Happy 2010!

Yeah, yeah; I’m a day late but they say better late than never for a reason, right?

I wanted to do two things with this post: First, I wanted to find out what you have planned for 2010. Second, I wanted to make a quick note of what I plan to do, writing wise, this year.

1. Finish Buzzards. March 1st is the deadline.
2. Blog about a book I read and a movie I watched. This has a weekly deadline.
3. Blog about the progress on my WIP each week. Or more often if I hit a block, have a breakthrough, or just need to vent.
4. Write a short story under 5,000 words based on one of the ideas in my writing journal. Chances are it’ll be “Garbage Day” because, as of right now, it’s the one I’m most excited to start next. There’s a close runner-up so this could change depending on who my muse likes more when I sit down to write. I plan to start on January 8th and finish no later than January 30th.
5. Revise and submit one of my short stories; preferably “Garbage Day” to a zombie anthology. March 31st is the deadline.
6. Finish Wolf. August 1st is the deadline.
7. Revise and submit Buzzards. I’ll work on #6 and #7 at the same time per a suggestion I read this week; hence, August 1st is the deadline. However, I really want to have it revised by April 30th.
8. Start Heartless. August 23rd (or before) is the deadline.
9. Revise and submit Wolf. I’ll work on #8, #9 and #10 at the same time so December 31st is the deadline.
10. Finish Heartless. December 31st is the deadline.

Are these goals too ambitious?

Perhaps.

Especially when I have to work around my business; my daughter’s daily lessons; and hopefully, a smidgen of a personal life; all of which come with their own list of goals. But before you send an e-mail with the pitfalls of biting off more than one can chew, I should tell you I always – always – aim big on my goals. What if I don’t accomplish every single one? No biggie. I’ll just move it to my list for 2011. But I’ve found with enough focus and persistence, all goals are attainable.

An inspirational father and coach on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition advised his sons, and those he mentors, to:

Aim for the moon. If you miss it, reach out and grab a star.

Remember, the only way to get things done is to first acknowledge what you want to get done. So either make a physical list or a mental list, but visualize where you want to be at the end of 2010, identify the steps you need to take to get there, then act. I know some of us struggle with procrastination so get into the habit of action.

Or, even more poignant, “The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair.” In other words, do whatever it is you want to do. Don’t just dream about it; don’t just talk about it; don’t just blog about it. Do it.

I can’t wait to live this year to its fullest. I hope you will do the same!

What are some of your goals or plans for 2010?

Finish school? Finish your current work-in-progress? De-clutter your office? Start recycling?

I wanna hear about ’em, big or small.