Goals, not resolutions

Image by Ginger Nielson, one of my favorite illustrators

     Another year has dawned, and ready or not, here we go. Some people make resolutions, but I don't any more because I always broke any resolutions I made. Now I make goals, because even if I don't make them completely, I've moved forward because I tried to reach the goal.

     My goals for 2012 are personal, business, and writing. No, although the three may be connected, they are not the same.

     Personal goals include finding ways for Robert and me to spend more quality time together, working or playing together. I want to walk closer to God. I want to pray for my family more. I want to spend more time with my family.

     Business goals include searching for ways to increase financial stability; give authors, illustrators, and staff more; add to our staff; and hopefully continue publishing quality books.

     Writing goals include finishing at least three of the projects I've begun.

     Hopes include placing in several categories in the OWFI writing competition. I entered ten categories, but winners are not announced until the Saturday night banquet of the conference.

     Another hope is for 4RV Publishing and some of the categories that 4RV books and staff members are nominated for the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll take first place. Votes are needed for that to happen.
     Science Fiction - Time Pullers by Horton Deakins
      http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelsf.shtml

      Children's - Walking Through Walls by Karen Cioffi illustrated by Aidana WillowRaven
                        Gunther the Underwater Elephant by Ginger Nielson
       http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelchildrens.shtml

     Other Novels - Sparrow Alone on the Housetop by Jean James and Mary James
        http://critters.org/predpoll/novel.shtml

      Print Book and e Publishing ( yes, both) - 4RV Publishing
       http://www.critters.org/predpoll/ebookpublisher.shtml
 
      All I can do now is work toward each goal.

Writing Goals

I'm the president of an OWFI (Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc) affiliate named Pen and Keyboard Writers. We try to help each other improve our writing through critiques and reviews and supporting each other's works.

One thing we did a few months back was to list our writing goals. Putting one's realistic goals in writing helps to make them real, the first step in reaching them.

My goals included the following:
1. Attend more conferences and book festivals, at least three per year. So far this year I've attended two conferences counting the Muse Online Writers conference this week. I've participated in the North Texas Book Festival and the Decatur (GA) Book Festival.

2. Finish Prairie Dog Cowboy and enter it in competition. The book is finished and will be entered in several competitions:
Western Heritage Book Award, North Texas Book Award, and OWFI Awards.

3. Prepare at least five entries for the OWFI writing competition.

4. Begin the sequel to Midnight Hours. I have a title Darkest before Dawn and a general idea of the main conflict.

At the Pen and Keyboard meeting Saturday, we're going to share our progress toward meeting at least one goal. I think I've done well so far.


Cross posted on Vivian's Site.