Even if you're one who approaches life and writing by the seat of your pants, you can set goals. Author Jodie Bailey shares her experience. -- Sandy
Jodie: Several years ago, there was a commercial for insurance that
said, “Life comes at you fast.” As I sit
here at a borrowed desk in a back corner of my daughter’s school, trying to
cram in some writing time, I can say that’s been my life lately. Since January 1, it feels like everything has
come from left and right to interfere with writing. It would be crazy easy to let work slip into
the background, then to look up in June and realize I’ve got nothing to show
for six months.
The funny thing is, this is the first year I’ve actually
worked at creating goals.
Yes, the dreaded G word.
Believe me. I know. I’m
not usually this organized. I’m a “seat
of the pants” chick in writing and in life. Goals? That’s too structured. Not
for me.
Last year, I fell into a rhythm of doing what HAD to be done
and nothing more. My career sat still. All of those ideas I had--revamp my website,
write a new series, amp up marketing—had disappeared. Sure, I’d met all of my deadlines for two
years. I had books coming out, but that
was it. Growth? Nope.
So I called one of my best writing friends and said, “Let’s
do this.”
In December, we sat down and hashed out yearly goals. I broke mine down monthly. Every Monday, we talk to hold each other
accountable. I found a great planner at
Spiffyway on Etsy. I have a “must do” list every week in order to stay on track,
broken down by day. Doctor’s appointment
on Friday? Don’t put more than one or two quick things then. Kiddo out of school on Tuesday? Keep it free or
keep it light.
Far from feeling regimented, it’s great! Especially on days
like today, when I lost two hours to random stuff nobody saw coming. Instead of being frustrated, I looked at my
list and found focus instead of fluster.
Like this blog post. I’m
not home like I’d planned to work on my novel, and the interruptions here are
many. I swapped this blog post for tomorrow with my word count goal for today
and I’m still accomplishing work. (It’s probably a little sad how insanely
happy this makes me.)
Even better? The stress is dropping. I no longer look at the
mountain of stuff I have to do and jump into the middle on Monday, my brain
screaming, “This must get done now!” One day at a time. And days off? They’re
real. “There’s nothing on the list today, so go have some fun without thinking
about work.” It’s been two years since that happened.
How do you go about organizing your writing goals?
~~~~~~
Jodie Bailey writes novels about freedom and the heroes who fight for it. Her romantic suspense, Crossfire, won a 2015 RT Reviewers Choice Award and her contemporary romance, Quilted by Christmas won a 2014 Selah. She is convinced a camping trip to the beach with her family, a good cup of coffee, and a great book can cure all ills. Jodie lives in North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, and two dogs. Visit her at www.jodiebailey.com,
Dead Run
Kristin James's morning run turns deadly when she's attacked by a stranger who's after something her deceased soldier brother stole overseas. Her neighbor Sergeant First Class Lucas Murphy steps in to help her and won't let her brush the attack under the rug. He'll do everything he can to keep Kristin alive, but he can't tell her that he's under orders to investigate her link to her brother's misdeeds. Kristin has no idea what the bad guy is after and doesn't want to believe that her brother wasn't on the straight and narrow. But as evidence against him piles up, can they catch the criminals without becoming the next casualties?
