Make progress on your writing journey.
Charting the Unknown:
SFF Writing Adventures and 2024 Ambitions
How do I pick between so many writing goals for the new year?
Daily word count?
Weekly word count?
Query letter?
Finishing X amount of my novel?
Writing longer chapters, 2000 word count (wc) or 3000 each?
How many novellas should I write?
I write in two different genres so how many books should I write for each one?
How do I develop a presence on social media platforms?
Should I create a tutorial class this year?
I am going to set up Instagram or Patreon or Twitter or some other value add to my social media.
Primarily, before you lose your mind with swirling negativity, high anxiety, and depression at how overwhelming things can become or how much you need to do, you’ve got to remember your writing goals must do these two things:
- a) guide your creative efforts
- b) make progress in your writing journey.
This means you only have to keep goals that forward your progress and take you toward where you want to go. Some novels took years to write. If I recall correctly, the first Jean Auel book Clan of the Cave Bear took 8 years to produce. Every book after that one in the series still took 4 to 6 years. Some authors spend years researching or other writing tasks. It’s not a race, it’s a process that only you can determine the pace. Just like the pace you write in your stories.
Here are some thoughts to reflect on before jumping onto a goal that you will never achieve.
- Where are my current writing projects at? How far am I toward finishing? What stage of editing is happening? Has the Beta Readers provided all feedback? Do I have a book cover yet?
- What is my publishing schedule? OK, so maybe you still need to publish. But maybe you might? And what if you set that audacious goal for mid-year MAY? I am trying to self-publish two books a year. Is this doable? Who is helping me? Should I talk with them? What should I be doing before I publish?
- What is my personal schedule like during the year? Have I made commitments to other things? What time off do have happening in the new year? Can I schedule additional time off from my job to work on publishing?
- Don’t forget the blogging or website posting. How much time do I spend on that? How long does a blog take? How many blogs will I be publishing this year?
- Do I run any advertising, marketing, or publication notices for my novels? How much time does this take on a weekly basis?
The Clan of the Cave Bear
by Jean M. Auel
Over all the goals you choose should meet your personal writing aspirations and preferences that fit into your ongoing schedule. Most writers work for a living and write as a hobby. So, if that’s you, make sure to work around your peak busy times and don’t forget travel time, etc. And if you write for a living, make sure to follow your schedule of publishing and other commitments.
I want to give a quick shout-out to PLOTTR software. I’ve found it has really improved my writing game and increased my efficiency tremendously. It is my new favorite writing aid. Use any of my affiliate links below and I might get a small commission. Thanks.
Check out my YouTube channel for PLOTTR videos @jlnichauthorsff
Joseph Michael’s Learn Scrivener Fast e-course
Please read and review my serial publishing novel, Sparrow’s Legacy, on Kindle Vella. You can read the first three chapters free on Amazon by searching for “Sparrows Legacy Kindle Vella” or clicking here. I. Please subscribe to my website if you want to be notified when I’ll be publishing or to get free samples of my work.
JL Nich, Science Fiction Fantasy Author
