Goals for 2018
Welcome to 2018. Next year, we’ll have replicants walking alongside us, flying cars, and advertising holograms. Or not.
In any case, Hopefully, you’ve all had a wonderful holiday season. Did you get anything good? I know I did. Anyway, I want to kick things off with a goal list I have planned for 2018 and beyond. I’ll discuss what I want to get done in the immediate year, and then what I want to do for the next few years and beyond. I could go easy and say one of them is to publish my novel, which has always been the ultimate goal, but not the end goal. It’ll be simple things that I feel I can attain with my skill level.
So let’s begin.
Goals for this year
#1: Publish SOMETHING
A no-brainer, right? I mean, I’m already sending stories out to other markets. I know many of you are just itching for what I can come up with, but I won’t announce what it is until I actually publish. While I love the length of novels and the feel of getting an entire story in one massive book, I feel shorter works gives me a chance to explore characters and locales I didn’t think I’d ever write.
While I won’t announce anything, some ideas include a story set in Ancient Egypt, a far-off world, and even the edge of the universe. Whether or not I make them (or even publish them) is another thing entirely, but I will provide updates when and if they get published.
#2: Have exclusive stories on the website
This is another goal of mine to publish exclusive content. I want these stories to be more fun and lighthearted that seem more difficult for markets to have. I won’t throw any old story up, but definitely stories that seem like an enjoyable read. I do want only the best to be available to a wider market and these stories will be fun reads that still have the same care and feeling I’d give to anything else. I won’t push these out until after I’ve published a few short stories, but that’s what I have planned.
#3: Expand my mailing list
You may or may not have noticed, but I have a mailing list. Right now, it’s just recent blog posts, since I don’t have a steady stream of content. Once I do, I’ll add more content, like excerpt previews, convention news, and even a free novella just for subscribing. I have so many stories planned and I won’t stop with just one. I feel that novellas, while an interesting format, are harder to sell than short stories and novels.
As for what it is, I can’t say just yet. I barely started on it, but as soon as I’m done with my novel, I’ll work on it.
That’s the immediate future, now for the years beyond.
Goals in 2019 and beyond
#1: Have a series exclusive to my website, inspired by my fictional Inn
I want to make my website more than just news and a blog, but an interactive experience. Because the Silver Claw Inn feels like a story is just waiting to be told. I want to make a serial exclusive to my website and it’ll center around the inn. This won’t necessarily be “Steven’s Adventures with his fluffy companion,” but a unique take. Yes, I suppose the lead would be some semblance of myself, but I want my personal self and my fictional self to be two separate entities. I always treat my characters as an extension of myself and develop them as I would any other character. I don’t think this will be published in 2018, but it’s a nice goal to have.
#2: Go to local conventions
I’d love to travel to cons and promote my stuff, but also meet like-minded nerds like myself. I’ve read that cons are a good place for authors to promote themselves, but there’s not too much in the way of conventions where I live. I know of a few, and I’d love to visit some either next year and the years following. Once I’m more well known and more established I’ll be able to visit more often and announce my presence. But seeing as I haven’t published anything yet, I’ll just visit and say hello.
#3: Video versions of my status updates
I love doing status updates, but I feel like I have a need to show there’s a real person here and not just some android at a computer typing (not denying that I’m an android, though…or an alien…or a cat. >_>).
I want to try and do video content and showcase anything physical I get. This might be in 2018, but it might also be 2019, but I have plans to make video content for my status updates. It’ll be the same format before but in video form.
The only reason I say this is for two reasons. First, my living situation isn’t entirely ideal for video content. It’s noisy and I can’t just go to the library and record video. Plus, I want it to look somewhat professional.
Also, I don’t have much experience in video content. I’ve made some videos in the past, but I haven’t made much since then. I want to branch out and make things more interesting than just a usual blog.
Dunno if this will completely replace readable status updates or even if I’ll do both, but I want to attempt video content.
Anyway, that’s my goals for this year and beyond. It’s hard to have new years resolutions, but I have to do something, right? Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful New Year and let me know if you have anything planned for your new year. I’d be interested in hearing about it.
That’s all for today. Take care, Happy New Year, and remember, the inn is always open.
Got any suggestions for future topics and reviews? Hit me up on my social media channels and let me know your thoughts. I always read the feedback, even if I don’t respond, and every reply counts.
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