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is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date.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!
I love this time of 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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nxQ8ELs_Rk
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
Joanna,
Thank you for sharing all of this information with us. I personally thank you for your hard work in putting all of this together. I found your blog late last year. After publishing a short story on Amazon about a year ago I received a royalty check. I was shocked that people actually bought it. This inspired me to write another, longer, short story. It has not sold but maybe a handful but I will not give up. I enjoy writing and my goal for this year is to write a novel. I want to hold a physical copy of it in my hands before years end. I am currently an IT Tech and miserable. I long for the days that I can write full time. Doubt that will ever happen but I will give it a go. I long to share the stories my heart has to tell in hopes to inspire or touch any willing to read them.
Thank you again for your hard work and inspiration. I look forward to reading your blog and following you on twitter.
Sean
Hi Sean, Isn’t getting royalty checks fun! I agree with writing for the sake of writing, but getting paid for it is just fantastic 🙂
I’m so sorry you’re stuck in IT – my book on career change might help, it tells the story of how I changed my own life from IT consultant to full-time author-entrepreneur. It’s currently free on Kindle 🙂 for a few days for new year.
http://www.amazon.com/Career-Change-hating-discover-ebook/dp/B008ER3UYE
This looks a lot like my new year’s to-do list! As I near the completion of my first novel, I’ve delved into other types of writing in order to help me become…ya know…better. I’ve been writing poetry, speaking and started a blog! Would love it if you checked it out! asateenwriter.blogspot.com
http://trboturtleswritings.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-writing-goals-for-2013.html — Original writing
http://thebattletechstate.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-battletech-writing-goals-for-2013.html — writing in the Battletech universe
Right now, I’m splitting time betwee writing for Catalyst Games Labs Battletech Universe, and my own original writing. the 450,000 word goal is for both sides of my writing….
Craig
wow! That’s a lot of words! I was thinking 300,000 for the year might be stretching it but that is excellent 🙂
Hi Joanna,
Firstly, I find the information you supply extremely helpful and relevant – so thank you.
I happened to write my top 10 2013 Writing Resolutions just before Christmas so if you’re in need of humour take a look! http://topoftheslushpile.com/2012/12/20/new-year-writing-resolutions/
Thanks again,
Gemma
Love that graph! Also added Seth’s book to my wish list based on your recommendation. I spent New Year’s Day earnestly starting work on my second book. I will continue to promote my first one which was published a few months ago by WestBow Press. Both are non-fiction works about the spirituality of Middle-earth, specifically The Lord of the Rings. I am also taking my second class toward my Master’s Degree at the Mythgard Institute.
God bless, Anne Marie 🙂
On Audio books … I’ve been seeing more and more authors interested in this. I participated in a discussion at Kindle Boards and IndieRomanceInk.
My question is: how much sales, as a percent of the book the audio is based on, is captured by the audio product? My prior guesses have been a 10%-15% increase over the eBook but I haven’t done audio so I don’t know. Anyone else have data? Does it double your book total sales?
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Part of the discussion on these other boards was about authors doing their own readings. Popular for book signings but the consensus was mixed among the authors – since most like professional voice actors reading their or other’s audio books (also some discussion on best to use a male/female narrator – inconclusive or depends on the book POV character). Experience a range of readers (since these are readers doing it for fun and donating time and more likely show the range of typical author self-reading), check out librivox.org and download some (free) titles. Dicken’s The Tale of Two Cities has one reader (Paul Adams, with an English accent) that is really great. http://librivox.org/a-tale-of-two-cities-by-charles-dickens-2/ I’ve done cross-state trips with kids listening to Old Mother West Wind books I’ve gotten from librivox, a great resource.
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As for software, check out the liveDVD ubuntustudio.org (you can run the whole thing off a dvd and save data to a usb flash drive), audacity is a good mixing program on there (runs on windows too, I think), but you can run the recorded audio in post-production through some filters for atmosphere, and add scary-music tracks or whispering wind sounds perhaps. And use a microphone better than the one built into the laptop.
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The top end of the voice business: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S8N2s3L4mQ a little humor (couldn’t find a better ‘sound’ copy though) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imwl0Be0Y38 This shows an intro to getting into that business (also the strip of related videos on the side show more equipment etc) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v89kTfJaykQ
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Thanks – that’s all awesome material and I will be getting a pro audiobook author-producer onto the podcast in the next few months so we will be discussing all this.
Wow, you have a lot on your plate, Joanna! I love making goals each year (on shiny new planners!), but with big changes to the dayjob in Feb. and an upcoming spiritual event (more of a group daily challenge than a retreat), I’m making myself put off committing to goals. My vague plans are to finish my novel and learn more about this writing business; I mentioned you in my list of authorpreneurs to learn from: http://elizabethsaunders.blogspot.com/2013/01/authorpreneur-8-author-blogs-to-follow.html
Here’s to a productive, blessed year!
LOVE shiny new planners, and Moleskine journals …
Hi Joanna
Thanks for the post, very motivational! I’m glad you’re focusing on writing more fiction.
Are you going to, or have you already blogged about your desire to be a hybrid author? I’d be interested to understand the rational behind it.
My goals, very simply, are to publish my first 3 novellas, at least the first novel and to write/edit every day. Fingers crossed.
Here’s to a great year
Cheers
Mike
Hi Mike, I did write about why I am interested in a publishing deal in my article on why I signed with an agent: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/07/30/literary-agent/
Clearly you know why I love being indie so I won’t give that up – but the reasons outlined in that article are why I want to do both. My agent is looking forward to getting her hands on this latest manuscript, the first in a new series, which we will pitch and see what happens with it. But the great thing is that I will put a time limit on it, say 6 months, and then if nothing happens, I’ll publish it myself anyway, so nothing lost 🙂 I basically want to be hybrid on my terms!
Hello Joanna,
My biggest problem is trying to find a time to write. I too have three published books and am working on the fourth in the series….plus others. And I am not a good goal setter.
I work a 9-3 Managing a Senior Center, teach an Acrylic Art Class after work one day a week, at church I am the Sunday School Director, VBS Director and a Deacon along with my husband. Having two children, six grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Grant you I delegate a lot of work but I sure do want that writing time!
Hubby Jim and I actually make a date to be together everyday after work when we relax and talk about the day while watching old westerns then we meet up again at 10:00pm to watch our favorite programs (I usually crochet at this time for family).
Have any ideas for me????
Thank you for your time,
Elizabeth
Best wishes, Joanna! This year I know what I want to accomplish well enough to set lifetime writing goals. That’s a first for me. I’m taking each goal and defining it with specifics, and then breaking it into quarterly tasks. I only am filling out tasks for 2013, though. I’ll evaluate my progress and readjust as I go since I’m still gaining a perspective on how much I can actually accomplish in a year.
It’s brilliant to see you so positive about your goals for this year. Believe it or not there are still loads of people who know exactly what they DON’T want but struggle to be as clear as you about what they DO want.
I wrote a book for these folks. It’s called “First, Know What You Want” and it includes 12 tips / exercises / experiments to help you nail down what you really want in life, work and play.
Hoping someone coming across your excellent example might find it useful:
Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/dp/1907498559
I appreciate seeing your goals here, Joanna. They are inspiring to me and confirm for me that I’m not crazy in the goals that I have set for myself. It IS do-able, after all! My goals for 2013 include:
finishing and e-publishing 3 novels, and creating/launching 3 multi-media writing courses (academic writing and business writing focus) and a bible study for people experiencing PTSD. Oh yes, and I will continue to teach college composition courses- 8 sections total, this year. Unfortunately, my speaking engagements come with the extra task of “grading papers!”
Thank you again for your recent series on creating multi-media products. It was a concept that I hadn’t opened my mind to until you explained it and it has completely fired up my creative synapses. I’m sure it will add considerably to my bottom line for 2013, as well!
Happy 2013 and Happy Writing!
Joanna Branson, author
If you’d like a tool for setting your goals, you can use this web application:
Gtdagenda. com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, and a calendar.
Syncs with Evernote and Google Calendar, and also comes with mobile version, and Android and iPhone apps.
Joanna, you’ve certainly inspired me. I found your website via the Barefoot Writer and decided that 2013 was the year I stopped keeping my writing to myself. Currently I’m having one of my manuscripts edited and depending how things turn out, my goal is to self-publish by the end of the year. I’ve been writing for 27 years and I admit my early novels are very bad, but the last 3 I truly believe are worthy of being read. Please continue to inspire us (by the way I just finished Pentecost and enjoyed it. It is well written which shows that indie authors can put out a well written and entertaining novel).