by Sarah | Feb 10, 2015 | 500k, Books, Challenge, Goals, Writing
Last year I set some pretty lofty goals for myself, and I’m really happy with where I ended up. I wrote around 535,000 words, published 8 books, and received a contract for 7 more books this year. So while I didn’t reach my 600k goal for 2014, I’m very pleased with how my year went.
2015 has gotten off to a slow, yet super fast start for me. I’ve already had 2 books published with another due in a month (and 5 more at least expected this year, I’m hoping for 8 again, maybe 9). I’ve got some promo events coming up online, and plans to do more promo this year. Yet, I’ve written only 35,000 words so far.
So, I knew it was time to write out my goals and my plans for books to be written this year again. Writing everything down and keeping decent track last year really helped me move forward with my goals in 2014. Here’s hoping doing the same will let me really push off and get moving with 2015!
First, some overall goals to set the tone for the year…
- I’ve challenged myself to write 600,000 words in 2015.
- I will build my audience and work harder at promotion – including tours for my three series during the year.
- I will regain my focus.
- I will detail at least one of the new series I have listed to play with.
- I will decide by July if I’ll continue in Lake Point through 2016.
And next is my list of projects. Right now the list is “small” compared to last year. The list will grow once I work on figuring out what other series I will work on/develop this year. The books in ORANGE are current works-in-progress.
- Free Falling (Holidays in Lake Point 10) – 30k (2,108 done)
- Love for Hire (Holidays in Lake Point 11) – 30k
- Haunted Hearts (Holidays in Lake Point 12) – 30k
- Mistletoe Mixup (Holidays in Lake Point 13) – 30k
- Into a Mirror Darkly (Morgana Chronicles 1) – 100k (~10k done)
- Natural Selection – 40k (27,103 done)
- Switchback (Dominion Falls 6) – 100k
- Dead Man’s Switch (Dominion Falls 7) – 100k
- The Virgin Madam (Dominion Falls 5.5) – 20k (This one is possible, but not definite)
- The Raven (The Tribe #4) – 85k
- The Child (The Tribe #5) – 85k
- Escaping Humanity (Co-authoring w/ Mary Terrani) – 100k (22k done)
I’m not taking it easy on myself this year. I am working on getting more promo out and working the lines, but I still want to get my words. My current goal is to get all of my Lake Point books done early in the year so I can work on everything else without deadlines looming over my head. I’d really like to get the first two books on this list done before the end of February, and the last two by March. Fingers crossed!
by Sarah | Jun 10, 2014 | 500k, Books, Challenge, Changing Tracks, Dark Territory, Derailed, Escaping Humanity, Goals, Holiday, The Tribe, Writing
It’s been a while since I checked in on the 2014 forecast for me and my writing. I meant this as a monthly check-in type of deal and thought maybe I should get back on that. So, months after my last update, let’s see where I am.
So first, the overall goals I’d set – with where I am now.
- I’ve challenged myself to write 600,000 words in 2014. (258,159 C as of 6/8/14 9:53PM)
- I will finish books 4 & 5 of the Dominion Falls series and submit by February 8th – I did submit on 2/17/14 & both books were accepted/contracted. Releases in August’14 and January’15.
- I will fine-tune and perfect Leap (Hidden Senses #.5) for publication. It goes to my editor on July 1st, then to the proofreader.
- I will build my audience and work harder at promotion. I am not doing enough with this. Need to get out more.
- I will find focus (see below), and figure out how to USE it. I am working on this. Some days I do great, others not so much. Call me a work in progress.
And for my list of projects. Items in RED are done. Items in ORANGE are in progress (or progress notes). Items in BLUE are new. Some of the new items are in blue with the progress I’ve made in orange.
- Runaway Train (Dominion Falls 5) – 113k
- Stalled Independence (Lake Point #3) – 35k
- Katherine’s Story (Dominion Falls Prequel) – 48k – Named finally. Independent Brake
- Into a Mirror Darkly (Morgana Chronicles 1) – 100k (~10k done)
- Witch Way (Lake Point #4) – 30k (1k done)
- A Thorough Thanksgiving (Lake Point #5) – 30k
- The Tribe (The Tribe #1) – 85k
- The Wolf (The Tribe #2) – 85k (24395 done)
- Natural Selection – 40k (6921 done)
- Hybrid – unknown…going to do as “Chapters” not full length novel.
- The Dead Past (Dominion Falls 6-temporary name) – 100k
- The Chief (The Tribe #3) – 85k
- The Raven (The Tribe #4) – 85k
- Escaping Humanity (Co-authoring w/ Mary Terrani) – 100k (22k done)
I’m quite certain at this point that I’m forgetting something. I do know that not on the list, but completed is setting an editing schedule with my editor. I’ve also come up with an idea for a new series, but it has to go on hold while I work my way through that crazy list up there.
Overall, I’m happy with my progress. Despite some crazy real life stuff and my typical propensity for distraction, I’ve almost reached the halfway point on my insane 600k goal. I have plenty of stories that are in progress or just need editing. I have ideas ready for next years holidays series, and my brain has not imploded yet. So yay me. 🙂
Seriously, though. I expect items to be added to my list now that I’ve managed to check a few off. First, I need to finish Witch Way, The Wolf, & The Chief before I can seriously contemplate what to add to the list. Once I read the “There’s more red than black/orange” point, I know I have to start thinking toward the future.
So one last goal right now is to adjust and add to all my goals next month, and get The Wolf and Witch Way completed.
(P.S. Having that editing schedule set means a crap ton of books this year, people…seriously, it’s cah-razy).
by Sarah | Mar 3, 2014 | 500k, Books, General, Writing
A few weeks back I wrote a post about the 2014 forecast for me and my writing. I figured now would be a good time for a “where I am now” on those goals and lists. I’ll admit that February didn’t come out quite as I’d hoped, but I still have gotten a bit done in the weeks since I wrote the forecast–and I’ve added some new items, because apparently I didn’t think I’d overwhelmed myself enough.
So first, the overall goals I’d set – with where I am now.
- I’ve challenged myself to write 600,000 words in 2014. (140,975 WC as of 3/2/14 4:40PM)
- I will finish books 4 & 5 of the Dominion Falls series and submit by February 8th – I didn’t get this done by Feb. 8th, but I did get it done. Submission went in February 17th.
- I will fine-tune and perfect Leap (Hidden Senses #.5) for publication. I’m doing one more round of edits, then sending it to the proof-reader.
- I will build my audience and work harder at promotion. I am not doing enough with this. Need to get out more.
- I will find focus (see below), and figure out how to USE it. I had GREAT focus in January, too much in some ways. February, not so much. Hoping March will find me that happy medium.
And for my list of projects. Items in RED are done. Items in ORANGE are in progress (or progress notes). Items in BLUE are new. Some of the new items are in blue with the progress I’ve made in orange.
- Runaway Train (Dominion Falls 5) – 113k
- Stalled Independence (Lake Point #3) – 30k (6348 done)
- Katherine’s Story (Dominion Falls Prequel) – 25k (5329 Done)
- Into a Mirror Darkly (Morgana Chronicles 1) – 100k (~10k done)
- Witch Way (Lake Point #4) – 30k
- A Thorough Thanksgiving (Lake Point #5) – 30k
- The Wolf (The Tribe #1) – 100k
- Natural Selection – 40k (6621 done)
- Hybrid – unknown…going to do as “Chapters” not full length novel.
- The Dead Past (Dominion Falls 6-temporary name) – 100k
- The Chief (The Tribe #2) – 100k
- The Raven (The Tribe #4) – 100k
- Escaping Humanity (Co-authoring w/ Mary Terrani) – 100k (9,002 done)
Surprisingly so far I’ve only added the one story, although I have ideas for more rambling around in my head. I’m pretty happy with what I’ve done so far. I love that I’m already at 140k for the year, but hope to get even further this month, and to finish both Stalled Independence and Katherine’s (as yet unnamed) story.
Overall, my progress is good, but I’d like it to be better. I’d really like to work on building my audience, and I’m hoping my plans for the next few months help me do that.
by Sarah | Dec 31, 2012 | 500k, Books, Challenge, General, Writing, writing tips
A week ago my joy and confidence was bursting forth.
I said that after 2012, I was ready for 2013. I laughed in the face of danger (yup, quoting Lion King here, times are desperate). I told 2013 to “Bring It”.
I made the monumental and overwhelming decision to join the 500k in 2013 writing challenge.
In brief it doesn’t look so bad. 1370 words/day? Easy peasy.
500k? Holy cow what was I thinking?
Then a couple of days ago my confidence was squashed under a thumb and my muse got grumpy and I got grumpy and I pretended the challenge wasn’t real.
My confidence is still a little shaky, but I am determined to work through it. I have my new series to work on, and with 500k staring me in the face I could write 5 books in the series with that much playroom.
It’s a lofty goal that I’m certain I could accomplish if I got in “the zone”. After all about 3 years ago I wrote about 500k in 4 months time when I really got into my stories.
So off I go. Send caffeine, chocolate, and prayers for my sanity.
Because if the 500k doesn’t make me insane – my characters’ trauma drama will!!
