Tag Archives: Horror

2011 Goals Accomplished…Now onto 2012!

Every year I create a list of goals for every area in my life. Throughout the year I work on these goals and track my progress. Then, to keep myself honest, I commit to posting a list of some of my top accomplishments and some of the smaller ones as well. What a great year! 2011 has been my best year for accomplishments since 2006! I finally feel like I have some momentum.

Education:

Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts, (UMASS) Lowell with a BLA degree with concentrations in English and psychology.

Final Classes:

Introduction to the Internet—Grade: A

Statistics—Grade: B

Writing Career:

Sales:

Sold “The Language of Ice” short story to the Extinct Doesn’t Mean Forever Anthology: http://www.amazon.com/Extinct-Doesnt-Mean-Forever-ebook/dp/B004SUOWMU/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

What this gave me besides a check and publishing credit:

Accepted into my first e-book anthology.
My Editor (Phoenix Sullivan) gave me a fantastic line edit that changed the way I revise my stories.
The sale allowed me to get an author’s page on Amazon, BN.com, Smashwords, and Goodreads. http://www.amazon.com/David-North-Martino/e/B004TIM8WC/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_9
Had my first press release sent out from Dare to Dream Press.
My publisher also uploaded TLOI as a short story single. http://www.amazon.com/The-Language-of-Ice-ebook/dp/B005FG17QK/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3
My story included with a group of fantastic international writers.
I made friends with some incredible writers.
Attended the virtual launch party.

Sold “Malfeasance” short story to Epitaphs: The Journal of the New England Horror Writers (an anthology). http://www.amazon.com/Epitaphs-Journal-England-Horror-Writers/dp/0982727593/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325263737&sr=8-1

What it gave me besides a check and a publishing credit:

Accepted into my first print anthology.
A physical book with my name on the back cover.
My story included with a group of fantastic New England Writers including an award winning best-selling author and an award winning internationally best-selling author.
A physical book to place on the bookcase I inherited from my grandmother.
The privilege and honor to represent the New England Horror Writers.
My 2^nd anthology credit of the year.
My editor (Tracy Carbone) gave me advice that has changed the way I write my stories
I gave my first reading at Anthocon in Portsmouth, NH.
I participated in my first signing at Anthocon in Portsmouth, NH.

I reconnected with writing friends and made a ton of new writing friends.

I also sent out short stories to 9 markets this year.

Wrote 4 short stories this year and am halfway though another one.

Conventions:

Attended NECON.

Attended AnthoCon.

Novels:

Wolves of Vengeance:

Completed edit using notes and suggestions from author extraordinaire Ray Garton.

Decided to remove 40k words to tighten story and go back to basics. Completed what will hopefully be the last major overhaul draft.

Continued using Scrivener to write and structure novels.

Wrote synopsis for two more novels.

Other:

Used Duotrope.com to research short story markets and keep up with the needs of publishers.

Donated to Duotrope.com

Paid Horror Writer’s Association (HWA) dues.

Martial Arts

Celebrated 24 years of martial arts training.

Taught private lessons in Tang Soo Do.

Learned Naihanchi Cho Dan and Ye Dan forms (Master Phil Critiqued forms).

I earned my Ee Dan black belt rank grade in Tang Soo Do from Grandmaster Rhee (9thDan).

I had a student use the self-defense techniques I taught her to defend herself against a knife wielding potential serial killer and survive with only superficial wounds. Her victory is also mine. And I couldn’t be prouder.

Trained at Gould’s TKD (Tae Kwon Do/ Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan).

Trained with Master Phil in Jung Ki Kwan Hapkido.

Attended a tactical firearms training given by a State Trooper.

PNM Books:

Sold GPS to upgrade.

Sold iPad.

Financial

Held family financial meetings.

Continued leveraging taxes to tax preparer.

Etc.

Cars

Completed all regular maintenance and replaced headlamps in both vehicles.

Family

My Grandnephew Caolan Thomas was born!

Supported my Dad by attending the Vet’s BBQ.

Visited Parents at Foxwoods.

Bought Patty flowers for Valentines Day.

Contacted my parents by phone each week.

Out to dinner with In-Laws to Outback.

Supported my wife with her diet.

Attended Sarah’s (niece) welcome home party from Kosovo.

John (nephew) returned from Afghanistan!

Called Mom for mother’s day.

Celebrated 16 years of marriage and 19 years together.

Attend Father’s Day BBQ at in laws.

Had breakfast at Foxwoods for Mother’s birthday.

Met my Grandnephew.

Had my niece and nephew up and had pizza with them.

Put Grandmother’s picture up on bookcase that I inherited.

Visited Mom, Dad, Uncle Freddy, and visited Danielle’s new apartment.

Had Thanksgiving at In-Laws.

Christmas at the In-Laws.

Health

Lost approximately 12 lbs of fat (regained about 5 lbs because of injury and holidays).

Joined Planet Fitness and used treadmill and/or elliptical at least 2x per week.

Began a running/elliptical program.

Dental Cleanings—no cavities.

Tried another medication but decided to go back on Protonix for now.

Had a great physical: all systems normal.

Eye appointment: eyes have stayed the same.

Went to physical therapy to fix my shoulder and was discharged to independent training.

Friends:

Met up with Jason S. at Vet’s Bike and BBQ.

Trained in TKD and Hapkido with my friend Master Phil.

Used social media to keep up with friends.

Home

Outfitted the patio with a table and a grill.

Had the HVAC fan fixed.

Changed rugs in upstairs bathroom.

Changed toilet seats in upstairs and downstairs bathroom.

Cleaned out kitchen cabinets.

Cleaned scuffs off walls.

Fixed flag holder and put up flag.

Had HVAC heating coil fixed.

Continued cleaning garage and study.

Got a quote for a new water heater and furnace.

Had front storm door handle fixed.

Had new water heater, furnace, and thermostat installed.

Charity

United Way Keel Club of Leadership.

Soldiers’ Angels.

Received Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn plaque for soldier support.

Food to local food pantry.

Donated clothing to charity.

Etc.

Travel

Seminar in Burlington, MA. Stayed in a Hyatt Suite.

Foxwoods, CT

Mohegan Sun, CT

AnthoCon in Portsmouth, NH

Fun

Joined Red Sox Nation.

Attended Earth, Wind & Fire concert at Mohegan sun.

Watched the Bruins win the Stanley Cup on the big screen!

Attended Motley Crue with Poison and New York Dolls at Mohegan.

Autumnfest 2011—Woonsocket

Computer

Joined Dropbox.com

Joined Twitter

Joined Flicker

Got an evernote account

Planning

Continued using the Anthony Robbins Rapid Planning Method (RPM). I’ve been using this planning system since 2001.

That’s all for 2011…now onto 2012!

Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dnorthmartino

Writer’s Announced for NEHW’s First Anthology

Review…

2009 Goals Achieved…Now onto 2010…

1 Reply

Every year I set a series of goals in every aspect of my life. I keep track of all my progress no matter how small. I’ve found that by doing this my productivity has really improved. This year I documented 22 pages worth of accomplishments and progress. Every year I post an abbreviated list to help myself stay productive throughout the year. And I hope that my example will inspire others to go for what they want in life.

Goal List:

Writing

Completed my first novel

Wrote and edited complete synopsis of first novel

Won ebay auction to have horror grandmaster Ray Garton critique my novel

Entered the Leisure Books Fresh Blood Novel Contest (This allowed me to get the goal of sending out my completed novel to a publisher).

Had two short stories shortlisted for inclusion in two different anthologies

Started a Word Press Blog

Submitted stories to 14 fiction markets

Entered 4 writing contests

Made Stoker award recommendations

Paid Horror Writers Association dues

Updated Myspace page

Transferred fiction and nonfiction to the Mac

Began an outline for a nonfiction book idea

Wrote the first chapters of 2 nonfiction book ideas

Researched writing project management software

Joined and donated to Duotrope Digest

Read chapters and stories for two aspiring authors and gave them some encouragement and information

Bought and read The Novel Selling Tool Kit

Wrote 2 new stories

Purchased Scrivener

Began writing another short story for an anthology

Martial Arts

Celebrated 22 years of martial arts training

Celebrated 10 years of Bujinkan Budo/Ninpo Taijutsu and jujutsu training

Began teaching private martial arts lessons

Continued teaching my wife martial arts (but changed the focus to a karate style curriculum).

Officially founded North-Martino Martial Arts

Had a discussion with my Aiki-Jujutsu teacher that is sure to shape my martial destiny for the next decade.

Went to the BMAC Old School Winter Seminar

Paid Bujinkan Dues

Reviewed SKH Coaching Program

Bought Patty a Do-gi for our training together

Attended BMAC March seminar

Bought a new Kasari-Fundo training weapon

Joined the NRA—got a free membership

Bought new BDU pants

Bought a new Bo (staff)

Watched monthly SKH DVD’s

Appeared on monthly SKH DVD as a student in training at SKH Martial Arts Festival.

Watched and took Comprehensive notes on SKH Kuji-in and Kuji Kiri DVD’s

Received Business credit card for my martial arts business

PNM Books

Continued to sell books and DVD’s as an Amazon seller.

Car

Completed all scheduled maintenance for our cars

Set up GPS

Had to update my license this year

Won a car spar from Anchor Subaru ($160.00 value) and cashed it in.

Financial Goals

Created two Think and Grow Rich affirmations and said them regularly

Sold old Kindles so we could buy Kindle 2’s

Filed taxes

Decided to wait before we locked in mortgage rate—It didn’t make sense financially

Won 2 tickets to IMAX from IMAX on Facebook

Made a small profit from selling Cemex stock

Made a small profit from selling TIVO stock

Made a small profit from selling Titanima Metals stock

Activated and used a 2 Month Free BJ’s Membership

Decided to move from Sharebuilder to Options Express

Patty Won Tickets to the Providence Bruins

Paid our car loans down significantly

Paid equity loan down significantly

401k increased significantly

Old 401k improved and mostly recovered

Got $$$ for opening Options Express account

Patty received bonus and raise

Transferred credit card balance to take advantage of 0% APR

IRA Improved and mostly recovered

Things

I don’t like to list everything on line but suffice it to say, we made our thing goals for the year.

Family

Celebrated 14 years of marriage and 17 years since our first date.

Visited with my uncle and aunt from NH

Visited with my Dad’s cousin from CA

Called my Mom, Dad and Sister once per week

Easter at the in-laws

Visited Mom for Mother’s Day

Went on vacation to York and Kittery Maine

Visited Dad for Father’s Day

Visited with Parents in Newport

Patty and I spent a day in Mystic CT. We went to Mystic Sea port, Mystic Aquarium, and ate at Go Fish. We also stayed a night at the Hilton

Attended my Nieces’ baby shower

Thanksgiving at In-laws

Holliday’s with In-laws and parents

Health

Lost 10 lbs

Passed a kidney stone

Changed my eating to combat kidney stones

Used Triple Flex for joint mobility

Pulled a hamstring

Dentist appointments. Had cavity filled.

Signed up for Medco by mail to get cheaper prescriptions but decided to go back to a brick and mortar pharmacy.

Education

The Gothic Tradition in Literature A

Applied Chemistry C+

Adult Development and Ageing A

Introduction to Information Systems A

Friends

This year has been extremely busy and I’ve neglected some friends but I’m already making some plans to rectify that in the coming year.

Appointed Vice President of Physical Fitness of the David Martino’s club of world on Facebook.

Caught up with a lot of friends on facebook

Made plans to visits some friends in January

Spent time training with friends at dojo

House

Got new rugs for downstairs bathroom

Finished sorting clutter in the study

Replaced air filters and heater filter

Completed spring cleaning

Video taped house for insurance

Replaced mattress

Had floors installed

Had Cable box put in upstairs bedroom

Had 1800 Junk come to clean out garage

Got a new fire extinguisher

Charity/Community Service

Completed all charity/community service goals

Planning

Decided to stop using Franklin Covey for Outlook. I have returned completely to Anthony Robbins RPM. But I’m using the Word for Mac notebook and some templates to implement the system instead of using the planner.

Travel

Kittery, York and Scarborough Maine

Foxwoods in CT

Newport RI

Mystic CT

That’s all I have for now. 2010 here I come…

Short List

Inspiration

2 Replies

Inspiration

While doing some weekly planning tonight I had the Golden Globes on in the background. Stephen Spielberg gave a speech that, although might be considered terribly self-indulgent, centered on his inspiration to become a director. And this got me thinking about those who inspired me to want to write short fiction and novels. So here’s my terribly self-indulgent post.

Originally, I wanted to be a comic book artist. Back in the 1980’s those guys were like rock stars and the art seemed to leap off the page straight into my imagination. I spent countless hours trying to learn to draw so I could tell stories graphically. Then I read an interview by Jim Starlin, a comic book artist, writer, and creator, in either Epic Illustrated or Comic Scene. In the interview Starlin stated that he might start writing exclusively because of how long it was taking him to complete the artwork. At that time I hadn’t thought of writing my stories without pictures. That’s when I started writing.

In 1985 I walked into a convenience store and pursued a small carousel of paperback originals. One novel stood out but since $4.25 was a lot in those days, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted it, I decided not to buy the novel. It was a good thing that another horror lover didn’t go into that store in the interim because, for some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about that novel. In the morning I ran down to the store and bought Darklings by Ray Garton. After reading the book I knew I wanted to be a horror writer.

Then in 2000 I found out my friend and dojo senior Jon Merz had just received a four book deal with Pinnacle. At that time I had never met anyone who had a book deal and this realization made me believe that getting published wasn’t just a dream but that it was possible. And from that time on I’ve been writing and submitting.