Wednesday, January 3, 2018

IWSG: January and 2018 Goals


 It's a new year, and it's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post! 


This month's question is: What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

My publishing schedule has been rather up in the air all last year and I don't foresee this year being much different as a good deal of it depends on my publisher. There have been editors coming and going, restructuring, a new backend interface, a move, and  other delays for various reasons. Ah, the joys of working with a small press. If I had to sum up last year in one word, I'd go with frustrated.

As to writing related things under my control, I do have a schedule. I write every morning Monday - Friday and quite often on the weekends too. I try to touch my WIP at lunch and again after work. My goal is 1000 words a day. Coming out of NaNo, where I managed roughly 2K a day for the month, half of that feels quite doable. December saw goals met and we're onward into January. How that will play out once I get this current rough draft completed, time will tell. 

February is slated to be a 30 in 30 month (or 30K in 28 days in this case... or 28 in 28, but it doesn't quite have the same ring to it.). I hope to be working on rewriting Not Another Bard's Tale, a silly fantasy story. The problem is I went all experimental with it originally, and while it's a fun character piece, there's no cohesiveness. It needs a much stronger plot to pull it together.

At some point, likely the point with the worst timing, I'll be getting edits back on the first book of The Narvan. 

I'd like to get NABT and at least book one of The Narvan out into the big world in 2018.

As to other goals, that brings me to my One Word for the new year.

Speak. Mostly speaking up when I've had enough. I started in on this already at the end of November, by asking for help for next year, outsourcing, delegating. I'm also hoping to organize an author event in my town with my local writing group, and perhaps assist with another nearby. In May, I'm going to Penguicon and sitting in on some writing panels. On a smaller scale, I'd like to get back into my weekly blogging schedule. 

Past One Words have been:

2012 was the year of Less. This helped me overcome my habit of over obligation.

2013 was the year of Me. In which I focused a little more on myself instead of doing everything for everyone else.


2014 was the year when I said I would Write. Shit happened. Goal denied.

2015 was sort of a do over year. I tried to work toward solving my problem from the year before by choosing Time. Making time to do the thing I wanted to do: write. Because, well hell, no one else tells you to sit down, stop doing all the things, and write. You have to do that yourself.

2016 was the year of Relax.  That went pretty well and started my morning routine of time in my comfy chair.

I tried to Enjoy 2017. I'd give it a solid meh. I made an effort, but life, work, and finances often got in the way.

What's your one word for 2018?

9 comments:

  1. I've been trying to work more on another story that I began. Missed two days so far, but then again, it is the beginning of the year.

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    1. New stories are exciting! Good luck with your new project.

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  2. I like the one word for the year. On the spot, I think I would pick "Positive" for 2018. It's going to be a hard year and I really need to focus on the positive things.

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    1. Positive is a great word choice. I may have to remember that one for next year. It would be a little to ambitious to leap to this time around. ;) Hope it works out for you though!

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  3. I'm sorry for the frustrations you dealt with last year with your publisher. I also am published by a small press and am thankful that they are consistent and not having issues. *fingers crossed* I hope things get better and your publishing schedule gets back on track.

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  4. One word for the year: focused. I'm transitioning to writing full time and will no longer have my mind and time torn between two careers. I wish you the best with your goals - you have a very busy schedule laid out!

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  5. Small publishers have problems because they're too often like you, a few people with a dream in the horizon blocked by a myriad obstacles. Frustration machines basically... Hope you find something that works for you soon.

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  6. Hi Jean - things will come around ... and if you use CD's word 'positive' that'll bring you opportunities you weren't expecting - good luck though for 2018 - cheers Hilary

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