I thought a lot about how to phrase this post, about how to come off as a ‘professional’ author and not someone who is just starting up. I kept thinking ‘how would a professional author write a blog post about his goals for the year?’
I realized I was overthinking this completely. I am what I am right now–an author who has had some decent success in the past as a part time author including a few #1 Bestsellers in their categories. But if I am being honest I am not JK Rowling or Stephen King nor should I pretend to be better than I am. An important part of getting better is being honest about where you are in the process.
I am on the “come-up” of my writing journey right now and I love being as transparent about that. It’s part of what makes being an author in this day and age fun: my readers get to come on the journey with me and see me (hopefully) mature into a writer who consistently writes amazing hit books that they love.
That being said, I want to post my goals in a public place like this blog. Isn’t one of the ways you stick to your New Year’s resolutions by saying them publicly?
So here goes, here are my resolutions for 2018 (and my predictions):
Goal #1) Write One Million Words.
This goal sounds a little crazy, I know. But, if you do the math, it’s actually attainable-ish. I aim to write 3,000 words per day minimum, six days per week. (Sunday is a rest day as a famous mechanic once said). So that’s:
365 days in a year – 52 sundays not writing = 313 days writing in a year
3,000 words x 313 days = 939,000 words
Okay, nevermind–I’ve got to write a few of those Sundays too, or up the word count (did I mention I set crazy goals?)
In this total I’m counting novel + blog writing into one. Even today, I’ve got around 3500 words done.
Prediction: I’ll come close. Editing may take a lot more time then I anticipate, but I’m pumped and energetic right now, and writing is my #1 priority this year. Malcolm Gladwell’s famous saying that it takes “10,000 hours” to master something is mostly true from what I’ve seen, so I’ve got to put in the work this year since I quit my job, no way around it.
I’ll be updating this goal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with the Hashtag #OneMillionWords!
Goal #2) Read 52 Books.
When I’m in writer-mode, I have a tendency to get obsessive about whatever I’m writing, but it’s important for me to keep reading! A book a week is aggressive so Thank God I’ve got my Audible Subscription because I’m a huge audiolover and I can listen to books faster than I can read that’s just the facts.
Prediction: I start out strong but have a month in there where I get off track. We’ll see.
I’ll be updating this goal this year with the Hashtag #52Books!
Goal #3) Make a Short Film (or Music video)
I had the goal last year to make a music video, which I (kind of) did when me and my cousin did a live feed where we sang songs and played guitar.
This goal is going to be a little bit more difficult for me since I basically have no training in film, production, nor do I even have a fancy camera. But–this is a stretch goal and I’m putting this one out there.
Prediction: I’ll need to meet some people in the film space to get this one done. But one of my favorite quotes is “take one step toward God and he takes two steps toward you” so just by putting this out there who knows what can happen!
Goal #4) Memorize the words/chords to my Dad’s band’s set list
Completely unrelated to writing, but nonetheless important to me. Some of you may know that I play guitar with my Dad, uncle and cousin in a local band. Currently I read music to follow along and I would like to get to the point where I have memorized the set list! Pretty simple
Prediction: I’ll get this one done because it’s important to me.
Goal #5) Don’t be a hermit – have dinner with one friend or family member per week
I’m the worst sometimes. I get really into writing and don’t text my friends for weeks (sometimes months). And hey I know the phone works both ways but I love my friends and family and I want to make a concerted effort to meet them up this year because life is short.
Prediction: I will get better at this one as the year goes on because Winter in Chicago makes it not as fun to get together.
That’s all – five goals is plenty. Any more and “I’m kidding myself” as my high school P.E. teacher used to say.
Tomorrow I’ll be posting about how I did on my goals for 2017!
Happy 2018 everyone!
What is one goal you have this year?