One month in....resolutions & goals

We've survived January - well, almost. This is when we realize, most of the resolutions we made on New Year's Eve have already fallen by the wayside. So why do we do it? Goal setting is good, right? I mean, isn't a goal just a dream with a deadline?

So why can we set a personal goal and actually manage to work towards it, but we can't keep a simple resolution set at the beginning of a new year. I'm just as guilty as everyone else!

Here is a good article that should help you RESOLVE to RESET your GOALS and make them ACHIEVABLE.

5 Mistakes That Make You Quit Your New Year’s Resolutions

My goals are going to be set monthly, not annually as I tried to do the last two years (we all know how much writing I accomplished - NOT!). What about you?

Housekeeping Hints

I ran across a good blog recently, useful enough that I wanted to share it. The title is "3 Things To Do Now To Start 2016 Off Right".

I already do the first one by keeping all my writing on Dropbox (syncs everything between my MacBook and iPad, and will sync updates from the Chromebook app, Writebox, when I have Internet access); by using an external hard drive for automatic backups using TimeMachine (Mac); by using Carbonite for offsite backups.

I really need to work on the second item. I have so many copies of my first two Klondike mystery books - thinking about getting a new edit done and only keeping that version.

Number three is a no brainer for me...not a clutter person. LOL!

What are your writing tips to help productivity in 2016?

Chromed....

In my attempt to write more, even though we have multiple cruises booked this year (in fact, I am on one right now), I purchased a small Chromebook. An ASUS C201 11.6 Inch Chromebook, to be exact. It was $230 when I bought it in September. Now it's down to $190 (maybe you want to snag one?).

I love the weight and size - I traveled the country on my motorcycle back in 2005 with an 11" windows laptop so the screen size and keyboard are doable for me. I don't feel cramped with it. I have added a small optical mouse, a USB memory card reader and a small case (have to have a carry handle and this one also has a pocket for the adapter and accessories).

I have dabbled with it, installed several Chrome apps, but while I am on this current cruise, I will be playing with it a lot more in an attempt to write. No Internet (okay, there is, but I'm not paying their exorbitant rates) should mean no distractions.

When I'm writing my mystery novels, I often need research. But on this trip I hope to be finishing up my middle school short story series, Seven of 7. No research needed since they are fantasy driven. This should be a good test.

Some of the Chrome apps that I can use offline are:

• Cookies (editor)
• Google Docs Offline
• Text
• Writebox

Here is a screen shot of all the apps I have installed in Chrome (they are accessible on my MacBook as well).

What do you do to keep Internet distractions away? Have you ever bought or used a different device, just for writing?

#IWSG for January 2016: Renewal

2016 is upon us and it's time for my monthly IWSG post. Last year is history and it's time to make plans for the new year. No fretting over what was or wasn't done, it's time to move on (yes, I'm coaching myself).

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is RENEWAL.

I've not done well in the last two years, writing-wise. Living in Ecuador was a wonderful adventure but it didn't help me get motivated to write. Just too much to do and enjoy in that beautiful country.

We are now back in the states and I'm committed to getting more writing done. So I am renewing my efforts, renewing my motivation and I WILL WRITE!

Of course, this blog had to be rescheduled because I am currently on a 14 day cruise. Eeek! Will I get any writing done? I hope so - we've been to all the ports before, we repeat so hubby can get in lots of scuba diving. For me, hopefully, it will bring lots of writing!

Welcome 2016!

2016 has already started, I hope the new year is treating you well. As I said in my last post, I plan to go back to posting weekly. I thought Mondays would be a good choice, so here you go! Oh, and I plan to resume my first Wednesday of the month Insecure Writer Support Group posts - I miss those and hope you have, too.

I have a busy year ahead: nine cruises (including Hawaii and Europe, both first time trips), two weddings, several out of town guests and a lot more. But I hope to really buckle down and get some writing done.

First on the list is finishing the seven middle school short stories that I started with I wrote Monday Midnight Madness [Book One of 7 Days of Seven: Short Story Snacks]. I have completed the second story and am 85% done with the third. Since these aren't real long, I hope to get them done quickly and contract for my new custom covers. Watch for updates, either here (click the follow links in the right hand column or by following me on Amazon (click the FOLLOW button under my photo on my Amazon author page).

Once that is done, I will be getting back to book three in my Klondike mystery series, "Almost a Touch". I know it is way overdue and once that is done, I can get some writing done on my new Lia Rules series.

Fun, fun! Here's to an amazing year for all of us!