For working writers like me, as well as writers just starting out, it helps you stay focused if you write down your writing goals, or any creative goals, for the coming year. Here’s what I have slated for the next twelve months. It may surprise you.
What is a working writer, you might ask? To me, a working writer is someone who makes a living from writing and selling books, short stories or articles. Some working writers also edit manuscripts and teach classes.
My writing goals twenty years ago were totally different than they are now. Back then, I had a vague goal of becoming a working writer by writing novels. It took me almost that long to accomplish it.
Why create goals? Because making a list of what we want to accomplish helps us keep track of our progress and reminds us what we want to focus on. Goals help us stay focused.
With that in mind, here are my writing goals for 2015:
January – December
Follow my typical writing schedule: Mornings 9 to 12:30 – 1:00, Monday through Friday.
Books to be published this year:
January/February: Final touches to Grace, Grits and Ghosts, my southern short story collection. To be released in February.
Also final touches to Temple Secrets (southern gothic/comedy–The Help meets Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). February release.
Novels I’m working on:
January – November: Write the sequel to The Secret Sense of Wildflower. Working title: Lily’s Story.
(I have three chapters so far. The story continues 14 years later. I love being reunited with the McAllister family!) Finish date of first draft: late 2015.
If I finish the Wildflower sequel earlier than expected, then I’ll continue writing the sequel to Seeking Sara Summers. (40,000 words so far; my novels are usually 65,000 to 80,000 words.)
Audio books:
February – March (in the afternoons): Record audio books of Grace, Grits and Ghosts and Temple Secrets for audible.com.
Classes/Workshops:
Local Fearless Writing Workshops for Women.
Ongoing writing tutorials. (by appt.)
Small critique group here with deeper writing instruction? (April/May, 2 Fridays a month)
Possible Saturday writing workshops (10:00 am – 2pm) in spring and summer
Sept/Oct: Fall Fearless Writing for Women group
Typical afternoons:
After writing in the mornings: Create ONE blog post a week (minimum) on creativity, what inspires me, what I’m up to. Maybe short excerpts from my river journals from when I walked at the river 365 consecutive days?
Connecting with readers: 3 – 4 brief posts a week on my Facebook Author Page, Twitter and Google+. Continue building an author presence on Goodreads. Answer emails, compile new content.
Also Skype with 
Book Clubs. (This month I’ll be Skyping with the Book Babes Book Club in Winston-Salem, NC which is reading The Secret Sense of Wildflower.
Daily: walk by the river
So what do you think of these writing goals? Does it surprise you what working writers like myself do in any given day and throughout the year? Readers often think that a writer’s life is glamorous, but it’s actually hard work, and can even get a tad boring. That said, I wouldn’t change my job for anything. I LOVE being a working writer.
What do you hope to accomplish in 2015? Keep in mind, sometimes getting out of bed in the morning is accomplishment enough! It’s all relative. xo
Like you, I work on goals/plans.It’s the only way to reach completion. My immediate goal is not to overload myself with expectations, but to target one goal at a time. For instance, I am doing rewrites of my short stories for a collection. Jan. was dedicated to which stories will work together and how do I arrange them in the book. This work takes up 4-5 hours 5 days a week. My afternoons are involved with new work and the odds & ends of titles, etc. I am involved with a writers’ group 2 meetings per month and share work with my resident writers and vice-versa.
At age 80 I continue to study and try new things. I’m working on short-shorts and poetry. I recently had another poem published and am always surprised by my good fortune. In the evenings I spend hours reading novels of every stripe.
You’re so right in that writing is not some glamourous life, as depicted in movies. It’s hard work. Damn hard work.
Nancy Purcell
Hi Nancy,
It’s great to hear from you. It is so impressive that–at age 80–you continue to hone your craft. Most people would rest on their laurels, so to speak, but not you. It sounds like writing is what helps you feel vibrant and alive.
‘God willing and the Creek don’t rise,’ I hope to follow your example. xo
Writing goals: to get excited about writing again. That’s enough. 🙂
I’ve always been fascinated by the “typical” writing day of accomplished writers and other creatives. I learned many years ago that writing is not a glamorous lifestyle; for many it’s a very lonely space in which to exist, but one that can’t be traded in for another. I agree with you that without goals and objectives, we can rarely accomplish anything significant in life.
Hi Kenny,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. 🙂
I do get lonely sometimes, but I wouldn’t give up the writing life for anything. What helps with the solitude is when people stop by and comment on a blog post or take a few seconds to comment on my facebook author page. It really helps to know that someone out there is listening. Thank you!
Hi John. If you have goals it means it’s REAL, right? I’m glad you’re getting excited about writing again.:)
My goal is also to be a working writer; however, I’m a dreadful manager of time. In terms of planning, I can create the most fabulous plan ever, but it’s kind of like a budget. Following it becomes the problem. I worry a tad about the isolation of it, as I tend to be a people person, but when in the midst of writing, your characters become your companions. Still, I think I will have to make a concerted effort to get out of the house.
Speaking of time management, I am currently at work procrastinating the start of a budget reconciliation project I need to do. What better way than to respond to your post?
I hear you, Gina. There’s just way too much to do in a given day. And procrastination is a common problem for people who want to write.
If you’re asking for advice, a writing group may help give you structure, or there are writing coaches out there these days who can help you stay accountable. I’m married to an executive business coach who says to play to your strengths and hire out for your weaknesses. For example, I never try to do my own taxes, (I would go insane!) I hire somebody for that. It’s in my budget. I plan for it every year. If you’re not good with grammar, hire a freelance editor (or find a friend who is an English teacher!). Surround yourself with people who are good at taking action. Read the blogs of other writers a little further along than you. And there’s always the old AA adage: Fake it till you make it!
Ultimately, though, writers have to write. It’s in the job description.:) Part of the job is figuring out ways to get ourselves to do the work. Thinking of my mortgage payment due every month tends to keep me writing, but it’s much more difficult if you’ve got a day job, which I did for many, many years. No easy answers, I’m afraid.
Good luck, Gina. Thanks for stopping by! xo
Susan, I am impressed! You certainly inspire me.
Thanks, Barbara. Writing the goals is the easy part. I’ll report back in at the end of the year to see how I’ve done–‘God willing and the Creek don’t rise’ (like I said earlier). I feel fortunate to have the luxury of coming of with goals. xo
What an amazing amount of creative work you have set for yourself in 2015! I have such respect and great admiration for all the work, strength and commitment that has made you a working writer, teacher and published author. It was exciting and inspiring to hear how you have outlined your plans. Warmest wishes, Ann
When you love what you do, like I do, the praise somehow doesn’t seem justified. I work hard, it’s true, but I feel very, very lucky to get to do what I do. xo