Each year I create a list of goals for every area of my life. Throughout the year I work on my goals, track my progress, and then commit to posting my top accomplishments. This is my 10th year!

 

Writing

Novels

The Tower (working title- 97,000 words)

• Completed the first draft of The Tower (working title). The manuscript clocked in at 97,000 words. 
• Began 2^nd draft. 

Year of the Assassin (94,000 word crime thriller)

• Completed 1^st draft of both a 10 page and a 2 page Synopsis
• An editor for a large independent publisher asked to see the full manuscript based on the query letter. I submitted the full manuscript.
• Queried with samples to 3 agents. I researched and wrote targeted letters. 
• Sent query letters to 2 independent presses.

Fantasy Novella, (20,000 words)

• Researched and wrote targeted letters.
• Edited 2^nd draft. – Put The Tower aside to work on edits.
• Completed 20k word manuscript and cover letter.
• Submitted to open call at major publisher.
• Submitted a revised version 16,000 words to major science fiction and fantasy. magazine. “There’s some good writing here. Hope you’ll consider us in the future.”
• Submitted revised version to a major contest.

 

• Short stories

This year I spent  extra time on short fiction.

• Wrote or reimagined 7 short stories approximately 25,000 words in total.
• Submitted stories  to 11 markets.

 

Reading – Notable Fiction read in 2018

• The Big Bopper by Reb MacRath
• The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons 
• The War of Art  by Stephen Pressfield
• The Terror by Dan Simmons 
• American Assassin by Vince Flynn
• The Moore House by Tony Trembley 
• Headhunter by Michael Slade 
• Legion by William Peter Blatty

 Reviews 

• Reviewed The Big Bopper
• Reviewed The Moore House

Martial arts

Unlike last year, I spent less time attending martial arts seminars and more time writing.

• Attended Drowning in Kali III at the Derderian Academy of Martial Arts.

Home training included:

• Stick, double stick, stick & knife, Filipino Boxing.
• Western Boxing, JKD combinations, kick boxing, shadowboxing, heavy bag work. HIIT training.
• Karate/TKD/TSD Kata/Hyung.
• Kendo sword cuts.
• Weight Lifting.
• Body weight exercises.

Health

• Ophthalmology – No change = good!
• Optometry- Slight change but no need to change glasses. 
• 1^st Dental cleaning – gold star.
• 2^nd Dental cleaning and X-rays – gold star.
• Signed up for temporary insurance and than insurance at Patty’s new job. 
• Had to get new referrals for specialists.
• I was able to reduce Pepcid AC usage. 
• Blood work and fasting glucose. All testing normal. 
• Annual physical – Gold star. My weight was up 3 lbs since my last physical, but the doctor didn’t seem concerned with it. It’s all muscle, I tell ya! 
• Got a flu shot.

Family

• Celebrated Patty’s milestone birthday at Toyo Japanese Steak House.
• Called parents twice a week to keep in touch.
• Visited Grand Niece and Nephew in CT for birthday.
• Went to see a movie with my parents.
• Went to see a movie with my dad.
• Wished and/or celebrated family birthdays. 
• Celebrated my birthday with a Grandma’s of New England coffee cake (my favorite!). Patty ordered and had it shipped to me.
• Had my first Facetime chat with my Grand Niece and Nephew.
• Kept in touch with my former college English professor through email.
• Attended my Brother-in-Law’s mother’s funeral and attended the fellowship at Kamahlot in Templeton. 
• Called to wish my Aunt a happy birthday.
• Called my brother.
• Took my mom, dad, and aunt to Texas Roadhouse for Mother’s Day.
• Went out with my mom and dad for Pizza for father’s day.
• Congratulated my 2^nd cousin on his 7^th dan in Judo (5^th dan from Kodakan). 
• Babysat for my Grand Niece and nephew.
• Had breakfast with my parents at Foxwoods.
• My Auntie Anna passed away this year. She will be missed.
• Assisted Patty with her transition to a new job.
• Celebrated Christmas at Junior’s Deli at Foxwoods with my parents. Brought my brother and sis-in-law in on the celebration through FaceTime.
• After Christmas get together and house warming with Patty’s family at sister-in-law’s new house in CT.

Spiritual

• Continued nightly prayers.
• Lit candle in remembrance of my sister.
• Had Good Friday and Easter dinner with Patty.
• Kept Passover to the best of my ability.
• Brought Patty to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy.

Cars

• Patty bought a 2017 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring fully loaded for work. -Top goal!
• Performed general maintenance on Patty’s car.
• Performed general maintenance on my car.
• Upgraded to AAA Plus.

House

• Had a chimney sweep company clean our chimney.
• Leak test completed on our AC system.
• New condenser coil installed.
• Bees exterminated.
• Cleaned and organized walk in closet.

Fun & Travel

• Stayed at Marriot Renaissance in Providence, RI.
• Met one of Patty’s old co-workers for lunch at Mohegan Sun at The Hash House.
• Spent a weekend in Freeport Maine.
• Visited the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro.
• Attended Steely Dan & Doobie brother’s Concert at Xfinity Center.
• Went to see James Taylor at Tanglewood with one of Patty’s Co-workers. Watched. Fireworks on July 4^th in Albany NY. Stayed at Fairfield Inn & Suites for 3 nights. Got a deal by buying points.
• Attended the Mohegan Sun Whiskey Union.

Whiskeys sampled:

• Laphroaig 10
• Ardbeg An Oa
• Glendalough 7 – Irish Whiskey
• Highland Park 12
• Macallan Sherry Oak 12
• Nikka Coffee Grain Whiskey
• Ragtime Rye
• Singleton 12
• Suntori Toki
• Glenfiddich 15
• Monkey Shoulder

 

• Sampled Bulleit Burbon – at Foxwoods.

 

• Traveled with Patty for work to NY and utilized the time for a writing retreat.

AV/Tech

• Upgraded Drop Box for Scrivener files.
• Upgraded to High Sierra and Mojave.
• Canceled PS Vue and switched to Directv Now.
• Canceled Sprint and returned to Verizon.

Movies Watched at a Cinema

• 15:17 to Paris – Cinemaworld in Fitchburg with parents.
• Death Wish (2018) – Cinemaworld in Fitchburg with my dad.
• Mission Impossible: Fallout  – Providence IMAX
• The Nun – Providence IMAX with Patty.
• Peppermint – North Attleboro Showcase 4k projection and recliners.
• Halloween (2018) – Regal Cinemas Fishkill, NY. 
• Creed II – Regal Cinemas Fishkill, NY.

That’s it for 2018. See you in 2019… Happy New Year!!!