very year since the start of this blog (or at least I’ve tried to make it every year) I’ve write up my Writing Resolutions for the New Year. Wresolutions for short.
1. Finish at least 1st draft of book 3 before Feb 2013.
2. Start Podcast
3. Major Web Updates
4. Take a break between last book in Secrets of Witches and first official book after the trilogy.
5. Write 3 books, publish 2 per year.
6. In spite of above, don’t rush yourself so much.
As it’s only December 4th (as of this writing) I have about a month or so in which to attempt this first goal. Originally I had hoped to have a first draft done before the first of December. Then January first. At this point, if I can do it before February I might still stay on track with my publishing goal. (Date to be determined).. I have an idea in my head of when I’d like to publish the final novel, but if I’ve learned anything from Bridge of Memories and Goddess of Carnage (perhaps especially from Carnage) it is to stop putting so much timing pressure on myself. It’s not good for the books and more importantly it’s not good for my sanity. I’m not saying I shouldn’t put deadlines on myself. Deadlines are necessary, and important, but if a book isn’t going to be ready by the deadline then it isn’t worth my rushing.
2-3 are well in progress. Actually to my mind, three is pretty much finished, with the exception of upgrading to WordPress premium. I’m hoping for sometime in April (I have a weird love of that month that I can’t fully explain). Beyond just the simplicity of updating to WordPress premium, the major updates will also include a major graphics update. I’ve actually gone through a few versions of this graphics update from what I originally thought I was going to do, but I think I’ve finally come to a version that I like and one that I hope will at least stay for the better part of the year. According to one of my graphic design teachers if a web graphics last more than a year that’s a pretty big deal. I’m sure he meant when the graphic designer is not also the client, but all things considered I change what I like a lot so I’m sure it still somewhat applies.
4 is going to be difficult for me. I’d like to take a minor break in between finishing book 2 and doing more of book 3 (as I’ve already started) but I suspect that isn’t going to happen anymore than me taking a break between book 3 and the next project simply because I’m not good at taking a break from writing. I would go crazy.
5 is more for after book 3, because I’m not sure what the odds are that I’ll be able to finish book 3 and two more by the end of the year. But we’ll see. It’s also a problem because as much as I would like to write three books a year because thus far it’s been exceptionally comfortable for me, but we’ll see.
6. Ultimately as much as I would like to write as many books in a year as I possibly can and as much as I would love to be able to publish at least two books a year, I don’t know what the future will hold. Like I said before, each book brings a new set of challenges for me as an author, and I like that. It’s fun to be challenged, but it’s also something to consider when I try to create a timeline for myself as to when I expect a book to come out. I have to be reasonable in my expectations, rushing myself isn’t going to make the book better and it’s certainly not going to do me any favors. Patience is key, and something I’m not very good at.
