The Shape of 2018

Now that it is a few weeks into the new year, I wanted to write something here. Like many of you, I have lots of hopes and maybe a few plans in place for what I'd like to accomplish in a brand new year. That's what resolutions are about after all. A new year. A clean slate.

For me, there were things that were put into motion in 2017 that will be done in the early part of this new year. As a publisher, I have several books already in the pipeline for publication. In fact, that is taking up more of my time than anything else. This isn't new; I've mentioned how writing has taken a backseat. So far, I've completed one short story this year.

Once I get a big chunk of the work I have currently in front of me, I have a writing challenge in mind. As a regular reader of long-time writer Dean Wesley Smith, I've learned a great deal about challenges. All kinds of challenges. One that appeals just now is to commit to writing a short story a week all year long. I'll admit that I tried to jumpstart that challenge at the beginning of the year, but I missed last week. You can refer back to the heavy publishing workload for part of the reason why. There are others.

You see, I have 'a lot of irons in the fire.' Or, I'm wearing a lot of hats.

I consider my role as Publisher at Founders House Publishing my main one. It's swiftly followed by the role I have as Editor of MYTHIC: A Quarterly Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine (A Founders House project nonetheless).

But neither of these focuses is bringing in enough to make them my sole living. For that, I have another job unrelated to either that takes up far more time than I would like at present.

Writing is getting the short end of the stick these days. I'm not happy about it either, but the fun I have with the publishing and book designing and reading story submissions for MYTHIC somewhat makes up for it.

Still, I do plan to make a return to writing. That's why I might try to restart the writing challenge. It may  keep the story-a-week format I started with or it may change over the course of the coming year. Regardless, I will be writing.

I have big ambitions for what I'd like to see happen this year. Honestly, I a big part of the reason why is that this is the year I turn 40 years old. A milestone year...and a wakeup call. There is an urgency to it somehow. Some of my goals are bold. Many of them will require help and support from those who have benefitted or appreciate the work I've been doing in editing and publishing.

There are lot of things in the works. I will try to tell you more about them as we proceed further into 2018.

Writing In 2015 - Setting Goals?

There's nothing particularly original about setting goals. I mean this is the time of year when people make all sorts of goals and resolutions for change and setting new habits in the new year. This is the time for wiping the slate clean. We release a deep sigh and mouth the word "do-over" with a hesitant smile on our faces. Or at least some of us do.

Ever the big fan of veteran pro writer, Dean Wesley Smith, I'll include a link to his latest blog post, a new installment in his ongoing "New World Of Publishing" series. Smith has made it a habit to give some end of the year tips about goals and such to help propel writers in the coming year. Check out the blog post, "New World of Publishing: Failure Must Be An Option." It's the first of a set that'll be coming along during this final week of 2014.

I've said it before though, I am lousy at setting and hitting goals. I've failed in much the way that Smith illustrates. However, I can't let that become a reason or an excuse to quit or to give up. Failure's a built-in dynamic of this writing life and I have to be ready to take a hit when it comes my way. I have to remember what's within my control and set goals that reflect this common sense idea.

Being the writer, I can actively set goals for writing and finishing projects. While life's complications may make it necessary to rethink certain aspects it is still more than possible to write and finish something. I'd say it's fair to mention Heinlein's Rules of Business, a guide that many writers have used to make money in the writing business. I keep a copy of them right in front of me in my office and you can find one in the right column on this site.

Those rules might be a good place to start when it comes to making plans and setting goals for your writing in 2015. At least I think they are. Honestly, if there's any place I should make a more serious effort is in apply those simple (on the surface) rules to my own work.

No matter what sort of plans or strategy you have in place for executing goals in the coming year, I wish you the best in your endeavors. If you have a way you'd like to share with me, please feel free to comment.

Catch you next time.