Author Visit time!

Next week starts a wave of author visits. I'm really excited! I've spent the last week preparing for them, and updating my website.

In the next two months I get to visit:

North Sioux City, SD!
Colorado
Texas
Minnesota
I will be meeting with schools, preschools and homeschool students!

Plus you'll find me at the Sioux City Homeshow.  So I have a busy schedule.

The good thing about being busy is I am most productive when I have a lot going on. If I have large chunks of unused, and unscheduled time, I tend to grab a book. Reading is fabulous, but I dive in head first and take my whole body with me. You see me about a week after I have finished the book (and I often finish in a day or two). But I'm mentally wrapped around the story, characters and setting... at least if the book is any good.

I spent January revisiting some old favorites including "The Princess and the Goblin" and "The Secret Garden."

I have no exciting message or moral to leave you with today. Just know that what you do today will impact your life. It may not be tomorrow. It may not be next week. But if you make an effort to do something great, you will see the rewards.

Happy New Year! My goals.

So here it is. The kids are at school. The husband is at work. It's just me, my dog and my two cats. Ahhhh, quiet.

Now I have no excuses. It's time to get to work! First stop: Goal Setting

Debbie's Writing Goals for 2013

• Polish 2 MS (PB) by the end of January and begin subbing
• Polish 2 more in Feb. with a goal with 12 polished PB by the end of 2013.
• Find an editorial agent in 2013 who will appreciate who I am as an author, but also be able to guide me. I am a quick learner and love constructive feedback.
• Sell "Mad Kid Scientist"
• Get a stronger local SCBWI chapter build up.
• Finish my MG novel by May
• Focus on writing every day, even if it's just 20 minutes on some days (I prefer long chunks of time, but know that is unreasonable on most days)
• Start freelance writing again
• Read, read, read!
• Blog at least twice a week

There we have it. Since I am now publishing this to the world, I am forced to hold myself accountable.

It's gonna be a good, good year!