Sunday 10 January 2016

Writing Targets 2016



As usual, at the beginning of the year, writing chum Tracy Fells and I sat down in our local cafe, in Cobblestone Walk, to set our writing goals and give each other a stern talking to. Unlike the previous years, I came armed with this: a lovely little book just asking to be filled with potential achievements (you see I like to stay positive!).



Last year, I realised that any goals set needed to be straightforward and not overambitious if they were to be achievable and not stressful and I think I got them about right (if you haven't already seen how I did you can read last week's post here).

So here they are (gulp) - my writing goals for 2016!

1. To have written 50,000 words of novel two by the end of August (ready to submit to the RNA New Writers' Scheme reader).

2. To write at least two short stories a month. You may have noticed this has been reduced from last year's one a week but I have to be realistic as I'll be writing them alongside the novel.

3. Publish at least one more story collection - I'm really pleased with how well Room in Your Heart and The Last Rose have done (if you fancy reading them, the link is at the side) and so many people have asked when the next one will be appearing that it would be rude not to, wouldn't it!

4. Find an agent. This probably should have been at the top of the list as it is my ultimate goal for 2016 now novel number one is complete. I've already started the process... so fingers crossed.

And there you have it - four (hopefully) realistic goals for the year. One thing I do know though is that if I don't achieve any of them I am not going to beat myself up about it. At the end of the day the most important thing is that I carry on enjoying my writing, my wonderful circle of lovely writing friends and being in the privileged position of being able to entertain readers with my work... here's my latest story in The People's Friend Special.


You can read Tracy's 2016 goals here.

40 comments:

  1. Beat me to it, Wendy. Now I have to post mine! I will be tracking these closely throughout 2016 ...

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  2. Great goals, and good luck with all of them!

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    1. Thanks, Kath. Number 4 is the all important one for this year.

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  3. They sound great goals, Wendy. I'm sure you'll achieve them (and more) :-) xx

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  4. Good luck with your goals, Wendy.

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  5. A fabulous list of goals, Wendy, and I am certain you will achieve them all. Looking forward to your future posts with news of how you're getting on. Wihing you all the very best with them. xxx

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    1. Thank you, Joanna - I wish I had a crystal ball to see what I will be writing next year.

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  6. Great goals and I'm sure you will achieve them all. Brave to publicize them too! I'll tell people about mine only if I manage them!

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    1. Not brave, Lindsay - it's the only chance I'll have of achieving them!

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  7. Wonderful goals Wendy which I'm sure you will achieve. But the most telling thing was how you enjoy your writing, and want to continue to do so, and also enjoy your lovely writing friends, and family and other friends too, and having realistic goals to get the balance right. Anyway if writing becomes a chore I'm sure it shows in the stories. Have another great year in every way :-) xx

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement, Sue. Good luck with your writing too.

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  8. How brave to announce your goals in public, Wendy. Best of luck with them! xx

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    1. I've done it for the last few years, Susanna - it helps me to focus.

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  9. You have set yourself good, but also realistic goals. Good luck for 2016...and onwards

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    1. I did try to be realistic, Natalie - I think you have to.

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  10. Good luck with your 2016 targets, Wendy, and I'm sure you will achieve the majority. :)

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  11. Goals are good motivators, Wendy. Good luck with them :o)

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    1. Thanks, Karen. Lovely to see you here again - hope the writing's going well.

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  12. These sound like good goals, Wendy! I'm sure you'll manage them. Good luck - and keep us posted!

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  13. I shall expect a positive report next time we meet. I'll try to follow your example and set realistic goals. Good luck to us both. xx

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  14. They are quite modest for you, Wendy. I know you will reach those with ease:))) Happy writing, above all enjoy the journey. xx

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    1. Ha ha - now I feel as if I've been cheating, Susan!

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  15. I don't whether to be inspired or exhausted by all you plan to achieve, Wendy. Here's to a great year.

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  16. Good luck with your goals, Wendy.

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  17. I'm sure you will reach all your goals just like you did last year. Enjoying what you do is the main thing.

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    1. Yes I agree, Maggie. Writing without enjoyment is nothing.

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  18. Good luck with your goals, Wendy x

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  19. Great goals, Wendy. You can easily achieve those - keeping everything crossed for finding an agent. That's the one goal you don't have total control over, which can be frustrating. So, I'm sending you loads of grit, gumption and solid nerves to help you along. Have a great week!!!

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    1. Thank you for the grip, gumption and solid nerves... I can do with them!

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  20. Excellent goals, Wendy, and it sounds very wise not to have a whole long list! As I said on Tracy's blog, I still haven't set any yet but I do like the idea of a notebook just for goals and I do have plenty of those (notebooks, not goals)!

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  21. I had lots of lively notebooks from my husband for Christmas - you can never have too many!

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