Surprise Topic of the Week - It Was [or not] a Very Good Year

[jer_bear711]

I said there'd probably be no Topic of the Week this week due to holiday laziness.  But I just posted a review of my 2008 goals to my personal LJ and thought it would make a fun topic for this last week of the year

Comments

[crimson_angel]

I made most of my goals for this year. One was a rewrite of a novel I want to sell, another is a big chunk (almost 50k) on an older project (although I wanted to finish it this year...), and another was to write a novella. One that I didn't plan on was participating in NaNo, and got 54k done of that novel.

I like setting goals b/c it keeps me focused. Now if something sells, it all goes out the window, but I try. ;)

Cheers,
CA

[jer_bear711]

I agree about the focus. There's no crime in changing goals once outside forces (like sales!) come into play. At least, I think it's not even a misdemeanor.

Good for you on NaNo! I swear I'm doing that this year (unless deadlines interfere--see, flexible!:-).

[kellymeding]

2008 began with the same goals I've had for the last few years: 1) get a good agent, and 2) never stop writing.

Strangely, Goal #2 saw less progress. I finished three manuscripts in 2007, and while I started three this year, I've only managed to complete one. *bad writer!*

I obviously had more success with Goal #1, gaining not only a super agent, but also a two-book contract. Looking back at this time last year, I never would have expected to be where I am now.

Other goals I set tend to be on a month-by-month basis. It's easier to feel as though I'm making progress that way. Goals on word count, books read, and other things are easier to keep focused in my head when I break them down into monthly chunks.

[jessaslade]

I'd say super agent + 2-book contract = GOOD writer.

[kellymeding]

LOL! I suppose I should change "bad" to "undisciplined and a little schizo in 2008."

*g*

[jer_bear711]

I think it's safe to say all your work in 2007 paid off in 2008. :-)

But seriously, progress comes in all forms. Some years we crank out a bajillion words. Other years are for "rebuilding," as they say in sports.

[jer_bear711]

How's that Tori Amos song go? "Pretty Good Year." Or, in your case, FABULOUSLY good year. :-)

[templarwolf]

I failed miserably.

I didn't even finish Nano. Granted, that had more to do with losing the flash drive which held my Nano than my motivation...I was on course.

On the other hand, instead of Nano, I wrote 48 pages for what was supposed to be a 10-12 page paper for my "Anthropology of the Sinister" class...

[jer_bear711]

Oh, man, that sucks about the flash drive. *pats shoulder*

That class sounds amazing!

[jackiekessler]

The big thing I discovered about myself is that it's good to set some unreasonable goals. Because when you accomplish them? You feel like you can do anything. :)

[jer_bear711]

Not to mention blow the minds of your Twitter followers. ;-)