Mission Statement

I've been taking a class on Strategic Planning for my writing career. The course is sponsored by the Passionate Ink Chapter of Romance Writers of America and is held in a great online forum for class work called Moodle. Love it. Hate classes held in Yahoo Groups.
Anyway, one of the assignments was to create a mission statement.

My mission is to become an award winning, best selling author by writing and re-writing, learning from other authors, entering and judging romance writing contests, participating in critique groups and taking classes online and in person.  I network by making friends with other romance writers, joining professional organizations and volunteering my time and energy to support the craft of romance writing. I work daily on improving my craft. My mission is to have fun, live well and enjoy the process.

Week in Review! February Dreams!

Completed 2 one hour Pilates classes
Completed 3 mile and one half lunch time walks
Critiqued one manuscript
Completed Strategic Plan workshop - Goal Setting Assignments

Set up new tablet purchased from QVC - uncertain if I will keep or return
Picked son up from Basketball game and took him to the emergency room
Son to Orthopedist on Monday
Daughter to Dermatologist on Monday
Car to tune up on Tuesday



February Dreams!




















Review critique suggestions on my manuscript
Participate in February critique exchange
Register for RWA San Diego Conference
Complete Strategic Planning Course

Identify contractor for home bathroom remodels
Walk 4 days a week at lunchtime
Attend Pilates Class 2 X per week
Add strength training to workout
60 Cardiovascular workout at gym 3 X per week





Mommy's Rose Garden

Week in Review!

Shave Ice from Hawaii. Snow doesn't have to be all bad.



Author P.A. Moore at Diamond Head in Hawaii Nov. 2015

 

I've been working hard on my developing my writing career and getting published. Working hard on improving my health and well-being as well.

• Enrolled in Passionate Ink Chapter - Strategic Plan Course
• Completed 3 exercises on Values, Vision, Mission
• Developed Mission Plan, Vision Statement and Clarified Values
• Drafted Motivations
• Drafted Blurb for Rumors, Revenge, Remorse
• Drafted Blurb for Over pack, Overdress, Over Dose
• Entered Washington Romance Writers WRW Marlene Contest
• Drafted 5 page Synopsis for Rumors, Revenge, Remorse
• Wrote 2000+ words this week
• Edited synopsis to 675 words for Rumors, Revenge, Remorse
• Entered Kiss of Death Chapter Daphne contest 
• Sign up for Graze snack delivery service at work
• Sold Coach basket online to pay for Hauge class 2/13 sponsored by Silicon Valley RWA
• Signed up for Cultural, Interracial and Multi-cultural Chapter of RWA
• Completed Critique for 1 or 2 Manuscript

Progress on Exercise

• Attended Pilates Class 2 X this Weeks
• Walked or Cardio Workout at least 3 X per week
• Tracked food
• Wore Fitbit daily

Other Things

• Took son to hospital on Friday night for evaluation of sprained or broken ankle.

Next Week's Wish List

• Attend 2 Floor Pilates Classes (Tuesday and Thursday Nights)
• Cardiovascular Exercise 3 X per week ( Elliptical or Bike or Treadmill or Walk)
• Complete 2nd Manuscript
• Complete Synopsis for Deadly Treasures
• Complete Synopsis for Deadly Voyage
• Get oil change for car
• Get car tune-up service
• Son to orthopedist appointment
• Daughter to dermatologist appointment
• Schedule February 2016 massage appointment

Check out Graze Snack Delivery Service.

Kids at the Honolulu Zoo in November 2015

Week in Review!

Pele - The volcano goddess

Me in front of the smoldering volcano caldron in Hawaii - December 2015

I'm well on my way to achieving my goals for 2016.

• Worked out 4 days at the gym this past week. Tried out the elliptical machine and discovered its my new favorite cardio machine.
• Discovered there is a walking tracker on my Samsung phone and put it to use to walk around my office building during breaks. 6 laps around equals 1 mile. Made 2 walks during the week when it was raining.
• Tracked my food daily including my 2 glasses of Beringer White Merlot white that I enjoyed on Friday evening. The super large baked potato with butter I've been enjoying this week as well. Still managed to stay under caloric goals.
• Spent a day in bed because I was feeling depressed, anxious and not well.
• I completed a 2016 vision board aka collage and hung it near my bed.
• Signed up for the Kiss of Death - Romantic Suspense Chapter of Romance Writers of America
• Reserved a room at hotel in San Diego for the RWA Conference albeit not at the conference rate so it is super expensive. So far hubby is planning to go with me so it might be a fun get away even though I won't be able to totally relax with him there. It will be nice to have him company. Last time I looked at the RWA reservations I think there is an option for partners to come along to some of the events such as the dinners and some parties.
• Reread rules for new critique group I joined at the end of last year. First exchange is this week so I am looking forward to getting to know the women in the group.
• Entered 2 different manuscripts into the North Texas RWA Great Expectations contest for feedback and possible bragging rights. Deadline was January 4th.
• Figured out an unusual method of death for one of my mysteries. I hope it is feasible. Goal for next week is to research and ask questions on Crime Scene Writers yahoo groups.
• Drafted rough outline for new erotic romance novel or novella.
• Listed 1 Chatty Cathy doll and 1 Coach Straw Tote on Ebay. Listed 4 Hawaiian shirts on ebay. Proceeds from sales to support contest entry fees and writing classes this year.

Things that were not in my plan but needed to do them:

• Purchased a set of Philosophy scented shower gels from QVC - Can't remember the price but it was on easy pay. Auto delivery with 4 different scents arriving every 4 months for a year. I've been buying drug store scented gels and decided to treat myself this year.
• Purchased a large 10" tablet from QVC - One time only value $129 with easy pay
• Purchased a Susan Graver Faux Leather lined blazer. 5 easy pays of $8.99. QVC didn't have the size I wanted so I am afraid the blazer won't fit. Most likely will send it back.

Goals for the coming week!

• Begin work with critique group.
• Prepare entry/ entries for NEORWA chapter contest. Clarify rules and entry requirements.
• Write 2000 words on Deadly Voyage.
• Exercise.
• Get manicure/ pedicure.
• Pick up pretty journals at TJ Maxx or Ross.

Me in front of the Kauai Marriot Resort. I think I'll stay here when I visit Kauai again.

2016 Goals

Personal

Lose Weight 2 plus pounds per week
Track Food on Fitbit
Exercise 5 times a week at Gym
Walk 5 days a week during lunchtime at work
Work on drought tolerant garden in front yard.
Graduate daughter from high school.
Get daughter into 4 year college with dorm.
Wear hair natural.
Make at least 2 good women friends.
Pay off at least one bill.
Don't buy any dolls.
Clear clutter from garage. Sell/ donate some garage stuff.
Attend at least one scrapbook crop event.
Finish scrapbooking cruise pictures.
Save cash for RWA conference so don't have to charge
Learn WordPress
Set up Etsy vendor page
Attend at least 3 Outdoor Afro Events
Attend at least 3 Girlfriend Social Club events
Hire plumber for replace toilet and other plumbing upgrades.
Replace house front door and screen.

2016 Writing Goals

Attend RWA Conference in San Diego in July 2016
Keep something in the mail! - Write One . Sub One.
Join Cultural, Interracial and Multiracial CIM Chapter of RWA
Join a local RWA chapter
Complete 3 novels that are partially complete
Submit novella to Carina Publishers
Query Agents
Obtain Agent representation
Volunteer at RWA conference
Enter 4 RWA writing contests for feedback and bragging rights
Enroll and complete at least 4 RWA writing classes
Review RWA University classes
Update Blog Monthly
Learn Word Press
Create another blog/ website
Come up with a pen name(s)
Participate in new critique group monthly
Identify a regular critique partner outside of the group

2015 Year in Review! Goals Recap

2015 Personal Goals and Outcomes:

Track Food on My Fitness Pal App - Occasionally. Just recently linked Fitbit to food diary. Plan to use it more in the new year.
 

Eat vegetarian at least 4 out of 7 days - Tried. Even went all out vegan for a few weeks. Deciding to go low carb in 2016 in order to lose weight.
 

Walk 4 out of 7 days per week- No. I was a butterball by the end of the year. Very little exercise and the pictures from Hawaii prove it. Will do better in 2016.
 

Go camping at least 2 times this year - Camped 1 time with Outdoor Afros at Col. Allensworth State Park in June.

Kids in front of one of the stores at Col. Allensworth State Park

Attend at least 3 Outdoor Afro events - Attended 1 event Allensworth Campout

Kids putting up the tent at Col. Allensworth Park

Attend at least 2 Girlfriends Social Events - Attended 2 event - The 2015 Vision Board Party in January 2015 and the Napa Winery Tour/ Outlet Shopping Trip.
 

Pay down Visa card balance - Charged up and paid down 2 new cards. Refinanced remaining balance to 0% interest card.
 

Keep hair natural/ No Weave in 2015 - Sigh. Yes hair has remained natural i.e. no relaxer. Did a big chop/ shaved cut in February. Had hair braided in February. Weaved up in April or May. Re-braided for Hawaii. Natural / Afro in late December.
 

Attend at least 1 scrapbook crop this year - Attended Scrapbook Expo in Santa Clara in August 2015. Stayed late for the Crop but didn't stay overnight as I like to do.  Missed having a hotel room to go to for bathroom breaks and rest from the crowds.
 

Create drought resistant garden in front yard - Dug up bush on side of garage. Replanted with smaller drought resistant plants. Cut back succulents in front of house. Pulled weeds. Edged border with red scalloped bricks.

Side of Garage Before

After but before removal of roots and replanting

After but before replanting

Front of House After Trimming Succulent

Forgot to take a Before Picture so here is the after picture.

 

Update blog 2X per month - No.

 

 

Recap Writing Goals for 2015 and Outcomes:



Become PRO w/ Romance Writers of America RWA - Yes. Submitted ISBN and manuscript. PRO is now required to become a general member.
 

Complete the 2 in progress Novels Deadly Treasures, Deadly Rumors - No.
 

Find Critique Partner/ Partners - I did join a critique group for part of the year. It was very structured, we had to post our reviews to yahoo groups in the email, we didn't use track changes, the moderator had to approve the critique before she posted it.  By August, the group had gone on hiatus.
 

Obtain Agent representations - Didn't even try or query any agents.
 

Complete 2+ erotic novels - No. Didn't even write any new manuscripts.
 

Complete at least 2 writing courses -  Completed 1 course through the Guppies Chapter of Sisters in Crime. I felt the Yahoo groups was difficult to follow.
 

Enter at least 3 RWA writing contests for feedback and potential bragging rights -  I intended to enter some contests last year but didn't.
 

Attend at least 1 writers conference to network and meet potential agents - No.
 

Join local RWA chapters- No.
 

Join Sisters in Crime - Northern California Chapter - Yes. Also joined the Guppies chapter. Didn't feel that the group was supportive as I would like it to be. Folks were rude in email and when suggestions were offered. I'm letting my membership lapse and focusing on RWA groups.
 

Attend at least 3 local chapter meetings of each. - No. Didn't feel that the Sisters in Crime group was welcoming. RWA Meetings weren't convenient but will try to reach out next year.

 

Other 2015 Accomplishments Not Planned:

Taught 2 teenagers to drive.

Celebrated 25th Wedding Anniversary

Celebrated 51st Birthday

Family to Hawaii for 10 day trip over Thanksgiving. Cruised. Visited 4 islands including Oahu, Maui, Big Island and Kauai.