New Year's Plans

I don’t make resolutions, but I do make plans. Lots of them. And then promptly hate that I have a plan to follow or that I need a plan or that I forgot about my plan and am now behind.

But, for 2017, I am determined not to fall behind, especially writing-wise. And this time, my plan is helping me deal with the angst of waiting. Because I have a few submissions out with editors and agents and I’ve been hearing from them—they want more, they’ll get back to me, etc. Which is great, but makes me want to check my in-box a bazillion times a day.

And if I did that, I’d get nothing else done.

So, like Ana mentioned last week, I’m sticking with my old writing habit of writing 1,000 words a day. They’re not always good words—quite frankly, I can’t wait to get to the editing phase so I can get rid of many of them—and sometimes those words consist of reminders to myself for when I go back and edit. But they’re words taking up a blank page and this past week, I wrote every day that my kids were in school.

I’m working harder on marketing my existing books, and taking advantage of select opportunities that I think will be effective. So I’ve sent marketing materials to Night Owl Reviews, which will be mailing them out to their readers. And I’m hoping to participate in some sort of a review opportunity to try to increase the number of Amazon reviews for my books. I’m sure there will be other things as well.

I hope to have some good news to post in the next month or two. If not, or maybe even in addition, I have a manuscript that I am thinking of self-publishing. It will require a huge learning curve on my part, because I want to do it right and professionally. Luckily, I have several people who have done just that and are willing to help me. So while I’m still in the “wait and see” mode, I’m getting ideas together. Because it’s been a while since I’ve published anything and I need to get something (and not just any old something, but something good) out there so readers don’t completely forget about me.

I’m trying to be more strategic in my social media posting and my blogs. Speaking of blogs, Heroines with Hearts is moving to each of us publishing once a month rather than once a week. So Ana was last week, I’m this week, Paula is next week and Debra is the following one. And then we repeat. And if there’s any writing subject you’re particularly interested in, let us know. We’re always looking for new ideas.

In the meantime, I’m plugging away, and hoping for news to share soon. Hoping your 2017 is off to a great starts and that whether you’ve set yourself a goal, made yourself a resolution, or are just taking things one day at a time, you are successful in whatever you do!

~Jen