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is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date.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
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 🙂
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for sharing your journey, and especially your goals for the year. Keeping them simple and tracking daily progress is the key. You have been an inspiration to me as a writer and coach.
My goals are to
1. write more nonfiction books/ebooks/freelancing (so I’ll adopt your daily word count goal)
2. share my publishing and marketing journey in products/classes/speeches/coaching
3. write consistently in my blog
4. do guest blogging
5. organize my main site to make it easy for visitors to find what they are seeking
6. balance all this work with fun stuff/travel
I’ve always set goals throughout my life and been successful with achieving some of them. This time I’m being more strategic than ever before.
Strategic is the key Flora 🙂 for example, I have decided that I don’t have the bandwidth for guest blogging unless it is an amazing opportunity, but I totally admire that you have it as a goal. All the best with your fun/travel as well 🙂
Joanna, I continue to be in awe of what you do and how you do it, although I have to admit that my jaw hit the floor when I read you were an introvert. I also just subscribed to Seth Godin’s blog, so thank you for that.
My goals this year are to get past the last things I’m afraid of as a writer, which is success. I plan to do this by releasing Atherean Defenders (my book) by the end of March. God willing, I will release two more fiction novels by the end of the year. I just have to keep the motivation going.
Thank you for the inspiration and keeping us going.
Hi Avery,
You might have the wrong idea about introversion – read Susan Cain’s new book ‘Quiet’ which is excellent if you want to know more – but basically, it’s people who are easily over-stimulated so prefer silence, alone-time and need to recharge away from people. Shy/outgoing is another spectrum and I’m not shy, but I need silence and a lot of time alone or I go crazy, get migraines and generally fall apart! Understanding this about myself is such a relief 🙂
Being afraid of success is a great recognition. For me it is fear of judgement, but I am gradually working with that 🙂 All the best with tackling your fear head on, and achieving your goals in 2013.
Hi Joanna!
Happy 2013 to you!
It’s so good that there is such a committed soul out there who continues to knock on the doors of people who feel the need to be creative. You keep reminding them to remain awake and do something. Yours is quite a wonderful site–with a special orientation–that rallies the troops almost every day. I like that, and you are such an inspiration. Keep up the great job!
Thanks Ernest, and I’m glad you enjoy the positivity 🙂
Hi Joanna:
Your determination in working toward your goals is truly inspiring! Here’s what I have in store for my writing in 2013:
1. Later this month of January I will launch my author-solopreneur platform entitled The Comic Muse, which will feature a blog, podcasts, writer’s courses, consultancy opportunities, etc., all with a healthy dose of good humor. (I write comic fiction for both children and adults, though The Comic Muse will be accessible to all kinds of writers.) Your instruction here on The Creative Penn has been invaluable for the creation of my idea–thanks so much!
2. In 2013 I plan to complete at least one novel for adults, a YA thriller, another book in my Kingdom of Patria series for middle grade readers.
As for signs above the writing desk: My father, the late mystery novelist Ralph McInerny, used to say, “A writer is someone who writes.” It’s as simple–and as profound–as that.
Best wishes to you and all for 2013!
Daniel
I’m in for the simple and profound Daniel and congrats on your site – as it sounds like you’ve put in a lot of work already, and we could all use more humor! My husband is an addict of the web comic XKCD so I know how popular those types of sites can be. All the best.
I seem to find myself creatively “in the dumps” around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Even though I’ve had a very productive year, the seasonal chaos gets me off track and feeling rudderless. But I’ve realized this is my norm. So each January, I plan out my year using a timeline. It helps me visualize what I need and want to accomplish throughout the year. Not only do I schedule in current, unfinished work but I dig deep into my files and decide if I want to revive an old one that was put on the shelf. After doing this planning exercise last year, I stayed focused and less overwhelmed (I tend to feel that way when I’ve got lots of different projects going at once).
This past summer I joined ranks with a friend of mine who is also a published writer. We started a business teaching writing classes. The business is off to a great start this year. Five writing workshops in January scheduled so far. But I would not have attempted it had I not plotted out my year and known where I was headed professionally.
I’m enjoying your newsletter. Thanks for all the realistic, down-to-earth suggestions. Happy New Year!
I also hate Dec Marla 🙂 I’m a real grinch about Xmas and find December is a down time – but then I just LOVE love love January and new starts! I think it’s partly about what we eat as well, I should start juicing in Dec, perhaps … Timeline planning is fantastic, I have done a similar thing with a writing spreadsheet with the word counts I need to hit in which weeks to make my goals happen.
Happy New Year, Joanna! You’ve created an amazing brand—extremely helpful to other writers. Here’s to an amazing 2013. 🙂
Hi Joanna, I love January too. It’s a month to purge (declutter the calendar, closet and brain) and set goals. My words to live by in 2013 are patience, persistence and perseverance. See http://sydneyavey.com/2013/01/02/choosing-my-words/ for an explanation. My goals are:
Build my writer community
Build my publishing credits
Read one short story a day
That will be the focus of my blog. Thanks for asking.
Happy 2013, Joanna!
My writing goals are a little different. In the past few months, I found myself getting discouraged when I failed to write everyday (you know, sometimes life just gets in the way). What I discovered that works better for me, is to set a writing goal for the week. Right now, my goal is to write 2000 words per week. I know that’s not a lot, but it works for my crazy schedule and keeps me writing. I have found that since I started weekly goals instead of daily, I don’t get discouraged. If I don’t get a chance to write one day, I don’t stress. 🙂
Thanks for the newsletters! I absolutely appreciate them.
Alba – That’s such a great idea. I’m going to use that one too. Thanks for sharing! ~Karen
Weekly writing goals are great – any kind of goal is basically better than nothing 🙂
I also reassess and create new writing goals for the new year, including daily word counts, but perhaps my most important goal for 2013 should be to BE BRAVE. When I launched my thriller novel in November 2011, along with three websites (crazy, I know), twitter and facebook, I found the experience frightening. (Can you tell I’m an intorvert, too?) Amazingly, my book was, at least for me, a success, and has found its way onto several Amazon best seller lists since last March. I wanted readers to not only enjoy the story, but to come away from it thinking about what happens after we die. I’m working on the second book in the series, and I’m edging the thriller genre with fantasy elements. At its core is the idea of our individual potential and spirituality. It’s a delicate balance between entertainment and resonance and I worry if I have the skill and the courage to carry it off. In traditional publishing, they might not know where to “place” this kind of book, but digital publishing has “shelf space” for all, if we writers are brave enough to try it. Thanks again, Joanna, for inspiring us.
Hi Pamela, I’ve seen your book in similar lists to mine, so congrats on your success, and for facing your fears. The reality is mostly better than we imagine, right!
Gee Joanna, you are enthusiastic as ever. Good for you but I could never be like that. I don’t have any goals as such and my aim is just to keep writing and publishing because that is what I like doing. I do have a “To Do” list and I suppose these are my goals for the year but I don’t stress about not achieving. A thousand words a day is an achievable thing for me but not every day I’m afraid. I have given up writing textbooks now since writing and publishing Digger’s Story and I am currently writing a book Retirement Village Living, working title. It is a humorous book, I hope. All the best with your goals for 2013.
Brian
We’re all different Brian, but it sounds like you’re achieving even without a goals list. I think a book on retirement living is exactly in the Boomer publishing niche that is becoming popular right now. Lots of Boomers with money looking for something to read 🙂 All the best with it.