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It's the time of year for looking back at how far we have come and looking forward to what we will achieve in the coming year.
I LOVE New Year and I'm a goal-setting junkie, so as I do every year, here are my thoughts and goals for 2018. Please do join in and leave yours in the comments if you'd like some accountability!
Round-Up of 2017
In the podcast episode, I talk through my round-up of 2017, which you can find in the article from yesterday here.
It includes the rise and rise of collaboration, stabilization of the indie author business model, the changing entertainment environment, and how I did at achieving my creative goals for 2017, as well as what I failed to achieve and why.
Thoughts and Goals for 2018
2018 marks the 10th year of TheCreativePenn. I started the site in December 2008 to share my journey as a writer and try to help others with my lessons learned. That underlying reason hasn’t changed, even though the publishing environment is radically different these days.
I also aim to empower creatives to get their words out into the world and to make a living writing – because that’s what changed my life, and I know it can change yours too. My aim is to help more writers and authors in 2018 and begin the next 10 years of our journey together.
Every 1 January, I post my goals for the year and this year, I will start with some over-arching principles, followed by more specific goals for each author name and aspect of my business. I hope it will help you consider what your goals might be, and I’d love for you to share them in the comments below.
(1) Choose your filters
I’m currently reading WTF? What’s the Future and Why It’s Up To Us by Tim O’Reilly. It’s a great book as it looks back at the history of the internet and technology and then extrapolates it forward into the future, integrating new technologies along the way. Tim uses WTF as a lens – because you can use it in a shocked and apprehensive manner, or you can use it in a curious and wondering manner. This can apply to a lot of our world right now, and as he says,
“We must commit to building something new, strange to our past selves, but better, if we commit to making it so.”
We can choose what to focus on.
He also talks about the “new kinds of magic that are slowly fading into the ordinary.” This is true for authors because when I started my site in 2008, there was no international Kindle, no mainstream market for ebooks, no international print on demand, no digital audiobook market, no ability to easily reach readers. The iPhone was brand new, podcasting was in its earliest days and back then, I couldn’t see how I could make a living online.
What are you taking for granted that is actually incredible?
If you change your filter, you realise how incredibly fortunate we are to be living at this time in history.
Despite the negative news of 2017, we live in an incredibly abundant world with possibilities around every corner, if only you look out for them. Our brains scan the environment for what to pay attention to, so it’s your job to make sure you train it to look for opportunities and the positive side of life.
It’s time to take the things that have made you angry or frustrated or negative, and turn them into positive creative action.
If you have news feeds or social media or people who make you feel consistently negative, then it might be time for a spring clean of those influences. Start reading different books and blogs, listen to different podcasts (although I hope you consider mine to be positive and useful!)
Here’s one of my own examples. As much as I appreciate Facebook for the social connection and ability to reach readers with advertising, I removed it from my phone over 6 weeks ago and have felt all the better for it. Apparently, this is known as social cooling. Yes, it has a name, so it must be a thing!
I read Wired magazine, Singularity Hub, The Verge, Digital Trends, Self Publishing Advice from the Alliance of Independent Authors, which is always skewed towards positive action, rather than moaning about what’s wrong with this picture. I listen to Exponential Wisdom podcast, which gives me my tech focus, and read/listen to non-fiction books on self-development and positive thinking.
I exorcised my anger over Brexit through the political edge of borders in Map of Shadows, so now I am ready to look at it positively and move forward, rather than keep focusing on the past.
Yes, you might consider that a filter means you will live in a bubble, but I’m happy in mine and you create your life day by day, so I’m choosing a positive, happy and creative bubble. How about you?
Do you have any influences that you need to change in 2018? How will you choose your filters so the year is a positive, creative one for your writing life?
(2) Use the power of batching
When people ask me how I get everything done, my answer always involves scheduling. I schedule my time way in advance – that includes my writing time – as well as business meetings, social events, holidays and more.
I use Google Calendar, but the tool is less important than the actual planning and blocking out of time for creative tasks as well as the rest of life.
Don’t feel guilty about not having time for writing. Just get a calendar, block out the time, and then actually show up for that appointment with yourself and the blank page.
But in 2018, I will be going even further.
I spoke at Youpreneur Summit in November and listened to uber-podcasters John Lee Dumas (JLD) of Entrepreneur on Fire and Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income talk about how they use batching. JLD does a daily podcast and batches all his interviews for the month into a few days, and Pat does the same for his interview shows.
I’ve been managing my time in two main chunks – mornings for creative work and production e.g. writing first drafts, editing, researching etc. The afternoons have been for the podcast, blog, business admin, marketing, interviews, speaking prep etc.
But I’ve found that to write fiction in the most effective way, I need to sink into that world for an extended period. So it would be better for me to batch 3 months of interviews into a week or two, and then have the next 8-10 weeks with no distractions, except the daily business maintenance, which I could squeeze into a shorter time frame.
So that’s my plan. I’ll be batching similar tasks together and scheduling my time differently.
How could this idea of batching help you in your writing life?
For example, the split between writing and marketing is one every author has to manage, wherever you are on the journey. If you have 1 day per week to write (or 4 hours, or whatever), could you dedicate 3 of those per month to writing and then spend the whole extra day on marketing, rather than trying to split your time each week?
If your goal is to write more in 2018, schedule your time right now for the rest of the year. It might sound extreme, but how we spend our days is how we spend our lives, so how are you spending yours?
OK, that’s the big themes. Let’s get into my more specific goals:
The Creative Penn website and podcast
The Creative Penn podcast will continue weekly – plus the occasional in-between-isode that focus on business or me talking on my own, so expect more Monday fun in 2018 🙂 The podcast is the cornerstone of how I share my author journey, so I hope it continues to help you along your own path.
I'll be revamping TheCreativePenn around Pathways for people through the site – for example, a first-time fiction author has a different journey to a non-fiction author with three books looking to make a living writing. This will involve more landing pages but also more ‘cheatsheet’ style resources like the new Author Website and Email cheatsheet and tutorials.
I'll be segmenting my email list so I can serve you better within those Pathways, directing people to the material that will help them the most. Now I’m using ConvertKit, this will be a LOT easier to do 🙂 Check out my tutorial here if you want to set up your own email list.
Focus on YouTube. I’ve had a YouTube channel since 2009. It currently has over 17,000 subscribers and over 1.2 million views. Not bad for a mostly passive channel, but I can definitely do better given the amount of long-form content the site has now based on the interviews.
So we’re going to add two shorter videos on YouTube every week, usually less than 5 mins long and focused on Writing Craft or Business. I will record some to camera but many will be from existing videos to make better use of the existing content. I’ll also be adding these directly to Facebook as well.
I'll be developing Mini-courses on Teachable – How to Write a Novel is an evergreen course and continues to sell slowly but surely as people reach the point they need it. I’ll be adding some smaller ‘lecture-style’ mini-courses around productivity, money, author business plans, how to write non-fiction, and possibly some other topics that people need over time.
Non-Fiction as Joanna Penn
I’m mostly going to focus my energy on the website, podcast, and YouTube channel in my non-fiction time. But I still think I can manage the following 🙂
- How to Write a Novel. This is currently in draft format, so needs editing and publishing, but I definitely want to get this out.
- How to Write Non-Fiction, since people keep asking for it!
- The Shadow book (working title). I made a start on this in December, but it has no shape as yet, so it looks to be a longer-term project that needs to marinate for longer. Unlikely to be out in 2018 but I will continue to work on it.
- More non-fiction audiobooks. I’ve been able to make the production costs back within two months for non-fiction, as non-fiction listeners are not price or length sensitive. I’ve also got the podcast as a way of marketing them, so I just need to edit the older books and then get them professionally recorded. I do all my audio as non-exclusive now so I can also sell direct and on other platforms.
Thriller / Dark Fantasy fiction as J.F.Penn
My bigger goal on the writing craft side is that I want to win an award. It might not be this year as that is outside of my control, but to win an award, I know I need to become a better writer. So I’ll be going deeper into craft and story, and also submitting to more awards, because you have to be in it to win it 🙂
I’ll be thinking about my J.F.Penn brand and whether I need to pivot more towards the fantasy market given the type of books and stories I’ve been writing in recent years.
As I mentioned in my 2017 round-up, I noticed that my entertainment consumption has shifted to a lot more TV and film. Plus, storytelling is paramount in those environments, so it fits with the goal above. Plus, it’s all about collaboration which is also something I am doing more of. So, I am revisiting screenwriting in 2018.
I’ve been flirting with it for years now and have even started a couple of adaptations. But this year, I’m committing to adapting at least two of my own novels into screenplays and submitting them to film/TV agents. The adaptation of the London Psychic trilogy is still being developed by a wonderful screenwriter, so hopefully, that will also be finished and submitted this year.
In terms of novels, I'll write ARKANE Thriller #10 – set in New Orleans and San Francisco, and Mapwalkers 2 – since Map of Shadows has been doing well 🙂
Possibly London Psychic #4 – since so many readers have asked for it. This is the bottom of the list though as frankly, this series falls through so many genre gaps, it is hard to know what the hell it is 🙂 Although the readers of this series say they love the books the most! I also want to write some short stories, for submission to traditional markets, and maybe another stand-alone novella.
I’m not planning on doing any more fiction audiobooks for now. Fiction audiobook listeners are sensitive to length/value for their subscription, and also are used to truly professional actors as narrators, with many big names narrating now. So I’ll be waiting to see how 2018 shapes up before deciding on any more fiction audio.
Sweet romance fiction as Penny Appleton
There will be three more Summerfield Village sweet romances, co-written with my Mum as Penny Appleton, plus another box set. She is loving writing, and since she is retired, she can be prolific and focused, especially since I do the story structure, polishing, editing, publishing, and marketing 🙂
My intention is also to at least break even in 2018, so that will be year two for this author name.
Health
The practices outlined in The Healthy Writer have helped me so much in 2017, so I am going to double down on those in 2018.
I’m scheduling more time for creative rest and play, which for me, means regular walking and yoga, as well as some weekends, which I have been struggling to keep sacred over the last year. I’m booked for the Isle of Wight Challenge in May, 104km around the island in a weekend. I’m part of a team of 10 Creatives so far, and if you want to join our team, you’re welcome to email me!
I’ve also blocked out a week of no meetings per month, as well as the whole of December, plus I’ve scheduled more quiet time around any speaking engagements or social events, so I can recover more. This introvert needs her alone time 🙂 Hopefully, the batching method will also help with this.
I’ll be travelling more for self-development, book research, and fun, rather than for speaking. I only have NINC in Florida booked and am not intending to be doing any more than that in 2018, although I will be attending more events as a participant to focus on learning, rather than speaking.
Money
I have investment goals and lifestyle goals that mean I want a step change in 2018 in terms of income. I’m waiting to see how that might happen so I’m open to possibilities right now 🙂
We had a step change in 2015, doubling the income for the company, so I’m ready for another shift of that magnitude.
As per the ‘filter’ idea and technology shifts above, I am leaning into the ideas that excite me, because I am not in this business to create another job, but I AM ambitious, both for my financial goals and creative goals.
Right, that’s me done! What are your specific goals for writing for 2018? Please join the conversation and leave a comment below.
Toran says
The first podcast episode that I’ve listened to this year [2018]. Looking forward to hearing your other episodes, that you produce throughout the year!
I’m just starting out, on my journey as a professional writer, so my main goal for this year is to write at least half a dozen books!
Joanna Penn says
If you’re just starting out, that’s a helluva goal 🙂 All the best!
Linda Maye Adams says
I hit Thanksgiving and was in danger of burning out. My 9-5 job, which I don’t like, hit critical mass after a year, and it spilled over on the writing. It was changing, and I didn’t reset what I was doing with my writing. So now I’m in reset mode with new goals:
1. Write longer fiction. I have the tools in place now to overcome some of the problems I’ve had with writing novels. Under that, I’m going to start out with just a simple goal of 2K words a week, which is eight 15-minute writing sessions. There were some job changes that may help alleviate the chaos, so right now I’m sticking my toe in the water to see what’s going to work around it. I’m expecting that to evolve.
2. I’m also looking to get books out in paper. Because of the job, I haven’t been able to spend the mental energy to learn how to do a paper cover, so I’m going to pay to have that done.
3. Having more fun. I broke my foot at the end of February and was housebound until early May. After that I didn’t do much that was fun, because I was bouncing from work to “I need to write” or run errands. Any time I popped up that I needed to do something fun, it felt more like mandatory fun than actual fun. So I’m in reset mode for that–and it has to be free or inexpensive.
4. The final goal is working on a hidden money block that I discovered. I veer from not doing enough for myself to doing too much (which is a pattern I experienced growing up). So I want to rebalance that. I’m in a very expensive area, so this will be critical to me being able to eventually write full time.
Some other changes I’m doing now is ordering some things online. I was loathe to do it because of the additional cost of postage, but once I weighed the amount of time I was spending running the errand, it cost more than the time I was spending on the errand.
So a lot of changes!
Joanna Penn says
Hi Linda,
That last point sounds related to your (4) on money – as valuing yourself and your time is so important for a ‘wealth’ mindset. All the best for your 2018 reset!
Linda Maye Adams says
You’re right…so much of it is actually tied to the money side. Fate must be telling me to pay attention now!
Peter Blyth says
Great podcast as always … although I listened to it while writing a gunfight and then had to go back and listen again when I realised I hadn’t given you my full attention
In 2018 I will
Indy Publish my novella “Honest intent” (Dusty Miller #1) and my novel Darkest storm (Dusty Miller #2)
I will write and possibly publish “Cold Fury” (Dusty Miller #3) (getting this out may carry over into 2019)
and I will start my Battle of Britain book/WW2 series with ‘Gladiators’ which I intend to Indy pub in 2019 to coincide with the 80 year anniversary.
I also need to decide what to do with my first book After the Wave – Its more or less finished but I’ve held it back to focus on the Dusty miller series. I may put it out there, or I may wait as yet undecided.
I am also looking at a non fiction project ‘Writing Fighting’ (series) – a guide to various forms of combat and weapons for authors since there is so much out there even from multi million name authors which is plain wrong. If I decide to run with this I’ll also aim to put WF#1 out during 2018.
On top of all that I also need to build my author platform, get the website up, set up book funnel and mail handling accounts and so forth – the idea is that Honest Intent will be perma free – though as yet i’m undecided between free to everyone and free to mailing list subscribers.
And probably a whole host of other stuff…
Joanna Penn says
Lots to get your teeth into there, Peter!
Peter Blyth says
That’s the cut down version – Originally I was going to also pub After the Wave and write a novella prequel for mailing list only and write a sequel as well, and look at starting a podcast to go with writing fighting …. then reality bit me in the bottom with the realisation that I have to work a day job and I can’t do everything.. I’m only 44 (for 5 more days) there’s plenty of time.
I also wrote down all my book ideas – when I got to 36 realised that I need to pace myself.
I do wish I’d started writing earlier – although my first two abortive novels were utter crap so its just as well that I didn’t.
Ingrid Walton (writing as Ingrid Senger-Perkins) says
My goals are not wholly defined yet. I have just finished reading Business for Writers, and I am working my way through specific goal setting. My main goal is to finish my current novel. It is being completely redrafted at this moment in time. And I might try my hand at a few short story competitions, but they won’t be the forefront of my plans. I will mostly be working on my Author Website too. I am narrowing down my focus!
Joanna Penn says
I hope you found the book useful, Ingrid – and finishing the novel is a great goal!
Vera Brook says
Thank you sharing your goals & insights, Joanna! Both practical & inspiring, as always. Your goal to become a better fiction writer this year particularly resonated with me.
I’m an indie author writing science fiction & fantasy. Here are my own writing & publishing goals for 2018:
#1 Continue to improve my writing craft and processes, including a better, more focused use of my writing time (around my full-time job) and banishing procrastination.
#2 Finish and publish the next two books in the Sand Runner series. (YA SF. Book 1 is already out, book 2 is with my editor, and book 3 is in outline right now.)
#3 Finish and publish the first 3 books in the Magda series. (MG magical realism. I have editor’s comments on what will become book 1 and 2, and an outline for book 3.)
#4 Finish, submit, and publish at least one short story with a Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)-recognized market, as well as join the SFWA and hopefully attend their meeting in May 2018.
#5 Finish and publish 2 more coloring books. (Your podcast inspired me to try it and it has been a lot of fun, since I can listen to podcasts & audiobooks while I’m drawing the designs, “recharging” between my writing sessions.)
#6 Update my author website and figure out what I’m doing with my newsletter, since I dropped the ball on it in 2017 and, to be honest, I’m hoping to find a better way to stay in touch with my readers.
That’s my main goals for the new year. Thank you for your podcast, Joanna, and best wishes for a creative, productive & happy 2018!
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Vera – and I’m so glad you find designing the coloring books fun – we must remember to have fun in our creative life!
Davanna says
Hi Joanna. I started listening to your podcasts (on youtube) this year as I researched “how to” become a self-published author. So much valuable information, and inspiration. I just wanted to thank you.
My goal is to self-publish a prequel to a series I am planning, as well as the first installment of the series. The genre is eluding me at the moment. Suffice it to say there are elements of family saga and magical realism, and paranormal romance, even (I hope). The final product will determine the genre so I am not stressing on that too much.
It is very early days for me; what I really want to convey is how much listening to you and everything you put out there about health, the business aspect . . . everything . . .has inspired and informed me on my journey to becoming a self-published author. I cannot thank you enough.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Davanna, and I’m thrilled that the podcast is useful on your author journey! I’ll be here every Monday for 2018!
Jane Steen says
2017 was both my most successful year to date in terms of writing income and the absolutely worst year I’ve had for the actual writing since I started. This was primarily due to factors completely beyond my control, but also to my failure to conquer the mental fatigue and stress from those uncontrollable events.
My writing goals for 2018 are:
1. Publish two novels, one from each series (that’s a lot for me as I write long historical fiction).
2. Publish extra materials to use as lead magnets or bonuses for my email list.
3. Make reading, research, and studying craft far more of a priority this year. I pretty much abandoned all 3 in 2017 as I went into firefighting mode.
4. Exercise regularly! That’s a writing goal. I need a healthy body.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Jane,
On the flipside, if you had a good money year even if you had a ‘bad’ production year, then it sounds like you’re being hard on yourself! Part of being a ‘successful’ fulltime writer (IMHO) is being able to have down times physically, while still making the same (or better) income.
It sounds like you’ve had a hard year – Kris Rusch calls them ‘life rolls’ – and they WILL happen. So be kind to yourself, too!
I hope 2018 is less firefighting – all the best!
Jerri Williams says
Batching interviews! I learned so much from this episode, but the concept of batching my podcast interviews in the future so I can spend more time writing my crime novels is invaluable. My 2018 goals are to continue hosting my FBI case review show and to publish two books (one which I had planned to release in 2017). You have given me the key to make sure these happens. Thanks for all you do for inspiring new authors!
Peter Blyth says
FBI case review show ? Could you share a link (if Joanna doesnt mind) ?
Marissa says
Thank you so much for sharing! I don’t usually have trouble seeing the positives in life but the last few weeks have been hard on me. I actually started keeping up with you again because you are such a positive force and you help keep me thinking that way. So thank you.
Joanna Penn says
No worries – I’ll keep you positive in 2018!
Jeff Adams says
Happy New Year, Joanna! It was excellent kicking off 2018 with your podcast.
It’s been an interesting couple of weeks looking back on last year and setting the goals for 2018.
The plan is to write four books, with a stretch goal of a fifth (my goal was six last year and I only did four, so this year is about trying to be realistic but having the stretch goal as well to push for).
The plan is three gay category romance co-writes with Will (the first draft for one of those will wrap up by Jan 10 and I don’t count this in the four for the year since we wrote two-thirds in 2017). One of the books with Will is slated to be self published. Plus the fourth (and what might be final) installment in my YA cyber thriller series. I also want to start up a new gay romance series that I’ll self pub.
Dragon has revolutionized the way I get first drafts done. I’m coming to the end of the second book I’ve done with Dragon and I’ve gotten into the mode of dictation in the morning before the day job starts. In the evening, I return to the transcription and clean it up. Later, with the draft, done, I can go back and revise. It seems a good process so far (better than the first book I did with Dragon where I had to clean up the transcription and revise at the same time).
I feel like Dragon makes the writing goal–including the stretch– entirely possible this year.
Meanwhile, the rest of the time focused on the writing business will be to continue to market (and always learning on that score) to grow the audience so as the backlist grows the business gets more stable.
As always, thanks for all your inspiration. Looking forward to writing and learning lots in 2018. Happy New Year to you and Jonathan!
Joanna Penn says
Sounds like dictation is going really well! Amazing stuff 🙂 Wishing you and Will all the best for 2018.
Melissa E Beckwith says
Happy New Year, Joanna!
Thank you so much for doing these end of the year reports. You are such an inspiration to so very many of us. I also did a pretty detailed blog post on my site wrapping up what I’ve learned and my accomplishments in 2017 and my goals for 2018.
2017 was a huge year for me. I completely changed my belief system that was handed down to me from my parents and grandparents. It was a shock to a lot of people (including myself) but it just wasn’t in my heart anymore. I have left religion but found spirituality. I have found meditation and yoga and positive thinking.
The American election, for most of us, was devastating and unfortunately our country is smothering under a blanket of negativity and just down right meanness. It continues to be a source of disharmony for me but one of my goals for 2018 is find the balance between completely ignoring what’s happening and being involved in a positive way for change.
My husband and I have also gone vegan seriously instead of passively like we had been for years. I am trying to have harmony in all aspects of my life. I am patiently waiting for my copy of the Healthy Writer. You are the inspiration for me to finally get serious about my health. I will also be adding a daily exercise routine (besides yoga) and have high hopes for the outcome. 🙂
I’ve written out my publication scheduled for 2018 and it includes the last two books in the epic fantasy series I published in 2017 and three books in a brand new series. I’m also hoping to start a new blog for creative people succeeding despite mental illnesses. I hope it will be encouraging, inspiring and helpful for those of us working though these challenges.
I’m also determinant to get my business set up and organized. I just received your Business for Authors book and am ready to dive in.
I plan on making weekly posts to my website as you mentioned it is better for SEO and helping people found your site. I will also make sure I get my newsletter out ever month…something I have not be doing.
What you say about batching is SO interesting. I will be doing this also. When I’m writing I find it too hard to stop to do things like social media. I want write! I think having one day a week to pay attention to the business side of things is a good idea for me. That leaves the rest of the week for my creativity to run wild. 🙂
Thank you again, Joanna for all that you do for our community.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Melissa and it sounds like wellness is a theme for you in 2018 – in all aspects of physical and mental health. That’s why I mentioned the ‘filter’ as politics can be so draining and negative and really impact our creativity and general happiness. Wishing you all the best 🙂
Rosemary says
My goal for 2017 was to publish my novel which I’d been working on for three years, which I did in October. So 2018’s goal is to write a second novel and to publish it within the year. I have an idea which I’d started and abandoned in the past, but I want to give it another go. I’m a full time shift worker so I need to find a writing routine that works for me as writing at the same time every day as many writers do, isn’t possible for me.
I also want to start blogging and set up my author website. It was always my intention to do this before publishing my book, but that took priority.
And health-wise – get back to doing lots of walking. I’ve been far too sedentary lately!
Joanna Penn says
Fantastic – and writing routines are definitely personal. Check out Dean Wesley Smith and Kris Rusch who are night owls and write in the wee early hours. Re author website, I have a tutorial: http://www.TheCreativePenn.com/authorwebsite
Kent Sanders says
Loved this post. Thanks as always, Joanna.
My writing and business-related goals for 2018 are:
– Establish a much stronger morning ritual that involves meditation and writing. I have come to realize that the key to my days is in my morning.
– Read 50 books.
– Lose 50 lbs. (I’m excited to dive into your new “Healthy Writer” book.)
– Write and launch a parable-type book on creativity.
– Write a first draft of a novel.
– Write 1,000 words a day.
– Get to 10,000 subscribers on my email list.
– Begin to shift away from freelance-based writing income to income produced by my own books, speaking, courses, etc.
Joanna Penn says
Fantastic 🙂 I love ambitious goals!
Joanna Penn says
and PS, I made that shift from ‘time-based’ to ‘scalable’ income over a number of years. Aim for 10% increments and it happens. My income these days is 95% scalable!
Andy Rose says
For 6 years, I tried to write. I could never get that dreaded first draft done. But that all changed in 2017. I finally finished a full length novel! I already feel like I’ve accomplished something monumental.
So my goal for 2018 is to edit this novel and write books 2 and 3 of the trilogy. I am super excited but also terrified. What if I publish it and it’s complete trash and everyone hates it?
How did you deal with self doubt?
Joanna Penn says
Self doubt is part of the creative journey – it’s a rollercoaster 🙂 It never goes away, you just learn to let it be.
Check out this post: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2015/02/17/roller-coaster/
and also you might find The Successful Author Mindset book useful as it has a chapter on self-doubt – https://www.thecreativepenn.com/mindset/
In terms of ‘complete trash,’ then your job is to make it the best you can – and I’d suggest that involves a professional editor 🙂 Here are some options: http://www.TheCreativePenn.com/editors
All the best for a creative 2018!
David Mark Brown says
Great recap and looking forward. I’ve been listening off and on for a few years and regularly for most of 2017. I’ve appreciated your thoughts on being a healthy author (this has been my 7th year as a full-time writer/entrepreneur/startup guy) and all the futurism!
My favorite show this last year was the one with Dean Wesley Smith. (I’m based out of Western Idaho, and would love to meet him and Kathryn.)
My goal last year was to launch the world’s first dynamic streaming fiction app. We managed to publically launch in late October (after aiming for July!).
My goal for 2018 is to become known as the first dynamic streaming fiction app, along with gaining some recognition as one of the best reading apps period. We’ve got our work cut out for us!
Thank you for all the inspiration and information. Best of 2018 to you!
Joanna Penn says
Glad you’re enjoying the show – and Dean and Kris do workshops in Lincoln City, Oregon several times a year – so check them out at Dean’s blog.
Ged Cusack says
Firstly thanks for the great energy in your podcasts.
I sort of fell into writing about 18 months ago, never believing I was the creative type.
1. Late 2016 – I Published a Non-Fiction book (By accident on Amazon). Sold some digital copies and 206 Paperback copies.
2. 2017 – I Published 4 more Non-Fiction books (On Amazon). Sold some digital copies and 1825 Paperback copies.
3. Commitment to my 2018 Goals (think it, ink it, do it):
• I will build on my new Non-fiction website by blogging some of the sample content for my next two books. Build a following on this site prior to launching at least two Non-Fiction books this year.
• I will Format my current 5 Non-fiction books for kobo etc (for wider distribution)
• I will learn how to use Scrivener and use it to start writing fiction. (I purchased through Joanna’s link on Jan 1st and found an online code “Reddit” that saved me another $9). Already got 60% of my next Non-Fiction book in Scrivener.
• I will Launch a new website for my (as yet unwritten) fiction series and create content for it to build a following prior to launching the series in several formats, (the goal to have at least 3 books of the series published (in Kindle, Kobo, Audio, and hardback) by Xmas 2018. Having written almost no fiction, this will be interesting.
• I just wrote a short blog on Input audits and I am prioritizing my time and the types of input I take on board this year. As my series is set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic scenario, I will spend some time in dark places but not dwell on those types of inputs.
My final 2018 goal (which I class as a writing goal) is to buy Joanna a coffee in person, somewhere in the world. Just a short sign of appreciation for all of her contributions to our writing success. This is a three-year goal but can occur this year :).
Looking forward to an awesome journey this year.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks for sharing, Ged – and I didn’t think I was creative either – until I discovered I was 🙂 I just had to scrape away the years of corporate grind! Maybe see you in Auckland in 2018!
Tracy Stanley says
Thank you from me too Joanna. Your podcasts always make me smile and give me confidence to try new things.
Having published my first non fiction book – Engagement Whisperer in November 2017, I will now co-write book two in the series around fostering creativity in the workplace. Having listened to many of your podcasts I know that I am not perfectly positioned to start this collaboration as I have only published one book and my co-author. (I note your advice that it is good to have written several books each so that you are confident of your voice).
I then want to convert these books into an audible format and physical and online course. Huge learning curve here too.
Like other authors I will learn how to use Scrivner and will use it to write part two in a womens fiction series I have planned.
I have four childrens books that I have written for my nieces and nephews over the last twenty years which I want to get polished in preparation for a pitch to a children’s publisher at the London Book Fair in April.
I need to learn more about marketing overall and with Amazon and Facebook specifically. I have run a few experimental ads without great success and need to track and consolidate my learning.
Like you Joanna I am going to submit two of my boosk to at least one award – and see what I learn from the experience.
I have a website that I need to get ‘the bugs’ out of.
And having become a published author in 2017 – I now need to become a financial one – so that I can continue this life as an author/entrepreneur working from lovely locations around the world.
Alecia Sierra Luke says
Hi Joanna,
My kids and I have now written and published 9 books as Sierra Luke. It has been 6 months since our first book was published but the journey started long before that reading, absorbing the podcasts and books by The Creative Penn for nearly a year.
Thanks for your motivation and practical tips Joanna.
For 2018 we aim to
– publish 12 more books in our children books series
– launch our non-fiction series for young writers
– launch our first course for young writer
We will post our progress on our site http://www.sierralukebooks.weebly.com.
Thanks for all your support Joanna and all the best with your goals for 2018!
Alecia and kids
Hunter says
Great post, Joanna! I’m always inspired by your goal setting posts.
I have plans to take my writing to a higher level and push to make a full-time living for myself in the next two years.
My 2018 goals are:
1) publish six books (3 novellas and 3 books)
2) launch a new pen name (website, social media, newsletter, etc)
3) stay healthy (mentally and physically)
Sounds easy, right? 😀 Wish me luck!
Moses Akinmuyiwa says
I am really impressed by the systematic way you set out your writing plans. Writing has not been pretty easy for me. Scare me, but determined. Any tips for folks like me?
Joanna Penn says
Check out The Successful Author Mindset book 🙂 https://www.thecreativepenn.com/mindset/