How NOT to Accomplish Goals (in 5 Easy Steps)

Have you completely given up on your goals for 2016?

Several of my wonderful blogging buddies do a monthly check in about their goals for the month/year. I don't. I live off the "list." There's a master list of things I'd like to accomplish each day, and as I accomplish them, they get scratched off the list. Looking beyond that tends to overwhelm me...because you know, I'm home schooling 4 kids.

So enough about healthy habits. Let's talk about some not so healthy habits. (Because they're funner.)

At the beginning of the year, my 2016 writing goals included:

1. Finish TIMELESS (book 3 in the Maiden of Time trilogy). DONE!!!! First trilogy completed. You better bet I'm celebrating. 

2. Publish an anthology of my short stories. .....

3. Record the audiobook for MOONLESS. (Maybe after TIMELESS releases?)

4. Finish PROJECT ALASKA and start querying. 32K words, and holding...until (you guessed it) after TIMELESS releases.

5. Read 60 novels. Yeah, I knew it would be a small reading year. I'm at 34, unless you count the ones I'm critiquing and beta reading, but I don't count those--only the ones I review.

SO How Not to Accomplish Goals (in 5 Easy Steps):

#5: Get Netflix. (You'll probably spend an entire hour just trying to decide what to watch.)

(Credit: Shutterstock/Dave Clark Digital Photo)

#4: Develop a social media dependence.

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#3: Have kids. And home school them. Every day. All day.

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#2: My favorite, stay up all night every night reading EPIC books.

#1: Forget the goals because...OOHH!! Chocolate. (Or cheese.)

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Whether you're a list, calendar, or check in kind of goal keeper, I hope your goals are going swimmingly this year.

Time to give some away some book love, eh?

Last week Misha Gerrick shared two truths and one lie. The winners were entered to win an eBook: ENDLESS.

The game:

1. I'm currently wearing my hair the shortest I've ever worn it. 
2. Mashed potatoes is my ultimate comfort food.
3. I've recently resumed my classical vocal lessons.

The lie: #2. Misha hates mashed potatoes. If she wants comfort, she'd chow down on chocolate. She is actually back in voice lessons as a soprano.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Cherie Reich!

Congrats, Cherie!

And now for today's giveaway: 

In You. I. Us, Annalisa Crawford captures everyday people during poignant defining moments in their lives: An artist puts his heart into his latest sketch, an elderly couple endures scrutiny by a fellow diner, an ex-student attempts to make amends with a girl she bullied at school, a teenager holds vigil at his friend’s hospital bedside, long distance lovers promise complete devotion, a broken-hearted widow stares into the sea from the edge of a cliff where her husband died, a grieving son contacts the only person he can rely on in a moment of crisis, a group of middle-aged friends inspire each other to live remarkable lives. Day after day, we make the same choices. But after reading You. I. Us., you’ll ask yourself, “What if we didn’t?”

Get Your Copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Annalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall UK, with a good supply of moorland and beaches to keep her inspired. She lives with her husband, two sons, a dog and a cat. Annalisa writes dark contemporary, character-driven stories. She has been winning competitions and publishing short stories in small press journals for many years, and is the author of Cat & The Dreamer and Our Beautiful Child.

You might run across Annalisa munching on cheddar with her feet paddling in the sea.

Annalisa gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an PRINT copy of You. I. Us. (Open internationally.)

You have until Tuesday, August 2 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on August 3, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I sink when I try to swim, but float away when I'm upright.
2. Due to repeats in the UK, I have watched the complete series of Star Trek: TNG, Castle, Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother multiple times.
3. It took me 6 attempts to pass my driving test.

So sleuths, which is the lie? What are your goals for 2016? How are you doing with them? What's your favorite distraction? Have you met Annalisa?

Silencing the Negative Voice: Why You MUST (IWSG)

How often do you hear that inner voice telling you you're not good enough, not smart enough, not talented enough, not awesome?

THAT'S BULL.

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It's easy to get caught in a mental rut. And yes, picture a rut. The brain is like a series of ruts in the mud that we reinforce by running the same track again and again. It can be difficult initially to get over the ridge of those ruts to brave new paths, especially if we've been on them a long time, but YOU MUST.

So how do you go about doing that?

Start each day with a stern talking to--no I'm serious. Stand in front of the mirror and recite:

I am beautiful/strong/powerful.

I will succeed today.

I am awesome.

Success starts with believing in yourself. Greater physical health results from a positive mental dialog, and who doesn't need some of that?

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When negative thoughts begin to intrude, KICK THEM OUT. That's right. Don't carry that kind of weight with you. Replace those messages by counting your successes.

Along that vein, the IWSG group proposed a question today:

What is the best thing someone has said about your writing?

I have a hard time believing the words of praise I hear. I keep listening to the inner dialog with excuses like, "They only said that because they know you." "They didn't really like it, but saying otherwise would be rude, so..." BUT, I'm listening to my own advice today and focusing on the positive.

I've heard so many wonderful things throughout the years, so I'll pull up just a couple short snatches:

"Enthralling."

"The most entrancing thing I've ever read." 

"I fell head over heels for the characters."

"I fell off my chair with jealousy over your writing."

"Crystal Collier is a genius of a wordsmith."

Huge thanks to all the amazing people who have built me up, and more importantly, supported my writing through beta reading, reviews, book purchases, and word of mouth. You are amazing. You've made my career. I LOVE YOU TO CHEESE AND BACK!

Are you stuck in the mud? What mental rut are you working to overcome?

And speaking of great writing, time to give some away, eh?

Last week Melanie Schultz shared two truths and one lie. The winners were entered to win their choice of eBook: THE NEWSTEAD PROJECT, ERRON, 2084, or BLACKBIRD.

The game:

1. I am a concert pianist.

2. My husband used to drive a race car.


3. I have three dairy sheep: Daisy-May, Lucy-Lu, and Sunshine that I plan to milk and make homemade cheese with.

The lie: #1. Melanie says she has musical talent whatsoever. So yes, she really does make cheese from 3 dairy sheep! Is she awesome or what?

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Nicola!

Congrats, woman!

And now for today's giveaway: 

“First, do no harm.” Blake Ryan swore that oath to become a doctor. Ironic, given that he spent most of his thousand year life sucking souls out of other immortals. 

Things are different now. Using regular shots of morphine to keep his inner monster at bay, Ryan has led a quiet life since the Second World War. His thrills now come from saving lives, not taking them. 

Until a plane crash brings Aleria into his hospital. Her life is vibrant. Crack to predators like him. She’s the exact sort of person they would hunt, and thanks to a severe case of amnesia, she’s all but defenseless. 

Leaving Aleria vulnerable isn’t an option, but protecting her means unleashing his own inner monster. Which is a problem, because his inner monster wants her dead most of all.

Get Your Copy HERE.

Today I'm giving back a little of that writerly love I've received. I had the opportunity to review Misha's book, and this is what I had to say:

Secret societies. Battles and alliances. Unique powers and humanity’s survival in the balance… This story has it all. Follow three characters whose immortal histories are intertwined and will only become more so.

Read the full review HERE:

Ready to meet the author?

Misha Gerrick lives near Cape Town, South Africa, and can usually be found staring at her surroundings while figuring out her next book. Her favorite cheese is haloumi.

If you’d like to see what Misha’s up to at the moment, you can find her on these social networks:

Tumblr | Twitter | Google Plus | Writing Blog

Misha gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of ENDLESS. (Open internationally.)

You have until Tuesday, July 19 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on July 20, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I'm currently wearing my hair the shortest I've ever worn it. 
2. Mashed potatoes is my ultimate comfort food.
3. I've recently resumed my classical vocal lessons.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Are you stuck in the mud? What mental message are you going to overcome?