Snowflake challenge #4: goals

[green]

Since this is the start of a new year, this challenge will be to set your own goals!

* My biggest (and possibly easiest if I keep up with the others) writing goal for the year is to write 150k words, and I'm keeping track of that and getting help with it through getyourwordsout

* Finish WIPs: Woo Me Harder, Tiny Alpha and A Cup of Living Gold for sure. I have a few others but those are most important.

* Write more flashfic! It feels like I've forgotten how to write short things. But I can do it! I've done it before and I'll do it again. Helpful with this are fan_flashworks and Year of the OTP on Tumblr

* Move more. I don't have specifics on this one, which will make it harder to fulfill, but even if it's just going outside and walking around the yard, I should definitely move more. Maybe I can talk my mother into letting us get another dog.

* Reach out to loved ones (family and friends, too) more often. I've been trying to text my son first instead of waiting until he texts or calls me. I'm usually worried he's too busy (he's in trade school and holding down a job, too) but a text won't throw him off.

And the hardest one:

* Look over the editing notes I got back on my book. I did write a book like two years ago, and sent it to a writer who knows her shit, but once I got the notes back I did not even look at them. To be honest, I'm kinda scared to.
If my book is good and salvageable, that means a lot of damn work, after editing, to get it published and marketing it. (It's M/M and is supposed to be self-published eventually) The marketing part is what I'm most scared about. I'm getting anxious right now just thinking about it. I get amazingly horrible panic and anxiety, on top of a lot of other things.
If my book is NOT good, if I look at the notes and see so much work I'd be better off starting from scratch, then... that'd be kinda okay. SO I guess more than anything I have a fear of success and what it might take to succeed. lolsob

Comments

[prisca]

Writing short fan fiction is so much fun. People often think that it is easier than doing the long stuff, but I can't agree with that. Telling a whole story with a limited number of words can get tricky sometimes. Good luck with your goal.

[green]

Thank you! It is definitely harder for me to write the short stuff. <333

[sarajayechan]

Those are some good goals. Good luck with them!

[green]

Thank you!

[shipperslist]

Reaching out can feel scary but I've found that as it becomes more of a routine, it also becomes easier. 💜

There are quite a lot of publishing authors in the fanfic circles, would asking them for advice about the marketing and publishing stuff help?

[green]

Having friends who self-publish and market their own stuff actually made my anxiety worse because now I know how much goes into it lol

[shipperslist]

Ah. I was thinking about those who don't self-publish... But yes. I get it. Lol indeed.

[green]

There are those who use indie presses to publish with, but their marketing budgets aren't that huge, either. And publishers expect writers to do much of their own marketing, too, even the big ones. There's a lot I can't do due to family obligations so even the fun stuff like taking a trip and going to book/publishing fairs or doing signings at bookstores is kinda out. Maybe one day? Once I get a better handle on my brain and my life.

[shipperslist]

Ah. Understandable. 💜

[flamingsword]

If you have a fear of success, that’s one thing, and I’m not qualified to help with that since I don’t have it. But being afraid to pour a bunch of work into something that may never see the light of day? That’s legit!

Every place you’re spending energy is something else that you’re not spending it on, and a lot of us were taught that the things we want are silly and to be prioritized after other people’s wants. I am still in the process of learning how to recognize the things I want and take steps towards them. That shit’s hard. And I’m having to fight my training to believe my needs are less important/ a bother at the same time, which it sounds like you also have some of, too.

But it’s good for you to fight the internalized oppression and emotional neglect that we’re taught to give ourselves, so I’m rooting for you to write the book anyway. Good luck!

[green]

Thank you so much!

[wearing_tearing]

Good luck with your goals! Fingers crossed for another dog :D

[green]

Thank you! I wasn't clear in the post, but my Greta passed away 2 years ago and we haven't gotten a new dog yet. I find myself moving a LOT less without a canine friend to exercise with.

[wearing_tearing]

Aaaww, I'm sorry :( I feel like pets always motive us to do more stuff: exercise, go out, try new things <3

[smallhobbit]

I'm a big fan of fan_flashworks. And I fully get about not wanting to disturb the person you're contacting - daughter is a paramedic and I never know if she's working/sleeping.

[green]

I called him today (after texting to make sure it was a good time)! It was great to talk to him. So these goals are working well. :D A paramedic! You must be super proud of her. :D

[lunabee34]

Cheerleads!

[green]

Thank youuuu

[silveradept]

Good luck on your goals. Hopefully the notes are good and the book is salvageable.

For short form and flash fic, consider threesentenceficathon when it starts up this year? There's a frenzy of possible prompts and a three sentence (ish) maximum for fills.

[green]

Thank you!

I might try the 3 sentence thing, but it doesn't really sound like something I'd enjoy. But I'll check it out.

[silveradept]

Okay. I'd you don't like it, don't do it. There's plenty of other enjoyable things around.

[tsuki_no_bara]

good luck with the words! you can do it! (especially if you finish the wips or start new fics and get into flashfic.)

even if all you do is walk around the yard you're still walking outside which is not nothing.

[green]

Cindy I haven't seen you in FOREVER, it's great to seeeee you. *hug*

Thank you for the encouragement. :D

[tsuki_no_bara]

greeeeen! :D i haven't been around but that is going to CHANGE.