What I Learned in 2010

2010 was a year of adjustment and personal growth. Here's a brief list of what I learned that may be of some help to others, writers and non-writers alike: 

• Everything you see, hear, or read should be taken with a grain of salt. 
• A writer most definitely CAN edit all the emotion out of his/her manuscript. 
• Well-meaning advice can be more hindrance than help. 
• Some '-ly' words are necessary and 'was' isn't always passive. 
• Write to your strength and only improve that which actually needs improving. True friends can point out where you honestly need to strengthen your writing. 
• We are all artists. We are all talented. 
• Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. 
• A lifetime of abuse does not disappear with the death of the abuser. It is up to the abused to let the past go. 
• A change in your diet can result a new outlook on life. 

These were personal lessons for me but perhaps my readers can take something away from them, too. I hope everyone's year was filled with love, family, success, and happiness. May the coming year be the same. 

Happy reading, writing, and blogging!! 

Writing Goals for 2010

As a writer, I think it is important to look further down the path than a few hours. This is true of stories and life. Looking back at 2009, I realize I accomplished very little. I allowed too many useless distractions to get in the way. This year, I will not.

What did I do in 2009 that's worth mentioning?

I did win NaNoWriMo and it was my first attempt. I wrote 55,000 words in 30 days. Still, I wanted to finish that novel in '09 and I didn't. It sits at just over 72,000 words with nary an end in sight.

I also blogged. A lot. I started this blog in March and wrote a total of 91 posts. I started my book reviews blog (Romance, Old School) in April and wrote 47 posts. I started a few other blogs but was not as faithful a writer to them.

I participated in blog tours, author interviews, and online giveaways and contests. I made many friends and met many fellow authors. I learned a lot about review ethics and how some people have none. I've been hurt, I've been praised, I've been constructively criticized and through it all, I've learned that to trust is not always a stupid thing and that the injuries others inflict will only affect me if I let them.

In 2010, I plan to

1. have the first draft of my fantasy novel completed and in the hands of various critique partners by January 31st.
2. finish the edits on my Regency romances Angel, Deception and Intrigue and submit them for publication.
3. write no less than 200 words per day. This number will be garnered from new manuscripts, edits/revisions on older manuscripts and first drafts, and short stories/flash fiction.
4. write one flash fiction piece every month. This may seem like an easy goal, considering flash fiction is 1000 words or less, but believe me, cramming an entire story into so few words is a true challenge for me.
5. critique at least one novel every 6-8 weeks for a fellow author. I have been terribly lax in this area.
6. read two nonfiction research books. I know two is a small number but I tend to use nonfiction texts as reference rather than reading them from cover to cover. This year, I will read two from cover to cover.
7. keep up with writing book reviews. Those to whom I have promised reviews, fear not. They will be written and posted. I apologize for the delay and hope you will forgive me.

I have also decided that the e-book versions of my current novels will stay at $2.95 each, both in the Kindle Store and at Smashwords.com. I like that someone can read one of my books for less than $3. They are also available at Barnes & Noble for the same price. :o)

So those are my goals for 2010. What are yours?

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