I guess it’s that time again, for that obligatory post on New Years Resolutions. Don’t get me wrong, I am not above creating my own resolutions. After all, I am, at my core, a goal-oriented person. But I think there’s something very flawed about the idea of only self-reflecting on what we want out of life once a year.
But for shits and giggles, here’s my post from last year on the resolutions I had for myself. 2015 RESOLUTIONS!
Overall, I did a decent job at my resolutions for 2015. The only place I got tripped up was beginning to query. I’m not upset about this one because I had a lot of learning to do as a wordsmith in order to get GUARDED polished and ready to go.
The good news: I now have the skills to write a seemingly enjoyable book. The bad news: I had an epiphany about a week ago that ended in me adding a second POV to my book. So before I can polish and send this manuscript off, I need to rewrite four chapters in the new POV, as well as draft 13 additional new chapters.
It’s going to be a lot of work, but if the changes I’ve seen so far are any indication, GUARDED’s going to be far better for it. If it’s not, well, I’ll pry be back here for 2017 Resolutions, spouting about some new problem I’m having with the same book.
::head:desk::
Moving on…
I did read more! Granted that wasn’t hard to do given my measly tally of six books for 2014. In 2015, I read a grand total of 26 books. For books new to me, I read one fantasy, 16 YA fantasy, four YA contemporary, and two nonfiction. I also reread the Song of the Lioness Quartet because tis my favorite.
So while I do have plenty of goals lined up for 2016, the two I’m actually going to list and focus on are:
- Finish GUARDED and begin the querying process. The query’s done and set and vetted. Now I just need to get those additional chapters written and the rewrites done then I can send the MS off to slaughter. WOOT!
- I have vowed on Goodreads to read 50 books this year, so that’s the goal. Side note: should probably learn to use Goodreads properly…
A lot happened for me in 2015, some good that I was sure to share here on the blog, some not so good that I kept to myself. I’m looking forward to 2016 hopefully being better than last year. I’ve got a lot planned for the blog, and I can’t wait to share all of it with you!
Happy New Years, Everyone! And happy writing!
Happy New Year Breeanna, I hope it’s an awesome one. I agree with you on setting resolutions once a year and waiting to start on January 1. I’ve just carried over my goals from last year and also continued working for them. I know it’s anticlimactic not to set new year’s resolutions, but that’s me. Anticlimactic. 😛
I’ve been thinking about setting my GoodReads yearly goal but given how I tend to bomb challenges like those I am still considering. With you on learning to use GoodReads too. Still need to do that 777 challenge. I’ve been lazy with my blog; this needs to change.
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Nothing wrong with anticlimactic! At least in life. lol
I’m totally nervous about the reading challenge. Like I know I’ll do okay for these first couple months (lots of exciting new releases!), but I’m hoping to make reading a more habitual thing. And please do the 777 Challenge! I’d love to read about your WIP! 🙂
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To be honest, I need to be reading more. There where life issues and problems that prevented me from reading as much as I want (and I have an HUUUUUUUGE to-read list). So I am now utilising more the GR account and that’s why I am thinking of setting a goal in GR. A modest goal. Perhaps 24? 25? Less? What do you think?
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I totally understand the life getting in the way of reading bit. I used to be an avid reader, then military service got in the way. Been trying to regain my momentum ever since.
I’m a miserably slow reader now, so I think 25 would be doable. I did a lot of critique reading this past year too, so a lot of my books occurred in the second half of the year.
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Cool, I’ve entered 25. Sounds like a good number. Or should I say a good arbitrary number? 😛
Okay, I’ll go and do the 777 challenge now because I’ll forget again. Also, if you like you can read the first 1,000 words here:
https://auraeadon.com/stories-by-aura/novels/a-pinch-of-salt-a-dash-of-magic/
I posted that right after NaNo finished. 😀
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Yay! I’ll go take a look! I’ve been so bad when it comes to blogging and reading other blogs since NaNo started. My drafting mind is definitely one-track. I’m working on getting my mojo back!
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Hey, don’t be silly. It doesn’t matter if you read it when it was posted or not. I know you are busy, everyone is. I don’t have time to read every single post from all the bloggers I follow (or I’d spend my entire day reading blog posts)… *looks at Melanie who posts in mad rates* 😛
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I have faith in both of your resolutions, Bree! I think they found fantastic, and the one you didn’t post on here. I wish you all the best with all of them and I will be here along the way to help you in all your endeavors (so long as I have internet access :p). Let me know what I can do to help you, even if it’s just sitting and listening for a while. I’ve heard I’m good at that. 😉
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Thank you, Melanie! And you are great at listening! Actually, you’re just great!
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Aw! Thank you! You’re amazing, too! ^.^ I’m so happy we found each other and have become friends.
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Haha, laughing over here… I did the exact same thing to A HEART OF FIRE two weeks before I started querying it – I added a second POV and had to add about 20 new chapters, laughing. I still love the change, though, and I’ve kept it. 😀
GOOD LUCK with the last rounds of GUARDED. The way you describe it as “seemingly enjoyable” is so adorable, that now I will HAVE TO read it when it’s out. 😀
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Wow. Only two weeks before you started querying? That’s incredibly impressive. I’m really glad I made the decision to move forward with the change. It’ll flesh out the parts of story that needed a bit of a boost. But I’m pretty sure this will set me back a bit, timeline-wise. *shrugs* The story’s the important part, right? lol
Thanks for commenting! XD
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Good luck with your resolutions!
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To you as well! And welcome to the blog-o-sphere! It is a lovely place. XD
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