Looking Ahead To 2011
Posted by Jessica on January 3, 2011
OK, I have a confession to make. I am possibly the world’s worst when it comes to keeping New Year’s resolutions. Oh, I start out all worthy and well-intentioned, but it’s never long — barely beyond March — before the excuses and prevarications set in. After all, I tell myself, the resolutions I made were only a rough guide, not set in stone. Will the sky really come crashing down on my head if I don’t meet them? Especially since it isn’t as if anyone else sticks to theirs either. Nowadays, I steer pretty clear of the whole New Year’s resolution tradition, although this year I have set myself a couple of general goals.
On the professional front, I really want to get a handle on the whole self promotion thing. I’m just not good when it comes to selling myself and my novels, but I know I have to get past my reserve and go for it, beginning with becoming a more committed blogger, hence my new, revamped blog. I also need to finally get around to setting up a Twitter account, and be more proactive when it comes to my Facebook page. If I get cracking on this right away, when my second novel is released later this year, I’m hoping I’ll reap the reward for my pains.
On a personal level, I’m going to try and be less of the reclusive writer, and make more time for my friends, both off and online. I’m also going to make a concerted effort to lead a healthier lifestyle, not from a weight point of view, but in terms of general fitness and wellbeing. Frankly, I’m sick to the back teeth of waking up every morning feeling as though I’ve hardly slept, and then falling asleep in front of the telly every evening. Fingers crossed, if I steel myself against the ever present temptation of Madagascan vanilla ice-cream and treacle sponge, and force down my eight glasses of water a day, I’ll have more energy to devote to my other resolutions. That’s the plan, anyway.
Right, those are my goals, now I’d love to hear yours. Is there anything in particular you’d like to achieve this year, either at work or in your personal life? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to do for ages, and you’ve decided this is the time to make it happen. Whatever your goals, though, I wish you all the success and happiness in the world for 2011.
Joy said,
Jess,
All the things you’re thinking of doing will help on the book marketing front. It was hard for me too to step out and sell myself and my product. Dunno how well I’ve done so far, but I’ll keep at it. Wishing you success in all your endeavours this year. Which will be your next novel?
Jessica said,
Thanks so much, Joy. I don’t think any of us realise just how challenging it will be to promote ourselves until we actually have to do it. Still, practice makes perfect, right?
Probably my next novel will be the one I’m working on as part of a series with some of my fellow Red Rose authors. We’re each writing a novel based on a reality TV series, and I’m centring mine around talent shows like American Idol and The X Factor. I’m having an absolute blast writing it, so I can only hope people will have as much fun reading it.
Erin Aslin said,
It’s a very interesting topic, Joy! Setting goals is a great idea, but do we really need a New Year resolution to start doing what we really want to do ? As for me, I usually start my “resolution” right away, not waiting for the next Monday, New Year or any other such an “occasion”. Is it always working? Well, not really. Sometimes, before getting with my new goals, I have to first quit doing what is standing on the way – which could be considered a goal itself – bad habit, inadequate regime, addictive way of thinking – you name it, I’ve done it Are those goals of mine all written in stone? Of course not, but here’s the trick – it doesn’t matter what and where they’re written as long as that’s what you want to do.
Jessica said,
So true, Erin. If it’s something we really want to do, there’s no sense in putting it off until January 1st. All the new year does, I think, is provide us with the proverbial clean slate, which can often spur us on to finally bite the bullet and take the plunge. Wow, I do love mixing metaphors!
Tina DC Hayes said,
Hi Jessica,
I didn’t know ‘treacle’ was a real food! I thought it was a magical food Mrs Rowling made up for Harry Potter
Good luck on your goals for 2011.
Jessica said,
What? You’ve never had treacle tart? Seriously, you don’t know what you’ve been missing! Guess it must be quite a British thing, huh?
Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by, Tina, and I wish you a ton of writing success for 2011.
Nancy Lee Badger said,
I resolve to finish my work-in-progress and send it out to agents and editors. I resolve to keep promoting my 4 e-books that came out in 2010. I resolve to help newbie authors in any way that I can. Keep blogging!Feel free to ‘friend me’ on Facebook. I am listed as Nancy Lee Badger.
Jessica said,
I second all those resolutions whole-heartedly, Nancy, and wish you the best of luck in everything you do.
Jocelyn Devon said,
My goals for this year is to finish one novel and submit it. I also want to finish a short story and submit it.Good luck on your goals and remember if you need any help I’m here girlfriend.
Jessica said,
Thanks so much, Jocelyn. The same goes for you, and I wish you the best of luck with all you do this year.
Viola Russell said,
I take voluminous notes before I write. I don’t write dialogue, but I do extensive note-taking on what will happen during a scene. I never rfeally stop writing, not even during the holidays. for example, I was in Liverpool during Thanksgiving, but I still took notes on my new manuscript in coffee shops or at dinner.
Jessica said,
I’m just the same, Viola. Even when I am having a break from writing, I’m always thinking about the next project. There’s been many a time around the dinner table when I’ve completely lost track of a conversation because I’ve been trying to iron out a tricky plot detail. Lol.
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