Bill Conrad's Blog - Posts Tagged "planning"
My Plan for Success
To succeed, a person needs a solid plan, and I had one around the time I turned fifteen. Powerful high school grades would enable me to attend college, leading to a fantastic job. The first two parts were the hardest, but I succeeded. Yay!
The next part was supposed to be easy. I had a college degree, and all I needed to do was look at the help wanted section and pick a job. This would be as easy as giving my best friend a high-five! Well, that was 993, and the economy was awful. So, I radically pivoted and started a company. Even though I worked super hard, my efforts failed.
This was a tough pill to swallow, but I sucked up my pride and got a job at a local medical inventory company. So, my initial plan succeeded. Yay!
Since then, I have bounced from company to company. In my off time, I tried to start businesses three times. My most successful attempt was as a full-time consultant. This effort was incredibly stressful and made little money. My worst attempt was a partnership with an internet marketing company. This dumpster fire consumed hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars.
A friendly bout of unemployment pivoted me again, and I decided to try fiction writing. Surely, this venture would be profitable, and indeed it is. I have made tens of dollars. Yay! (While spending thousands on editing, formatting, and marketing. Boo!)
What is my present success plan? I have a three-pronged approach. Continue working, write at night, and start a business. Working at a company is a safe, straight path with limited risk, but not too exciting. So, how do I intend to be a successful author and start a company?
I have found book promoting to be a tough nut to crack. I had expected online eBook retailers to do a much better job of helping new authors. Sadly, that chore is in my court. And who am I? A nobody author in a sea of nobody authors. However, I have a plan. My books are available in every eBook marketplace, and I write articles to gain exposure. In time, one or more readers will tell others about me. In summary, I plan to sit on my bum and wait to be discovered. Umm, that sounds like a poor plan. Yeah…
I have never stopped my business-starting efforts. I have developed 71 ideas and have organized them by chance of success and investment required. My next step is to locate a partner with marketing skills and investment contacts. Why not do this part myself? My business-starting mistakes taught me two important lessons: Never start alone and CAREFULLY pick your business partners.
How am I finding a business partner? When I meet new people, we chat, and if I get the sense that they are the right person, I tell them about my ideas and discuss a partnership. How often has this occurred in the last ten years? Once. In summary, I plan to sit on my bum and wait for a partner to appear out of thin air. Umm, that sounds like a poor plan and a theme. Yeah…
There are other options. I could go to a book or a business conference. There are online book marketing and business startup courses. At the very least, there are people I can pay to promote my books or locate business partners. That is very true, and I have diligently investigated all these options. Yet, my “solid” plan remains.
Why am I so pessimistic? Am I being lazy? Or am I gun-shy? (Afraid to fail) Until I wrote this sentence, I was sure that I was being cautious. I always approach problems with care and make calculated decisions. This sounds like I have been putting off the problem. Translation: Lazy.
What should I do? The obvious answer is to get off my bum and focus on my goals. I understand what it takes to start a business and am still up for the task, but the problem is desire. Starting a business is risky, scary, and expensive. Having done it so many times without success has taken its mental toll.
After some noodling time, I have concluded that I am indeed gun-shy. Being afraid to try is not an outstanding trait to admit to, but this is clearly what is going on. So here is my new plan. I am going to confront my fears and laziness. However, having lofty goals without milestones or details is not enough. Therefore, I have a new daily goal. I am going to dedicate thirty minutes to starting a business.
What about book marketing? Last night, I came up with a new plan. I have always wanted to write a short stories book. I have collected eight plots and thought them through. The problem is that readers only like short story books by mega-authors. Writing such a book would be a waste of time for a small-potato author like me.
My magic idea is to write one or more short stories and post them online for free. There are TONS of sites that will host a short story. I am excited to see how this plays out.
My business and promotion plans plan do not seem impressive, but what is essential is that I have them clearly stated to myself. Will they succeed? Only time will tell.
You’re the best -Bill
October 18, 2023
The next part was supposed to be easy. I had a college degree, and all I needed to do was look at the help wanted section and pick a job. This would be as easy as giving my best friend a high-five! Well, that was 993, and the economy was awful. So, I radically pivoted and started a company. Even though I worked super hard, my efforts failed.
This was a tough pill to swallow, but I sucked up my pride and got a job at a local medical inventory company. So, my initial plan succeeded. Yay!
Since then, I have bounced from company to company. In my off time, I tried to start businesses three times. My most successful attempt was as a full-time consultant. This effort was incredibly stressful and made little money. My worst attempt was a partnership with an internet marketing company. This dumpster fire consumed hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars.
A friendly bout of unemployment pivoted me again, and I decided to try fiction writing. Surely, this venture would be profitable, and indeed it is. I have made tens of dollars. Yay! (While spending thousands on editing, formatting, and marketing. Boo!)
What is my present success plan? I have a three-pronged approach. Continue working, write at night, and start a business. Working at a company is a safe, straight path with limited risk, but not too exciting. So, how do I intend to be a successful author and start a company?
I have found book promoting to be a tough nut to crack. I had expected online eBook retailers to do a much better job of helping new authors. Sadly, that chore is in my court. And who am I? A nobody author in a sea of nobody authors. However, I have a plan. My books are available in every eBook marketplace, and I write articles to gain exposure. In time, one or more readers will tell others about me. In summary, I plan to sit on my bum and wait to be discovered. Umm, that sounds like a poor plan. Yeah…
I have never stopped my business-starting efforts. I have developed 71 ideas and have organized them by chance of success and investment required. My next step is to locate a partner with marketing skills and investment contacts. Why not do this part myself? My business-starting mistakes taught me two important lessons: Never start alone and CAREFULLY pick your business partners.
How am I finding a business partner? When I meet new people, we chat, and if I get the sense that they are the right person, I tell them about my ideas and discuss a partnership. How often has this occurred in the last ten years? Once. In summary, I plan to sit on my bum and wait for a partner to appear out of thin air. Umm, that sounds like a poor plan and a theme. Yeah…
There are other options. I could go to a book or a business conference. There are online book marketing and business startup courses. At the very least, there are people I can pay to promote my books or locate business partners. That is very true, and I have diligently investigated all these options. Yet, my “solid” plan remains.
Why am I so pessimistic? Am I being lazy? Or am I gun-shy? (Afraid to fail) Until I wrote this sentence, I was sure that I was being cautious. I always approach problems with care and make calculated decisions. This sounds like I have been putting off the problem. Translation: Lazy.
What should I do? The obvious answer is to get off my bum and focus on my goals. I understand what it takes to start a business and am still up for the task, but the problem is desire. Starting a business is risky, scary, and expensive. Having done it so many times without success has taken its mental toll.
After some noodling time, I have concluded that I am indeed gun-shy. Being afraid to try is not an outstanding trait to admit to, but this is clearly what is going on. So here is my new plan. I am going to confront my fears and laziness. However, having lofty goals without milestones or details is not enough. Therefore, I have a new daily goal. I am going to dedicate thirty minutes to starting a business.
What about book marketing? Last night, I came up with a new plan. I have always wanted to write a short stories book. I have collected eight plots and thought them through. The problem is that readers only like short story books by mega-authors. Writing such a book would be a waste of time for a small-potato author like me.
My magic idea is to write one or more short stories and post them online for free. There are TONS of sites that will host a short story. I am excited to see how this plays out.
My business and promotion plans plan do not seem impressive, but what is essential is that I have them clearly stated to myself. Will they succeed? Only time will tell.
You’re the best -Bill
October 18, 2023
My Five-Year Writing Plan
Over dinner, a friend recently asked about my next book. After a fun plot discussion, he asked, “What’s next?” I had a plan, but when I told him, it sounded awful. So, I took a walk the next day to figure things out. Fast forward two more walks, a hike, and a bike ride. I now have a five-year plan and thought it would be amusing (therapy) to share.
I have three book series, and each has its own goal. The first is about an immortal woman who teaches a less-than-ideal person her technique. I have released two books, and a third is in editing. It should be out in October. (Yeah, yeah, yeah. October of what year?) I have a good (not great) outline for the fourth book and a concept for the fifth. “Proceed at steady speed.”
My second book series is romance/sci-fi about a man and woman who survived a cruise ship accident and get into all kinds of alien trouble. I have published one book, and the next one will be released soon. I have created a so-so outline for the third book and intend to start writing this summer. The problem is that the first book received lukewarm reviews. After some heartache, I came to a decision. Unless the reviews drastically improve, the third book will be the last of the series. This is my favorite storyline and the reason I decided to write. Major bummer.
My third book series is a classic spy novel with a twist. Instead of focusing on a single James Bond character, I take a realistic approach with multiple government agencies. It is my strongest seller, and the second book is about to go to my copy editor. I have a great (not excellent) outline for the third book, but I have hit a creativity wall for the fourth. My goal over the next year is to develop a solid outline for this fourth book and start writing at the beginning of the second year.
I have an excellent concept for a dystopian romance to replace my second book series. There is just one hiccup. My bonkers mind developed a fantastic beginning, part of a middle, and no end. This reminds me of the Underpants Gnomes in South Park.
Phase One: Collect underpants
Phase Two: ????
Phase Three: Profit
Over the next three years, I will develop a solid outline with ideas for the next two books in the series. This should be an achievable goal, but now I understand there is some urgency, and I will begin an outline this summer.
Over the past 20 years, I have thought about many short stories and would like to release them in a single book, but there are two problems. The plots, while different, all suffer from the same flaw. The main character solves problems while looking good. Readers will only tolerate so much of this. The second problem is that I have found the readers prefer short story books from established authors and would face an uphill marketing battle. This period of reflection allowed me to decide not to start this project until I develop better stories.
In my 20s, I spent many hours thinking about a terrific plot. It is a romance involving international banking but lacks drama, twists, and struggles. I thought this would be my next book series, but this reflection made me realize I cannot salvage the plot. So, I will no longer put any effort into this project.
I have developed a thoroughly vetted Star Trek plot, but there are significant issues. First, I cannot self-publish a book due to copyright issues with the franchise owner, Paramount. The second is that Star Trek novels have a tiny market. The third is that the two approved publishers (I am not aware of any others) only deal with select authors. The fourth is releasing a fan fiction book would deter my limited fans.
The fifth issue concerns the strict rules for creating Star Trek fiction. A writer must respect established canon, avoid main character alterations, be mindful of character personal relationships, use original plotlines, maintain internal consistency within the Star Trek universe, not introduce main character romances, not have intimate scenes, ensure the story aligns with the franchise core values and never invent or alter character backstories. Well, I did it. I developed a story that violates every rule. Yay!
The only option would be to release the book for free, but the project would require an editor and cover designer. That is a lot of money for a publicity stunt targeting a limited market.
Why am I still thinking about starting this project? It would be a lot of fun, and releasing an epic story for free could open new markets. I have decided to pursue this project, but it will be the last book I write, placing it far beyond my five-year plan.
My last goal is to develop a new book series. I enjoy writing romance, drama, and light science fiction, but I have covered these three genres. Space operas are wildly popular, but I do not gravitate toward this kind of story. Readers love crime drama, but the world is bad enough without me glorifying criminals.
Zombies, vampires, westerns, paranormal, horror, traditional romance, kid’s books, young adult, mystery, action, war, superhero, anti-hero, magic, humor, historical fiction, conspiracy, satire, or graphic novels? Mmm, not me.
I want to concentrate on thrillers and classic science fiction. The plot of Ready Player One and Enders Game falls into “teenager doing big things,” which I always found enjoyable. Thus, I will read more books in this genre to inspire myself. However, I may have an ace up my sleeve.
Two years ago, I had an astounding dream about teenagers jumping into each other’s minds. This was one of my most creative moments and is the perfect plot for a book. Of course, there must be a problem; otherwise, I would have dropped everything and written several books.
The plot suffers from the same Underpants Gnomes issue. My goal is to develop a solid outline by year four. Stay tuned.
That’s my five-year plan. I admit it is not bold, but I set goals and, more importantly, eliminated goals. Will I see my plan to fruition? Only time will tell.
You’re the best -Bill
January 09, 2025
I have three book series, and each has its own goal. The first is about an immortal woman who teaches a less-than-ideal person her technique. I have released two books, and a third is in editing. It should be out in October. (Yeah, yeah, yeah. October of what year?) I have a good (not great) outline for the fourth book and a concept for the fifth. “Proceed at steady speed.”
My second book series is romance/sci-fi about a man and woman who survived a cruise ship accident and get into all kinds of alien trouble. I have published one book, and the next one will be released soon. I have created a so-so outline for the third book and intend to start writing this summer. The problem is that the first book received lukewarm reviews. After some heartache, I came to a decision. Unless the reviews drastically improve, the third book will be the last of the series. This is my favorite storyline and the reason I decided to write. Major bummer.
My third book series is a classic spy novel with a twist. Instead of focusing on a single James Bond character, I take a realistic approach with multiple government agencies. It is my strongest seller, and the second book is about to go to my copy editor. I have a great (not excellent) outline for the third book, but I have hit a creativity wall for the fourth. My goal over the next year is to develop a solid outline for this fourth book and start writing at the beginning of the second year.
I have an excellent concept for a dystopian romance to replace my second book series. There is just one hiccup. My bonkers mind developed a fantastic beginning, part of a middle, and no end. This reminds me of the Underpants Gnomes in South Park.
Phase One: Collect underpants
Phase Two: ????
Phase Three: Profit
Over the next three years, I will develop a solid outline with ideas for the next two books in the series. This should be an achievable goal, but now I understand there is some urgency, and I will begin an outline this summer.
Over the past 20 years, I have thought about many short stories and would like to release them in a single book, but there are two problems. The plots, while different, all suffer from the same flaw. The main character solves problems while looking good. Readers will only tolerate so much of this. The second problem is that I have found the readers prefer short story books from established authors and would face an uphill marketing battle. This period of reflection allowed me to decide not to start this project until I develop better stories.
In my 20s, I spent many hours thinking about a terrific plot. It is a romance involving international banking but lacks drama, twists, and struggles. I thought this would be my next book series, but this reflection made me realize I cannot salvage the plot. So, I will no longer put any effort into this project.
I have developed a thoroughly vetted Star Trek plot, but there are significant issues. First, I cannot self-publish a book due to copyright issues with the franchise owner, Paramount. The second is that Star Trek novels have a tiny market. The third is that the two approved publishers (I am not aware of any others) only deal with select authors. The fourth is releasing a fan fiction book would deter my limited fans.
The fifth issue concerns the strict rules for creating Star Trek fiction. A writer must respect established canon, avoid main character alterations, be mindful of character personal relationships, use original plotlines, maintain internal consistency within the Star Trek universe, not introduce main character romances, not have intimate scenes, ensure the story aligns with the franchise core values and never invent or alter character backstories. Well, I did it. I developed a story that violates every rule. Yay!
The only option would be to release the book for free, but the project would require an editor and cover designer. That is a lot of money for a publicity stunt targeting a limited market.
Why am I still thinking about starting this project? It would be a lot of fun, and releasing an epic story for free could open new markets. I have decided to pursue this project, but it will be the last book I write, placing it far beyond my five-year plan.
My last goal is to develop a new book series. I enjoy writing romance, drama, and light science fiction, but I have covered these three genres. Space operas are wildly popular, but I do not gravitate toward this kind of story. Readers love crime drama, but the world is bad enough without me glorifying criminals.
Zombies, vampires, westerns, paranormal, horror, traditional romance, kid’s books, young adult, mystery, action, war, superhero, anti-hero, magic, humor, historical fiction, conspiracy, satire, or graphic novels? Mmm, not me.
I want to concentrate on thrillers and classic science fiction. The plot of Ready Player One and Enders Game falls into “teenager doing big things,” which I always found enjoyable. Thus, I will read more books in this genre to inspire myself. However, I may have an ace up my sleeve.
Two years ago, I had an astounding dream about teenagers jumping into each other’s minds. This was one of my most creative moments and is the perfect plot for a book. Of course, there must be a problem; otherwise, I would have dropped everything and written several books.
The plot suffers from the same Underpants Gnomes issue. My goal is to develop a solid outline by year four. Stay tuned.
That’s my five-year plan. I admit it is not bold, but I set goals and, more importantly, eliminated goals. Will I see my plan to fruition? Only time will tell.
You’re the best -Bill
January 09, 2025
