Hi everyone! Woot a new round of ROW and a golden opportunity to seize your dreams by the horns and say, “Hey Mister, let’s get something done!” This is the start of my second year in ROW and I’m trying out a couple of new approaches to goal setting based on my experiences. Life is one long experiment and you’ll get a front row (pun intended) seat to watch one of mine.
Here we go…
1) A Layered Goal for Writing. By “layered” I mean that I’m setting this goal at “minimum”, “desired”, and “woohoo awesome” tiers. My belief is that this will both allow me flexibility when life is being rude to my schedule and give me some pep when I’m able to achieve the top tier.
- Minimum: 2 Hours a Day for at least 500 words an hour. At least 1000 words.
- Desired: 3.5 Hours a Day for at least 750 words an hour. At least 2625 words.
- Woohoo Awesome!: 5 Hours a Day for at least 1000 words an hour. At least 5k words.
Yep, you got it, doing both hours and word count because experience has taught me they work better in combination. And yes, I know the top tier is a push, but that is exactly what I feel it should be, so, wish me luck *smile* By the way, the top one is also the norm for FastDraft (more on that in #7).
2) An open goal – Reading. I will read 10 books during this round and post reviews of them on Goodreads and Amazon (or other outlet) when available. They may be craft. They may be fiction. They may be about bird migration patterns in Australia. As long as there are ten of them by the end, it’s all good.
3) A Breakdown Goal – Blog Transition. During this round I’ll be transitioning my blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. So, by “breakdown”, I mean that this goal will be split apart into smaller ones and presented on a week by week basis until the whole thing is complete. This is an elephant, I’m not going to try to eat it in one massive bite.
- Step One: Re-read and take notes on Melinda VanLone’s posts on site transitioning from Marcy Kennedy’s site in preparation AND look into site purchase items for WP.org. by next Sunday.
4) A fun goal – Social Media expansions. I added in a Pinterest account over the ROW break although I don’t have any boards yet (my wife is endeavoring to teach me cause she is a total Pinterest wiz) but I would love to connect with all of you. Drop me your Pinterest info in the comments and we’ll ROWPin together (I’m GeneLempp, on there). The goal for this one: Have at least 10 boards that support my platform or personal expression by the end of the round.
Also on this one, setting up an author homepage on Goodreads and catching up on the few dozen book reviews I need to post there – by the end of the round. I’m also sitting on a half dozen group invites on Goodreads and I need to take action on these and get connected into at least two or three groups.
5) A Career Breakdown Goal – E-book formatting. During this round I’ll learn what I can and cannot do as far as e-book formatting with Scrivener and familiarize myself with Calibre and Sigil software. Have an hints, tricks, site resources, etc., drop them in the comments, I could use the help.
- Step one – Explore the e-book information on Kait Nolan’s site AND do a test run with Scrivener to gain an understanding of its functionality for formatting. Love the alliteration in this goal *smile*
6) Classes – The Knowledge is Power goal. I’ll be taking at least a dozen web classes through WANA International during this round (by the way, I’m an instructor and currently designing my classes). Most of these are a few hours each and they are spread apart so it shouldn’t become overwhelming. If it does, well, then I’ll adjust. First class is on the 9th.
7) The Ultimate Goal – Publish a Novella. Yep, I am going to write, edit and (hope of hopes) have my first novella up by the end of this round. This is a breakdown goal.
- Step one – Plot the novella (started and needs to be finished by July 6th) and take Candace Haven’s FastDraft and Revision Hell course starting July 7. Obviously, this will blend in with a few of the other goals and really they are all directed at this final one.
Whew, okay. I think that’s enough for this round. Yes, I’ll be busy. Yes, I’ll probably go insane. Yes, I can really use your support. I’m the ROW sponsor for the #7’s this round. Be sure to get out there and support your fellow ROWers, there is strength in community. It’s a great day to ROW!
Pinterest. Goodreads. I’d love to connect with you on both if I haven’t already. Drop me a link, invite, smoke signal, etc.
Peaceful Journeys!
Gene Lempp ~ Writer 
Okay, Gene, these are crazy-hectic goals, but if anyone can accomplish them, you can. Oh, and thanks a LOT for sending me over to my pinterest board to get my address for you – just spent 20 minutes tinkering with them instead of WRITING! I blame YOU. LOL, just kidding. Here’s my address: http://pinterest.com/kbowenmysteries/
Good luck with the wp.org transfer. I did it last year, and it wasn’t so bad. 😉
Kathy: And I will totally take the blame with pride 🙂 Now – go Write! Thanks for the link and I am now following you (just did it in the middle of that sentence. Did you notice?). May have to ask you a couple question on the .org shift, but I’ll wait to see what obstacles I run into first.
Love the layered goals! This is my first ROW80 so set an obtainable word count per day but secretly have some layered goals as well. Not bold enough to post them yet but you are definitely an inspiration to do so!
You were always an inspiration to me, but even more so after reading this list! Holy fantastic goals, Gene-man! 1st, here’s my Pinterest link http://pinterest.com/marciaarichards/ .We’re already friends on Goodreads. I’m in the process of moving to self-hosted. I didn’t begin at WordPress for the transition. I already had a domain name thru GoDaddy and went there to get one of their WP sites. Their customer service is amazing. WP isn’t as good at that. My cust serv rep walked me through the whole process on the phone. It costs me $56/yr. Cheaper than anything I’ve found with a great reputation. I have Carrie Spencer designing for me and Natalie Hartford helped a ton with the “look” of it (fonts, background, etc).
Congrats on instructing for WANA Int’l. I hope that works out well for you. You’ll be amazing. What are you teaching?
I love the way you set up your writing goals. I’m with you on most of that. 5000 is too hefty for me at this point, but 3000 is my big daily goal with a min of 1500. I give myself 4 hours a day to write.
I’m so excited for you! Your plan is solid and you are so organized and persevering, I KNOW you’ll accomplish these. I’ll be here cheering you on all the way through, my friend!
Shelley: Awesome! Glad to be an inspiration and wish you the absolute best in achieving your goals during this round and beyond. Saw you started following on Pinterest and followed you back 🙂
Marcia: Thanks and now following you on Pinterest – going to have to get a few boards up soon so you all have something to look at. I’ll take a look at GoDaddy, have a few ideas on this front but nothing set in stone yet. I like to consider the pro’s and con’s of all the options before I leap into things, but a very good recommendation for them. Carrie Spencer: by designing you mean the overall look of the blog right? Going to try to manage that on my own at this point but I may pull someone in if that doesn’t work out as planned. WANA Int’l at this point the two I am working on are for Effective Research and a Live version of Designing from Bones, which could also be put together into a master class of sorts. Still working out the details, syllabus, etc, but very excited about the opportunity. The reason my stretch goal is 5k is because that is the normal for FastDraft, my typical writing is around 3k and takes 2.5 to 3 hours (I type fast) so this shouldn’t be beyond reason. At some point it will move from writing to editing, but the pace will remain the same. Just have to keep things moving. Thanks for all the great encouragement 🙂
RE the website, Carrie knows CSS which is necessary in some instances. I couldn’t find a theme similar to my blog’s theme, which isn’t available for.org. She found something close and made changes to the code to bring it even closer. She’s also installing a slider that required some code. I tried to work with it myself and found I didn’t understand a lot of the terminology an didn’t have time to fool with it. Got very frustrated. Once Carrie is done with it, I’ll be able to change colors, text, images, audio/video and all just like a .com site.
Gene, not trying to blog-jack you here, but Marcia: who can I borrow/beg/hire (cheaply) to help me with my site? There are things I want to do with it that I don’t have the knowledge/understanding to accomplish. I hear ya on the terminology, LOL.
Thx!
I’ll message you at Facebook, Kathy!
Kathy: LOL! That is totally fine 🙂
Julie: Yes, yes I am and whether I hit it or not I’ll be better off for the attempt. Thanks, Julie 🙂
Dahnya: Well you could if you used them as part of your WIP *grins* otherwise, probably not. I’ve used FastDraft methods for awhile and while I’ve never moved at the full pace I’m really looking forward to pushing it up that next level. Thanks 🙂
Marcia: Can you email me same info as Kathy? I’d like to build a file of resources for this so I’m not scrambling at the last minute if/when I need someone. Thanks 😀
Absolutely, Gene! It’s on its way!
Good gravy, you’re shooting for the moon! If anyone can hit it, it’s you, though. Looking forward to a great round, Gene!
Fast Draft is super awesome; I hope you learn a lot there. It can be a little tough the first few days, but it really starts to come together quickly.
Speaking of which, I’m supposed to be working on my Fast Draft words, not ROW80 blog hops!
(Do you think I can count 20 blog comments towards my daily page count?)
Holy cow, Gene, you’re ambitious! I totally dig the layered approach – I do something similar with my “Bonus” goals.
Have fun with your new website! I love WordPress.org and have developed many sites using it, including mine of course (no, not looking for more work, but I’m happy to answer questions). You’ll love all the fun things you can do with thousands of themes available and plugins! I use Social Media Widget to display my social media links – it’s super easy. My Goodreads link is http://www.goodreads.com/jenmariepowell – look forward to seeing you there!
Gene, I don’t think you have enough goals, so I think you should add some more. Hahahahahaha. Wow, what a set of goals! Good luck this round!
I feel so much better now, Gene. After reading your goals, mine seem like a piece of cake (low-fat, low-carb, low-calorie cake since I’ve recommitted to getting fit). If I’m feeling defeated, I’m just going to think of all you’ve set out to do and remind myself, “Yes, I can!” From the 2s sponsor to the 7s sponsor: Go for it!
Great idea with the layered goals, Gene. 🙂 I think on some level I’ve already learned how to do this (since I have learned how not to beat myself up about writing goals *g*), but that’s a great term for being a tad more realistic and forgiving! 🙂
I’m sure you will have great luck and progress this round!
Wow, Gene, I’m impressed! You’re gonna be so busy, and yes, we’re gonna support you. But I’m sure you can do it! Woot!
I really like the idea of layered goals. And you’ve reminded me I’ve got to check out Scrivener. Good luck, Gene! I’m pretty active on Pinterest these days, hope to see you there: http://pinterest.com/debraeve
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Jeanette: I am feeling more inspired this round, I think last round was my “fallow season”, but now it’s time to plant and grow the future. Appreciate the offer to answer questions on the WP front and I’m sure I’ll take you up on that as I get into the building process. Now following you on Goodreads, liked your page over there and may use it along with Marcia Richards as a template to put my own together (which I also started yesterday). Thanks for the support 🙂
Lauralynn: You are right. I need to add one more goal – Stop by Lauralynn’s site every checkin. Yeah I like that one. Thanks 🙂
Steph: The point is progress and the best way to attain that is do just a bit beyond what we are comfortable with. That way we move forward and grow to do more as time progresses. I like your goals for the round and I think you will do well with them. By the way, I had the 2’s last round, great group of people 🙂
Ruth: I think the layered goals are the most useful “innovation” (for me at least) that I’ve come up with in the past 4 rounds. I’ve toyed with them for the past two and decided to make them official finally. I don’t beat myself up over “missing” goals, but rather see that as an indicator that adjustment is needed, take the action and move forward. Thanks much for the support 🙂
Juliana: Yep, busy is good. Thanks much for your eternal positivity – it is greatly appreciated 🙂
Debra: Now following you on Pinterest and I love the boards you have set up. Noticed one that has a few of the same nature (animal) pics I have in my file from the past couple of years of surfing the net. Gave me some great ideas. Thanks for always being such a great supporter 🙂
Oh, I like your list of goals, much more thought-through than mine 😉 I especially find your “Layered Goal for Writing” approach interesting. I wish you the best of luck for this round. Also, thanks for stopping by my blog… and happy writing!
Wow! What a list. I love how much you’ve covered and how you’ve broken things down. And now I kind of want to add a “something fun” goal, too. 🙂
I just followed you on Pinterest. I’m MuseCraft over there. And I sent you a request on Goodreads where I’m Kim Switzer
Gene, you’re crazy 😀 But you’ll also feel very fulfilled if you finish most of your goals. I really like the layered writing goals. And how cool that you’re teaching at WANA. The Designing from the Bones class sounds really fascinating.
And welcome to Pinterest 🙂 I followed you there already. My boards are at: http://pinterest.com/reettaraitanen/
When you create a new board, try to put at least 7 pins there right away so it doesn’t look empty and abandoned. After that you can take it more slowly and add just a few pins every day or how often you decide to visit.
GEEEEEEEENE!!!! What’s happening, ROWbro? Looks like you’ve got some kicking goals this ROW.
We’re still in the moving process, but we’re closing on a house next week. It’s an older house, so I’ve got a honey-do list as long as my leg. Therefore, I’m still AWOL on the writing scene, but I plan on getting back in the grove late summer.
Keep on ROWin’ bro. Great goals. ~clink~
Dahnya’s goals made me dizzy…yours, I think, just made me pass out 😀 Good luck with all you’re working to accomplish this round! And congrats on the Wana International instructor – I can’t wait to have some free time to check out a couple! You also reminded me that I wrote my goals in a sleep deprived, caffeine craving stupor and forgot a few things – off to fix it up with today’s post! I’ll go search you out on Goodreads, and my Pinterest is: http://pinterest.com/laurengarafalo/
Have a great week, Gene!
I love the layered goal idea but holy cow that’s a lot to accomplish. On the other hand, you’re the man for the job 🙂 Wishing you a FABULOUS Round Gene!