New Resolutions

The Smashwords Year End Sale ends today. All of my e-books are 50% off for a few hours more. My catalog with them is here, and Lucy D. Ford’s books are here. Get them while they’re on sale!

Resolutions. Love them or hate them? No blame on anyone who doesn’t keep them and then feels bad. For me, I find resolutions helpful. They give me a target to aim at. Otherwise, I can just write story after story and never do anything with them.

Rules. The resolutions have to be something that I, myself, can control. So rather than vow to sell stories, a decision that is not up to me, I vow to submit them. This way I don’t unnecessarily set myself up for failure.

Resolution 1: Publish the second part of Cleodora. This work is already complete and the first part (Acorn Canyon) has been published. Bringing out part 2 (Willow Lake) in May seems like a pretty straightforward goal.

Resolution 2: Host Queen Titania’s Court in June. This is always very fun, although I noticed a drop in participation last year. That makes this one something to strive for.

Resolution 3: Write 3 short stories and submit each one to three or more markets. This is one of my perennial goals. While I’m between novels, I keep myself going with short work. In fact, I’m already working on one that I know I won’t finish until probably mid-January. (That almost feels like cheating.)

Resolution 4: Make three or more personal appearances to support my writing. As a push goal, be present in the Dealer’s Room or Artist Alley at one event. I won’t resolve to be an Author Guest of Honor again (that comes under the category of things that aren’t my decision). On the other hand, I will be attending the World Science Fiction Convention in August. If I can be on programs there, I’m going to give myself bonus points.

Resolution 5: Project X. I like to publish every six months, in May and November, However, I don’t have a clear idea what my November project will be this year. I have some longer short stories/novelettes that I could combine in some form. I don’t know what it might be yet, hence “Project X.”

If you’ve read my blog in the past few months, you’ll be aware how the last election really threw me off my stride. I’m sure this is why I’m confused about “Project X.” I trust I’ll get re-oriented and come up with something by next fall. I’m a creative person, after all.

What goals will you set for yourself in 2025? Comment to share your thoughts!

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