02 January 2012

A New Year ~ 2012

My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose – somehow we win out
Ronald Reagan


New Year, New Chances, New Opportunities, New Ideas...

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
Henry David Thoreau


Hello to you all!  It's been a week or so since my last post - I wholly partook of the festive holiday season with my family - but it's time to get back in the saddle.  Today marks the start of a new Round for A Round Of Words In 80 Days - as a matter of fact, it's the first round of the new year!  2012...
2012...I Said!!!!
Is anyone else staring, gaping, astonished at it?  I'm still shaking my head, unable to figure out where 2011 went, never mind digest that 2012 is already ticking off its days unabashedly.  So...it's the perfect time to join in another round and set some goals.  Productivity and achievement need encouragement in my world.

Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.
Seneca



How will you challenge yourself this year?  What goals are you setting? 

Here's what I'll be working on...

* Read through my current WIP, The Third Fate, in a week's time. 

*  Write the missing ending, tie up some loose ends, work in some ideas to polish.  I will allot three weeks to accomplish this.  Also during this time period, I will select the images I'd like to see on my cover and submit to my cover designer, Elaina Lee. 

*  Begin serious editing.  Read through 2x to scan for errors.  I think 2 weeks will be more than enough time for this.

*  Send to beta readers by February 20, 2012, with feedback requested by March 1, 2012.

*  Two weeks to scan edits and make any adjustments.  Also read through 2x again to scan for any missed errors.

*  Select next WIP storyline and begin outlining.  When I begin, I will set a deadline for completion. 

*  Begin character profiles on each of my major characters for the new WIP.  I will allot myself one week for each character, which I believe is ample time.  However, this will be the first time I will be using this method from the very beginning, and may need to adjust my goals accordingly.

*  Begin writing my new WIP once The Third Fate is sent off to beta readers.

*  Publish The Third Fate by the end of March, 2012.

There you have it!  It's going to be a challenging start to the new year, but I'm aiming high. 

The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.
Denis Watley


20 comments:

  1. Welcome back!

    These all sound like solid workable goals. I hope you meet them all. :)

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  2. Thanks, Maria! A little encouragement never hurt anyone, right? Ha! I'm ready to tackle some work after my holiday vacation. It feels good to be back. Congrats on your newest release!

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  3. Great goals, Nadja! I know you'll accomplish a lot this round. Good luck!

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  4. All the best as you move forward in 2012. I look forward to seeing The Third Fate in its final state!

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  5. Those are wonderful goals. Good luck and happy new year! :)

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  6. 2012 indeed! It seems like two days ago it was only 2011. That's quite an impressive list of goals, I salute you.
    PS- this'll be a longer year, the whole February 29th thing and all. So this one shouldn't fly by too fast.

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  7. Wonderful goals Nadja and wishing you the best with them. So exciting that you feel that close to publishing another story...whoot!

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  8. Hello my friend! I echo everyone above, great goals and how exciting that you will be publishing something this round, you are so inspiring!

    Have a great week and look forward to reading how you are getting on!

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  9. happy new year - great start with your goals - I thought only us oldies where supposed to feel time was flying by:) - good to hear a new publication is hovering there
    all the best for this week

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  10. Welcome back!
    I'm with you, still wondering where 2011 went ... I can't believe we're at 2012 already!
    You've got many exciting goals! Woot, hope you achieve them all and more!
    Good luck!

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  11. Good goals! Looking forward to seeing how you do! :)

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  12. Oh! Thanks. It's shaping up to be a busy year for everyone, I see. It's great to be back!

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  13. great quote! and good luck getting that new book up and running :)

    -gina

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  14. Welcome back and Happy New Year. Sounds like you are going to hit this year off and running in the writing. I sure look forward to seeing your new story progress to the published stage. Got to hand it to you, you are a woman who has an aim at the port which you'd like to dock. :-)

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  15. Good luck with your goals this round! Happy New Year. :)

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  16. You are all just great! It is a big start - but such fun! You all have some amazing goals up before you, too.
    Have a great week - I'll see you on Sunday.

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  17. Great goal, Nadja. Good luck with accomplishing all of them. I haven't posted mine yet, yikes.

    Happy New Year!

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  18. Hi, Nadja. I'm a first-timer ROW80 participant.
    What a busy start of the year! But your goals are clear and doable. Good luck!

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  19. Looking forward to your goals post, Angela!

    Nice to meet you, Fabio! Welcome to ROW80.

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