Three Things I hope to Accomplish in 2019

The start of a new year is like a blank slate. We don’t know what will be written upon it, but the exciting prospect is that there are loads of things we can engrave upon it!

My author pals and I are sharing our hopes – on the writing road and in our family life – for 2019 in our #Gr8Blog hop about what we hope to accomplish in 2019. When you are done reading up on what I am hoping to achieve in 2019, check out some of the other excellent blog links at the bottom of this post.

Completing my third Little Katie Book.

©CarmelaDutra

I have been rattling around many Little Katie Books for a while. It’s time to do something with them. Now that I am contracted with three school districts (hopefully four in a matter of just a few short weeks after we finish up the details) for regular author visits throughout the school year, they each ask the same question; “When is the next Little Katie coming out?” Working with many schools and often the same students over the years, it requires me to have fresh content to share with them. Honestly, sometimes just the thought of supply and demand with the schools becomes a little overwhelming.  This series is super popular among the districts as it fits with the common core standards for STEM Education. I am excited to announce that there will be new characters added to the series!  My ultimate goal with Little Katie is to encourage girls (and boys too!) in science. I am hopeful by bringing a little more diversity into the stories; I will be able to accomplish just that.

 

Finding a Forever Publishing House

 

I am very realistic on how long this could take, and I am OK with that. After much discussion with some friends in the publishing business, the book buying market, and my various contacts with the schools and librarians, I know that I will need the backing of a publishing house to help me accomplish my goals with Little Katie. Being able to bring Little Katie into the classrooms these past few years has been a dream come true! Landing three contracts with school districts where I am booked for author visits and being able to do this author thing for a living has been beyond my wildest dreams. However, there is only so much I can do on my own when it comes to distribution. I do not have my sights set big. I am happy to and eager to work with a small house as long as we share the same goals. To get Little Katie into the schools to encourage girls in an area where they are not overly encouraged. I want to help bridge the gap of women in the STEM/STEAM fields. This is a hope for me in 2019, not a must, but a hope. I will be OK if things do not go according to plan, I am the type that expects the worst and hopes for the best. If it’s going to happen, it will, whatever will be.

Organization

This might seem like a simple thing, I assure you, for me, it has become the task at hand. 2018 we did a slight remodel with our garage turned guest/office/ laundry room. After everything was finished and the dust literally settled, many things are still not put back in place.  With an always on the go active three-year-old, it is becoming harder to keep track of where things are. Being that I work from home, it is vital for me to keep my workspace as cleaned and organized as possible. I cannot work in clutter. It drives me absolutely, positively, bonkers! When I am done with a project, the room might look as though hurricane Carmy just swept through, but that’s my process. Start off clean and everything at my fingertips, finishing with what appears to be a natural disaster. If I cannot have my workspace fully organized, and everything put away, then my other two goals will be next to impossible for me to accomplish. For that matter, all of my other objectives will become a Herculean task.

 

Your Turn

What do you want to accomplish on your bucket list this year? Please share in the comment section.  And for more inspiration, please visit my #Gr8blog pals below.  If you blog and want to join us on this hop, just add the family-friendly link to your post in the comment section. We’ll visit and give you some blog love.

Find more inspiration and 2019 wishes by visiting my awesome #Gr8Blogs pals:
Cat Michaels
Sandra Bennett

​Shana Gorian

Julie Gorges

Jacqui Letran

Rosie Russell
Rebecca Lyndsey