I have a little confession to make: I was a ROW80 “silent stalker” for a good bit of 2011. The signs were unmistakable – blog visits to ROWers’ sites, the wistful sighs as I saw them cheer each other on over successes, and encourage one another over goals not met…and – ooh – the goal-envy. Wow, look at those goals…they have achievable goals!
But still, I held back. Why? I guess it seemed like I’d be adding yet another thing to my never-ending to-do list. The opportunities for weasel-ing out of goals seemed endless. And in public, too (I’m a pro at weasel-ing under the radar, of course).
What changed my mind? I’m convinced that it took the collision of two cosmic forces to change me from stalker to participant: the New Year, and Jenny Hansen, writer and enthusiastic blogger of all things Cowbell. She’s one of the sponsors of 2012’s Round 1, and I’ve had the privilege of getting to know her over the past 10 months or so. With Jenny giving me “the eye,” I know I can expect a heap of Twitter writing sprints and overall butt-kicking from this California gal.
And Jenny isn’t the only one with enthusiasm, support, and words of wisdom for fellow writers. Really, you can’t swing a cat without hitting a slew of ROWers who are uber-talented, supportive, and down-to-earth. I want in!
My Goals:
1. ROW80 check ins on Sundays
2. Continue blog posting on a M/W/F schedule (I was really tempted to drop back to 2x per week, but I know that’s not a good idea).
3. Research and develop a new historical mystery from scratch in my WWBC group, a super awesome team of talented writers (and I have a lot to learn, believe me); also, provide feedback on fellow WWBCers projects.
4. Revise the plot of my original sequel and continue writing it, in light of what I’ve already learned in WWBC.
5. Continue to read books/blogs on the writing craft.
6. Continue to read fiction books in my genre.
7. Support fellow blogger/writers with visits/promotion of their sites.
8. Manage my time better, so blogging/housework/errands don’t spill over into my writing/research time: I’m going to reserve Tues-Wed-Thurs from 10-2 (kids’ school hours) for fiction writing. It will be a challenge to squeeze all my blog writing into Mon/Fri/weekend bits, though – I’m a bit slow when it comes to putting together a post.
9. Exercise: Sundays 4.6 mi walks around Burke Lake with walking buddies; 2 other shorter walks per week (I’m thinking Tues/Thurs, but we’ll see).
10. Pay more attention to what I’m eating/drinking: more water, more fruits/vegs, fewer junk food choices, healthier substitutions (pita chips and hummus instead of potato chips, for example).
Okay, so let’s see how much I laugh at the naive ambition of these goals over the next few weeks! But it’s important to aim high, right? As Robert Browning said in his poem “Andrea Del Sarto”:
A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?
All the best to my fellow ROWers, and to all of you looking to make your dreams a reality in 2012!
Happy New Year,
Kathy
I’ve been thinking about joining ROW80 as well. I’ve become a bit of a writing loner lately. I’m sure a group like this would probably be good for me.
But then, like you, I’m cautious about adding another item to my own never-ending to-do list.
Decisions, decisions…
Jennifer, you may want to check the ROW80 site – it’s not as intimidating as you might think!
I know how you feel about the never ending to do list. I always end up doing too much when it comes to things like ROW80, though not entirely sure what it is. Now I only commit myself to my local chapters Book In a Week challenge. Any more than that and I’m stressing, spinning my wheels and then I accomplish even less.
Jen, you are involved in so many projects I don’t know how you do it! I’m so glad you took the time to check out my goals! Thanks for your earlier help with my conflict boxes!
Woohoo, go Kathy! You know, I had secretly wondered why you weren’t in ROW80, I’m glad Jen convinced (or encouraged) you to join in. 2012 is going to be a great year. Also looking forward to seeing what you have in store in WWBC. I have a new project coming at that as well (working on the first pieces of it tomorrow).
Great goal choices. I know you’ll succeed 🙂
Hey, Gene, you and Kerry certainly have been inspiring, too! Can’t wait to see what you have going for your WWBC project.
I’m with Kathy that you and Kerry as ROWBro’s are a force of nature. 🙂
Totally jealous of all you WWBC’ers. I’m not ready yet, but when I get back to fiction, I’m gonna be begging for entrance.
Jenny, you would be awesome in WWBC! Hurry up and finish that other project, LOL. 🙂
good luck with your goals, Karen. It will be interesting for you to discover if public posting enhances your goal achievement or takes it the other way. Can’t wait to watch your journey unfold.
Actually, I’m Kathy, not Karen, but thanks for the good wishes, anyway!
Okay Kathy, I am in awe of your goals. Seriously, your goals are amazing and I know you’ll do well. I am just putting the finishing touches on my ROW80 post. I promise you it can’t hold a candle to yours. I may have to go back and give myself more challenges.
Congrats Kathy! Wow, you Rock! 🙂
Karen, thanks so much! It will be interesting to see what goals I still have in place halfway through, LOL. 🙂
Karen,
It’s not about the how many (I only have 4 this round) – it’s about being measurable and having the most important goals for you. The nice thing about doing multiple rounds is that you can take a round to hit your stride and adjust your goals as you go along.
I’m going to look at yours now, and I am positive they are fantastic!!
Fantabulous, Kathy! Very ambitious goals, but it will be a good test to see what works for you. I did the same thing during one of the rounds. I fared better than I had expected but I did make some changes part way through. Gotta give it a go and see what happens! Good luck to you and see you there!
Marcia, you and the other ROWers out there have been an inspiration! “Go big or go home” – so that’s where I’m starting!
Way to go Kathy! I have to admit, my new years resolution involve creating better balance and WWBC and planning a bar mitzvah are about all the extra I can take on right now.
I know you can do anything.
I cannot.
I will be posting twice a week with one guest post. I have to do this or my husband will kill me. So after June I think I’ll be more free to write the way I’d like to. Until then, I’ll look for your ROW updates! 😉
Well, Renee, we’ll see what I can actually do…my youngest goes in for surgery at the end of this month, so I suspect my progress will slow a good bit then, but if it gets him healthier, it will be worth it. Good luck with your bar mitzvah planning!
Surgery…WTF??? I had no idea you were dealing with something that stressful right now. Holy cowbell, huge hugs to you. Please do call me anytime.
Yeah, Jenny, it’s been a saga that started in mid-September. Hope we’re near the end of it! I’ll catch you up later – thanks so much for the support!
Welcome aboard, Kathy. Don’t forget that you can adjust as you go, either for a few weeks or wholesale changes. It’s part of the beauty of ROW80. Good luck.
Thanks, Kerry! I sense there will be a lot of “adjusting” going on…
I’m glad you’ve thrown your hat in the ring! This will be my fourth round of ROW80, and I get better at it with each time. Best wishes with all of your goals.
Wow, round 4?! Amazing. Looks like I’ll be looking your way for some advice! Thanks, Julie 🙂
Woot woot – welcome aboard the ROW80 train Kathy! So happy you’ve decided to jump in whole heartedly. Love your goals and I have no doubt with a mass cheerleading squad, you’ll do fantastic in achieving them!
Natalie, I am nothing without such an awesome cheerleading squad! Thanks so much, hon. 🙂
I am so proud of you!! Good for you on putting these beautiful goals out. As I said, if you need an accountability partner (we call them ROWSis), I’m in. 🙂
Hi, Kathy! I’m a first-timer. Jenny Hansen, Angela Peart, and Natalie Hartford inspired me to join. Loved your goals!
Thanks, Fabio. We can be first-timers together! Aren’t Angela and Natalie the bees’ knees?
Welcome to Row80, Kathy! It’s a great group of people, and it’s been a wonderful way to stay on task AND get through tough times. Good luck:)
Thank you, Stacy! Looks like I’m going to test the “tough times” part early, with a suck-y cold this week. Ugh. Not getting much done. Thanks for stopping by!
Rock it, KB! With my blogging partners, I’m on board for Life List Club. I am so fortunate to have writing buds who exchange our goals weekly (one of who is Gloria Richard, also new to ROW80 this month), so I understand your wistful sighs. Much success with your goals.
Hey, Sherry, I’ve been “stalking” Life List Club, as well as ROW80. Gloria is da bomb, isn’t she? Thanks for stopping by, and good luck with your goals!