Monday, December 7, 2015

Saying Goodbye and Planning for the Future

Hi Gang,
I'm turning in my Stiletto heels with this post. The amount of writing and promo and releasing and of course, the day job, has caused me to cry uncle.

If you don't know, I have two series - The Tourist Trap and the new Cat Latimer Mystery series that releases to book stores in September 2016. I have the lovely cover, but I've been sworn to secrecy until my publisher does a cover reveal. So watch for that coming up.

I hate not doing things well, and I'm struggling to get everything on my list completed. So I've been contemplating what I can juggle. I'll be focusing my blogging on my website - www.lynncahoon.com
Stop by soon. There's a gooey butter cake recipe that was the hit of the Thanksgiving table this year.


Anyway, I wanted to leave you with my favorite time management techniques since it's almost time to set new goals (or resolutions) for 2016.

#5 - List out what you HAVE to do. Set these deadlines in ink on your 2016 planner. What? You don't have a planner? Get one. Digital or paper (I still love my paper), a planner is an easy way to set reachable goals each month and adjust when emergencies happen.

#4 - Set annual goals - Want to save money? Set a yearly goal, then work at it each month. You'll be surprised how fast those dollars add up if your consistent. Same with word count. You don't write a 100K novel in a week. (Or at least I don't, but I hear rumors it's been done.) You write it by getting your daily word count done every day. 500 words a day equals  176,000 words in a year. Or a novel plus two weeks of vacation time.

#3 - Divide your goals into month's targets. It takes me just about two months to write a cozy. A little less to write a contemporary series size romance.  I know what I'm writing all of 2016 and had to move some of my want-to-write projects to 2017. A successful author early in my career told me they had a spreadsheet for the next five years on what they were writing. Now that I'm contracted, I understand the necessity of her process.

#2 - Make a weekly to do list - I have a list I write in my planner each week, filling in the days with appointments or book related activities. This week, I'm attending my critique group, so my word count for that day will be slim to none, but I can adjust to other days. Planning to reach goals during the week gives you the flexibility and accountability.

#1 - Do one thing today before 11 am that moves you toward your goal. Just one thing. Rinse and repeat tomorrow.

I hope that helps you take your dreams and turn them into reality.  I've enjoyed my time here with the Stiletto Gang and I'm sure I'll see many of you out there on the web. Thank you for being part of my virtual family.

Lynn




16 comments:

  1. So much to do and so little time. I feel your pain and agree with you whole heartedly.

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    1. Thanks for taking some of your time to comment Jane. :)

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  2. Wonder ideas for time management!

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    1. Thanks Cathy. I love time management. Total geek love.

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  3. Great ideas, Lynn, thanks. You will be missed. I wish you the very best with your endeavors. Write on!

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    1. Thanks Marjorie! I enjoyed my time in the heels.

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  4. Great list, Lynn. I love #1, and I abide by that every day. Doing just one thing can make such a big difference.

    We'll miss you.

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    1. Paffi, isn't that so true? I think it sets your mind in the right direction.

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  5. Lynn, thank you for this great list. I enjoyed hearing you speak at Killer Nashville and have appreciated being your blogging partner here. Best wishes for great success!

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    1. Hey Paula - I so enjoyed Killer Nashville. (And Nashville in general - lol)

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  6. So sorry to see you leave this blog, Lynn, but there are only so many balls an author can keep in the air. Best wishes on the new series :)

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    1. Thanks Ritter. It's been really hard to learn to say no. Or uncle. :)

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  7. Bon voyage, Lynn, onto future journeys. Thanks for leaving behind your useful organizational tips. Best wishes, Kay

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    1. Kay, I'm glad you find them useful. See you around the mystery world.

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