Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Friday, December 31, 2010

Welcome, Welcome, Twenty-'leven

So, what do you think we should call the new year? Two-thousand Eleven? Oh-eleven? Just plain Eleven? I'm going with Twenty-'leven.

2011 will hold, among other things, my oldest child graduating from high school and going off to college, and my fortieth birthday. One consolation is that my fortieth birthday will be on 9-10-11. Really, who could ask for a better date for a fortieth birthday than that? Also come fall, I will have children in every level of school from pre-school through college. Nice, huh?

I feel like I should report at this point on my Big Goal. You know, the one over there on the sidebar with the countdown clock? If you don't want to scroll down and see it, I'll just tell you. It says, "Within two years, I will have a novel published or at least have a contract. Also, I will be presenting at a local writing conference." Well, sometimes I think I ought to just remove that from the blog and pretend I never said it. No novel contract as of yet. But not for lack of trying.

I haven't been invited to present at any conferences, however I am going to be on some panels at Life, the Universe and Everything at BYU next month. I am trying to act all nonchalant about this. Just a few panels. No big deal. Inside though, I'm doing a major happy dance. This is really a long-held dream come true for me. (Squeeeee! Okay, back to being cool.) If you're in the area and want to come see me on some panels, LTUE is Feb. 17-19 on the BYU campus. Anyway, I figure it's a step in the right direction. And since my novel is still out on submission, I won't give up on the novel contract part just yet either.

Now, on to the Twenty-'leven writing goals:

Keep Writing
Keep Submitting
Finish "Refuge" in January
Write another novel

Yes, I'll be starting off the year with another novella challenge like I did in October. Shall we see if I can beat the PR I set then? "Refuge" is the third and final part of my three novella series of prequels to my novels. What novel I will write after that remains a mystery to me.

What big plans do you have for the next year?

Let's make it the best year ever!

15 comments:

Angela said...

What great goals. Good luck!

Theresa Milstein said...

How cool your birthday will be 9-10-11. Happy New Year, Angie!

Golden Eagle said...

Good luck with your goals!

I hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Jan Markley said...

Love your short term goals. Keep the long term side-bar goals up - it will give you a goal on the horizon to keep striving for!

T. M. Hunter said...

Good luck with your 2011 goals...your comments on the contract and conference speaking goals remind me that I need to make sure my goals are strictly based on my own doing, and not dependent on someone else.

My goals for next year are simple:

Finish the final draft of my third full-length Aston novel.

Finish the first draft of the fourth.

Finish 12 new stories

Submit 12 stories.

Nicole said...

*gasp* wow I hadn't seen the new blog picture yet - what a beauty!
My resolution this year is to write book two and get it published. I'm so ecstatic to be able to say that The Arrival, book one, is on Amazon! 18 months of hard work and my baby is visible to the world *gulp* super scary and super exciting :)

Happy New Year!

The Arrival,available on Amazon NOW!
www.damselinadirtydress.com
www.thebirthrighttrilogy.com

Angie said...

Thanks, everyone. Happy New Year to all of you and good luck with your goals. Todd, I think your goals are terrific. Twelve short stories in a year would be quite a stretch for me, especially with a novel draft thrown in too. Thanks for the comments, everyone.

Jackee said...

What wonderful progress you're making on your BIG GOALS, Angie! And with a birthday date like that, I see it as a sign--good things are in store. :o)

T. M. Hunter said...

Twelve stories in a year is definitely going to be a stretch...was only able to get 6 or 7 new ones done this past year. But without stretching ourselves a bit farther, we won't improve...at least in my opinion.

Sheila Deeth said...

I'd begun to think it would never happen, then got a contract for my novel last year. Maybe I'll even manage the "invited to speak at a conference" this year. I'll try anyway.

Sheila Deeth said...

Maybe this will be your year. Keep dreaming, and I love the quote.

Julie Dao said...

These are wonderful, ambitious, enviable goals and I feel sure you will accomplish them all! I'm rooting for you, Angie! (And what a great day for a birthday! Mine is 9-5-11 so we're right around the same time!)

Angie said...

Thank you, Julie. I'm guessing you'll won't be anywhere near as old as me on your birthday!

Todd, stretching is definitely good!

Elana Johnson said...

I have no doubt that all your goals will become reality!

I'll see you at LTUE. Yay!

ali cross said...

Dangitall I won't be in town for LTUE this year! And I'll miss seeing you all professional like on those PANELS! You'll be awesome! (and totally cool)