I’m making some new resolutions. Why not? Why make January 1 the only date where we impose formidable goals for ourselves? Besides, I’m tired of the January resolutions (that maybe didn’t work out so well.)
Actually, I sort of like the idea of a mid-year goal. Yes—I know. The year is more than half-way up. Even better, though! I’m making a resolution to do things that I’ve actually already started.
I think I’m going to impose time-limits and reviews on my resolutions. See how they’re working out for me or if they need to be tweaked in a few months.
Now, without further ado, my resolutions:
Do a better job with my record-keeping for my taxes. (Pictured—me giddily thinking how nice it will be to write stuff off on my taxes next spring.) My inspiration for this resolution was a recent post on Diane Wolfe’s blog. I’m going to use the stuff-everything-into-an-envelope method. But at least that means that I’ll have the receipts next year. I was really kicking myself this past March when I did my taxes—I could have written off many things if I’d just kept the darned receipts.
Keep more on top of social media, marketing, and publishing trends. I have this really foreboding feeling that everything is about to turn topsy-turvy and if I don’t pay attention, I might go the way of the dinosaurs. If we’re all heading to e-books I should just keep my mouth shut and try to adjust. Que sera sera. And I need to find out exactly what the heck Flickr is (and why the application leaves out the ‘e’ from its name. Which really irritates me.)
Read more. I miss the time I used to spend reading. Nowadays I’ve just got to schedule it in instead of acting like it will just spontaneously happen. But I think you’ve got to keep reading to be a good writer. Besides, there are so many books on my to-read list right now. And spending time at my local bookstore (and having the staff know who I am) has got to be a good thing.
Balance my writing schedule better. So I’ve got to write, revise, and market all at the same time. I just need to get over it, stop complaining, and thank my lucky stars I’m in this situation. Figure out how to keep from shortchanging one book for the sake of the other.
Just say no. Because I can’t. And my time is getting completely eaten up by stuff I shouldn’t be doing.
Do you have any July 8th resolutions? Or are you too smart to get stuck in the resolution trap?
Elizabeth,
If it’s okay with you, I’m just going to appropriate your resolutions. They work for me!
That will save me some time, too.
Elizabeth, Alan beat me to it. I was going to ask if I could have yours?
Blessings,
karen
Like a few others here, I’m going to save time and adopt your list as my own. Since it’s taking me forever to read an excellent book (for fun) by a favorite author, I know my schedule is totally out of whack.
I tend to go up and down on my resolutions. I keep them, then I break them for a bit…I’m horrible like that. But I do always TRY. And isn’t that the key point?
I’m so with you on the just say no thing though…I’ve gotten better at it, but I still struggle!
This may sound nuts, but my resolution would be to spend more time away from the computer. I hardly get up from morning to bedtime.
Incidentally, Flickr is a horse. I think umpteen years ago he was in a TV show or a movie or a series of books. I don’t know. I also don’t know why he would now be leaving the “e” out of his name.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Good for you. I never make Jan 1 resolutions. I make resolutions when they are needed. I like yours! :)
The Old Silly
You’re on top of a trend, here. It’s a great idea. And you’re spot on about needing to stay current on the social media/tech aspects of the writing/marketing book business we’re in.
I think the idea of midyear resolutions is an excellent one and like others have said in their comments, I’m just going to use yours – they’re perfect for me.
I had to smile at the tax resolution, only a *successful* author has this problem. I’m unaware that authoring was a taxable event, of course, I’ve sold no books, so, maybe that’s the answer.
Oh, yes, then there’s the small issue of me spending about ten times more on promotion than I ever hope to make on sales. To deduct something, you gotta have income from which it CAN be deducted. So, Tax and writing just don’t seem to coexist in my world. Mutually exclusive.
Best regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Great resolutions, Elizabeth – very ambitious! I only have one modest one – to conquer the publishing world via the Internet before the end of the year! (And no, I’m not escalating into a manic episode.)
Oh, and I just thought of another – to avoid getting sucked into reading and answering e-mails and blogs in the morning and thus whiling way my best writing time.
Julie Lomoe’s Musings Mysterioso
http://julielomoe.wordpress.com
Oh good…if everyone takes on my resolutions, I’ll be in good company. :)
Galen, I am FAR from being a tax authority, but you might want to check on the IRS stuff. I seem to remember you can declare writing as a hobby at under $600 income (am I making this up, everyone? Maybe I dreamed it. Or it could be $800) but can write off expenses incurred w/ that hobby. Then, if you make OVER that amount, then you can write off things as occupational expenses…even if your expenses exceed your income (which just makes it a business that doesn’t make money.) I think the difference is if you file a Schedule C or not.
Okay, y’all, take that little gem for what it’s worth…advice from an English major who can’t even add well.
Ellizabeth
I could use some of the same goals. I just throw all my tax stuff in one spot and sort it out when I absolutely have no other choice.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://www.morganmandel.com