It's that time again.
That time when I take out my (rather dirty and dusty) crystal ball and try to peer into the future to see what 2014 holds for me. It's time to figure out exactly what I want to get done, and what goals I need to set for myself.
Last year was a pretty good year as far as achieving goals went. I didn't manage to get Scrawling out on time, but one month late isn't too bad. But I did get my detective novel through two rewrites, which meant that was a big tick. And on top of that, I got a couple of bonuses by signing two publishing contracts. So all in all, a definite win year.
So now I need to see how I can continue that momentum.
The first thing I can say for sure is there won't be a new Neville story. After putting out three, and two of them in the last two years, I think Neville is definitely ready for a rest. And given the bizarre stuff he tends to get involved with, I'm sure he'll be grateful.
Here then is my planned list of goals for the year:
That time when I take out my (rather dirty and dusty) crystal ball and try to peer into the future to see what 2014 holds for me. It's time to figure out exactly what I want to get done, and what goals I need to set for myself.
Last year was a pretty good year as far as achieving goals went. I didn't manage to get Scrawling out on time, but one month late isn't too bad. But I did get my detective novel through two rewrites, which meant that was a big tick. And on top of that, I got a couple of bonuses by signing two publishing contracts. So all in all, a definite win year.
So now I need to see how I can continue that momentum.
The first thing I can say for sure is there won't be a new Neville story. After putting out three, and two of them in the last two years, I think Neville is definitely ready for a rest. And given the bizarre stuff he tends to get involved with, I'm sure he'll be grateful.
Here then is my planned list of goals for the year:
- Obviously get both of the books through publishers out and on the shelves. Thomas and the Tiger Turtle will be out in May. Still don't have a (re-)release date for Magnus Opum yet but hopefully it's not far away.
- Keep working on the detective story. I'd really like to have it edited and in publish-ready shape by the end of the year.
- I think I'd like to go back to my other novel in progress - it's kind of a MG/YA fantasy story, but as usual with me it's quite hard to pigeon-hole. I completed a first draft in 2012 and hopefully will get a chance to redraft it substantially. I'd like to see it in the same state by the end of this year as the detective story is now - and believe me it needs a lot of work.
- Would love to see if I can get another picture book out there. Will dip into my file to see what either of the publishers might be interested in. I might see if I can write another one or two.
- I have this idea for a time travel dinosaur story. It could work as a kind of companion peace for Flidderbugs. Not sure if I'll have time to get onto this but it would be good to at least make a start.
Wish me luck.
