2011 Goals and Book Giveaway

   I feel like 2010 was the year that I finally started taking my writing seriously. I’ve been a writer since I was six years old. I would sit at the dinner table in my uncle’s New York City apartment and write stories, then publish them myself. Publishing them involved drawing a picture on construction paper that went along with the story, and then tying that piece of paper along with the pages of the story together with yarn. I’ve always had a passion for writing, but I think I finally realize that it’s going to take some blood, sweat, and maybe even tears (though I’m not much of a crier). I now know that I must write everyday and I must read. And you know what that means? Often sacrificing things such as (Gasp!) TV. Now that I’ve had my wake-up call, here’s a look at what I’m hoping to get done in 2011.

My 2011 Goals:

1. Read 75 Books
    This is going to be a challenge, but there are individuals who read over 100 books a year. I can surely
    read 75!

2. Finish Editing my NanoWriMo Novel and begin querying agents
    Now that I’ve finally finished a novel, I need to edit and make it “good.” I also need to start the process of
    querying agents, and I have no idea how to do that. Guess I’ll find out.

3. Blog at least 3 times a week
    I started out this year doing five, and realized it was just too much if I wanted to keep up with my
    writing goals. I think 3 times a week is a reasonable target.

4. Establish a following for the Black Fox Literary Magazine
    Black fox is the literary magazine I started with Pam Harris and Marquita Hockaday. We are looking to
    take it to a whole new level in 2011. We are in the process of building a new site where we’ll start
    featuring poetry, flash fiction and author interviews. Stay tuned! http://www.blackfoxlit.com/.

5. Create an Emergency Fund
    I’m 25 and sadly, I live paycheck to paycheck. I’m fortunate enough to have enough money, however if 
    something were to happen, I’d have no life line. I should probably be thinking about my financial future,
    so I’m going to create an emergency fund this year, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

6. Exercise at least 2-3 times a week
    The bare minimum is twice a week, but I’m shooting for three.

7. Write Everyday- even if it’s just ten words
    I’ve said it a billion times, but National Novel Writing Month was an eye opener and quite frankly the best
    thing I’ve ever done. A lot can be accomplished in just ten minutes.

8. Make church and God a priority
    God has done so much for me, only fair that I repay him.

9. Work on my new Non-Fiction idea
    Yup, I have an idea for a non-fiction book. We’ll see how it goes.

10. Publish Something, Anything
      If I just keep writing things and not submitting them, what’s the point? I’m really going to make an effort
      to get my work out there to literary magazines and contests. My goal is to publish at least one short
      story.

11. Graduate with my MFA
      That’s right folks, I’m scheduled to graduate, that is if my thesis/presentation goes well. Cross your
      fingers and pray for me.

12. Accepted to a Ph.D. program
      And this will be the final stop on my education journey. It’s been a goal of mine since I was ten. It
      sounds crazy, but it’s so true. Yeah, I was a nerd. Heck, I’m still a nerd, and I’m proud of it too!

      I have a few other goals I won’t post. (Got to have some privacy, right?) What about you? What are some of your goals for the New Year?