Aims and Intentions 2019

Happy New Year Lovelies!

As per normal, this is my annual looky-backy to see what I had planned for past year, and what I actually managed, as well as declaring to the Universe what my aims are for the year going forward. For those who have been here a while, you know I do this every year, because it really does help. Once you've shouted plans from the rooftops you HAVE to at least have a go, as at some point someone will ask you how things are going and you'll feel a lot better being able to say that things are in progress rather than saying 'um.. yeah, well, that, not so much...anyone need another drink? Bye.'
  Personally, (as opposed to Politically, which appears to be a total s**tshow) 2018 was a bit of a year. Things happened! Dreams came true! My aims last year looked like this and I'll evaluate how they went below, but ultimately I GOT A DEAL AND HAD A BOOK PUBLISHED!!!!!!

  

Being published has been super exciting, but at times also felt like starting a new job in a new field and having to go through the standard 'Moron phase', only blindfolded, as things happen away from me most of the time. (So far I have yet to find a flow chart that explains the publishing process to me and that I can cling onto.) My aims and intentions for 2019 are now shaped by this too, there's a new landscape to deal with, in contrast to the previous writing without deadline, in the hope that someday something would happen.

So to reflect on the previous aims;

I did finish the first draft of Story Two. It has no name yet, but it's in the system.

I have started Story Three. It's not as plotted as I would have liked, but not starting was making me anxious, so it made more sense to simply launch in. I've just reached the Suckage Point (20k words) and it does indeed Suck. I have faith that this is part of The Process. It's worked before. I still felt guilty about taking Thinking Time on it. That probably won't ever change.

I'm still learning about Structure. I don't know if that'll ever change either.

I didn't do NANO, because I was was in edits and I didn't have a plan. I would possibly like to try again next year, but as before, ONLY ONLY ONLY if I have a plan. (I'm still scared I'll get talked into it without one and that would.)

I still don't feel I get to read enough, so that one is being carried over to 2019.

I never once referred to my writing as a hobby in 2018. Yay me! In fact, I got to write 'Author' when filling in forms which was a thrill.

I did go on another writing retreat. It gave me the headspace I needed to break the back of the edit of Book Two.

I still spend too much time on Twitter. That is a fact, but I excuse it as being marketing for my book. And I have to do Facebook too now, having resisted for all the years, and Instagram. So there was a point in 2018 where it felt like it had spiralled out of control, numbing my creative brain, and also losing my writing time, so that one is carrying over too, in the hope that I can find a way of being disciplined and controlling it.

Am still writing with four fingers. I suspect that won't ever change.

So what am I planning for 2019? 

I really must sort out my writing practice, as it is still all over the shop. I was supposed to have it honed by now, but I haven’t. I still haven’t worked out what works best for me, to fit alongside running my family. As mentioned with the social medias I have to learn to be far better disciplined as it is pitiful at times. I need to get back to turning up at the keyboard every day when I am in a writing phase. No excuses.

I need Book Two fully finished, but this is already in the publishing process, so I just have to hit the deadlines I’m given. It's slated for release in April (paperback in June). It can be pre-ordered on Amazon - but with no title, no cover and no blurb it's currently only for people who like to take a risk with their book selection, or my parents. 

I've got to get Book Three written and Book Four started or planned, with the view to another aim of Getting a new contract. My initial deal was for two books, so I’ll technically be out of contract this year. This is the bit where I learn that getting published was only the first step, staying published is a whole new ball game.

I have to get a grip on Marketing. Ah marketing….I have ideas, but it takes up so much time, and it that time comes from … my writing time, which feels like a bit of a catch 22 situation.  

I want to get a website and mailing list set up. Learning the techie stuff is my nemesis and I get scared and run away at almost every new step. Do you buy you domain name separately or from the webdesigner? Do you need the insurance they try to sell you? Is it a good price and a good deal? I DON’T KNOW THIS STUFF!!!! When you are a debut writer, you really don’t want to lose money on mistakes and to a tech lemming like me it feels like a minefield.

I'd like to go on retreat again, and this time be writing something.

That feels like enough to be getting on with.

Anyone have any goals they want to declare? I heartily urge you to do it.

All the best for 2019!!