Why Should Authors Try Quarter Planning?
What is "quarterly planning?Quarterly planning is the process of setting goals and outlining strategies for people, employees, and businesses for the upcoming quarter. This involves reviewing past performance, analyzing trends, and identifying areas for improvement, goals, and tasks for the upcoming quarter. It is a way to keep yourself and others on the same page and ensure that resources are allocated effectively in pursuit of common objectives. While quarterly planning is typically associated with business operations, writers can also benefit from the practice by setting writing goals and tracking their progress over time. Which leads us to why and how to use quarterly planning as a writer, author, blogger, or writing coach.
Why might writers want to get in on it?Writers might want to use quarterly planning to set concrete goals and track their progress over time. By analyzing their past performance and identifying areas for improvement, they can ensure that they are making the most of their time and resources. Quarterly planning can also keep writers motivated because it gives them a clear plan for how to reach their goals. Additionally, it can be a useful tool for writers who work in a team or manage a group of writers, as it helps ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and priorities. Dividing up your writing projects into quarters helps you maximize your efforts towards that goal.
I take part in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month organization) events throughout the year, giving me three major writing project months to rotate my writing project goals around April (Q2), July (Q3), and November (Q4). This April, I’m drafting the fifth book in my Fire Series; you can learn more about that series here, and you can add me as a writing buddy on NaNoWriMo under the handle SACrow.
How to use quarterly planning as a writer, author, blogger, and/or writing coach.You don’t have to start at the start of the year, any time is a perfect time to start quarterly planning, just remember how much time you have left in the present quarter or start at the beginning of the next quarter. A quarter consists of 3 months of the year, consisting of around 90 days. You will sometimes hear this method called “90-day planning” too.
Quarter 1 or (Q1) is January to March Quarter 2 or (Q2) is April to June Quarter 3 or (Q3) is July to September Quarter 4 or Q4 is October to DecemberIf you are starting in the middle of a quarter- Map out how many months, weeks, and days you have left till the end of the quarter you’re in. This will give you an idea of the time frame you are working with so you can set SMART goals. Learn more about SMART goals. Then pick a goal you would like to achieve in the quarter. Map out the tasks necessary to achieve this goal and break those tasks into weeks and days tasks.If you are waiting to start at the start of a quarter- Review your accomplishments and disappointments in the last quarter Pick your top 3 goals for the upcoming quarter Make a vision board for the quarter if you are creative and like having an image to remind you of what you are working towards. (optional) Map out your important events, appointments, and celebrations. Take time off for self-care, family time, friends, refresh, and reflection. Make tasks for your goals and break them up over the time periods, remembering the SMART goals process we talked about earlier.Join me for my plan with me video coming upCheck out my planners that divide the year into quarters.Q1 is coming to an end.The first quarter was difficult, to say the least, with migraines, mental health issues, and more. We’ve made it despite it all. You can find out how my months went by watching my Author wrap-up videos for this year and my book talk videos.
Author wrap up videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAc03sXgAGwFebruary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-kkD7LsgGUMarch is coming soon so subscribe so you don't miss itWhat I accomplished in the first quarter. Got Love Rules to Alpha readers in February A coaching Client Edited and published the writing groups Charity Cookbook you can get your copy here Got my first book off of IngramSparks Did personal and business audits New desk set up Hung with friends a lot and I’m making it a goal to continue to do it all year Launched the Writing buddy program and the Authorworks Creative Mastermind group Asked to review a author tool more on that coming soon so subscribe to my newsletter and keep an eye on my blogs Spring Gardening plan started Learning about my migraines and what might be triggering them Learned a new streaming software for fun and experimental use. I’m currently prewriting, outlining, and plotting my fifth book of the Fire Series[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error]Let’s ring in Q2. Second Quarter planningWhat are my goals for the 2nd quarter Drafting Book five of the Fire Series Fire from Ashes during Camp NaNoWriMo in April Researching Amazon’s Kindle Vella in May for my other pen name Ann Crow More business items Prewriting, outlining, and plotting for July CampHow you can plan with me.Check out the upcoming video on YouTube and mark your calendar
You can also grab a planner and start planning with us check out the planners here
The Ultimate Writers Planner 2023
The Pagan Journal and Planner 2023
And the free Monthly blog tracker
Current Project
I'm prewriting, plotting, and outlining the fifth book in my Fire Series
Fire from Ashes
Nate's story.
Nate is not adjusting well to his civilian life as part owner of Bastion Securities with his friends and former SEAL team. When he’s reluctantly made lead on a new client’s case. He’d much prefer to stay in the shadows. Emily fled Texas and her stalker for the green land of Oz, Seattle, Washington. It seems her stalker has found her again. On the advice of a local detective, she hires Bastion Security to help bring her stalker to justice.
Curious Minds on Curiosity Stream
Leverage Redemption S1
I'm playing Skyrim on Steam
