It’s July, and that means we are in the third quarter of 2021. Wow, we’re halfway through the year. This year is flying by, and I’m struggling to keep up.
I had many plans for the second quarter. I promised myself that I would finally be focused and motivated, but that didn’t happen. It wasn’t a complete failure, though. Q2 was a quarter that involved a lot of rethinking. I figured out what was holding me back, what I wanted to work on and what kind of author I want to be.
So, let’s see what happened in Q2:
- Edit and publish horror flash fiction collection
I’m no longer working on this project. Read my ‘My New Plan — A June 2021 Writing Update’ post to find out why. - Submit a short story to a submission call
Nope, I didn’t do this. - Plan and write paranormal mystery web serial season one and two
I changed my mind about doing the serial, so I won’t be working on this for now. - Plan and start writing book one in my urban fantasy series
I didn’t do this because I’m no longer planning to publish this series just yet. - Start second draft of second standalone novel
I didn’t do this because I realised this novel had a YA voice, and I’m not publishing YA under this name. - Complete newsletter lead magnets
I finished The Book of Drabbles audiobook, but I’m still editing the short story that I will also offer to subscribers. - Complete author business plan and marketing plan
I nearly finished the business plan, but I haven’t started the marketing plan yet. - Update writer’s website
No, I didn’t do this. I could never find the time to get this done. - Send out three newsletters
Nope, I didn’t do this because I’m still fighting with the lead magnets. - Submit three Horror Tree posts
Nope, I didn’t do this one. - Listen to two podcasts per week
Yes, I listened to over two writing-related podcasts a week—it’s now part of my weekday routine. - Complete urban fantasy reading list
I stopped reading from the list and started reading books from my supernatural horror and ghost horror indie author reading list. - Read three short stories
Wow, I actually forgot about this goal. So, yeah, I didn’t complete this goal. I don’t feel too bad, though, because I’ve read 52 books so far. - Read one poem a week
I did this for the first two months of the quarter, but I didn’t read any poems during the last month.
As you can see, Q2 didn’t go well, but that quarter has gone, and it’s time to focus on Q3.
Q3 2021 Goals
- Write, edit and create the cover for book one in my Ghostly horror Novella-in-Flash series
- Plot and writ book two in my Ghostly horror Novella-in-Flash series
- Plot and start writing book three in my Ghostly horror Novella-in-Flash series
- Complete newsletter lead magnets & set up newsletter
- Update writer’s website
- Complete author business plan and marketing plan
- Send out three newsletters
- Submit three Horror Tree posts
- Write three poems
- Complete my Supernatural Horror and Ghost Horror Indie Author Reading List
- Read five cozy mysteries by indie authors
- Read five paranormal cozy mysteries by indie authors
I’m hopeful for quarter three. I’m finally happy with my plans, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I achieve.
How did your Q2 go and what are your plans for Q3? Let me know in the comments below.
Stay safe and keep writing, folks!
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