniacal laughter will be an inappropriate way to open a blog post, but still...after the butt whooping I gave the goals (and even the half formed promises) of 2011, I'm feeling gutsy about 2012.
But first...a look back...
*wavy lines fill your screen as you glance back into the past...*
So here's my post from last year: http://staceyjayya.blogspot.com/2011/01/thoughts-for-new-year.html In this post I had 8 goals:
Sort Of Not Really GOAL 1: I told you I probably wouldn't have time to write a Megan Berry novel/novella, but that I would try, but that I wasn't promising anything.
Outcome of SONRG 1: I wrote this-->
VALENTINE'S DAY OF THE UNDEAD is a Megan Berry novella that (for me) ties up the loose ends from UNDEAD MUCH? and leaves Megan and companions in an interesting, but not dire, place. It was fun to write, and I've received emails that assure me it is fun to read, as well. Happy Ending for everyone except the people who keep writing me demanding more Megan Berry. To those readers I must simply say, I'm sorry, but the sales just aren't there.
In an effort to be completely transparent I'll tell you numbers. VALENTINE'S DAY OF THE UNDEAD sold 320 units this year (which is great!). But YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME has sold 26,000 copies to date and the sequel roughly half that. The numbers for the self pubbed book can't compare, and I can't justify taking the time to write and self publish more Megan Berry books at this time. If I self publish anything this year, it will probably be a different project.
Don't shoot the messenger, okay! I'm a creative person and a storyteller and a lover of Megan (she's like my much younger sister who I wish all good things for), but I am also a businesswoman. I run a business, look after a career, and have to make decisions that will enable me to keep earning money for my family.
So, anyway, bad news if you are one of the people who writes me email about Megan, but good news for New Year's Goals! I fulfilled a goal that wasn't even a goal! *gives self rare pat on back*
GOAL NUMBER 2: Get off Ambien
Outcome G2: After two promising starts that backslid into failures, I have now been sleep aid free (no Ambien or the Chinese herbs I was taking after I got off the Ambien) for two whole months. Not total victory, but this is the longest I've made it in years. Feeling optimistic enough that I'm not going to list this as a goal for 2012. Going to call 'er done and cross my fingers I've seen the last of chronic insomnia.
GOAL NUMBER 3: Have a big adventure.
Outcome G3: Well, no big adventures were had, but we had several small adventures, so I'm going to add those up and call number 3 a win as well. *high fives self* (Actually did that. It looks a lot like clapping...)
GOAL NUMBER 4: Be a joiner
Outcome G4: Joined SCBWI and it changed my writing life. It's an amazing organization that lifted my soul up and breathed new life into it when I thought for certain I had no more enthusiasm left in my entire body. So grateful that I found them in time.
GOAL NUMBER 5 and 6: More music, fewer apologies.
Outcome G5/6: More music, check (found some amazing new bands and old stuff I'd missed). Fewer apologies, also check, but still working on that one.
GOAL NUMBER 7: A dozen new things.
Outcome: I didn't make it to a dozen, but I did go camping for the 1st through 5th times. And I did train for Roller Derby tryouts (though I ended up not trying out when we moved and I realized I'd never be able to drive 45 minutes home after practice at 11:00 at night. A night owl, I am not). I also got back on my bicycle and my hubs and I were regularly taking 4 hour rides before the weather got too chilly. I also got waaaayyyy into acupuncture (getting stuck with needles once a week is relaxing as all get out, I swear it is). And I also spoke at my first book club meeting (eep!) and self published my first book and competed in my first creepy cake off.
So if I count each camping excursion, I made it to....11 new things, which isn't bad.
GOAL NUMBER 8: Read more
Outcome: My goal was 35 books, I made it to 58! It was an amazing reading year, too. See my previous post for my top ten of the year.
*wavy lines fill your screen as you are sucked back into the present*
Now! My favorite part!
2012 GOALS!!!! (Now with more !!)
Goal One: Read even MORE books. I'm aiming for 60 this year.
Goal Two: Go back to ballet class at least 3 times. I've found an adult class not too far away and I'm going to do it. I miss dancing so, so much. I need it back in my life before I get too old and inflexible.
Goal Three: Avoid becoming old and inflexible, which will include a three pronged attack of a) eating a bit healthier b) doing Yoga once a week and c) taking two days off per week to get out and about and out of my chair and LIVE because after writing 6 books in the past 18 months I have not had as much chance to do that as I would like.
Goal Four: Write fewer books. I'm going to aim for 2 and 1/2. And if I happen to write more, okay. If not, then I'm just a winner! And a goal achiever. (See how I'm setting myself up for WIN!)
Goal Five: Set myself up for WIN! Also a multi-pronged attack that will involve:
a) staying off Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and any other place that reviews my books. I'll read a few reviews here and there, I'm sure, but I can't read them all anymore. I write the very best book I can write, but once it's on the shelves, it's over. I can't change the book, I can only keep trying to tell better stories, and I already do that so... Yeah. I need my self esteem to remain fairly healthy in order to be a productive writer. And I find it hard to hold onto self esteem in the face of stars. Even 10 five star reviews can not banish the one star review from my brain, you know? So I must understand my brain and take brain protective measures. *pets brain* *good brain* *have some salmon and blueberries<--brain foods*
b) Finding more soul feeding ways to procrastinate on the internet. I'm going to procrastinate. I can admit that. But now I've found creative ways to procrastinate! I'll share more on that in a post very soon.
c) Continue to make more writer friends. I made some great new friends this year and I'm so grateful for them. There are times when a writer friend is the only thing standing between you and certain insanity. Thank you writer friends. I heart you.
d) Learn to say no. Some months I have time for interviews, some I don't. Sometimes, I have money to send goodies, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I need to say no. I'm going to learn how to do that and not feel badly in 2012.
Goal Six: Spend at least one day a week spoiling my kids with attention. I'm pretty good about giving attention, but I want to be better. They are growing up waaaaayyyyy too fast.
Goal Seven: Take more pictures. Take a photography class if I can make the time. (So I can more beautifully document the growing up of Loinfruits the Elder and Younger.)
Goal Eight: Learn to speak Spanish (at least conversationally), take a cartooning class and write/illustrate a comic strip, do something wild and untamed that I've never done before, get out of the country (and back in without incident), write and submit something unexpected, hang pretty things from the ceiling in my office, dress in costume on days that are not Halloween, learn how to play the ukulele and start an all girl folk band.
(Had to put goal eight in there, just to really give myself a challenge ;).)
Goal Nine: Spread some loving kindness.
And that's that. I have two more top secret goals, but they are top secret and so I can't share them because that's the definition of secret. If one of them happens to be achieved, however, I'll let you know.
Anyone else want to share a goal for the year? I've been trolling the internet and reading lots of good lists, but would love to hear from you all.
Many good vibes and beautiful wishes for you in 2012
Stacey Jay