Gosh, I love a new year. Don’t you? There’s something neato about being together in the pot. Sharing goals and etc. Like suffering together during NaNo!
Now, I have some not-so-good news. I don’t have last year’s goals. That means I need to figure out how to go back one year (here) so I can find what you all wrote and so we can see what you did. When I figure that out, I’ll post your goals so you can see whatcha done good.
BUT–we must not let that deter us.
What are your goals?
What are your plans?
What are your dreams?
One thing my dear Rick Walton told me was to make goals I was in control of. I love this. It’s so smart.
“I will sell five books this year.” Ummm. I can’t make S&S or Harcourt buy a book. BUT I can write five books.
Also, making goals attainable is a good thing.
Read this, by the amazing Claudia Mills. It’ll teach you a thing or two. I swear.
https://claudiamillsanhouraday.blogspot.com/
And read this, too! It’s Cheri Pray Earl’s blog about goals.
https://dustingforfingerprints.wordpress.com/2017/12/31/the-year-of-the-writer-thats-me/
So. I’ll give you three of my writing goals for the year–or writing related goals.
- Start a REAL, OFFICIAL business. It may be small, but I have been putting this off for some time.
- Make that danged website of mine shine.
- Write a draft of a new book every three months. IF I sell something and rewrites take up new writing time, I will make adjustments.
If I break that down, it turns out to be four new books. By the end of the year.
If I break it down even further, it’s about 1000 new words a day. With play time in between. And time to rewrite.
EVENTS For those of you who want a jumpstart for this year, we have these two events coming up:
WIFYR NEW YEAR KICKOFF!
Provo Library
Third Thursday of this month (6-8 pm–I think!)
Potluck fun!
FEBRUARY AGENT/EDITOR RETREAT
Editor Sarah McCabe (Simon and Schuster) and agent Jenna Pocius (Red Fox Literary) are visiting BYU campus. Both will speak on Feb 28, 2018 from 5:30-7 pm. (Room number TBA)
This event is open and free to the public.
For those who write for children and young adults (and those interested in writing for adults), March 1st, March 2nd and March 3rd, will feature Sarah and Jenna in one-on-one critiques with paying attendees.
$119 will include a day of learning with published authors as well as critique time with either the editor or agent. We’ll talk good writing, writing with humor and even glance at marketing your work. We’ll discuss query letters, the important pitch and truly knowing what your book is about–and being able to express it. Each $119 registration includes ONE day.
Throwing Up Words 
Hey Carol, here’s a link to last year’s New Years post 🙂
https://throwingupwords.wordpress.com/2017/01/04/hap-pee-new-year/
I’m rebelling and not making resolutions the first week of January or even longer. I need more down time to reflect after having my daughter, son in law and grandson plus animals here for the past couple of weeks. The sale of the house was particularly stressful for my daughter though it was lovely to have them here. They finally sign for their new house today and will probably be mostly moved out by the end of the week. In the meantime, I’m going help with the move to Murray—there are boxes and bags stuffed in nooks and crannies—and take down Christmas decorations. I usually wait until Epiphany, Jan 6, but this year I want my house back to normal earlier so I can get into a writing routine. I’m going to create a vision board instead of a list of resolutions. That will need more reflection and even research to find pictures, quotations, etc. So I’m easing in to 2018.