 | 22 Dec 06 |
Although there is no such thing as a crystal ball we can predict the future. To a point. For instance, here is a prediction: If I turn a good book in on or before my deadline my publisher will be happy. The books sells well, I will get another contract. Prediction: If I turn in a lousy book late, and it tanks there will not be another contract with that publisher.
Cause and effect, action reaction, whatever you want to call it, many things in life are in our control and therefore predictable. There are always exceptions. Who could predict getting dumped by their publisher when numbers have been good and the author reliable?
To ensure the first of the predictions comes true, it takes planning, dedication, and perseverance on my part. The plan part is simple. I look at my year ahead, what I have to commit to both personally and professionally. Write it down, see it, absorb it, work it. How many books do I have to write? How many conferences can I attend in between deadlines? How many RWA meetings can I commit to, how many contests can I judge? Can I squeeze in a vacation? When and for how long? Once I have my year business plan on paper and have sealed it with my myself, my husband and my agent, then I must dedicate myself to persevering in these tasks I have set forth.
I’m not an organized person. I waste time, precious writing time. I’m over committed on blogs, contests and conferences. But, I have an ace in the hole. I want to write and I have an incredible sense of responsibility to my publisher. It trumps everything. When I get into a pressure cooker corner, I can write myself out of it. I can set everything aside and produce. It isn’t pretty for my household but I seem to thrive in this type of atmosphere. But a steady diet of this type of lifestyle will burn me out—fast. I have come to the conclusion that I do have to pull back from loops, visiting too many blogs, and I must just say no. I have said no to MySpace. Both being a buddy and launching my own MySpace. It’s a time suck that will tip the balance of a tenuous scale. I have enough on my plate.
I have discovered something about myself this holiday season. Amidst my husband’s surgery, and (new word alert!) invalidness, a crazy book signing road trip, several local signings, numerous parties both hosted and attended, and basically having to run a busy household single-handedly during a demanding holiday season while battling a nasty flu in my house, I have not lost my mind! I have managed to put my entire house in holiday mode, read a little, write a little, though not enough, go through the galley pages of SKIN, whip up a blurb for a proposal and get an offer on it (still in the works—agent on vacation), throw a couple of parties, attend a couple of parties, Christmas shop, maintain my blogs and even give a few books away, and, more than anything, I have survived this craziest month of my life. I’m still standing. My Christmas shopping is done, the family is coming over Christmas Eve, I don’t have to cook Christmas day, hubby’s cast is history the 28th and then I am free and clear to put my household on standby while I complete JADED.
While I never would have predicted when my husband had surgery the Thursday before Thanksgiving, and he would be off his feet, literally for 6 weeks that I would be on the lucid side of sanity, I should have known I could do it. Hell, I’m a woman, and we ladies are tough. Having weathered this storm I can safely predict a bit of my future for 2007. I will write the three single titles I have contracted and the two novellas. I’ll do it in between traveling to New York for a conference, Houston for a conference and then to Dallas for a conference. I’ll do in between all of the RWA meetings I am committed to, I’ll do it in between my regular family drama and extra family drama, I’ll do it in sickness and in health. I will just do it. I can’t not do it. I’m like a shark, I have to keep moving to survive. I also predict I’ll be exhausted by the time 2008 rolls around.
So, to see my predictions through I have a few resolutions. Lose a few more pounds, improve my craft. I want to be instrumental in helping a writer realize their dream of publication. But first and foremost I resolve to keep moving forward at all costs.
How about you? What are your resolutions for 2007?
© 2006 – 2009, Karin Tabke. All rights reserved.
A Cop’s Wife Writes the Cop’s Life:
Award winning author, Karin Tabke isn’t just another author with steamy stories to tell, but a cop’s wife who has “seen it all and heard it all.†Some of the hottest stories come from behind the blue wall of law enforcement rather than from in front. Married to a street cop, now retired, Karin is intimate with both and proves it with her sizzling tales and hot cops. Not only are her cops hot, but so are her sexy knights. Karin’s Blood Sword Legacy series is a must read for anyone who loves tales of yore when men were men and women were women, and love did conqueror all!
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Karin, I don’t know how you do all that! I got tired just reading about it!
I finally have an agent, so my resolution for 2007 is to be published. I’d also like to finish the 2nd book (and maybe the 3rd). And losing 20 pounds wouldn’t hurt either.
Wishing all of you a wonderful and prosperous New Year!
by Joyce Tremel December 22nd, 2006 at 6:33 ambesides lose 30 pounds by June..and
by Amie December 22nd, 2006 at 7:45 amUgh stoopid fingers!
by Amie December 22nd, 2006 at 7:46 amOk I’ve promised myself I’ll quit smoking when I finish this book and turn it in. Otherwise, I’m not much for making resolutions. I PLAN on spending the spring writing book proposals and getting another ebook ready to go and painting my son’s room and the bathroom. Otherwise, I just want new floors in sometime in 2007.
Wow, Karin. Three books? I’m hoping to manage one. LOL!
by Kalen Hughes December 22nd, 2006 at 7:52 amYou are busy!!! And yes a woman can do it all. As my mother use to say “Someone has to be in charge, and best it be a woman, if anything is to get done.” This coming year I’m going to put a lot on myself. One to loose the twenty pounds I gained this past year, and two get published…So I’ve put out there into the universe for all to see. I normally don’t do resolutions, but this year I need a couple…Keep on truck’n girl…I hope to be right behind you…Merry Christmas.
by Lee December 22nd, 2006 at 7:58 amMy resolutions for 2007 is to keep believing that I CAN do it. I’ve been doing it for years, and yet, I’m still surprised every time I finish a book while dealing with the craziness of life. I wrote through all kinds of difficulties this year, but I’m finding that right now my brain is insisting on a break. So I take a break (to get through Christmas) then my brain keeps working on the book anyway. It’s drivng me crazy. I want to write as the ideas are occurring to me, but my brain keeps saying, “Just leave me alone and let me think.” This is not exactly relaxing
Not sure where I’m going with this…probably just Holiday Madness making me babble.
Karin I hope your husband has fully recovered from surgery, and that the your entire family stays well now!
by Jen December 22nd, 2006 at 8:12 amI’m looking to write more, be more constructive with my time and finally get to that marathon I’ve been promising myself.
And a publishing contract. I want a big, fat one in my hands before the end of 2007!
by Meretta ~ American Title Finalist December 22nd, 2006 at 9:29 amJoyce, congrats on the agent. I bet you can write that 3rd book. Amazing what we can do when we put our mind to it (including knocking off those extra pounds). And wishing you a fab 2007 as well. Thanks.
Amie, I officially quit smoking many many years ago. BUT! I have this habit of picking a smoke up at conferences. It’s amazing who you meet and what you hear in the smoking corral at conferences. Good luck shedding the habit and the pounds.
by Karin December 22nd, 2006 at 10:06 amKalen you will more than manage one. While I do have a crazy life, I don’t have a demanding full time job other than writing like you do, so hang in there, baby. It gets easier.
by Karin December 22nd, 2006 at 10:07 amLee you’re a busy one yourself. But you’ve proved you can write under deadline. And what the hell is it with us and these pesky 20 pounds this year? Argh, I hate it!!
by Karin December 22nd, 2006 at 10:09 amlol, Jen you sound like I feel. I have confidence in you! You will keep moving forward. Hubby is almost out of the woods. I live for the 28th.
Meretta, I am seriously considering getting into running. A marathon is beyond me right now, but so many of my friends run and they look fabulous.
I see a contract in your future! Near furture!!! Good Luck.
by Karin December 22nd, 2006 at 10:12 amMy day job is sending me to Morocco, though. So it ain’t all bad. *GRIN* I can pretty much write off those four weeks. I’ll be putting in 14 hour days and traveling all over the place. I’ll just have to carry a notebook for when ideas hit me . . .
by Kalen Hughes December 22nd, 2006 at 10:14 amI forgot you were going. When?
by Karin December 22nd, 2006 at 10:20 amI leave Jan 19th, and I think I’ll be back Feb 9th or 10th.
by Kalen Hughes December 22nd, 2006 at 12:44 pmKarin, you can do it. Just do it. You’re right, women are tough. Besides, if you complain I’ll hand you a couple of my children . . .
A
by Allison December 22nd, 2006 at 1:57 pmKarin, you rock! My goal is to finish 3 books during 2007 and lose 15 pounds. I WILL do it all.
by Edie Ramer December 22nd, 2006 at 2:49 pmOh, good, then I’ll get to see you before you head off to the exotic climes of Africa.
Allison any time you want to trade kids let me know, I’ll bring my boys to your doorstep and give you cash to boot.
Edie, I have all confidence you will write those three books and then some. As for the 15 pounds, let’s make a pact. You lose 15 by National and I’ll lose 20. Biggest loser gets free drinks!!
by Karin December 22nd, 2006 at 3:04 pmI’m in. 15 pounds by National. After Nano I have much more confidence in me. So…finish 2 books next year, at least. Send them to editors. Madly cross fingers. Take some classes to better my writing. Be a good president for my RWA chapter. Okay, enough for me for a year!!!! LOL
by Amanda December 22nd, 2006 at 5:35 pmOkay, that made me tired just reading it! Can you say meltdown! LOL. That would be me. No goals for me in 07, on day at a time, that way if anything good happens, it’s all positive, baby. No let downs.
by Rae Monet December 22nd, 2006 at 6:52 pmI need to lose 30 pounds, but every time I try I fail. So I’m shooting for 15 by National. I’m going to start going to the gym now that my writing schedule is less hectic for the next few weeks.
by Allison December 22nd, 2006 at 7:21 pmHey, ladies! I’m not sure if you’re blogging next week or not, but I just wanted to pop in and say happy holidays, and thank you for a great year! Your blog has been one of my top favorites. You guys not only give lots of great insight and information, but you guys are kick-ass role models, too.
Everyone talks about their New Year’s Resolutions and their Writing Business Plan for next year, but no one seems to have Plan B’s. Am I dooming myself by having a Plan B? Am I subconsciously saying that I don’t think I can do my Plan A?
Hah! I’m not being neurotic. I’m just curious if I’m the only person in the world that has a list of If … then … contingencies in their goals.
by spyscribbler December 23rd, 2006 at 9:54 amHey, Spy, happy holidays back at you. My opinion is no Plan B’s, but always have the understanding that Plan A can be readjusted.
by Karin December 23rd, 2006 at 1:09 pm