Tag: goals

personal

My word for 2015

Elodie

I have set some blogging and reading goals for 2015, and I have also some personal goals like “take care of myself and be gentle with myself” as I highlighted for the #12DaysofBooks organized by YA Buccaneers.

#12DaysOfBooks

 

For the few past years, I’ve also chosen a word (or words) for the year. In 2013, it was PERSEVERANCE and ENJOY. In 2014, I chose BALANCE.

And both in 2013 & 2014, I wrote things that still resonate quite a bit with present Elodie.

  • In 2013, I wrote “But…I also need to fully enjoy the happy moments like those ones. I need to not be afraid of what could come and look forward to what I can make happen.”
  • And in 2014, “Another element is to let go of the things I cannot control and of the negative talk (–> this one is really tough). You know the one I am talking about: “I should have had, I shouldn’t have had, it shouldn’t be, it will never…”

I  need to let go of whatever I cannot change (yes. feel free to sing Let It Go, I know I am :P)

My word for 2015 is PRESENT  (it’s the same as Katy’s. I probably could have copied her entire post on that one) and I think it encompasses what 2013 & 2014 Elodie wrote in this blog. I want to be present in the moment, I want to really pay attention, I want to enjoy the laughs fully, I want to pause and give my full attention to the little moments that make the big ones, and the big moments which are made of so many little ones.

I want to be present.

Do you have a word for 2015?

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Ready Set Write

Ready, Set, Write #RSW2014 – Novelette? Done!

Elodie

RSWtealpolaroidWelcome back to Ready. Set. WRITE! If you’re wondering what RSW is all about, it’s a summer long writing intensive with the purpose of writing, revising, planning, and keeping each other accountable. We will be sharing our goals on Mondays, keeping our posts BRIEF (2-3 lines per heading) so we can spend more time on writing and less time on blogging. You can sign up at any of the host blogs (Alison‘s,Katy‘s, Erin‘s, Jaime’s) every Monday. And don’t forget to hop around to encourage other participants. For more info about RSW and a link to their super fun buttons, go here.

HOW I DID ON LAST WEEK’S GOALS

* I finished my novelette and it’s off to the very capable hands of Alison (thanks again!) and Jen. I am so excited about this! Publication is planned for the fall 2014. And I love it, but maybe she will hate it, and arrrrghhh! Yes, I’m having a bout of writer’s insecurity.

* I may have drafted a few thousand words of a secret project – which I am putting aside for now.

MY GOAL(S) FOR THIS WEEK

* Revise 3 chapters of DADDY´S LITTLE GIRL

* Prepare the drafting of ALWAYS SECOND BEST (companion novel of One, Two, Three). I am actually going to try outlining, let’s see how I do.

A FAVORITE LINE FROM MY STORY OR ONE WORD/PHRASE THAT SUMS UP WHAT I WROTE/REVISED

A bit of Emilia and Nick from the prequel novelette of One, Two, Three:  “You’re driving me crazy,” he tells her loud enough that I can hear him. She’s about to say something back, but their lips meet and it’s like watching a new dance unfolding in front of me. They get lost in one another.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE I FACED THIS WEEK


Time.

As always.

And the hubby being in the US while we’re also preparing for our big move back to Maryland (if all goes well…)

SOMETHING I LOVE ABOUT MY WIP

Thanks to ONLY ONE DREAM, I also got to brainstorm a bit more about Nick and Emilia. And I’m so excited about their story. Especially because…gasp, it might be a dual POV.

Looking forward to cheering you on!

Ready Set Write

Ready, Set, Write #RSW2014 – It’s a marathon…not a sprint.

Elodie

RSWtealpolaroidWelcome back to Ready. Set. WRITE! If you’re wondering what RSW is all about, it’s a summer long writing intensive with the purpose of writing, revising, planning, and keeping each other accountable. We will be sharing our goals on Mondays, keeping our posts BRIEF (2-3 lines per heading) so we can spend more time on writing and less time on blogging. You can sign up at any of the host blogs (Alison‘s,Katy‘s, Erin‘s, Jaime’s) every Monday. And don’t forget to hop around to encourage other participants. For more info about RSW and a link to their super fun buttons, go here.

HOW I DID ON LAST WEEK’S GOALS

Better than the week before, but I’m still not there.

* I revised 1 chapter ofDADDY´S LITTLE GIRL

* Added about 3000 words to ONE DREAM ONLY

MY GOAL(S) FOR THIS WEEK

* Revise 1 chapters of DADDY´S LITTLE GIRL

* Write 2000 words of ONE DREAM ONLY – the prequel novella of One, Two, Three.

A FAVORITE LINE FROM MY STORY OR ONE WORD/PHRASE THAT SUMS UP WHAT I WROTE/REVISED

I love this one, because it also gives a bit of insight about Emilia. The companion novel ALWAYS SECOND BEST is about her 🙂

Quote ONE DREAM ONLY

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE I FACED THIS WEEK


Hmmm.

Time, but also something else.

A Shiny. New. Idea.

I know. I know. I am typing a few lines away though, just to make sure I don’t forget it, when I actually do have the time to work on it.

SOMETHING I LOVE ABOUT MY WIP

Drafting. Putting in new words.

 

Looking forward to cheering you on!

writing

My word for 2014 is…

Elodie

BALANCE

Source: Sarah Janes Studio Website Credit: Sarah Janes

When I looked back at my resolutions and goals for 2013, I realized that as always many were left in the dust and many are still dear to my heart (like spending more care-free moments with my hubby aka without the blackberry, doing more sports, baking and cooking more…).

On the 1st of January last year, I wrote as one of my goals:

Finding more of a balance. Work has been insane last year. And while I don´t think it will slow down in 2013, I need to find better ways to deal with it. Especially since my hubby will probably travel more and his schedule will get even busier.

I was right in the sense that work didn’t slow down and that my hubby was even busier. But that balance idea kind of didn’t happen and I yearn for it.  Part of it is to make sure I make the time to do the things that are important to me. Another element is to let go of the things I cannot control and of the negative talk (–> this one is really tough). You know the one I am talking about: “I should have had, I shouldn’t have had, it shouldn’t be, it will never…”

While I don’t have the magic recipe for it, I do have some goals which I hope will help in this regard:

  • Dedicate more time to the people important to me (including me)
  • Jog with my hubby at least once a week (yes it means waking up at 4.45 am but I do feel more serene after it)
  • Workout another time during the week
  • Revise DADDY’S LITTLE ANGEL (it should go to my dear and lovely CPs by beginning of February)
  • Query DADDY’S LITTLE ANGEL
  • Start a new project
  • Writing down every night 3 things that made me smile
  • Finally use Google Hangout to chat with some of the friends I made online
  • Join RWA
  • Read 50 books (I even started a Goodreads challenge :-))
  • Take more pictures

What are you looking forward to in 2014?

writing

HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2013 here we come :-)

Elodie

Happy New Year BubblyHappy New Year!

Wishing you health, happiness, love and lots to smile about for you and your loved ones…

When I look back at my resolutions for 2012, I realize I´ve accomplished some of them, but others were left in the dust.

Last night, on our back to my MIL´s place after a fun evening at my in-laws, a French song came on the radio. And I started singing out loud, a smile on my face, even dancing a little. I felt happy and like I could do anything I set my mind to.

I´d like to keep some of this feeling all year long. I know there will be ups and downs. I know I cannot plan every single thing and that there will be moments I want to curl up in a ball and cry. But…I also need to fully enjoy the happy moments like those ones. I need to not be afraid of what could come and look forward to what I can make happen.

And I´m going to start with THE JAN PLAN – brainchild of Fabulous Christa. In January, I will finish one project.

See last year, I wanted to finish PLAYING WITH FIRE, revise it, and query it. Well…I did finish it, revised it but then realized it needed a rewrite. Instead, I wrote an entirely new book, revised it (several times) and even started querying it before I entered it in PitchWars.  There, not only was I chosen as an alternate by the lovely Dahlia, I also received some feedback on how I could make ONE TWO THREE stronger.

I thought long and hard about the suggestions and comments…and started revising. Again. And wow…I mean…wow. This revision is kicking my butt. Don´t get me wrong, all my revisions were tough but I feel like this one is helping me connect even more with my characters and I think it makes the story shine.

But…I´m only on Chapter 6  and I need to be done with it by the end of January, as even the alternates for PitchWars will be showcased on a blog for agents to look through should they wish to.

I´m on a deadline. And with JanPlan I can also get inspired by all those participating and cheer them on as I work hard to meet that deadline.

What else am I planning to achieve in 2013?

  • Write GUILTY, revise it and maybe query it (if ONE TWO THREE doesn´t find a home…)
  • Do more sports aka stop fighting my husband when he wakes me up to go jog. I do love jogging but sometimes the leaving the comfort of my bed to go jog during the week is tough.
  • Finding more of a balance. Work has been insane last year. And while I don´t think it will slow down in 2013, I need to find better ways to deal with it. Especially since my hubby will probably travel more and his schedule will get even busier.
  • I´m taking part in the Debut Author Challenge – to read and review at least 12 Debut Authors this year. I´ll share the list of Debut I am planning to read this year later on, but I can already tell you I´m quite excited about this year of reading.
  • Find a way to spend more time with my family-even if it´s only on Skype.
  • Enjoy more care-free moments with my hubby (and my cat),and more me-time.
  • I want to cook more, and bake more.
  • Attend the SCBWI conference in Paris.
  • Meet some of my dear blogger/Twitter friends IRL 😀
  • And many more…

My words for 2013?

Several lovely ladies (including Katy and Erin) last year picked a word as resolution…They were inspired by Jessica Corra who instead of coming up with resolutions picked a Word of the Year as she explained: Resolutions are too compartmental, too specific and practical. I prefer a word, an attitude, a way of being.

As you can see, I still like to have some goals and resolutions for a given year but I think there´s a certain way of being that goes along with them.

So for 2013, I ´ll pick two words:

PERSEVERANCE and APPRECIATE

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

 

reading, writing

Feeling a bit like Bambi…

Elodie

I have a confession to make. Psssh….come closer, I don´t want everybody to hear…

I have not written a word since the plane ride to the US in May. I have not read a novel while being away either (I just read SECOND CHANCE SUMMER on Saturday though, more on this tomorrow :D) I did attend Teen Author Carnival which was truly inspiring but didn´t write.

No writing and no reading. It feels weird. My fingers want to get onto my story but it somehow seems like a mountain to climb when you have not done any exercise or have not walked in forever.

I feel like Bambi trying to walk on ice…


GIFSoup

Uncertain, wondering but trying and trying again…

So many things to do in the next month for work and scratching my head trying to figure out how I was doing it before my holidays or how others manage 😀

But…I am looking forward to take little steps towards my goals. I read on a blog recently (I need to take notes when I do) that small goals and rewards are good when we´re writing and I tend to agree. We sometimes forget to celebrate the milestones, take into account the small steps it took us to achieve something.

So here are some of my writing goals for June:

  • Incorporate/reflect Jaime´s comments & suggestions into my WiP
  • Send one chapter to Jaime for her feedback (thanks again, I really appreciate it!)
  • Write at least two chapters of WiP above
  • Re-read PLAYING WITH FIRE (again) and set up the last schedule of revisions (I need to send this baby off to my beta readers :D)
  • Write a flash fiction for Christa 😀 Well, for her “This One Time At Band Camp…” gig

So tell me, what are your goals for June or how do you regroup after a long break?

writing

30000 words and shoes…

Elodie

Second happy post in a row but hey sometimes it´s just a good week or a good day.

I had set myself several happy goals for today:

  • Sit down and write for an hour this morning
  • Pamper myself a bit
  • Spend some quality time with my dear husband
  • Find a pair of black boots (I wore the last ones until its sole had no secrets for me) and maybe a pair of dark brown ankle boots
  • And reach the 30000 words mark on my paranormal YA WIP during the week-end

I am so pleased that I managed all of them: the most difficult one was to find that pair of black boots 😉 My other half may need a medal for coming with me. He did mention though that this was worse than a dentist´s visit…

Reaching 30000 words makes me proud because that means my dedication has paid off even if some days I cannot write for more than 20 minutes a day.  I am one step closer to finishing this novel. My story is unfolding, the mystery is thickening and my MC has a lot coming to her and I cannot wait to put it on paper.

As Scarlett O´Hara said: “Tomorrow is another day” (and I do have to finish writing our wedding thank-you cards…) but for now I am going to cuddle on the couch with a nice cup of tea and indulge in watching some old Friends episodes.

Oh and for those of you who may be interested in shoes, here are pictures of my lucky finds: