Happy New Year!
The beginning of a new year is a great time to set some goals. I’ve been putting a lot of thought into my writing career lately and how I’m going to progress it in 2016. Most of the goals below are writing-related but I’ve thrown in a few other things as well. When setting a goal it is important to consider how you are going to measure success.
Writing Career
Scheduling
I aim to regularly take 1 day per week off from my day job to spend on writing. I already have that flexibility built into my contract but haven’t taken advantage of it often in 2015. My wife is now working full-time which take off some financial pressure and makes this a possibility. I’m not going to commit do doing this every week at this stage, but I’m going to say ‘most weeks’.
I’ll measure this by that fact that I’ve taken a day for writing, or that I have a good reason for not doing so.
Earth’s Remnant
I aim to publish two novellas in my space opera series Earth’s Remnant (still a working title). The first episode is undergoing revisions. After that, it’s back to my editor for copy edits. I’ll need to commission a cover and then put it all together. I’m going to say February as an estimated deadline for this, but it is difficult to judge since I still don’t know how long it will all take.
My second episode is in outlining mode right now. Hopefully, I can have the bulk of the first draft done by the time I publish the first. I aim to publish this in September.
Once I have published two of these, I should be starting to get an understanding of how long it takes to follow the story to completion. That will allow me to plan a realistic release schedule for 2017. My aim is to release more than two episodes in that year.
Terraformed Interplanetary
During 2016 I aim to write and submit a story to the second installment of the Terraformed Interplanetary series being developed by Travis Perry. The first installment, Medieval Mars, was heaps of fun and Travis has a cool concept for the seconed. More on this in the future.
Another First Draft for Fun
I aim to write a first-draft (novella length) of one other project during the year for fun. This, of course, will become another publishable product after edits and revisions. At this stage, it will likely be a fantasy with a heavy exploration element. Think the original Star Trek, but on a sailing ship.
Writing Project with my Daughter
I aim to spend time working with my daughter on a superhero project. She is coming up with the majority of the plot and setting, and I aim to teach her what little I know about writing as we progress. We will eventually publish this and I’ll list her as co-author.
Health
I will remain consistent in the use of my dumbbells for regular exercise. I will do this several times per week. I may use a calendar to track and measure this.
Day Job
Develop useful features in the software I maintain at my day job, with the intention of keeping the interest of existing clients, and attracting new clients. If we can keep enough people using the software that will help to keep my job secure.
Well, that’s my goals for the year. I’ll add quarterly posts here to report progress.
What are your goals for 2016?
Qapla’
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