I'm not one for resolutions because I feel they're too easy to toss aside. So here are my writing goals for 2014:
- Balance writing and editing: I need to get better at doing both at the same time. I tend to focus solely on writing or solely on editing. This year, I want to edit in the morning and write in the afternoon and evening. It's all about balance.
- Find new ways to market my books: I'm not one to go around begging people to buy my books. In fact, in person, you wouldn't know I'm a writer. I don't mention it. But I do want to find some creative ways to get my work out there for people to know about.
- Revise two books that are already drafted and draft two or three new books: I have an Ashelyn Drake contemporary romance to revise and a Kelly Hashway paranormal to revise. I would also like to write two or three of the ideas I have brewing in my head.
- Continue with my new blog format: The format I set in place in September with Monday Mishmash, Writer Wednesday, and Friday Feature seems to be working well, so I'm sticking with it in 2014.
- Two or more book contracts
- Great book sales
- To sign at BEA again
- To make more money than I did last year with my writing and editing
What are your goals or things you're hoping for in 2014?
To self publish at least two novels, sell another book, perfecting my grasp of the short story, to embrace self-marketing. To finish two WIPs. Too much?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's necessarily too much. Life my intervene and prove me wrong, but as long as you are okay with being very busy this year I think you can pull it off. :)
DeleteI think your goals sound very reasonable -- for you, who are very impressive. I've tried to schedule myself with certain times to write, read/review, or do marketing, but it never works. I'm a scheduling rebel! I'd love to be able to write 2 books this year. I'll cross my fingers for both of us! :)
ReplyDeleteI'll cross my fingers for us, too, Lexa. :)
DeleteThat's a brilliant goal list - good luck with it all. My writing goals are to rewrite my novel for the 9-12 age group (and polish it to a standard to begin sending it off to agents), find an agent, write two more plays for my business and take on new client, blog twice a week and get a fair amount done on other writing projects too. Plus once my novel has been sent off, I want to start on the follow-up (book 2 in the trilogy).
ReplyDeleteThose are great goals, Fi. Good luck with them. And be sure to keep us posted on your agent search.
DeleteI'm sure you can achieve those goals Kelly. My main goal is to get at least one story a month submitted. Other than that, to try my hand at a book. To get more editing done too. But I suppose the ultimate goal I have is just to write as much as I can - submittable stuff that is.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great plan for 2014, Terrie. Good luck!
DeleteMy number one goal, same as last year, finish my novel. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm working on it...in my head!
Get writing, Diane! *Kelly uses her stern voice but follows the command with a smile.*
DeleteGreat goals! :) Good luck with balancing writing and editing. I know it's hard to do two things at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's something I tried last year but didn't quite manage to pull off.
DeleteI like your goals, they're great ones! Balancing writing and editing is one of mine as well! I think self marketing is one of the biggest challenges for authors as it's hard to put yourself out there and say buy my book.
ReplyDeleteSelf marketing is so tough. I'm determined to get better at it though.
DeleteGood luck with your goals, Kelly, and best wishes for a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sara!
DeleteGood luck with all your awesome goals! I'm definitely looking for new marketing things to try this year, too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Meradeth. I'm not sure if I'll ever discover the secret to successful marketing, but I'm going to try. ;)
DeleteEven your goals are encouraging Kelly! You give me hope that I can accomplish my own.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Sherry. Good luck with your goals.
DeleteGood luck, i wish all the best :)
ReplyDeleteGirl, I'm just like you. I don't go around telling people I'm a writer either. I think you do a phenomenal job with your online presence in terms of promotion and I hope it leads to even more sales for you in 2014! We're all hoping to make just that $1 more than 2013, right? Onward and upward!
ReplyDeleteI try my best, but I know I can do better. Just have to figure out how. :)
DeleteGreat goals! Good luck. I'm looking for more ways to market my book, too. I'm also hoping to get into freelance work this year.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Auden!
DeleteYours sound like good goals. I hope my new novella is well received, and that my other books go out on time. In June, I'll be teaching a weeklong course in writing YA and I'm now a thesis advisor, so I want my teaching to go well and be inspirational.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your cover and participating in the reveal. :)
DeleteGreat goals. I wish you success in 2014.
ReplyDeleteMy goals: Promote new book coming out, Get contracts for two more. Work on a couple of other ideas. Play with my cats.
Thanks, Beverly. Good luck with your goals. I'm crossing my fingers that you get those contracts.
DeleteThose are all great goals! And, oh, BEA. I'd love to get to go someday! All those books and authors...*wipes drool*
ReplyDeleteBEA is my favorite author event. I'm like a kid hopped up on candy in a toy store. :)
DeleteBest of luck with everything, Kelly! Hope you get the desired contracts & sales. For me, it's publishing my MG novel (ebook, hopefully with a few paintings), finishing up a short story collection, and planning for another picture book.
ReplyDeleteGreat goals, Claudine. Best of luck with them. :)
DeleteYou've got some great goals, Kelly, in fact they are very similar to mine. But my biggest goal is to do more writing. I'm still struggling with working from home and being disciplined. There are just so many other things in my way and so many other writing obligations to do that take me away from the "real writing" part of our jobs! Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteAnd I know you'll accomplish your goals because you have proven to be a writing machine!
I wish you lots of luck, Allyn. :)
DeleteThanks! I'm heading over to check out yours now. :)
ReplyDeletefantastic goals! I'm hoping to publish book#2, finish and find an agent for another story and draft book#3.
ReplyDeleteGreat goals. I hope you achieve them all. :)
DeleteYou'll do fine with those goals, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence, William!
DeleteGreat goals! I am glad you found a blog format that works for you. So important! Best of luck with the rest of your goals. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
It's amazing how much having a schedule makes blogging easier. I'm a very scheduled person though, so I shouldn't be too surprised. ;)
DeleteGood luck with accomplishing your goals, Kelly. I'm hoping to have my first book out by March *wipes sweat from brow* I am writing the sequel and would love to have that published by the Summer. I have more concrete goals with deadlines and an elaborate list I made for myself because I'm a list-a-holic. I like organization and thrive well when I have clear goals with deadlines. Here's to us accomplishing all our goals and exceeding them for the year!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you, Dawn! If you book is YA or NA, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to feature you on my blog. :)
DeleteYay to editing and writing at the same time. I like to do it that way. I hope to complete two books this year and get at least one contract.
ReplyDeleteGreat goals, Marcia. Best of luck to you.
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