At this time of year, many of us are, of course, looking ahead and setting plans and goals for the coming year. I've never been a huge goal-setter - I have general plans rather than finely detailed goals - but I guess that could change this year. If I've got an insecurity at the moment, it's that I didn't achieve nearly as much last year as I would have liked. I dread to use the term writer's block, but I really was stuck on the last book of the trilogy I've been working on for over three years now - I couldn't come up with a good angle. However, having had something of a breakthrough in the closing days of the year (and written 1500 words - not much but it's a start), I feel ready to start 2016 with a fresh focus. So, here are my goals:
* Finish a first draft of Book 3 of my trilogy. (The big one. I'm setting a rough deadline of the end of June for this one, but hopefully I will be done before then.)
* Perform final edits on Book 1, Black and White, engage a cover artist and prepare for release before the end of the year.
* Get Book 2 and the series' prequel novella out to CPs during the early part of the year.
* Aim to participate in Write1Sub1 by writing and submitting one short story per month.
* Continue promotion for my short story collection, aiming to make more use of avenues such as Twitter, Facebook/Goodreads groups, and promo spots. This is challenging for me, but I need to push myself more in this department.
* Eat healthily and keep up regular exercise via daily dog walks. I can definitely do the second part. They don't exactly give me a choice!
* Post monthly goal round-ups at the end of each month. This is a new one for me, but I'm hoping it'll be another way of staying focused and on track.
Well, all that should keep me busy. Here's to a productive 2016! How about you? Do you set goals? What would you like to achieve this year?
Check out other IWSG postings here.
48 comments:
All good goals, and they sound achievable. I've thought about the Write1Sub1 challenge myself, but am not that dedicated yet. Shame on me, lol. Good luck with all your adventures this year Nick.
I don't set goals, but I'm wondering if maybe this year I should. You've set some worthy--and, more important, achievable--goals. Here's to a great 2016!
These are great goals and you can do them. I know this. :)
That's a great start Nick and some clear achieveable goals to work towards. Wishing you a year filled with success and enjoyment. Happy New Year!!
You've set some definitely goals. No floating through 2016 for you!
I'm hoping this year will be a more productive one for me. And a more creative one. I'm with you on needing to do more promotion and marketing. Good luck with all of those goals, Nick!
happy 2016!
your goals are similar to mine - keep writing, get healthier & walk my dog, participate more...
reminders are what i need or i get sidetracked!
Great goals you have :) Doable too! I think it is always easier to get in a walk if there are dogs around :) Good luck in achieving your goals this year, but I know you will!
betty
I hope you achieve all of your goals! Congratulations on the breakthrough. It's an exciting moment when things start to go your way.
I hope to get my two books published (contract) or land an agent and finish a third one I'm working on. Wishing you all the success this year!
Good luck with that great list of goals. And Happy New Year, Nick!
Good goals. I'm trying for the write1sub1 as well!
Good luck and happy new year!
C.G.
Whew! That's quite the list. I'm tired just from reading it, but I'm sure you'll kick trash and make it happen. You've got this!
You've got a lot to do. Lucky for you, you've got a whole year. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
Good luck with all of your goals! :) Happy 2016!!!!
Sounds like some great plans. I also need to do more on FB and Twitter. I usually see bumps in my books sales when I'm more active there.
Monthly goals are manageable. I like that.
Excellent goals! I do set my own and I try to be realistic. I like to aim big though. :) Here's to a grand 2016 for all of us.
You have some very ambitious goals! Good for you, and good luck with your writing and editing. I usually do something like a goal round-up although sometimes I don't do a very good job meeting them :)
I would like to finish the first draft of my novel and revise a novella. Don't know that I'll get it done, but I'm hopeful!
those are excellent goals! and I love that you added the one about eating healthy and exercising, we often overlook that one but it sure is a fundamental one. Happy new year!
Good luck with your goals. I've set a few myself and hopefully life doesn't butt in and throw a wrench in things.
My goals are always pretty much the same: spend more quality time with the fam, write at least one book a year, become a better teacher, eat healthier, and be a little kinder than the last year. I guess I'm a simpleton :-)
Posting your goals and how you did each month will keep you accountable. Plus there's something about writing them down that makes a world of difference.
Good luck with your refocusing. Sounds like you've got it down! Let me know how your promotion venture works out. I'm just learning about all that right now and I'm a tad stressed about it. lol I'm sure I'll survive. It's just the unknown that makes me shiver. Do I set goals? I guess I do, but they're loose goals. I used to be extremely rigid about achievements, but that was before I had four kids. Yeah, they took care of any schedule or stability I had.
Glad you found your way back to your novel. I think sometimes we need to take a step back so that we can come back refreshed. That, or the "stuck" was telling you something was wrong. Which it sounds like you fixed.
Happy New Year, Nick!
Sounds like you're on top of things for this new year. Good for you! All the best in keeping up with your goals....
For me, I'd just like to start writing again. Something new, fresh... Once life settles, that's what I hope to achieve...
All the best!
Eating healthily and keeping up regular exercise will help you achieve all those other goals too :)
Best wishes for 2016.
Excellent goals! I like the idea of adding a monthly check-in. I guess that's part of what I can do with the IWSG posts--because I'm willing to bet that checking in with my goals will induce some insecurities :D
I'd like to do a new short story each month, too. I'm sorely behind on writing new stories. Good luck meeting all these goals!
Hi Nick - I like you've got your goals set out .. and now I'm sure you'll be able to tick off a lot as the year goes by ...
Have a good and happy 2016 .. cheers Hilary
Good goals, lots of goals. I like the one about walking the dogs. teehee
Great goals! I love Write 1 Sub 1 - it helps keep me going from month to month.
And, my dog helps me get out every day, too. :)
Happy 2016!
That sounds like a respectable set of goals to me! Best of luck with them! I put mine in my side bar so I can check them off (erm... and hold myself accountable).
Great goals, Nick. I wish you well in developing your story. You can do it. And, yes, dogs are great motivators for exercise!!
Sounds like you are well organized for 2016, and have everything prioritized. You didn't feel like you accomplished as much as you could have last year and you are taking action to remedy that this year. You have a plan and I am certain you will succeed. I like the idea of posting monthly goal round-ups at the end of the month. It seems like an excellent way of staying focused, motivated and holding yourself accountable. I'm with you on the dog walks. Nope, they don't give us a choice, do they. But, I actually enjoy the walks and I am able to think through a lot of scenes, plot holes and and character issues on my dog walks.
Happy New year. Hope you have a happy, prosperous and successful 2016.
Best of luck with all your goals! Sounds like you have a busy year ahead of you. And gosh, I can relate so well to 2015 being lackluster; I didn't manage to accomplish as much as I would've liked, either. Hope 2016 ends up being a very productive year for you!
Happy 2016 Nick! Wishing you much happiness and success. Congratulations on starting on your new novel. 1500 words is more than I currently have:) But don't worry the word count will grow. You can definitely achieve all the goals you have set for yourself. Wishing you the best.
Impressive list of goals, Nick! What's more is that they are all attainable. I should be so organized - ha! You've got a great start on the third book - Write On!
You'll be busy, indeed, but you can do it! I think the idea of a monthly roundups is a wise one.
Sounds like you ended 2015 on a good writing note, which mean an awesome way to start 2016. Wishing you the best of luck on all your goals. :)
~Jess
Nick, eating better and exercise are high on my Goals List too. Great that you were able to end 2015 well. Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy and prosperous New Year!
All worthy goals. You're starting 2016 on the right foot, I think. Happy New Year to you, Nick! :)
Wonderful goals. I'm sure you'll achieve them. I'd like to submit 2 or 3 books for publication.
That's quite a list of goals. You make me feel like a slacker!
Your goals sound wonderful, Nick!
I'm sure you'll do well.
I need to think seriously about doing a story a month.
Happy New Year!
Hi Nick! You have indeed some good goals. I wish you well in reaching them...if not all, the ones most important to you. HNY!
Waita go, Nick! I believe in you with every fiber of my being. And having lofty goals myself, I know what I'm talking about! Just take it day by day and you'll achieve more than you thought you could- we all have more fire in us than we realize!
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