weekly wrap up

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Writer Wednesday: Goals Part 2

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Welcome back to Writer Wednesday! I hope you’re having a great holiday season. I know I am.

Last week’s Writer Wednesday post discussed looking over 2011’s goals and seeing how you did with them. This week, we’ll continue with goals but focus on planning for 2012.

First of all, one thing I’ve learned is that I don’t do well with having like 16 goals on my list. I tend to only accomplish half of them, no matter what they are. Maybe I should’ve been more fierce about my goals, but I think more often than not that I just dump the kitchen sink onto the list and decide I’ll figure out what I’ll do. Not a great way to go about goal setting. *grins*

This year, I’m going to write down only what I really want to accomplish. If I accomplish more than what’s on the list, that’s awesome! But I think it’s important not to get sidetracked. Like I said last time, things may come up that we don’t expect, and if they do then adjust the goals and continue forward. For example, I’d had in mind that I would write, edit, and query a few novels this year, but I was accepted to Changeling Press and instead have been writing novellas.

So, how do we figure out what goals we should be working toward? That’s pretty simple. Where do you want to be a year from now? Five years from now? Got that picture in your mind? Good! Now plot how you’ll be able to get there.

For example, if you want to be published, it’s important to learn your craft, write a book, find some good critique partners, do research about the publishing industry, write a query letter, and query agents (and/or editors). That’s not something you can accomplish in an afternoon, so then you’d break it down into steps.

  1. Read three books on writing.
  2. Finish a book by (insert date here) by writing X words a day.
  3. Join a writer’s organization (like RWA) and meet other writers to become critique partners with.

… and so on.

Here are a few links I’ve come across about goal setting. Enjoy!

Getting Out of Your Own Way – Goal Setting for the Writer by Theresa Meyers

Marrying Marketing and Writing Goals by Monica Valentinelli

From NaNo to Submission: a 90-Day Plan by Suzanne Johnson – True, this one doesn’t necessarily fit into goal setting, but I think it’s useful to see other people lay out their goals.

What are your goals for 2012?

Weekly Wrap Up

Today I’m posting excerpts for Techno Crazed and Jungle Heat over at Love Romances Cafe for their Fun in the Sun event. If you’re interested in reading them (or an author who wants some promo time) head on over! It’s looking busy and like fun.

Also, just a note that I’m thinking about changing my blogging schedule to be every other Tuesday – Guest Blogger, Wednesday – Into the Paranormal, and Sunday – Six Sentence Sunday with other book news being posted when I get it. Then I’d post writing tips or whatnot every other Thursday at Castles & Guns. I’d do this to cut some stress and spend more time writing. If you have opinions, feel free to leave a comment.

So, I hope you all have a great weekend. What are your plans for it?

Weekly Wrap Up + Giveaway

Hey everyone! I hope you’re all doing fantastic. This week I’ve been working on revising Hacked Investigations 2: Savage Bytes to turn into my editor. I’m pretty excited about this book since I love writing about Ian and Hannah.

Once I finished writing it, I suddenly had an idea for a free read and a possible related short story regarding one of my favorite secondary characters, Leon. *grins* I love it when that happens. Although, next I’ll be working on The Amazon Chronicles 2: Jungle Fire, so I don’t have time to work on the new exciting idea for a month or so. But I’ll be ready!

In celebration of finishing up Savage Bytes and Jungle Heat’s recent release, I’m going to do a giveaway of one (maybe two depending on how many comments I get) of your choice of either Techno Crazed or Jungle Heat if you leave a comment. You’ll get one extra entry for each of the following, follow the blog, follow my Twitter @sarahmakela, and Tweet or Retweet. (Please let me know in the comment, if you do the extra entries.) I’ll pick the winner(s) next Friday right here!

That said, I’ll make sure to get my blogs posted in the mornings instead of the afternoons like I have been. Yeesh! It’s easy to get sidetracked sometimes. lol

An appearance update: I’m going to have an interview with Marsha A Moore on August 4th for Jungle Heat’s release. She asked some awesome questions, so I’ll give the link for you all to check it out when I have it.

Okay, enough about me. What do you have planned for the weekend? Anything super exciting?

Weekly Wrap Up

I hope everyone has had an awesome week! It’s been great for me. I’ve been able to get some work done on my upcoming releases as well as spend quality time with my husband, especially since yesterday was our anniversary! Woo!

Next Thursday, Jungle Heat will be released, so I’ll be sending out a newsletter on Friday with one lucky subscriber winning a copy of my new book! Want to be that subscriber? Sign up for my mailing list, if you haven’t already. If you’re already signed up, you don’t have to do anything.

I should be seeing the official excerpt for Jungle Heat within a day or two, and I’ll post it here for you guys when I do. I’m very excited for this book to come out since it’s one of the first I’d written several year ago. It has a special place in my heart. I’m thankful to critique partner extraordinaire Kinley Baker for encouraging me and loving it too!

If you have the chance, stop by Goodreads and add Jungle Heat and Techno Crazed to your TBR list!

Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you Monday with a writing topic post!

Weekly Wrap Up

Hey everyone! Hopefully you all had a fantastic week. I’m posting this a little later than normal because I got caught up in a good book, Touch of Madness by C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp.

To recap the blog tour so far, if you’re interested, I’ve visited Savvy Authors on 6/3 and blogged about Utilizing What Makes You Happy. On 6/6, I was at the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion blogging about the story behind getting Techno Crazed published. Yesterday, I visited the RWA’s Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal blog and talked about Developing a Futuristic World. Today, I have a thread up at Coffee Time Romance telling about my upcoming release and discussing the giveaway I’ll be doing on 6/24. If you’re interested in a chance to win, sign up for my newsletter.

Well, that’s about all I can think of for now. Have a fantastic weekend!

Interesting Links:

How was your week? Anything cool to share?

Weekly Wrap Up

I hope everyone has had a fantastic week! Who else is very much looking forward to the weekend? I know I am.

This week, I’ve been winding into promotional mode since my book release is two weeks away, so that’s exciting. Today marks the official beginning of my blog tour blitz. I’ve ordered promo items for RWA Nationals at the end of the month. It seems to be coming so quickly! Where in the world did May go?

Also, if you missed it yesterday, here’s the list of my blog tour locations and information on my newsletter. In fact, I’m at Savvy Authors today! Please stop by and say hello. =)

Interesting Links:

How has your week been? Have any interesting links to share?

Weekly Wrap Up

I hope everyone is having a Happy Friday! And an awesome Memorial Day weekend (or a great weekend period for those not in the US)!

This week hasn’t quite been as productive as last week. I finished reading Storm Front by Jim Butcher… wow! I loved it! I’ve also begun editing the novel I’ll be pitching at RWA’s National conference, so I don’t have any word count progress.

Yeah, I’m kind of all over right now. haha There’s just so many things I’d like to work on! But I think I’ve figured out what I’ll be tackling this upcoming week.

Interesting Links:

Have any interesting links you’ve found? Let me know! How have you progressed through this week?

Weekly Wrap Up + Another Award!

funny pictures - To remove writer's blockHappy Friday everyone! It’s that time again for a Weekly Wrap Up. I hope everyone has had an awesome, productive week. The kitty has advice for anyone who might not have been so fortunate.

As for me, I’ve been putting my Work-In-Progress on hold for now while I do… ta-da… edits, which I’m very near completion on!

Here’s my current progress for the WIP, in case you’re curious.

7015 / 25000 words

Interesting Link:

Have any interesting links you’ve found? Let me know! How have you progressed through this week?

And now onto the award! Thank you very much, Inger (Canyon Girl)! I’m honored that you chose me for this. =)

So, for this, I have to tell five things about myself.

  1. I really enjoy learning more about the craft of writing.
  2. I keep alternating between being giddy with excitement and nervous about my upcoming release, Techno Crazed.
  3. I’ve most recently been switching between playing The Sims 3 and The Sims Medieval when I need to relax or have some fun. 
  4. I’ve been listening to a lot of trance music on Pandora Radio while writing and editing.
  5. I’m very happy, excited, and grateful for all of the great things that have happened so far this year and the things still to come.
I’m passing the award to:
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! See you on Monday!

Weekly Wrap Up + Friday the 13th

memes - Cool Cat: Seven Years of Good Luck

In Friday the 13th style, the day has been a little weird… already. Blogger is not playing well, so I’ve resorted to mobile blogging. Something I had wanted to try, but never had a reason to. Haha. So, I hope everyone has a great Friday the 13th. I know I’ll have plenty of black cat action since I own one. =)

Anyways, this week’s stats… I’m at 4,264 / 25,000 words on my current WIP. I missed writing on Wednesday, but that’s it, which I’m pretty proud of.

Interesting Link:

So, how is your Friday going? What’s your weekly progress been? Any links to share? Have a great weekend!

Weekly Wrap Up + Awards!

This has been quite a week! Wrapped up the A to Z Challenge last Saturday, which was so much fun! I really enjoyed meeting everyone. And then I found out that two of my novellas have been contracted with the winner of the Shamrock Challenge being released in June. Wow! I’ve definitely been pinching myself.

No progress meter to share this week. I’ll get back to that within the next couple of weeks.

Interesting Links:

Have any interesting links you’ve found? Let me know! How have you progressed through this week?

Thanks for the Versatile Blogger Award, C R Ward!

This award requires that you
1. Link back to the awarder (which I’ve done above)
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award this to 10-15 newly discovered bloggers
4. Tell said bloggers they have an award waiting.

My Seven Things:
1. I adore cats. They’re so awesome.
2. I’m also a huge fan of Finland, that country between Sweden and Russia. =P I’ve visited there 3 times now.
3. I much prefer the cold to heat. With that in mind, Winter is my favorite season.
4. I almost got an English/History double major in college, but I decided that I wanted to graduate sooner than later.
5. I love music. Trance, Rock, and Symphonic Goth Metal are some of my favorites, but I listen to all kinds.
6. I’m not really a morning person. I prefer staying up late at night.
7. I love gaming. PC games, console games, board games, and, heck, card games too! I love to play.

My list of people are:
Kinley Baker
Claire Goverts
Elizabeth Twist
Canyon Girl
Gabriella Hewitt
Mara Nash
Lauracea
K.C. Woolf
Erin Kane Spock
J.L. Campbell
Charmaine Clancy

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