December To-Do List
(Triumphs, tenacity, tears, and taxes--the 4 T's of poetry!)
I created this list a few days ago, but this is the first chance I've had to post (still having laptop issues). So some of these goals I can cross off this list, others … well … I still have a ways to go!
- Write five poems this month (one down, four to go)
- Mail out four submissions. I'm kicking myself because I missed a deadline. Drat!
- Write an article and prompt for RWP (the article is done), prompt is next.
- Post daily in December (OK, this one starts today!)
- Map out writing project for new manuscript (Done)
- Create timeline for second manuscript (Done)
- Read two books this month
- Create 2009 Goals
So what's on your end-of-year to-do list?
Comments
I want to submit at least once this month - I've got two places I'd like to submit to. I'm also definitely submitting in January...I'm preparing poems in December for that submission.
So, I'm mostly going to be writing, editing, preparing, and submitting this month.
I'm trying not to think about "next manuscript" at this point, because I don't want to set a deadline for myself. I want to write the poems at my own speed, to ensure the best quality.
I'm trying to think "write poems" rather than "write poems for my next manuscript". I'll include all my submission poems in this next collection, but I want to write each poem separately and finally compile the ones I like.
I've no deadlines or maps in my head - I like to write at my own pace and that produces better results for me. Pressing a deadline makes me write faster, and my work turns out not-so-great.
Get my novel manuscript out to three publishers.
Set up readings for 2009.
sit down and write my goals for 2009.
keep in touch with friends and loved ones - cards, e-mails, letters, phone calls, etc.
write an essay about spending Christmas in Hongkong last year. it was such a spur-of-the-moment trip and very special because it was just my 80 year-old grandma and me.
I've never had to book readings to support a book--'09 will be my foray into supporting a collection. Part of me dreads this.
For me, I like setting goals, because I find I'm more motivated when I have 1)too many things on my plate and 2)I use guilt to my advantage.
I'm going to post about my progress on my blog, and I'm hoping that will help me feel accountable.
Now, to create the poetry-to-do list for 2009. I suspect it will be the same as in past years: create, submit, think about larger projects.
I make reading lists every year but don't make any progress. But
'09 is a year of change, and we all need a little more accountability in our lives.