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At the end of 2017 I tallied up my many fabricated writing successes for the year. I wined a little (not a typo) as I bragged a bit. In case you missed the post, here it is.

How could I get more done, writing-wise? The comments that meandered in were pure gold. Encouragement. Commiseration. And even some genuine suggestions.

J. Glenn gave me an idea that might even work for fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants Sioux. Here is what Glenn wrote:

 I've organized an accountability group. We set a yearly goal (we connect via email), then each week (on Monday) we check in with our progress (each week we set a mini-goal that will help us get to the yearly goal). Speaking for myself, the accountability group helps me accomplish more than I would have without it. (The other members have said this, too, about themselves.) The added bonus is the support we get while we are each pursuing our individual goals and dealing with the obstacles (including fatigue/procrastination) that life seems to serve up.

After I was wowed by that comment, I read Cathy C. Hall's. One question she asked was

      What does Sioux want to accomplish?

That's easy. I want my manuscript published. I want kids all over the country to know what happened in the U.S. in 1921. I want to see my book on bookstore shelves.

Since I know what I want to happen in 2018 (or soon after), I'm going to look for some help.

Normally, I'd beg my writing critique group members to do this, but this time, I wanted to give them a break open it up not just to them but to anyone who wants to work on a long-range goal in weekly increments... and to writers who like using tasers (because sometimes my procrastinating ways get out-of-control and I'm definitely motivated by surges of high voltage).  Before you trip over yourself applying, here are some things you need to consider:

• This accountability group will begin in February. Everyone who joins will--in a year--achieve more than they would if they had not joined. The power is in making goals and encouragement public, along with consistency. If you'd like to take part, send me an email to sroslawski@yahoo.com 

• I'm not a full-time writer, so my little goals will likely be baby step goals. Reading my piece over to make sure I didn't get the sisters mixed up. Making sure the timeline isn't completely whackadoodle. Inserting a thread into the story. Perhaps your goals will be so-small-they're-barely-discernible steps as well...

• Most likely, there will be times (maybe most weeks) when I'll have to admit, "I couldn't accomplish my goal for this week." I'm a plodder. A stumbler. Things happen, but not always as timely as I'd like. This will happen to all of us at some point or another (I imagine).

So, if you'd like to apply for this torture nonpaying and thankless job, send me an email.  Resumes and letters of recommendation can be sent later. Already, I have a roomful of hopeful applicants list of writers I'm going to hone in on (Angela... Linda... Lynn--You're on my list). After all, how many years can you put off accomplishing something you truly want to accomplish?

        What do you want to accomplish?
                              Take that first step. Join us.

Sioux Roslawski is a full-time middle school teacher, along with rescuing dogs for Love a Golden Rescue. She has a NaNoWriMo from 2016 that she's itching to do something with... and after that, her unfinished 2017 might be the next manuscript in the chute. If you're curious about Sioux's writing, check out her blog.

8 comments Cathy C. Hall, J. Glenn, setting writing goals, Sioux Roslawski, writing accountability groups