Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Year in Review: 2009 vs 2010

Last year I summarized my accomplishments and jotted down goals for 2010. Let's see how I did, shall we?

"Goals for 2010 include fixing up the new novel, writing a NEW new novel, moving to Santa Clarita, and getting a bicycle and using it as my main method of transportation (keep in mind I live in L.A. so this goal is actually insane... but I think it's good to have at least one insane goal per year)."

Hmm, yes, well, hmm. 

Three out of four ain't bad.  Okay, 2.8 out of three. I did fix up that novel; I did move to Santa Clarita (and I love it here except maybe for the commute).  I also got a bicycle, but saying it's my main method of transportation would be wildly inaccurate. I mostly use it to go to the library.

And now, inspired by Kristin Nelson's year in statistics, here's what I've been up to since January, numbers-wise (2009's stats will appear in parenthesis so we can laugh at my best laid plans):

Books Read = 62 (100) For shame. Almost a 40% drop!

However, I stipulate that my time spent commuting directly correlates to the diminished number of books read. In 2009 my commute was 40 minutes/day on average. In 2010 it was 2.3 HOURS/day on average. The defense rests. 

Audio books would seem to be the answer, but I find it a wee bit problematic to pay attention to plot intricacies while fearing for my life on the freeway. This year we had fires *and* flooding.
 

Of the 62 books I read, 35 were YA, 14 were "adult"/literary fiction, 11 were non-fiction (including memoir),  and 2 were about writing ("Sin and Syntax" and "Spunk and Bite"). I also read 4 friends' WIP manuscripts, which are fab novels-to-be, another friend's ARC, and I'll probably get through several more over the holidays, so maybe I can fudge my numbers and give myself a total of 70.

Scripts Read = 438 (316) DANG I WORKED HARD THIS YEAR. 100 + more scripts than last year!


Hats Knitted = 0 (3) For shame, part deux. (My husband: "Your knitting group is really cool. They don't really knit, though." Pretty much.)
 

This year I revised two novels and started a brand-new novel for NaNoWriMo. I promptly abandoned it at 30 pages, but I'm back on track again with a fresh idea and oodles of fun books for research. (Yes, I genuinely enjoy research.)  I also hosted a writing retreat in Palm Springs this March, got to help welcome my niece into the world in April (on my birthday no less), and visited friends and family in Illinois and Wisconsin over the summer.

In 2011, my goals are to research, write and revise my newest YA novel, contribute to DearTeenMe.com, give audio books a real chance, and bring actual knitting back to my knitting group. I'd like to go jogging twice a week, and read at least 50 books, partially so I can surpass that goal :)

How did your year compare with 2009? Did you meet your goals?

10 comments:

  1. I'm laughing about the audio books. Now that I think of it I almost always listen to MG books in the car, because my kids are listening too. MG is usually pretty easy to follow. I save the ones I have to pay close attention to for when I do dishes or fold laundry.

    And I pretty much crashed and burned on my 2010 goals, but that's okay! 2011 promises to be a much more productive year.

    Merry Christmas Sarah! I hope it's wonderful for you!

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  2. I felt like 2010 was a huge piece of failure cake. Then I reconsidered. Then I wrote a super personal blog entry because sharing your feelings with the internet is sometimes required.

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  3. "And I pretty much crashed and burned on my 2010 goals, but that's okay! 2011 promises to be a much more productive year."

    You and me both, Natalie! :) Thanks so much for all your encouragement this year, especially with all you were going through. Merry Christmas to you, too, and here's to a wonderful 2011. (Raises a toast to you) :)

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  4. Amy, I 100% agree that improv was the hidden gem in your year, worthy of surprise happiness! And sometimes super personal blog entries are the best way to reflect :)

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  5. I totally tanked on number of books read this year too. Last year I was around 80, this year...38. Sad. But kiddo gave up naps which took about 2 free hours away daily. Oh well, what can you do?

    Good luck on next year's goals! :)

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  6. Thanks, Roni, same to you! I totally understand what losing 2 hours a day can do to your reading schedule. Congrats on your awesome success this year. Can't wait to see your book on shelves. :)

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  7. I didn't keep track of any stats, but I know my writing has shown a lot of improvement over the year - especially in the editing department!

    Have a terrific Christmas and New Year :)

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  8. Sarah, one of my goals for 2011 is to actually knit something. This should support your ambitious goal of bringing it back! Merry Christmas to you and the hubby.

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  9. Jemi, congrats on your improvements. Here's hoping 2011 will be great :)

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  10. Thanks, Tab!! My first knitting project of the year will be a hat for Joe. We could work on the same pattern if you like! Hope you're having a great week and see you soon :)

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