A new year and new goals!

2010 sure has rushed by us, huh? Now we are almost in to 2011. I don't have any big exciting plans for New Year's Eve except going to the Fiesta Bowl Parade during the day. Wahoo!

Besides the parade, I set my goals for 2011. I don't the goals I set as New Year's resolutions either. Whats the difference? To me, New Year's resolutions are only things people say because we always have... kind like a tradition and don't set ourselves up to follow through with them. Goals are different. The goals feel real and gives us something to work toward. You might disagree and resolutions may work for you which is perfectly fine with me. This is just how I feel about the two.


Anyway, for 2010 my goals were to get 3 book contracts for the three manuscripts I had finished. I made the goal in November of last year and received those contracts all before the new year rang in. For 2011 I want something similar. Contracts for both manuscipts I have finished. I also want to finished two manuscripts that I've been working on most of this year. I need to finish them... it seems like I'm stalled and would love to work on a new writing project but can't until these two are finished!


So you might say that getting contracts are not good goals because I don't decide if a publisher offers me one... it isn't a controlable situation. Well, in my eyes it is. If I target the right publishers and my story is good, they most likely will offer me one. What you put into the situation is what you get out of it.


That's all from me for today... What are your goals or resolutions for the new year and cheers to the upcoming 2011.

Wendy Ely

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Glitter Pictures

Happy New Year to all our wonderful friends! I hope 2010 brings you much joy and happiness!

I’ve been giving a lot of thinking to what my New Year’s resolutions will be. It really is tough to come up with appropriate goals that aren’t too light or too heavy to try to obtain. Of course, the way things have been going with my writing lately, I’m not sure they could be too light, but I want to set good goals.

2009 was a bad year for me as far as my writing goes. I don’t feel like I really accomplished anything. I want that to change in 2010. So, for now, here are my goals for this year…

• I want to write at least one full length novel
• I want to sub at least twice
• I would like to participate in the mentor program from Romance Divas
• I would like to write and submit a YA novel
• I would like to have more time to devote to my writing
• I would like to move to another area of the country, at least for a while

I guess, this is my list for now. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stick with it.

I’ve been trying to focus on certain areas of my writing that need improvement lately, one area at a time. Right now, I’m working on characterization. I’ve really been enjoying digging into this one aspect so far. In the past, I’ve come up with characters that I’ve really liked, but I’m trying to take it a step farther. I’m trying to make them unique, more unique than I have. It’s been fun examining all the different possibilities out there.

There are many different things I have plans to work on, but I think it’s best for me to just try to overcome one obstacle at a time. I can do my best to master that aspect before I move on to another. I hope this will help me to improve without overwhelming myself. At least, that’s the plan for now.

So, tell me, what are your plans for the new year? Have you made a list of goals or resolutions?

My last post...

of the year 2009! Is it just me or has the year just flown by?

We had a wonderful Christmas but boy am I glad it's over. The two kids and I celebrated the holiday at home. We had fun doing our already made up traditions plus making some new ones. The kids were at war over Santa. Daughter says Santa isn't real but son insists he is. Even though they are just 13 months apart in age, it seems like 13 years.

I recieved two gifts for Christmas this year. The first one came on Christmas Eve. A contract for my full length novel titled New Year's Resolution. Great time to get a contract for it, huh? It's with another publisher and the expected release date is spring 2010.

My other gift was something my daughter bought with her own money and meant the world to me even though it probably seems silly to everyone else. We were watching tv one night and a commercial came on for some really expensive chocolate. I said, "I'd love to try that." Daughter asked why I didn't buy any. "I said, "Because it costs too much. I could never spend that much on candy for myself." This happened about a month or so before Christmas. Anyway, my daughter bought me the chocolate. It was the first gift I had gotten from the kids that they had spent their own money on and my daughter had really listened to me that night. My kids are great!

We don't plan on anything crazy for New Year's Eve. We'll be having pizza and punch while watching the count down on tv. Daughter has stayed up with me for the past two years. Son doesn't make it yet but he says he will this time lol. We'll see.

Do you make New Year's resolution? I made two writing goals for the new year.

#1. Have two books released (check!).

#2. Coauthor a paranormal with critique partner.

So what are your resolutions and holiday plans?

Talk to you soon and cheers to the new year,

Wendy Ely