There’s something about Labor Day. All those years of school make it seem like another clean start, another New Year’s if you will. So Wickeds, how are you doing on your goals this year? Are you adding any new ones, or doubling down on previous ones now that Labor Day looms?
Edith: Well, since I never cleaned my office this summer, that’s one ongoing goal (but I’d rather be harvesting grapes). I do have an entire new book to write before the snow flies – Country Store #4 – so I’m just going to continue on my three-books-a-year goal until it’s done. It’ll be a busy fall, but a good one.
Liz: I’m planning to regroup over the next week and set serious writing goals for the rest of the year. That includes writing a full draft of book six by the end of December, editing the first book in the new series that finally seems to be moving toward publication, and also reworking a draft of another project that’s been lingering on the shelf way too long. Also have to figure out a launch plan for book five, out right after Christmas. I guess it will be a busy fall here too!
Julie: I think of September as New Years. I use an academic planner, and since I teach and work in theater (where summer seasons are ending and regular seasons are kicking off) I consider September my new start. How am I doing on goals? Time for a reset on some of them. Time to double down on others that have become more important–like getting enough sleep. I hate summer being over, but do love the reboot of September!
Sherry: I’m not a huge goal setter but being an author has forced me to be more organized. I’m writing I Know What You Bid Last Summer and hope to have the first draft done by November 1st. It means I have to write 1000 every day which has been my current pace. However, Bouchercon and other life events will mess with that plan so I need to up the number of words.
Barb: I’m on the same schedule you are Sherry–and very close to Liz’s. Would love to have a first draft completed sometime in November, definitely by December 1. In the past, I have found December to be a pretty disastrously bad month for writing. I’ve had real time off this summer and done a lot of touristy things (i.e. research–ha, ha, ha), so come Labor Day, I’ve really got to buckle down. (But first comes this big party in New Orleans.)
Jessie: I still have kids in school so the end of summer is all about fresh starts and new energy. I’ve been working on my goals all year and am fairly pleased with my progress but I always look forward to buckling down in September and making a final push through the last third of the year to see them to completion.
What about you, dear readers. Any Labor Day resolutions?
Everyone has such big goals!
I guess I do too- I’m working on a few audits for work that I want to finish up before calendar year-end and I’ve been slowing working on a certification and fall seems like the perfect time to buckle down and get that under my belt and think about a new certification for next year…. maybe!
I’ve also been thinking about going to four mystery conferences next year but I need to make some extra money and I’m pondering that as we speak- and trying to get extra time off from work to get them all in! 🙂
Jacqui–we’d love to see you at some mystery conferences this year!
Working on it for sure!
Stop and breathe? It’s been a turbulent year with a lot of changes (and positive results, I hope), but I need to schedule some “do-nothing” time, which isn’t easy for me. Maybe after the October deadline, and my sister’s ten-day visit, and that trip to Ireland . . .
“Do nothing” time is very important.
Just back from a family week in Wickeds territory – Cape Cod.Yes, I do have a serious goal- getting a polished 2nd (3rd?) draft to editor by end of October. I told her I would so there it is.
Except for Bouchercon, it will be modified book jail until it is done. You all inspire me!
Right now, that seems like “never” but I have been here before. Other goals? I have two. One is get back on healthy eating to take off some pounds I added due to medication. Two is finishing cleaning out both **!$$! linen closets already!
Closet-cleaning is so satisfying. Hope we see you at Bouchercon!
See you there! I’m coming in on Tuesday evening so I can attend the SINC workshop Wed. . Have a panel on Thurs at 12. Can’t wait.
I’ll be at the SinC workshop, too. See you there!
It’s been a few years since I worked at a college, and I’m getting out of the Labor Day reset mindset. However, I have just upped my reading goal for the year from 100 to 150 books. It helps that I’m at 105 right now, so I think I can. (And yes, that includes audio books and picture books, so it’s not all 300 page novels read by my eyes.)
Another resolution? Not be jealous of all the fun everyone is having at Bouchercon. So jealous!
We will post reports, Mark!
I’ve always considered September the time to set goals. Short term over the fall I want to have the first draft of my new manuscript completed in November. BTW, I love Sherry’s title of her new book.
Good luck, Debra.
take each moment as it comes