Goals and Deadlines by Jo Wanmer

Are you a procrastinator? 

How do you make sure you get things done, or do they sit forgotten? We all struggle to get to some tasks. Especially if they are difficult to start and harder to complete. 

Take for example the laundry. I mean who wants to wash clothes? Boring, menial task. But yet we manage to do it…repeatedly. Why?

We want to smell good, look fresh, be clean. That’s our goal. And we need the item that is hidden in the laundry basket…we want to wear it tonight.

 A deadline. 

And so the job gets done. 

 A simplistic example I know. But it demonstrates a life principle. To get anywhere worthwhile we need goals. SMART goals. Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recordable and have a set Time limit. 

How does that affect our writing? Ask anyone who has participated in NaNoWriMo, the classic writer’s SMART goal, and they will talk of increased productivity. 

What is a SMART goal and how do we set them? 

Let's look as NaNo’s method to get us productive.

 S - Specific Goal – 50,000 words 

 M - Measurable – our software counts for us. 

 A - Achievable – it’s a push, but possible. Thousands have proved it. 

 R - Recordable – a daily graph comparing where we are in relation to our goal appears when we record our daily word count. 

 T - Time limit. – One month, strictly. 

Therefore, the task for each day, or each week is clear. I thrive under it's discipline and have written three books that way. I love to write...to tell a story and the system inspires me. But, where are those books? Reclining on my computer, visible only to me. Why? In my head, publishing , seems to be an insurmountable task. 

I need a goal. That’s easy. The goal is to publish them. 

How to achieve that aim? Not so easy. 

One manuscript has been edited, adjusted, rewritten, re-edited, and yet still waits on my laptop. Several readers have read it and given positive reports. So wouldn’t you think some publisher would knock on my door and plead to publish it! 

After a strong encouragement from the Lord last October, including an Encouragement award from Caleb awards, I have pushed myself to cast off discouragment and return to writing. In that time, I’ve written another book (under the discipline of NaNoWriMo) and finished another that was languishing, awaiting inspiration. Good…but not good enough. They need to, deserve to be read.

How do I make a SMART goal to help me release these books out in the world?

First, I researched and wrote a list of necessary tasks that must be done to have a book ready for publication. It then became obvious. I need a progression of goals…and time limits.

So I created a deadline. I booked tickets for Omega Writer's Conference in September. By then I need to have blurbs, synopsis, book summaries done. I need to be ready to sell myself and my books to an agent. I need to improve my platform. Polish another book. The specific goal is to have two books ready for publication.  

I created a goal sheet with monthly goals that can be recorded, trying to keep the goals achievable. The chart enables me to record progress. 

To help with this, I’ve also created personal goals, covering health and spiritual well-being. I’ve yet to create a recording chart to track progress in this area. Until I do that it is not a SMART goal. However, my sugar readings, that are measured every day, have dramatically improved. 

After conference, I will set another goal. This will be TO GET PUBLISHED. I am determined. I have pushed down the negative voices and will self-publish if necessary. My stories carry God's heart and deserve to be distributed.  

 Accountability…is another important ‘A’ word. I guess you are now my accountability partners! 

How about you? How do you keep yourself on task? In this self-appointed, isolated occupation of writing, how do you keep yourself choosing keyboard over other pressing, time-stealing occupations, like the washing?

Jo Wanmer has lived in Queensland for over seventy years. She is currently celebrating 53 years of marriage to Steve. They have two children,eight grandchildren and nearly 9nine great-grand children. They are hoping this trend slows a little!

She writes out of her passion to bring a dynamic faith and daily experience of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to her readers. He loves everyone of them and is waiting to embrace them, chat with them and laugh together.

Her first book, Though the Bud be Bruised, won a Caleb award and was published in 2012. The other titles are coming!

The write time for the holidays!

Holidays, time to sit and think a while...

It's mid December. We're pushing through end of year events and parties, concerts and presentations. We're packing our bags and preparing for holidays. No more homework, no more school lunches, a break from the routine that has carried us all year long. 
But do you holiday from writing? 
I do. And I don't. 

I take a holiday from deadlines. Any writing that I usually schedule into my week, in a work like manner,  or ongoing projects that have specific due by dates - I take a break from these. Hopefully I've done sufficient work on them in the lead up to family holidays that they can put their feet up in the back corner of my mind and just chill, brew and develop without my thinking of them.

And time to take cheesy self-portraits!

I don't take a holiday from writing though. My humble journal follows me wherever I go and I'll write as I feel in there. I usually tuck a writing related book into my suitcase, and some notepaper. Perhaps a notebook belonging to a particular dreamy project - you know the ones that are deep in your heart but not quite ready to come out yet? A lot of my holiday writing is done is mini paragraphs on scraps of paper or the skippish imagination just before falling asleep. 

So, I thought, it might be fun to do some holiday writing together. Put away your deadlined projects, your major work novels and picture book re-edits.

Choose 5 of the following words and write them into a paragraph that captures something about what you are looking forward to this Christmas Holiday period. And have fun!

Easter-eggs     Breakfast     Pudding     Tissues     Grit     Snot     Tinsel     Beetroot     Sticky-tape       Crumpets     Shampoo     Cinnamon     Pages      Noodle     Empty     Acne     Yelp     Conglomerate             

And, since it's Christmas time, I'll send a little pressie to the author of the paragraph which makes me wish I could come piggy pack on your holidays for an afternoon or two.  

Penny Reeve is a children's author currently living in Western Sydney. This week she hopes to find sufficient chocolate to avoid the pre-Christmas crazies, remember to wrap the right gifts with the right cards and find some time to sit with a notebook, a pencil and a blank page of possibilities! You can read more from Penny at her website or facebook page.

A Method to her Madness

I’ve been working under duress during the past few months. My life seemed busy enough when something extra turned up; like water gushing into an overflowing brook when the spring rains fell. Like a hundred more customers lined up to be served, when the store had been busy enough. Like a thousand seagulls swooped near me as I enjoyed my lunch – each saying ‘Feed me! Feed me! Feed me’!

The Director of the church organisation where I work, left suddenly and I’ve been filling in his shoes since (in a voluntary capacity). I am passionate about what we do – blessing our community. But 24 hours never seems enough now to do all I need to do. And so, I’ve been straining towards reaching three major deadlines. The first deadline was the 6th birthday party of a Support group I run and that was held yesterday. I loved preparing for it. Lots of shopping. Lots of buying. Lots of wrapping. Dreaming up games. Buying a cake. Blowing balloons. Writing twelve letters to the twelve special ladies who would attend. Making cards and awards. Yes, it was fun. But a lot of work too.

A big bold Tick on that deadline. Now I have 2 more. Every Christmas, we at CareLink (where I volunteer) make and deliver 50 Christmas hampers to needy people in our community. It’s been one of the best parts of Christmas for me each year. I love making the hampers – knowing there will be recipients whose Christmas is brightened by our TLC. This Christmas I am extra-immersed in it. I’m amazed as to all I have on a daily basis to ensure the Christmas Hampers will be done well. I need to rally our volunteers for the task. Get the church community behind us. Ask for help in numerous ways. Organise gifts for about 100 children. There’s much to do.

A wonderful lead up to Christmas. But I will be glad when I tick the boxes on that deadline too. My 3rd Major Deadline. A Writing Deadline! Does that sound familiar?

I was thrilled to be a finalist in a Christian writer’s competition this year, by an American publisher - Write Integrity press. The book I’m writing is one I am passionate about. One I would love to hit the bookshelves soon and make a difference in our world.

And that’s what this blog is really about. Deadline 3 – to be completed by 31st December! Ever since I returned from the Writer’s Getaway, I have been doing my utmost to devote sufficient time to writing that book. I need to write at least 1000 words a day in order to get my quota done. I rolled up my shirtsleeves and got to work. But did it happen?

I did try. Very Hard. But life kept getting in the way. Help! Meals had to be made (too often), the men in my life need to be looked after (not that I'm complaining), the Christmas Hampers need to be taken care of (I like it!), friends to meet with, extended family to connect with, ministry to do, other Christmas events to attend, Carols to practice….. you get the gist? No – the 1000 words a day did NOT happen. And there I was getting more and more pressurised by the minute.

And then it struck me. I was doing it all wrong. Perhaps I should approach the problem differently? When I am in full flow, writing 1000 words is easy. I realised that I need to tap into that creativity. And so, I decided that instead of writing 1000 words a day, I would write 4000 words one day of the week and 3000 on the other. I’d do the other important things on the remaining 5 days each week. I’d meet my week’s quota and get my other work done too. Right?

Right! This new method worked like a charm! The words got done – effortlessly, well…. almost effortlessly, shall I say? I also stopped feeling pressured. Wonderful. So yes, there was a method to my madness. I was now able to boast not just 7000 words a week but even more that that. Yay!

I wonder what “methods there are to your madness” in your writing? Have you found what didn’t work for you? Have you your own beautiful plan of a Writer’s life?

As a Christian writer, there’s one thing I am determined not to change. And that’s my time with God each day. Even if I am too busy for it. Especially if I am too busy! Some years ago, I realised that the secret to living a life that pleases God is to have time with Him every day – not a rushed 20 mts but a solid chunk of time. It is my meat and drink.

In order to be a writer of integrity, I need to have my spirit bathed in Him. My worldview washed in His Word. So if there is one Method to my madness as a Christian Writer, is that my time with Jesus is never compromised.
It’s one that brings rich dividends.

Now, it’s your turn. Do tell.
What are the special methods you employ to your own brand of Writer madness?
I’d love to hear about it!

Anusha is a writer with a passion; a passion for Jesus and His beautiful world, a passion for people and a passion for life. You can meet her at her website,
Dancing in the Rain at http://anusha-atukorala.webnode.com/