Ten tentative targets for 2019
Happy New Year! We’re already almost two weeks into 2019, but I’ve been enjoying some time off before launching myself into what will no doubt be a very busy 12 months. Goal-setting is going to be a challenge this year, but here’s my best shot! →
2019 is going to be a year of change for me. At the end of the summer I will be commencing my 13th—and final!—semester of university. By June I will no longer be a student, and I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE. Send help!!
Due to the high degree of uncertainty around what I’ll be doing for the second half of the year, I’m cautious about setting lofty goals. But at the same time, I’d like to give you all an idea of what to expect from me in 2019—hence the following “tentative targets”…
In 2018, I put a lot of work into blogging and developing this website and was overall quite happy with the results. This year I intend to shift the focus back to my writing projects a little more, so my blogging goals are relatively straightforward. They are:
Create a new theme. This goal is already achieved! For the last few weeks I’ve been hard at work putting together this brown/beige feather & bird theme you now see. There are still a few kinks to iron out but I’m pleased with the results so far!
3-4 posts per month. In 2018 I posted once per week, but this year I want to spend a bit more time on my actual writing! I’m not going to set a rigid timetable for blogging, but I’d like to publish 3-4 posts per month as time allows.
Sharing posts. I’ve already learned so much from the blogging community, and I’d like to post more about other peoples’ work that I’ve found helpful!
As mentioned above, I intend to put an emphasis on my writing projects in 2019. There’s only so much fiddling round you can do before you just need to take the plunge! My key writing goals for this year are:
Beta-reading of Holding Up the Sky. Holding Up the Sky is my contemporary YA novel whose third draft I recently finished. I plan to put out a call for beta-readers probably mid-February, so stay tuned if you’re interested!
Submit Holding Up the Sky. What, exactly, I mean by this is to be confirmed, but I really want to kick-start the publishing process for Holding Up the Sky this year. First I am going to investigate the traditional route, which means submitting to agents and publishers!!
Write the second draft of Blood of Old. This is the first instalment of my epic fantasy series Graceborn, whose initial draft I finished early in 2018. After spending much of last year world-building and confirming details, I’m finally ready to jump into the second draft!
Beta-reading of Blood of Old. Once I’ve completed the aforementioned second draft of Blood of Old and made any necessary editing changes, I plan to put this WIP through a beta-reading process also. If you’re an epic fantasy lover, keep your eyes peeled in a few months’ time!
Write the first draft of book 2. The title of the second instalment of the Graceborn series is currently known only to myself, but I intend to start work on its first draft in the latter half of the year. Planning is already underway!
Reading is one of my greatest joys in life! If you’re following along with this post, you no doubt agree. I don’t usually set very detailed reading goals since I’m such a mood reader, but here are my key targets for 2019:
Read 75 books. As per my Goodreads challenge, I’d like to read at least 75 books, though I reserve the right to change this as the year progresses!
Read more self-published books. In the last 12 months I have made a lot of connections in the online writing community and I plan to FINALLY get around to reading some of their books! If you have a self-published book out there let me know and I’ll make sure it’s on my TBR!
What are your goals for 2019? Are you publishing any works of your own? What do you think of my new “theme”?
Rebecca Alasdair
I'm an Australian indie author who hoards books, loves dogs and coffee, and has a tendency of staying up all night!
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M.L. Davis
Brilliant goals, Rebecca! Good luck and have a fantastic year x
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you!! Best of luck to you too!! 😊
Andrew McDowell
Best of luck with your goals!
Rebecca Alasdair
Many thanks, and to you!!
Andrew McDowell
You’re welcome, and thank you!
Lorraine Ambers
Best of luck with your goals and keep me in mind for beta reading. 😊
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you, will do!! 😃
softheartandwarmeyes
I wish you the best of luck with your projects this year!! I definitely identify with your focus on writing in 2019 because I’m going to try to do the same!! I wish I had experience being a beta reader lol because I’m writing a contemporary novel myself and would love to read something from someone that strives for publication too. I hope you reach your goals and keep aiming high – you got this. Keeping my fingers crossed for you! c:
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you!! I hadn’t even heard of beta reading until only a little while ago so no doubt it’s going to be a massive learning experience for me! All the best for your novel too 😊
Bryan Fagan
Setting realistic goals is the best thing for all of us. It’s so easy to get carried with goals that we can’t reach.
Rebecca Alasdair
So true! There’s a list of what you WANT to do and a list of what you realistically CAN do! It’s important to understand the difference 😊
Ari
Firstly, I am loving your theme, it’s gorgeous. Secondly, 75 books ?? Damn that’s a lot. I could barely manage 20 last year lol. I need to up my game. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your writing and its great you are focusing more on those. 😊
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Ari!! Over the years I have developed my speed-reading skills, and I often end up (unintentionally!) sacrificing sleep when I come across really good books. It’s important to set your own realistic goals though – you NEVER want to make reading feel like a chore! I’m keen to make some good progress in my writing projects so we’ll see how it goes! 🙂
Ari
I’ve been contemplating making changes to my own theme and maybe even getting a Business plan account. I find it so hard to choose the right theme.
Did it take you a while to find the right one for you?
I think I did end up making reading feel like a chore part way through last year, so I stopped reading and plan to go back to my books later on when we’ve moved and I’m settled again.
Rebecca Alasdair
When I first set up my WordPress account I spent quite a while choosing a theme. A few weeks, I think! I haven’t changed THAT theme since setting up my website, but I have gone through a few iterations of cover images etc based on what I feel is right at the time. I spent a couple of weeks searching through stock images before deciding on this new book/bird/feather option. The perfectionist tendencies seem to come out for this sort of thing!!! Good luck with your own work 😊
gemba258
We can’t wait to read your books. Can we go on the beta list? We have a bookshelf of fantasy books, but haven’t read much recently that appeals. Will look at your list of favourites though – but would prefer yours…..!!
Rebecca Alasdair
I’m glad you’re excited for it!! My goal is to have my fantasy WIP ready for beta reading around mid-year…so keep an eye out for announcements in a few months’ time. If you haven’t already read it, I highly recommend Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series. I chewed through it over the New Year period and it is hands down one of the best fantasy series I’ve ever read!!