Goals for the New Year

I realize that everyone and their extended family going back two generations into the grave will probably be posting their New Years Resolutions, and I’m usually not one to jump on the bandwagon, so I’m not going to. You can take away my chocolate, threaten my books with water, and spank my puppies, but I still won’t tell you my resolution – because I can’t. I’m not making one. Instead, I’m making a list of 10 goals that I would like to achieve in my writing career this year.

Some of them are easier than others, like #7 (I never said what sized shelf, I can always just make one to fit the books and magazines I’m published in) and #10. Others I’ve already done, like #6 , #8 and #10. Others I’ve been trying to do for over a decade now (#3 & 4). The significance is that not only is this the first time I’ve put my goals down in writing, but also its the first time that I’ve shared them with anyone else. Maybe it’s the accountability thing, or maybe it’s fear of the embarrassment of failure, but this year I intend to pursue my goals with unrelenting, laser focus. If I have at least 6 victories from this list to share this year, 2016 will have been a success.

What are your goals for 2016?

2016 Writing Goals

1) Get an agent.

2) Get a book deal.

3) Get into Ellery Queen MM.

4) Get into Alfred Hitchcock MM.

5) Win an award.

6) Write two novels.

7) Fill a shelf with published work.

8) Explore a new genre.

9) Join an Association.

10) Keep an idea journal.