2018 Personal and Professional Writing Goals

Welcome 2018! Me in Santa Monica, CA

2018 Writing Goals

• Write or edit daily/ Minimum 500 words/ day or 3500 words per week
• Check SinC and SinC Guppies Yahoo Group Loops at least weekly
• Post to Goals for Guppies loop weekly
• Attend Left Coast Crime Conference in Reno, Nevada March 2018
• Join Savvyauthors.com Premium 
• Complete at least 3 writing courses this year
• Identify at least 2 critique and or writing partners
• Complete at least one 70,000 + word cozy manuscript

2018 Personal Goals

• Continue Volunteering for Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale - 10 Hour per month
• Continue Orange Theory membership - Visit gym 5 a.m. at least 3 times per week
• Continue to clear clutter

 2018 Home Improvement Goals

• New dining room chairs
• New living room furniture
• New refrigerator
• New front door
• Plant memory garden in backyard for mom

 

And then she was gone...

My beautiful and kind mother, Marsha Grigsby Anderson passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2017. It was unexpected. She was 79 years old.

2017 Year in Review & 2018 Goals

2017 was a difficult year for me personally and for my writing career. 
I hate to summarize the difficulties but I need to in order to wrap a bow around the year and move forward into 2018.

Mom and Uncle Charles

My brother, cousins and nephews

Low Points for 2017:

• My mother passed away
• The house next door burned down.
• My husband was hospitalized for on-going health issues and procedures
• My 15 year old cat had to be euthanized
• My older daughter got in a minor car accident, she was sued and my car insurance premium increased.
• My son's car broke down
• Got stuck in the snow on the way to pick son up from college
• Joined RWAOnline but couldn't access website
• Joined Faith, Hope and Love Chapter but didn't receive any meaningful content
• Failed to take advantage of the Sisters in Crime membership or Guppies Chapter

There were a number of high points and successes for 2017

• Graduated my son from high school
• Planned son's graduation party
• Financed son first year in college
• Visited 3 universities with son
• Enrolled son in major university
• Joined a gym program - Orange Theory
• Visited the gym at 5:00 a.m.
• Found a new mechanic to keep the Red Benz operating
• Attended the Grigsby family reunion with moms family
• Planned mothers memorial service
• Visited Baltimore, Maryland with Darryl on business trip 
• Set up a home office with adjustable standing desk for writing
• Began volunteering with Oakland Museum Women's Board White Elephant Sale 
• Visited Disneyland for the first time in 14 years
• Attended the play Hamilton in Los Angeles
• Watched Mariah Carey perform at Shrine Auditorium
• Visited Laduree Beverly Hills for tea party with daughter
• Ended term as Membership Director for CIMRWA chapter
• Reached out to  five RWA members and exchanged manuscripts to identify critique partners
• Tried various subscription boxes:
• Rocksbox
• Onyx Box
• PopSugar
• Izzy & Live Brown Sugar Box
• KetoKrate
• Green Chef
• Blue Apron
• Trunk Club Clothing service

  

My writing goals were high and ended up taking a back seat to the various issues I dealt with during the year. 

Laduree Beverly Hills Tea Party

Laduree

Tea with my daughter, rose water cake

2017 Writing Business Plan 
Finish 3 in progress novels. NOT ACHIEVED
Submit to beta reader NOT ACHIEVED
Find developmental and/ copy editors. Pay for advice & editing. NOT ACHIEVED
Query Agents NOT ACHIEVED
Query the following digital publishers:

1. Kensington  Lyrical Press  NOT ACHIEVED
2. HQN - Carina Press NOT ACHIEVED
3. Random House - Love Swept and Flirt NOT ACHIEVED
4. Avon - Impulse NOT ACHIEVED
5. St. Martens Press - Swerve NOT ACHIEVED

Maintain membership in RWA ACHIEVED
Renew RWA Online chapter ACHIEVED
Renew RWA Kiss of Death Chapter membership ACHIEVED
Join RWA Passionate Ink Chapter ACHIEVED
Renew Sisters in Crime membership ACHIEVED
Participate in online critique group ACHIEVED

Write daily. NOT ACHIEVED

Ultimate Writing Goal for 2017 
Have a contract for at least two romance manuscripts. NOT ACHIEVED
Have a contract with a literary agent. NOT ACHIEVED

Silver boots, silver purse, Johnny Was Kimono to see Mariah Carey at World AIDS Day event in Los Angeles

New Year! New Goals!

It's been over 6 months since I've updated this blog and it's time to get back to it.
Let me start by reviewing my last years (2106) personal and professional goals. Then go over my achievements.

 

Personal

Lose Weight 2 plus pounds per week Not achieved.
Track Food on Fitbit Partial
Exercise 5 times a week at Gym Partial
Walk 5 days a week during lunchtime at work No
Work on drought tolerant garden in front yard.
Graduate daughter from high school.Yes
Get daughter into 4 year college with dorm. I tried. Took her to visit colleges.
Wear hair natural.Part of the year.
Make at least 2 good women friends.Still looking
Pay off at least one bill. No
Don't buy any dolls. Yes
Clear clutter from garage. Sell/ donate some garage stuff. Yes
Attend at least one scrapbook crop event.Yes. Scrapbook Expo
Finish scrapbooking cruise pictures.NO
Save cash for RWA conference so don't have to charge No. Attended but charged.
Learn WordPress Yes. Partially.
Set up Etsy vendor page No
Attend at least 3 Outdoor Afro Events No
Attend at least 3 Girlfriend Social Club events No
Hire plumber for replace toilet and other plumbing upgrades. Yes
Replace house front door and screen. No
Read Mornings with Jesus 2016. Prayed. Studied Bible verses.

 

2016 Writing Goals

Attend RWA Conference in San Diego in July 2016 YES
Keep something in the mail! - Write One . Sub One.
Join Cultural, Interracial and Multiracial CIM Chapter of RWA YES
Join a local RWA chapterYES RWA Online
Complete 3 novels that are partially complete NO
Submit novella to Carina PublishersNO
Query Agents NO
Obtain Agent representation NO
Volunteer at RWA conferenceYES
Enter 4 RWA writing contests for feedback and bragging rights  I think I did about 3 contests
Enroll and complete at least 4 RWA writing classes YES
Review RWA University classesYES
Update Blog Monthly Partial
Learn Word Press YES
Create another blog/ website YES
Come up with a pen name(s)YES
Participate in new critique group monthly YES
Identify a regular critique partner outside of the group Not yet

 
2016 Achievements
Bought new mattress
Bought myself new recliner.
Got new job in a new department within same company. Yeah!
Visited Washington D.C for the first time.
Visited ancestral home in Virginia
Visited colleges in North Carolina
Drove to San Diego with hubby
Attended RWA Conference
Met author Beverly Jenkins
Attended MLB All Star Game outside festivities
Nursed husband through 10 days in intensive care hospital stay.
Found new Mercedes Benz mechanic
Helped son apply to colleges. Still waiting for answers.
Got new mini pincer puppy.
Started new blog/ website on WordPress. www.authorpamelaamoore.com

Joined CIMRWA
Acted as Membership Director for CIMRWA
Joined Skype
Began writing new novel.
Added words to previous novels.
Entered 6 romance writing contests.

1. Great Beginnings
2. Cleveland Rocks
3. Great Expectations
4. Wisconsin Fab 5
5. Daphne de Maurier Kiss of Death
6. Marlene WRW

Completed 5 writing classes in 2016:

1. Passionate Ink _ Strategic Plan Class
2. RWA San Diego - Completing an author website for WordPress.com
3. RWA Kiss of Death Chapter - Weapons for Writers
4. RWA Kiss of Death Chapter - Archeology and Archeologists
5. RWA Kiss of Death Chapter - The Intelligence Community

2017 Writing Business Plan 
Finish 3 in progress novels.
Submit to beta reader
Find developmental and/ copy editors. Pay for advice & editing.
Query Agents
Query the following digital publishers:

1. Kensington  Lyrical Press 
2. HQN - Carina Press
3. Random House - Love Swept and Flirt
4. Avon - Impulse
5. St. Martens Press - Swerve

Maintain membership in RWA
Renew RWA Online chapter
Renew RWA Kiss of Death Chapter membership
Join RWA Passionate Ink Chapter
Renew Sisters in Crime membership
Participate in online critique group

Write daily.

Ultimate Writing Goal for 2017 
Have a contract for at least two romance manuscripts.
Have a contract with a literary agent.

June 2016

Darrylann's Graduation from High School

Me and Darrylann in Washington D.C.

At the Lincoln Monument

At the Lincoln Monument Looking out at the Washington Monument

At the MLK monument

Darrylann's Prom in March

John at his Prom in March

Visiting Shaw University

Visiting Bennett College

My middle Daughter graduated from high school on June 11th. In the weeks prior, she had attended her Senior Ball wearing a red dress and my son went to his Junior Prom. When Darrylann graduated, we had a great big Taco Party in our backyard to celebrate. Her grandmother and aunt Donna drove up from Los Angeles to attend the ceremony.

The next day, Darrylann and I left for a college visit tour to the east coast. We visited Shaw University in Raleigh North Carolina where she has been accepted and Bennett College in Greensboro where she has applied. Both schools are HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and University's), Shaw is located in an urban setting and Bennett is one of two HBCU which is for women. Bennett is located on a beautiful campus in Greensboro, North Carolina and is not far from North Carolina A&T University. I really hope that Darrylann decides to attend Bennett but it really has to be her choice. Her father is definitely against Shaw as it has a dismal graduation rate but I hope that she will decide to attend Bennett rather than going to Contra Costa College (CCC) which is a two year community college.   Despite it being a small college, I believe she would grow and mature in ways that she wouldn't have the opportunity to at CCC.

We stayed at a hotel by the airport for two days and then took a train into Washington D.C. I have flea bits on my legs which I believe came from the train. Darrylann thinks they came from visiting Boydton, Virginia where we have property.

After visiting the schools we drove the hour and a half to visit my grandmother's property in Boydton, Virginia. My mother had recently sold the largest piece of property but there were still two pieces for sale. One has a cemetery of my great-grandfather and the other is just along the road. I wandered into the woods and took a few pictures. Stopped to ask a man if he knew where the property was and generally had a great time.

I really enjoyed the train ride and drive through the South as we could see all the small towns and wooded areas. I didn't reserve the 8:45 a.m.train ticket in advance although I had been looking at them online prior to the trip. The night before, I found out they were sold out. I managed to get a ticket on the next train to Washington D.C. which was at 10:45 a.m. I purchased Business Class tickets which I recommend. We had free WiFi, free soft drinks and free pillows. The seats were also roomy and the train car was not crowded. Darrylann and I were able to sit together. The coach car looked very crowded.

I planned the trip in less than two weeks. I used the app TripCase to help manage the trip and keep all my reservations in one place.

I stayed at Hyatt Place in Raleigh Durham Airport. It was centrally located to the airport and the freeways to Raleigh and Greensboro. The hotel room was clean and large.  I reserved a room on a high floor with two queen beds for my daughter and I. There was a nice breakfast each morning and friendly staff in the lobby.

In Washington D.C., I stayed at the Hyatt Place on N St. I reserved a high floor and received a room on the 8th floor which is not a high floor. I didn't mention anything until check out and received a $50 credit. There were floor to ceiling windows in the room and the window shades didn't work. There was construction across the street and you could hear it through the windows. I could also hear playing in the pool which was several floors below. This hotel is in an up and coming area. It is within walking distance of the Red Line Metro station which my daughter and I used to take to Union Station where we picked up our tour bus. The room was not cheap at $300 a night plus tax. I think if we had had a higher floor, then we would have had a view. I'm not sure if I would reserve that hotel again but it was adequate for our purposes.

We flew out of BWI airport which was $91 one way trip in an ExecuCar service which I booked through Super Shuttle.

 Upcoming July 2016 Activities
I am still planning to attend the RWA Conference in San Diego in July. I have many activities planned and am looking forward to learning  many things.

Summer Wish List

• Attend RWA Conference
• Get Darrylann enrolled in College
• Go to the gym regularly
• Finish reading two novels. One per month.

Packing List for RWA Conference #RWA2016

Packing List for RWA Conference #RWA2016 by mspamoore

1 Black Dress (Evening Events)

1 Red & Black Print Dress (Day )

1 Black Skirt with Red Embroidery

1 Red Blouse

1 Black Blouse

1 Dressy White Blouse

1 Cotton White T-shirt (Travel Day)

1 Cotton Black T-Shirt (Travel Day)

1 Black Skinny Pant

1 White Capri Pant

Print Tennis Shoe

Red Wedge

1 Red Bead Necklace

Catching Up!

It's been a busy three months for me. I've got a lot of personal things accomplished and absolutely no words written on my manuscripts. My goal was to have at least one or two of the three manuscripts completed by the time I went to the RWA Convention in San Diego but I have been doing everything but. Yes, yes I know that they won't be edited or ready for submission. I just want to have them completed as I may be looking for a free lance editor or someone to help me with the process. An agent? An editor? A personal critique partner or friend?

Anyway I've been very busy partying with family during the past few months so here is my Quarter in Review:
Personal & Family Accomplishments:

• March- Angie Stone Concert with hubby. Dinner at Yoshi's

• Late March - April : Transferred to a new department at work! Made some new friends. Assumed some new responsibilities. I'm very happy. I saw a notice posted a work in the break room. Submitted my resume and cover letter. Interviewed a week later and started three weeks after that. I'm VERY happy with the move. 
• Celebrated middle daughters 18th birthday.
• Celebrated son's 17th birthday. Gave party for son. It rained. No one showed up.
• Send Son off to Jr. Prom.
• Send daughter off to her Senior Prom
• Hosted family for backyard barbecue. 
• Re-decorated bedroom. 
• Finished reading a Beverly Jenkins historical.
• Purchased 2 additional ones to read.

 Writing / Author Activity

• Completed 2 writing classes. Weapons for Writers through Kiss of Death RWA Romantic Suspense Chapter and Creating a WordPress Blog in 4 easy lessons Class through another chapter. 
• Created sample Wordpress blog for my new psuedonym, Berkeley Jones. https://berkeleyjones.wordpress.com/
• Got results and comments back from RWA chapter writing contests.   Sigh!
• Interviewed a Golden Heart finalist who is part of my critique group to find out her secrets. 
• Volunteered to be the Membership Director for the Cultural Interracial Multi-cultural RWA (CIMRWA) Chapter. Haven't made it to an online board meeting yet. Eek.
• Registered for Passionate Ink party at RWA.
• Registered for Kiss of Death - Death by Chocolate Party at RWA.
• Purchased meal packet for hubby at RWA. 
• Planned packing list for RWA. Yes,I love to travel and over plan like this. 
• Wrote exactly zero (0) words on my three manuscripts in progress. 

Wish List for the Next Month! 
 As I mentioned above, I haven't written a word in 3 months. I would like nothing more than to have a least 2 manuscripts completed by the time I go to RWA.
Goal #1 Write.
Goal #2 Exercise.
Goal #3 Eat Right.