OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
Happy New Year!
The energy of new beginnings and people getting ready to start again, to re-commit to their goals. I use this time to assess where I went off track last year and to get back to basics. I revisit my life goals and how this year will get me closer to them.
Yes, I am a goal-setting (and achieving) junkie!
You'll definitely achieve things in 2013 if you don't set any goals, but it might not be what you actually wanted to achieve. By writing your goals down, you're also more likely to achieve them. I try to keep it real on this site, to share the journey honestly and authentically, so here are my goals for 2013. I hope you will consider sharing some of yours in the comments.
(1) Plan A: Focus on writing fiction, non-fiction and creating art
I now have 3 novels behind me and I am deep into number four. I am getting to know the process now and I feel a lot more confident that fiction is my future.
I also want to write more non-fiction as I want to help change people's lives, plus I need the backup material for speaking! So 2013 will be all about writing books and streamlining my processes so I can write faster, as well as maintaining the quality of research and editing that I put in. I want to be proud of the art I create (read The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin) and that is what remains for the long term.
I'm committing to:
- New crime thriller – book #1 – currently at 38,000 words. I won't be self-publishing this immediately. It will be going to Rachel, my NY literary agent and we'll see if I can get a book deal for that new series. I still intend to be a hybrid author.
- ARKANE Novella set in Hungary
- ARKANE #4 – themed around Kabbalah and Spain
- Non-fiction – Book marketing (it's about time I turned all this into a book format!)
- Non-fiction – Creative Business/ Solopreneur
- New crime thriller – book #2 (might be stretching it …)
I also want to get the first 3 ARKANE books into print and at least Pentecost into audiobook format. Yes, I decided against print a while back but I get asked for print copies every week, so I need to listen to the fans! I love to podcast so I want to read my own audiobook. I'll be looking at options for that since Audible ACX is only open to US citizens right now (any tips in the comments please!)
(2) The Creative Penn Blog, Podcast, Videos and Online Courses
I love blogging and the community we have here, I love your comments. I love my podcast, I love talking to new people and making videos. All of that is about connection and we all need that as writers. I need that. I would go nuts alone in my head all the time.
So the blog, podcast, YouTube channel and Twitter & Facebook continue as core activities, even though I want to focus on writing as my first priority. I know this site can be overwhelming so I have made a new Welcome video that gives you an overview of everything that is available. Check it out here, or watch below.
In 2012, I produced 5 new multimedia courses, including the extensive ProWriter series with NY Times bestselling author CJ Lyons and Turn Your Ideas Into Cash, for entrepreneurs wanting to create courses like I do. I won't be creating any new courses in 2013, only continuing to sell the existing ones. If you need more help with writing, publishing and book marketing, you can check them all out here.
(3) Professional Speaking
I love working alone on the creative stuff, but I also love speaking and sharing knowledge with others. I am a content speaker and I particularly enjoy full-day and multi-day events where I get to share everything.
I love the look in people's eyes when they realize their dream is actually possible, and then together we can make it happen. I also get paid pretty well for speaking these days so it is a core part of my business, and I will be focusing on doing more in 2013.
I'm already booked for Zurich in January (Ebook publishing), the London Book Fair in April (Advanced marketing for authors) and in Feb/March I am doing some full day workshops on how to become a solopreneur.
However, as an introvert, I do find my energy needs managing so one of my big goals this year is to make sure I don't crash and get sick after speaking events. So I am scheduling quiet days before and after speaking, so I can replenish the energy stores. (For more on introversion, read Susan Cain's Quiet – fantastic book, really helped me understand myself more!).
If you'd like to know more about booking me for an event, you can read more here, or click here for testimonials.
I do have other goals around my health and my lifestyle, but those are in my personal diary! I'll stick with the writing, publishing and marketing goals here.
Over to you! Please share your goals in the comments below.
Images: Bigstockphoto.com set and reach goal concept, Bigstockphoto.com coffee with laptop
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1 2 3 … 5 Next »Hey Joanna
Happy New Year - hope 2013 is going to rock for you!
Like the goals - if you haven't read Seth Godin's 'drip' post you might wanna go check that out, it's applicable to fiction too! I'm using it as the basis of my writing goals....simply to write 1000 words a day, 6 days a week, 50 weeks of the year. If I hit that, I should get 300,000 words written which will satisfy what I want to achieve!
I'm definitely dripping this year JJ. I've hit 1500 words every day so far - that's 3 days down, 362 to go!
Rock on! You're planning to write more words and more days too!
Important point for you - if you miss a day (illness, family chaos, hangover!) then don't beat yourself up about it. If you can catch up great...if you can't, just tie the knot and move on. (otherwise you can get hung up and it can derail your overall goals.)
I wrote yesterday, with the stomach flu, felt saintly :) but sure, I won't beat myself up for one day off now and then. But in 2012, there were too many days off.
Hi Joanna, happy New Year! Your 2013 goals sound fabulous. I'm especially interested in that crime thriller and your upcoming non-fiction work.
Random fact that makes me really happy: the photo you have above, with the coffee cup and the computer keyboard, has Cyrillic letters on the keyboard! I'm a Russian speaker, so this completely thrills me :)
Thanks Natalie, I'm glad you like the non-fiction ideas as I haven't focused on those for a while. Time to ramp that up. I'm thrilled you like the picture too. Coffee and the keyboard - it's my life :)
This is the best New Year post I've read so far. Your energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and your goals something to look forward to. It's fabulous to read in a previous post you're considering print and artisan books. Some of the how-to books on making these books are delicious and so creative, incorporating so many different areas of the arts. With the subject matter of your books, it's a perfect fit.
Trouble with Audible ACX and citizenship. Hmm, I worked for a Romanian company for years (still do) but they've incorporated in the U.S. Slightly tricky but not bad. That's one of my primary goals for 2013, putting all my family's creative endeavors under corporate protection. Nothing goes public until that's in place (still trying to figure out the best state in which to incorporate). I can't imagine a voice other than yours reading your books. There are some authors I can't read any longer because the narrator of the audio was so horrid and it won't leave my head.
I'd wish you luck on reaching your goals, but you're a force of nature it's doubtful luck plays no part:-) Congratulations and thank you for the chipper spirit to kickstart the year.
Thanks Cyd, and I'm glad you find the positivity inspiring. I really love setting goals for the year, and how accountable the blog makes me to you all.
I have just found a place to learn about book-binding in London so the artisan publishing could well happen this year, or at least I'll be more hands on :)
I like your corporate protection idea. I need to sort my Will out and look to the long-term of my creative endeavours as well. I love that we can go on earning after we pop off!
Hi, Joanna. I love your introduction video. I did something similar a few months ago. Mine isn't as extensive as yours - but doesn't really need to be since my focus is more narrow and I only have one book out at this point. Anyway - I think it's a brilliant idea to have something besides just the written word to draw people in.
Your goals for the year are so in depth. I'm with you though - I like to make goals for everything. When someone recently said that they think New Year's resolutions are stupid, I said, "Well, I've yet to meet a writer who has no sights on the future, whether they're called resolutions or not." And it's true. I just happen to work well toward a clearly defined, written goal.
So, here's the short version of my goals for 2013; 1. Write Books: I will finish my 2nd memoir, write a third narrative nonfiction book, and blast through a new novel for NaNoWriMo in November. 2. Marketing: I will be doing the Rule of Five that I learned from Guerrilla Marketing for Writers, and taking five marketing steps every single day. 3. Self-publish: eBook with Strategies for Parents of Children with ADHD. 4. Financial: increase what I make by and through writing by creating multiple streams of income - it's not a huge one (monetarily speaking), but big enough that it will make me focus on making money. I agree with you - we don't have to ascribe to the "starving artist" belief.
So, there you have it. Hope you're not sorry you asked. That was kind of long. Here's to a new year and new resolutions! ~Karen
Thanks Karen, and people who think goals are stupid never achieve anything :) or they wonder how they ended up where they are in life ... I'm with you, more goals, more achievement!
Your ADHD book sounds good and you could expand that into a mini-course as well, which would go under your multiple streams of income area.
That's a great idea, Joanna. I didn't mention this, but the memoir I'm finishing up is a humorous look at raising my son, who has ADHD. He's 18 now so I feel like we finally made it and I can speak with some authority. I've learned so much from your website, blog and podcasts. You completely changed the way I think about publishing, and I thank you for that. In fact, it was on a podcast of yours that I first heard about the hybrid writer - one who is both traditionally published (which I am) and self published (which I am now striving to be). So anyway - thanks for the continued inspiration! ~Karen
Fantastic! and make sure you tell him a lot about the entrepreneurs who are ADHD, it seems to be a positive trait for people who have successful businesses. Seth Godin's new book 'Icaus Deception' specifically mentions it.
Hi, Here's my Goal, Hope and Dream post for 2013
http://anitamathias.com/blog/2013/01/01/2013-hopes-goals-and-dreams/
Great post - very motivational! It's a few days in and I'm still deciding on some of my goals for the year. So far I've got - start a blog (first post yesterday!) publish my first novel - a psychological thriller called FRY - and I want to write the first draft of my 2nd novel. I'd like to get further along than that but I'm being realistic. I'm also going to start learning to drive. I might even pass my test but I think it's important that goals are realistic as well as challenging because I intend to complete them all! Thanks for the bucket of motivation and good luck to everyone with your goals!
Good goals Lorna - make sure you get an editor for your first novel - it really helps to polish the finished product.
Well done, you. Wonderful plan.
Regarding audio books: I voiced for someone who does all her own marketing. She went through a recording studio (There are a zillion indies around; ask your musician friends.) and marketed just like her print and ebooks.
Traveling with you, sistah.
Thanks Sally, I'm in London so you're right, there will be a gazillion recording studios here. I just have to make a date and get it done!
Hi Joanna,
I'm still finalizing my goals - but I just wanted to say Best of Luck with yours - hope 2013 rocks for you. And many thanks for all the material and inspiration :)
Yashodhara
Hi Joanna,
Love reading your goal. I am also a goal setting junkie. I love setting goal and working harder to achieve all my goals.
My long term goal is to be a millionaire writer. I would love to write books, novels and become a speaker on how to write a book.
I have found publisher for my first book and will finished writing it by end of this month. Your blog had given me inspiration to retire as a writer. And not just an ordinary writer. But be a millionaire writer. I don't care how long it will take for me to achieve my dream to be a millionaire writer. I only know I will be a millionaire writer one day. :)
Good goals Hayati - I believe in thinking big as well. Check out Forbes Richest author list - it makes me smile - most of the writers on it are in their 50s + and have been writing for 30 years and have written a lot of books. It takes time, and long-term effort. See you at the top!
Great article. I find making myself accountable is how I can achieve my goals. My goals are as follows (I have you to thank for my podcast goal):
1.Finish the edits and publish Book 1 – Shadow Dance by end of February
2.Write 3 novels – book 2 (started) and 3 in the shadow walkers series and the first book of a trilogy based on the end of the world – it’s fun and snarky along with the dark vibe, look into the hybrid model on the end of world trilogy
3.Make my word count every week
4.Post to this blog and my http://www.wickedgreensmoothies.com blog twice a month
5.Participate in NaNoWriMo again (National Novel Writing Month)
6. Try out a podcast and if I like it, do once a month on both blog sites. Then look into Audible - so I'd like to hear from others as well on going about this.
7.Take time for me – movies, massage, girl’s night out, etc.
Here's to us all reaching our goals!
Cynthia
Excellent stuff Cynthia - I am doing the Audible thing this year so expect a post on it at some point :)