New Year's Resolutions

Every New Year's Eve the topic of resolutions comes up. I resist making them, but usually give in. This year I've decided to think of them as continued growth in areas that concern me.

1, Organizing my home. I've started cleaning out the old already. I finally gave up my VHS tapes. Well, most of them. They went to Good Will today along with old cups and glasses I rarely use. I still need to place old pictures into albums and scan paperwork I want to toss.

2.  Increase my writing time. I've decided to keep the laptop on my lap while watching TV if I haven't written that day. This will allow me to open the file and work at a leisurely pace. I think I procrastinate sometimes because writing is work even if it is my passion. I don't know anyone who writes a perfect draft every time.

3. Increase promotion. My new laptop is helping tremendously. The touchscreen has allowed me to place my social media on my start screen. The links are at my fingertips. This too can be accomplished during TV time. Right now, we are watching The Sopranos.

4. Diet. I already reduced my sugar intake which helped me drop ten pounds. Next, I am going to reduce snacking. Changing one area of my life at a time is the key for me.

I hope your new year is everything you want it to be whether you make a resolution or not.

Until next time,
happy reading and writing.
Tina Swayzee McCright

Writing New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions

The parties are over. The new year is here.
So...did you decide to make resolutions for 2011?
Or..did you give up because you always break them?
That was me. I usually broke them by the end of the week,
sometimes by the end of the day.

For years, the Desert Rose chapter of RWA
(Romance Writers of America) brought in a writer to
help guide us through the process of writing resolutions/goals.
Tina Gerow gives a wonderful speech on New Year's Resolutions.
(She is still in the hospital. Doing better, but could still use your
positive thoughts and/or prayers.)

Each year we wrote down our goals and
then placed them in an envelope to reread the following January.
Not once did I make my goal. Although I did create a copy
for myself, it usually ended up in a drawer.
Out of sight, out of mind.

I decided to try a new approach. These
are guidelines for myself, but feel free to try them if
you think they might work for you.

1. I WILL NOT write any resolution/goal that I have failed to
achieve many years before. (So no, losing weight will not
be on the list. If it happens, it happens, but no pressure.)
I believe adding a failed past resolution means you start the year
with a sense of defeat. We want to be optimistic.

2. Goal/resolutions must be obtainable. (Tina Gerow's advice.)
Saying you will be published or make a list is not something
you have total control over, unless you are in control of the
publishing process. For example, Tina owns her own
epub company so she can make this her goal. I don't, so I won't.
I do have control over how much I write, so that can be a goal/
resolution.

3. Stretch yourself a little with your goals, but not so much you
experience negative feelings just thinking about your goal.

4. Start with "I will..." so you are telling yourself that this is something you WILL accomplish.

5. Keep a copy of your resolutions/goals where you can see them each day.


My Resolutions/Goals for 2011
I will:
* Finish final edits on current manuscript
*Submit to agents
*Plot next book
*Complete draft of next manuscript

I wanted to put "final draft" on this last one, but
I got a negative, pressured feeling. Although
that is what I plan to accomplish, I am not going to write
a negative feeling goal. I feel good about what
I have above and I believe placing this list
next to my plotting boards will inspire me to
move forward with a positive attitude. A positive
attitude means further progress in my case.

If you choose to write resolutions/goals, good luck to you.
Regardless, I wish all of you a wonderful new year!


Until next week,
Happy Writing!
Tina LaVon