Well Wickeds, what are your writing goals for this new year? Are you using any new tools, or programs, to help? Let us know!
Jessie: I ordered the Plot Your work planner for 2018. I have loaded some projects into it and am pleased with the way it takes so many parts of the job into consideration. There is a lot to it and it can feel a bit daunting but for planner enthusiasts who are writers I would highly recommend giving it a look.
Liz: I ordered it too, Jessie! I’m diving in now. So actually using it is one of my goals…aside from that, I have three books to write and a non-contracted book that I’m desperately trying to revise and move forward with.
Sherry: Turning in three Sarah books in the last twelve months (okay one hasn’t been turned in yet but is due on February 1st) has kept me from writing much else. I started a light romance in June and it’s about halfway done. I’m looking forward to finishing it. I’m also writing a short story that’s due in June. Short stories are a huge challenge for me. And then my head is overflowing with ideas — everything from Sarah to new series ideas.
Edith: I have three and a half books to write from now until January, so my writing goal beyond finishing those on time is modest: write one new short story, my best yet. I’ve had a few glimmers of inspiration dancing around for a suspense novel, and if they make themselves more clear I’ll try to arrange some time for looking at that, too.
Barb: This year I want to write something really funny. Not only with the gentle humor that I hope readers find in the Maine Clambake Mysteries, but laugh-out-loud funny. I want to write a novel-length book in the third person. I want the eighth, as yet untitled, Maine Clambake Mystery to be the best book in the series to date. I’m daunted by each of these, but I think that’s good with goals.
Julie: Thanks to Jessie’s recommendation, I have the Plot Your Work Planner as well, and have been using it to do that, and to figure out how I am going to get it all done this year. I have two books on contract. I also have a suspense novel that is tapping on my brain. Like Barb, my goal is to stretch myself as a writer. Push to make these my best work, stretch to test new genres, and to dream about other goals. My other big writing goal is to give everything a chance to sit and marinate for a bit before I edit-that is a question of managing time.
Writer friends, what are your goals for 2018? Readers, work goals? Craft goals? Reading goals?
Keep the shelter staffed and keep up with the ARCs.
Great goals!
So curious to know how Plot Your Work works out – I didn’t see the ads for it until I had already ordered my standbys. So tempted to add it to the planner pile! Hope someone will post an update in a few months.
I’m working on the third Catherine Swope (at the chapter 3 disaster – always stall there) and brainstorming some anthology shorts. Fingers crossed!
Good looking couple on the writing! We will do a post, promise.
Wow…it sounds as if we readers will have more than enough books in 2018 to keep us busy…my tbr list is very long.
We try!
Hey, I don’t need no planner–I make it up as I go! It’s such a thrill! (especially when a character changes names between books because you forgot to write out the list of characters, or it’s summer in the beginning of the book, but the daffodils are blooming three chapters later.)
Let’s see: two books due at the end of the month (thank goodness one is done in draft), another one due by May (same time as the first in the new series launches, so promo required), another one due in August, and I think I just promised to do a short novella for a holiday series, and I have two really weird short story ideas running around in my head . . . I need a vacation already!
I don’t know how you do it! Very excited about the new series.
Start writing again and edit the ones I have…
Great goal!
I’m hopefully going to keep my sanity as I work on the debut coming in August. Also, I want to finish this historical and do the occasional short story.
Hang tight! It is so exciting, and tome will fly!
Reblogged this on Hobby Reads.
Thank you!!
My goals for 2018 is enjoy life and read more. We are planning another trip on our bucket list to the Yellowstone National Park this summer. Trying to work on some medical issues so that I can enjoy the trip more.
That is on my bucket list too! Sending good thoughts for good health.
Wow, that’s a whole lotta writing, you Wickeds. Way to go! I’d love to hear how that planning book works out. I’m so tempted, but I fear it’s one of those things I’ll buy, not use, and then feel guilty for not using.
I’m tempted, too, Ellen, especially since they have a Circa version and I am a Circa woman. Waiting for Jessie, Liz and Julie to report in from the front.
We will crowdsource a post. I’m just diving in but find it helpful so far
All of these are goals I will fully get behind.
My biggest reading goal for the year? Don’t fall behind on the series I am up to date with as new books come out while catching up on my TBR Immediately if not Sooner Mountain Range. (Although does it still count as a mountain range if it is no longer piles on an upper bunk in my room but taking up most of a bookshelf?)
You all amaze me. Lots of writing and some jobs too! Keep those balls in the air! We love the books!