First off, Happy New Year everyone! Secondly, it's time for another round of Insecure Writer's Support Group posting. The IWSG was started by Alex. J. Cavanaugh. The group posts every first Wednesday of a new month (with a few exceptions like today). In these posts, members express their writerly insecurities, or provide much needed encouragement, or both.
Right. Today being the first IWSG posting of 2014, I'll be going over my goals and resolutions for the new year. I've been setting such goals since I started blogging three years ago. But last year, I was unable to meet any of my goals (save one) due to certain key changes that took place in my life. So for me, 2014 is all about finding that crucial balance. That said, the following are my goals for 2014:
Goal #1: Be Happy (no matter what)
I am moving this goal to number one this year because of that temptation to neglect it in pursuit of my other goals. So, once again, whether I become the next J.K. Rowling or not, and my series is adapted into a six-movie blockbuster franchise or not, I'll be sure to keep a smile on my face through it all, come rain, come shine.
Goal #2: Write
I am still in the middle of Proxies, a science fiction serial I've been working on since 1998, believe it or not. It's high time I gave the story the attention it deserves, especially since it is one that is ripe with so much potential, and that I am pretty excited about. And once that is done, I'll need to keep those creative juices flowing by delving into other worlds that are just waiting to be delved into.
Goal #3: Publish
Last year, I did very little to expand my virtual shelf space. And my overall visibility (not to mention book sales) ended up suffering the consequences. With that in mind, my ultimate goal as a writer is to come up with stories that are not only worth telling, but worth reading too, and to make those stories available to their target audience in the shortest time possible.
Goal #4: Market
I know I said something along this line last year, and ended up doing absolutely nothing about it. So once again, I must accept the fact that I'll need to take a more proactive approach in helping my books find their target audience, rather than leave everything to chance. It is getting increasingly harder for self-published writers to break out. Some form of promotion is needed to get noticed, now more than ever.
So there you have it, my goals and resolutions for 2014. I hope by the end of the year, I'll be looking back and checking everything I just outlined off my checklist. But whatever happens between the next 12 months, I'll be sure to give it my best shot, but never at the expense of living life to its fullest. After all, in the words of Tallahassee, we must never forget to "enjoy the little things."
You know what you need to do!
ReplyDeleteThat story has been with you for so long. When you write and complete it, not only will you feel triumphant, but it will be one of the best things you've ever written.
Great goals, just stay with, steady work is the best work.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to beat ourselves up about last year, but now it's time for a new year and a new start. Good luck with your goals Michael! Especially #1.
ReplyDeleteSince 1998! I finished my 1998 book idea last year. You can do it this year!
ReplyDeleteYour goals are attainable. I love #1 the most because it will drive you and everything else will fall into place if you find joy in what you are doing. Grrrr to marketing, but good luck. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you know what you need to do to be successful. Good Luck with the new year!
ReplyDeleteI can get behind each of these goals. They're good ones.
ReplyDeleteMy dad told me not to offer advice unless it's asked for or unless it's life-or-death... I'm going against that for a moment just because I don't think he had the blogosphere in mind. I suggest you specify on each of those goals. It will make them much more achievable. Write how much? Publish how much? Market how much? These are things you have absolute control over.
Sorry for the unasked for advice... Happy (late!) New Year to you
The first goal is the most important, because without that all the other goals become meaningless. Good list and I hope it's going well so far!
ReplyDeleteI agree that happiness should be our first goal. If we aim for happiness then we will be surprised by how much we achieve in the process and how much better we feel. It sounds like you know what areas you want to focus on in 2014, so I am wishing you the best of luck with writing, publishing, and marketing!
ReplyDelete~Jess