OK I did this last year and it was only at the end of 2014 that I looked back at what I’d set myself. So maybe one resolution should be to review my resolutions more often.
- Keep my workspace tidy
Last year I had ‘organise my work space’. I did that. I even treated myself to a new desk, which does make a difference i.e. I believe you are likely to work better in a pleasing environment. What I need to do now is keep it tidy. That’s not something that comes easy to me, but I know that clutter is counterproductive. So much as it pains me this has to go on the list.
- Publish my short stories
A bit of a cheat perhaps because I am well on the way to doing this. I’ve blogged a couple of times on why I think short stories (writing and reading) are so valuable to the writer and last year I decided I needed an outlet for a body of work that is growing (some appear on my web site). I do enter some short story competitions, but that is not enough. So I decided to publish my own. The first selection is almost ready to go, so watch out in the next few weeks. If these go well I will publish a second set later in the year.
- Plan a story from start to finish
I had this on my list last year and failed. It is not the way I tend to work. But, it is worth repeating because this year I have the perfect opportunity to do this. I have finished a draft of the second volume to my first book ‘Ancestral Dreams’ and I am about to start the third and concluding book. The problem I have is that, although I know where I want to end up I am not sure how I’m going to get there.
- Set-up an e-mail list
Again a slight cheat as I’ve already started. I have a soon to be released give-away lined up that I hope anyone interested in science fiction, either writing or reading, or just anyone interested in the future will enjoy: ‘A Companion to the Future: Thoughts, ideas and inspiration for those who write and read science fiction.’ All I need now is to get my cover designer (my son) to do his bit and to set up Mailchimp, so watch this space. If you do sign up I assure you I will not be bombarding you with mail you don’t want. My plan is to issue a short monthly newsletter.
- Guest blogging
I tried this for the first time at the end of the year on ‘Writers helping writers’ . This is a great blog and if it’s one you don’t know I recommend paying it a visit. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was rewarding in that more people visited my own blog, but also in reading and responding to the comments people left. I have another guest spot on ‘C. S. Lakin, a novel life’, in January and I’m looking forward to that. So I intend to look for more in 2015. Again if anyone out there is looking for guest bloggers, or knows blogs that are, please let me know.
- Self-marketing
Yes it’s that old chestnut for any self-published author. The short stories and of course the e-mail list are all part of that effort as are my intentions to do more guest blogging. It’s all about building a ‘presence’ as a writer and to that end I will be exploring new ways to achieve that. When I do I’ll blog my findings. As always if anyone reading this has come a cross some good ideas / blogs on the subject please let me know.
Well I think that’ll do. Last year there were eight resolutions, but as I said at the beginning I failed with some, so maybe with six I stand a fighting chance. If you’ve made any let me know what your favourites are. Oh and if you’re wondering about the bottom photo – yes it was that cold!
Here’s to a successful 2015 everyone.
Ian Martyn
Hi, I have learnt that to achieve goals you need to break them down and do them monthly of by the seasons. I am also interested in having a guest blogger on my site. http://www.jjschousboebeenie.com if you will like to comment on parents being their children’s first teachers. Thanks!
Yup, I get that and having more of a plan is something else I need to do. Followed your link and I see it’s a new site. So best of luck. ‘Parents being their children’s first teachers is a bit outside my normal blog, but I’ll give it some thought – I’m also married to a headteacher.
Great resolutions Ian! I think planning is essential, as someone who blogs regularly for different businesses I so regularly find myself hitting the proverbial brick wall and wondering whether what I’m going to write something that is A) going to make sense and B) going to be useful/interesting particularly after creating pieces for over a year. I’ve found a content calendar helps, knowing what I want to write about and when helps me to maintain focus!
Maria, thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the blog. Sometimes I find a story has a natural direction and sort of takes it’s own course. But the one I’m working on now is bit of a struggle, so I need to plan!