Wow, I can’t believe 2017 is here already. It feels like I blinked and 2016 disappeared. In my previous post I mentioned how 2016 didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but for 2017 I am determined to do better.
I have so many projects that I want to complete: I want to finish editing my novel and start writing the next novel, I want to complete my novellas (both the psychological horror and the supernatural comedy ones), I want to shrink my short story editing pile and hopefully get more acceptances, I want to improve my playwriting skills, and I want to try self-publishing – I will be creating a horror flash fiction collection. As you can see, there is so much that I want to do, but none of it will be achieved if I keep wasting time (procrastination is the enemy of success).
So, to help keep me motivated, I have created a list of writing goals for 2017. Yes, I did the same last year, but last year I allowed other things to get in the way of my writing goals, this year I won’t. I will have a finished novel, I will have two finished novellas, and I will have a completed flash fiction collection, even if it’s the last thing I do. I often envy those writers who have completed their projects, but this year I won’t spend any more time envying others, I will be putting all my energy into doing better.
To help me keep on track with my writing goals, I have decided to do monthly writing goals. So, for January I have created a list of goals, see below. I’m hoping that by breaking down my goals, it will be easier for me to stay focused and to actually reach my goals this year.
My January Writing Goals
- Finish the third draft of my novel
- Finish planning my psychological horror novella
- Complete Exploring Shakespeare Future Learn course
- Submit four short stories
- Continue to work on story ideas for my flash fiction collection
- Write the first drafts of 30 flash fictions for my flash fiction collection
- Work on ideas for next novel
So, if like me, you struggled to reach your writing goals last year, then try breaking your goals down and creating monthly ones instead. Fingers crossed it works.
Happy New Year, everyone!