2017 Year in Review & 2018 Goals

2017 was a difficult year for me personally and for my writing career. 
I hate to summarize the difficulties but I need to in order to wrap a bow around the year and move forward into 2018.


Mom and Uncle Charles
My brother, cousins and nephews
Low Points for 2017:
My mother passed awayThe house next door burned down. My husband was hospitalized for on-going health issues and proceduresMy 15 year old cat had to be euthanizedMy older daughter got in a minor car accident, she was sued and my car insurance premium increased.My son's car broke downGot stuck in the snow on the way to pick son up from collegeJoined RWAOnline but couldn't access websiteJoined Faith, Hope and Love Chapter but didn't receive any meaningful contentFailed to take advantage of the Sisters in Crime membership or Guppies Chapter There were a number of high points and successes for 2017
Graduated my son from high schoolPlanned son's graduation partyFinanced son first year in college Visited 3 universities with sonEnrolled son in major universityJoined a gym program - Orange TheoryVisited the gym at 5:00 a.m.Found a new mechanic to keep the Red Benz operatingAttended the Grigsby family reunion with moms familyPlanned mothers memorial serviceVisited Baltimore, Maryland with Darryl on business trip Set up a home office with adjustable standing desk for writingBegan volunteering with Oakland Museum Women's Board White Elephant Sale Visited Disneyland for the first time in 14 yearsAttended the play Hamilton in Los AngelesWatched Mariah Carey perform at Shrine AuditoriumVisited Laduree Beverly Hills for tea party with daughter Ended term as Membership Director for CIMRWA chapterReached out to  five RWA members and exchanged manuscripts to identify critique partnersTried various subscription boxes:RocksboxOnyx BoxPopSugarIzzy & Live Brown Sugar BoxKetoKrateGreen ChefBlue ApronTrunk Club Clothing service  

My writing goals were high and ended up taking a back seat to the various issues I dealt with during the year. 
Laduree Beverly Hills Tea Party
Laduree Tea with my daughter, rose water cake



2017 Writing Business Plan 
Finish 3 in progress novels. NOT ACHIEVED
Submit to beta reader NOT ACHIEVED
Find developmental and/ copy editors. Pay for advice & editing. NOT ACHIEVED
Query Agents NOT ACHIEVED
Query the following digital publishers:

Kensington  Lyrical Press  NOT ACHIEVEDHQN - Carina Press NOT ACHIEVEDRandom House - Love Swept and Flirt NOT ACHIEVEDAvon - Impulse NOT ACHIEVEDSt. Martens Press - Swerve NOT ACHIEVEDMaintain membership in RWA ACHIEVED
Renew RWA Online chapter ACHIEVED
Renew RWA Kiss of Death Chapter membership ACHIEVED
Join RWA Passionate Ink Chapter ACHIEVED
Renew Sisters in Crime membership ACHIEVED
Participate in online critique group ACHIEVED

Write daily. NOT ACHIEVED

Ultimate Writing Goal for 2017 
Have a contract for at least two romance manuscripts. NOT ACHIEVED
Have a contract with a literary agent. NOT ACHIEVED

Silver boots, silver purse, Johnny Was Kimono to see Mariah Carey at World AIDS Day event in Los Angeles