Hello, everyone! Welcome to 2021!
As is my tradition, today’s post will be all about my goals for the coming year. Keep in mind that these are big, year-long goals that will be (in theory, anyway) broken down into monthly, weekly, and daily goals.
The Writing Goals
- Finish the first draft of Full Circle
Full Circle is the third book in my fantasy series. This goal is a carryover from last year’s goals. I’d like to say that I came close to completing it, but I don’t think I really can. Too much time writing pointless conversations about goats and not enough time writing actual, useful plot that, you know, moves the story forward.
I hope to correct that this year.
For anyone keeping score at home, this WIP is currently sitting at 232,924 words.
2. Finish the first draft of the Terrible Romance Sequel
This is, of course, the sequel to the Terrible Romance Novel (aka Love & Other Lies) that I started during NaNoWriMo last November. I haven’t looked at it since November 30th, and it’s not my top priority this year, but I hope that I’ll get a chance to finish it at some point.
Its word count is currently sitting at 51,309. There’s even a chance that some of it may be useable. Fingers crossed!
3. Participate in all three NaNoWriMo sessions this year (April, July, and November)
This goal makes the list because I am the ML (municipal liaison) for my region. Participating in events comes with the territory. At this point, I have absolutely no idea what I’ll be working on those three months, and I won’t know until I see where the aforementioned WIPs are when the events get closer. The Camp sessions in April and July offer participants more goal flexibility, so it won’t necessarily be a 50k word goal each time out.
4. Attempt to make some attempt at marketing once a month
This goal is deliberately vague to give me as much wiggle room on this as freaking possible because I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS GOAL. Like, at all. You should have seen how long it took me to add the damn goal to the list. I can’t stress enough how stressed out I am even thinking about this stupid goal.
The Other Goals
- Read 52 books
Haven’t managed this one the last few years, but maybe 2021 will be different?
2. Improve fitness
In theory, this will be a multi-step kind of thing. I’ll be keeping my three-miles-a-day goal but attempting to add in yoga and strength training and some aerobics and things of that nature.
I actually did some yoga, strength training, and aerobics yesterday. And today, I feel great. Really.
3. Drink more water/Reduce caffeine intake
I was doing a terrible job of hydrating toward the end of the year and was drinking entirely too much soda, so here’s when I attempt to, you know, stop doing that. Please note the part where it says “REDUCE caffeine intake.” Not eliminate entirely. Gotta keep these things realistic.
4. De-clutter
It just really needs to be done. I am such a scary pack rat. It’s sad, really. And yeah, I know this was also on the 2020 goal list and I got as far as looking at the closet in my office and saying, “Ugh, I can’t even” but maybe it’ll be different this year.
And on that note, I’m outta here.
Hope you have a very happy and healthy 2021.
Stay safe and well!
I’m with you on the reading goal though I’m pretty happy with the number of books I read last year. I also totally hear you on #4. The idea of trying to market my book (I mean what kind of presumptuous tart do I think I am anyway?) almost makes me want to cry.
This: “I mean what kind of presumptuous tart do I think I am anyway?”
That is EXACTLY it.
I think just adding the marketing goal should count as January’s marketing attempt. 🙂
Front load the reading if you can. I didn’t do that in 2020, and I was scrambling at the end.
I’m trying to increase my water intake, too. It supposedly helps with so many things.
So here I am raising a glass of water in a toast to 2021! Happy New Year, MJ!
I usually do try to front load the reading. I definitely did last year. So the goal was in reach; it was totally doable. I just…didn’t pick up a book after Thanksgiving. As usual, there’s no one to blame but myself.
And I have to say, the thought of making the addition of the marking goal count as January’s attempt just made me so damn happy. 🙂 Thanks for that!!
Your third book is huge.
New year, new opportunities! Make it happen.
The scarier thing is that the book isn’t even finished yet.
Good luck with your goals. I need to blog about mine…well, I need to write them down first. I haven’t even really done that. I have a vague outline in my head.
A vague outline is a good first step.
I can empathize. I don’t even know how marketing is supposed to work.
I’m realizing more and more that I don’t know how it’s supposed to work either. Maybe I’ll learn this year.
Considering 2020, I think most people are just redoing goals for this year. Good luck with yours. I’m sure this year will be a success 😉
Thank you! I did accomplish my one big goal last year, so it wasn’t all bad.