Tuesday Check In

Tuesday Check In

I know, I normally check in on Monday’s, but it is a new year. Since I check in on Tuesday’s with my TARA group, I thought it might be easier to do it on the same day here as well. The excel spreadsheet won’t be as pretty (yellow for Monday’s and pink for Tuesday’s), but it will be easier to keep track of. :)

I’m still in revision land and can I say that this is not my happy place. I like the changes I’m making; however, it’s long a tedious to get through them. Since I need to have the hard copy in front of me to write on, it takes twice as long. Write on the hard copy and then go to the computer and put in the changes.

So, here is the word count for the week. 582, yep, that is it. Which is okay, since I’ve cut words, rearranged some scenes. I finished with chapter six last night, actually putting it in the computer. I have chapter seven done on the hard copy and will work on it tonight.

My goal for this week: Finish four more chapters (7 – 11), work on the synopsis (yuck), and write the query letter. Oh, and also work on the upcoming writers retreat, my local chapter is having the first week in February and finish working on the by-laws. Yep, by-laws for our chapter according to the new ones sent out by RWA. We have to make sure ours reads accordingly.

Add that to changes happening at the day job and life is busy.

How about you? Have you started your goals for 2008? Did you write this past week? Think about it? Plot out your new book? Or are you in revision land as well?

In February I will start the contest again, so if there is a book you would like to see offered let me know.


Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

PS. Check out the Manuscript Mavens this week. They are doing tips for writers all week. Yesterday was Maven Erica and it was fabulous.

PSS. Over on Predators and Editors, Predpoll, they have poll and not only are the Mavens there, so am I. How cool is that. If you haven’t voted, go over and take a look and vote. :)

Goals - Wants - Goals - Wants...No, it's Goals

I’ve been thinking about goals and what mine are for the coming year. When does it become a goal or when is it really a want? Are the two the same thing? I don’t think so.

A goal is something you write down and purpose to work hard to achieve. A want is just that, something you want. Oh you might work for it a little, but if it becomes hard to get will you continue because you want it, or will you stop, saying, didn’t really want it all that bad anyway?

For me, the one of the biggest differences is the wants are usually the things that are not so easily obtainable. Not only do I want to have my book published, I want it to go to auction, and I want it to make the NYT best sellers list. Whew…I don’t know about you, but that made me tired just writing it.

It is not that any of those, or for that matter all of those things above could happen. Will they all happen first time out the gate? Probably not, but they could. The bigger thing here is; what am I willing to do to make them happen.

Okay, I can not make editors go to auction over the book and I can not make the book hit the NYT list (unless I want to fly all across America and spend lots of money). So, those are wants, not goals.

What I can do is this. Write everyday or at least almost everyday. Work on the edits of the current book, like I have a deadline with an editor. Send it out to the requested agent and editor (from back in July at conference). Then start on the next book. Again, write everyday until it’s finished and then edit and do it again.

Learn something new about the craft or business each month this year. And read more books than I did last year.

Those are goals, those are things that I can do and not fail at. OMG, did I just say that. My goal needs to be something I can’t fail at? Yes, it does. Does it need to stretch me? Oh yeah, you bet they should, but if they are so hard that I quit, then what was the point of making it.

Now, that I’ve said all of that, here is the other thing. Write them down. Type them, it doesn’t matter, just get them down and in front of you. Speak them out loud, at least once a week. And don’t just speak them. See yourself making them happen.

No, this isn’t some crazy mumbo jumbo, for those of you who think it is. This is believing in yourself. The words said out loud have power in them. More than you think. If you can believe it…you can do it. Yeah, I know, there is a song sort of like that, but it’s true.

Here’s the thing. My mom always told me to reach for the moon, because if I didn’t make the moon, I would make the stars.

So, my 2008 wish for all of you is that you will stretch yourself, writing, editing, and sending it out. That you will read your goals and believe you can do them. But you will also, realize that to make the wants a possible reality in your life you will have to work to do the goals. That and lots of moon and star landings!!

How about you?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Happy New Years a Little Early and a Saturday Check Out

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Years. I'll be back later on to talk about...whatelse...goals for the new year. More than likely you'll be seeing this same topic on bunches of blogs. It's the new year though and that's what we do. Of course if you look in the tiny print you'll see the normal, must lose weight goal. :)

Anyway, check out this link. Phyllis Middleton is a pre-published author (her words,and I love them), who has great insight on how to write the crime scenes in your books. She is also has some great workshops coming up for any of us who are writing books with said crime scenes.

I'd tell you more about her and her life, but go check it out. I know, I'll be keeping her contact info. There are times when you just need to know about fingerprints, crime scene tape, and oh so much more. :D

Happy New Years to all of you,

Vicki

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope that each of you have a wonderful day. That you enjoy your gifts, and remember that the best gift of all is time spent with family and friends.

If I could send you a gift through the internet, it would be blessings for your home and lot's of words flowing from your fingers. :)

There are so many of you who I only know through our blog world and yet you've each become a special friend who means the world to me.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Vicki

The Gratitude Campaign

A friend sent this video to me and I thought it was worth sharing. Regardless of our views on war, it breaks my heart to think of the families who will be without their loved ones during the holidays (or any other time).

Our men and women who are there may or may not agree with our own individual view points of this war but one thing I pretty sure is it touches their hearts to have someone say, thank you. This is such a simple way to do it.

Again, not going political here at all, but this touched me and I thought it might touch you as well.



I'm busy working on edits and will up date the meter soon. I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful holiday season. Of course the gifts are fun and we love to rip the paper but my biggest wish is for you to enjoy your family and friends during this time. :)

WW's and PD's to all my friends in our amazing blog world. Each of you mean so much!

Vicki

Not So Much Cold Here Now...

Our weather in Sunny Florida changes by the hour. Not the day or week but the hour. You could leave your home in the morning and it's cold (our cold)but by the time you get settled into your office and go outside for break you find you no longer need that long sleeve sweater. In fact, now you're wishing for the short sleeve blouse you eyed in the closet this morning. I really don't like this kind of weather. I. Want. Seasons. Not that I'm going to get them but still a girls gotta dream.

I found a great blog for writers. Edittorrent had wonderful advice on writing. Check it out and let me know what you think. As I have said before, you must continue to improve your craft. Just when you think you got it, that's when you'll read something and a little (or huge) nugget will be sitting there shinning bright, just for you.

The presents are wrapped. The ones that are being mailed today anyway. I've got fingers crossed they will make it by Christmas. The Post Office says yes so I'm praying they are correct. Next year? Present for out of town bought and mailed earlier or it's gift cards. :)

Gotta go do the work holiday lunch thing today so I'll be back later.

Let me know if you checked out the site.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Baby It's Cold Outside...

It’s finally cold here. I know, for all of you who are up north this isn’t considered cold, but us in the South 45 degrees is cold. We pull out the boots, long coats, gloves, and whatever we can to wear since we might be back in the 80’s in a couple of days.

However long it last I’m going to enjoy it to the fullest! Hot weather does not make me feel like Christmas even though I’ve lived here all my life.

Laurie K. and I had another mega shopping day on Saturday but I can honestly say, I’m done. Wrapping is a whole other story. Tonight I must wrap everything that has to go in the mail tomorrow. Remember wrapping is not my favorite thing to do. I mean I love them once there done. I don’t use store bought bows but make my own, so they pretty good once the product is finished. Hmmmm…maybe I should be using the store bought ones. Takes less time. Nah, I like them this way better. :)

I did manage to work on AT&B this weekend but not near enough. After reading Erica’s blog, I was reminded of setting my goal or deadline if you will.

This means I have tonight to wrap and then maybe finished the book I’m reading. Tomorrow everything will once again revolve around the book until I’ve shinned that baby as much as I possible can.

So how was your weekend? Are you finally finished like I am or still waiting to shop?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki