We’re completely snowed in here. The world is white and beautiful. It snowed all day yesterday. And with the temperatures still so low doesn’t look like we’ll be going anywhere soon. We spent today and yesterday getting together with neighbors and kicking back and just doing nothing for a while… Also, had some extra time to write which is always nice. I looked over my calendar, too, and realized that it was time to finally commit to some serious goals for myself.

I avoided making any New Year’s resolution this year because life is so atypical over the holidays. I knew I’d come up with goals that didn’t necessarily reflect where I wanted to go. But, now things have settled down a bit and it’s time.

At the ACFW conference last fall in Denver, Debbie Macomber spoke about setting goals, both long term and short term goals, and its importance in reaching achievements. I thought what she said made a lot of sense. You can’t get much done if you don’t set out to do anything. Debbie talked about making 5 and 10 year goals, both career and personal, and then in terms of lifetime goals–those things that you really want to accomplish or that you really feel called to do.

I think tonight before I work on my latest story I’m going to do what Debbie suggested and write down:

5 things I want to get done this week

5 things I want to get done this year

5 things I want to accomplish in the next 5-10 years

and 5 things I want to accomplish at some point in my life…

And I’m going to be specific. I’m not going to write that I want to be more organized. I’m going to set a goal that says I will do “this certain thing” in order to be organized. For example, I’m going to run more, but instead of writing “run more” I’m going to write that I want be able to run a 5k by this spring. I think being specific will not only help me know clearly whether or not I’ve met the goal but it will also make it easier to stay on track in achieving it.

Tags: ACFW, goals
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Not my first conference but my first ACFW conference and I have to admit that overall I was impressed.  It’s big but not overwhelmingly so like RWA. The workshops were all well done with speakers trying to cram in the content even up to the last minute which was much better than at RWA where after 20 minutes of speaking they would start taking questions.

My favorite was the Donald Maass workshop on Writing the Breakout Novel. This was hands down the best writing workshop I’ve ever been to. Maass was great at talking craft. I especially liked his ideas on deepening the characters.

After that, I enjoyed participating in the book signing, listening to Debbie Macomber (the keynote speaker),

Debbie Macomber and me

and the My Book Therapy workshop with Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. I also sat in on the mentoring workshop given by my agent Chip MacGregor. At the close of the workshop, he asked me and my very own mentor, Margaret Daley, to talk about how we met and how she advised me through the early hurdles of publishing.

The awards ceremony was a little disappointing to me. I was expecting there to be more fanfare, music, a man on the side announcing the award presenters in his deep radio voice. I think it would have been more fun like that. Instead of the same two people presenting all the awards. Maybe even have Board members and past winners present.

The real fun at conferences, however, is the meeting people and the networking. And ACFW was great for this. Like I said, it’s big but not too big that you can’t find people. I met so many great people. I hope I can go again next year. Although I’m serious when I say I might drive. I hate layovers and delays at airports… not fun.

So, if you were at ACFW, please a comment. Tell me what you loved/hated.

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Wow! I can’t believe it’s finally time for ACFW Nationals. I’m really excited for this conference because I have heard such great things about it. I’m especially looking forward to the Donald Maas Workshop on Thursday “Writing the Breakout Novel.”If you want to learn more about ACFW click the link on the right verticle and that will take you directly to the site. If you’re going to be in Denver for the conference, please say HI! Then come back next week to chat about it.

This week I’m giving away one book at http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com/ Leave a comment if you want to be entered in the drawing.

And here is Keli Gwyn’s review of Protector’s Honor. Keli runs the fabulous blog Romance Writers on the Journey. Thanks, Keli.

Award-winning Suspense Scores

Each year the Romance Writers of America® holds a contest called the Golden Heart® to discover the best romance manuscripts available in the U.S. and abroad. In 2008, Kit Wilkinson’s story took the top award in the inspirational category and sold two months later. I waited a year for the release of Protector’s Honor, knowing the book would be a winner, and my wait was rewarded with an action-packed read that kept me turning the pages until two in the morning.

When Tabitha Beaumont screams, NCIS agent Rory Farrell comes to her rescue, averting an abduction attempt. The handsome hero with a big heart that’s gone out to Tabitha learns shortly thereafter about a connection between her and his latest murder investigation. Soon it becomes clear her life is in danger due to vital information she doesn’t even know she possesses, and Rory steps in to protect her. Evidence points to possible involvement of someone dear to Tabitha, and in a moment of weakness, she gives in to her growing feelings for Rory and divulges a secret. In order to ensure her safety, he’s forced to choose between betraying her trust and following his heart.

Wilkinson’s story takes off at a fast clip and hurtles from one scene to the next. Each time I thought things might settle down, another twist or turn transpired, keeping me off balance and racing for the end to find out how these two likable people deal with impending disaster. If you enjoy a riveting romance with a heaping helping of suspense and strong characters who entrust their uncertain futures to the Lord, I recommend Protector’s Honor.

Tags: ACFW, blogs, reviews, Romance Writers on the Journey
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