Well, February is ending, so I suppose I can’t put off my obligatory new-year update any longer. Seriously. It’s almost spring. (How’d that happen anyway?)

Let’s look back at the goals I set for myself last May:

1. Finish the experimental rewrite of my manuscript

Did I do it? No, unfortunately.

2. Submit to at least three writing contests

Did I do it? Yes!

3. Launch the “Devil’s Road Trip” series here

Did I do it? Yes! (albeit a little later than intended, but I still count this as a win)

4. Come up with a regular blogging schedule and stick to it

Did I do it? Oof. I think a quick glance at my blog will tell you that I didn’t stick to a regular blogging schedule

Did I meet all my goals? No—but disappointing as that may be, there is one win that’s not even on this list: Since January 9, I have written at least one line (usually more) for one of my WIPs every night. This may not seem like a lot, but with the schedule I keep these days, it’s sometimes all I can manage—and it adds up!

Reflecting on the goals I didn’t achieve, I now realize that finishing the experimental rewrite of my manuscript in six months was unrealistic. It’s a challenging undertaking, and I have been overwhelmed by it because I’ve been going about it the wrong way. I’ve been skipping around, which has been inefficient and confusing with the intertwined story lines. Every time I sit down to write—to really write—I waste time figuring out what part I should work on next, and everything languishes in a half-started state. The work is inconsistent, and the progress is not measurable.

To avoid this, I think I need to focus on a few chapters at a time and go in order. This will hopefully make the rewrite more manageable, and I will have an easier time keeping track of my progress—and holding myself accountable. To that end, let’s set some goals, shall we?

In the interest of accountability, I asked a friend to be a beta reader for this new rewrite, and I told her I’d send it to her by July 31. That means the clock is ticking.

I also need to set a more manageable and measurable blogging goal. For now, I’ll try to make a post at least once a month. I’ll revisit this around the end of July and adjust if necessary.