Here’s what I’m planning to achieve writing-wise in 2015. They’re divided into four categories:
1) Writing
I’m aiming to write (first drafts of) five novels this year which at about 65,000 each should be 300,000. I did my second Nanowrimo in 2014 and the end of the month deadline worked well for me, so I’m harnessing the competitive, deadline-driven part of me and I’ll draft a novel roughly every other month, by the end of the chosen month. The alternate months will be for editing (see below) and promotion of published books. I will continue to blog, as and when the need or the thought arises. It’s tempting since I wrote approx 476,000 words in 2014 to set myself a higher target for 2015, however I’m back at college, studying in 2015 so I physically won’t have as much time for writing, so I’m sticking with 300,000 target. Although I have effectively gained ½ - ¾ of a day a week as I’m no longer looking after Great Auntie, the college time will more than make up for that. If I fail, I won’t be too hard on myself as I exceeded my 2014 target so I’ve got a sort of buffer of words averaged over the two years.
If anyone would like a blank spreadsheet I use to record my word count each week, which automatically adds up the different categories and gives you a running total you can compare to a target you set yourself, get in touch through the contacts page and I'll send it over.
2) Editing
As I wrote wrote wrote in 2014 I now have a bit of a backlog of self editing to complete: Kev 1,2,3 and Glitzy Gay Saga.
So my plan this year is to do a bit more editing as I go along, rather than leaving it too long. I like to leave time between first draft and self edit, but I’ll try for 1-2 months after, so I shouldn’t have a backlog again.
3) Engaging
Local groups
Conferences
Social media
I enjoy social media. As someone once said to me, ‘social media, is you, online’ which is marvellous. What I struggle with is balancing how much time it takes, with all the other demands I have on my time. I’ve met some wonderful people through social media, and it’s a great way to connect with other authors and readers. I’m currently on facebook and twitter as Liam Livings, and am debating whether to join any other platforms. Hootesuite is great at managing things in one place, but for the moment I think I’ll leave it with those two, and my blog. There’s instagram, Pinterest, google plus, linkedin, goodreads, I could go on...but I won’t. I’ve had mixed messages about Goodreads, that it’s for readers and not authors, that I must have a profile there, that I shouldn’t, and honestly who knows. Sometimes I find all the different social media platforms a bit over-whelming, so I’d prefer to stick with the two I currently use, along with my blog, and use them well, but in a managed way, so it doesn’t take up too much time from real life/writing.
I will continue with my current social media engagement, blogging as and when required, and look into setting up an Amazon author page, and Goodreads account, and I’ll take it from there.
Othering
Have you set your goals for 2015? Or do you play it by ear?
Until next time,
Liam Livings xx
- Writing
- Editing
- Engaging: local groups; conferences; social media
- Othering
1) Writing
I’m aiming to write (first drafts of) five novels this year which at about 65,000 each should be 300,000. I did my second Nanowrimo in 2014 and the end of the month deadline worked well for me, so I’m harnessing the competitive, deadline-driven part of me and I’ll draft a novel roughly every other month, by the end of the chosen month. The alternate months will be for editing (see below) and promotion of published books. I will continue to blog, as and when the need or the thought arises. It’s tempting since I wrote approx 476,000 words in 2014 to set myself a higher target for 2015, however I’m back at college, studying in 2015 so I physically won’t have as much time for writing, so I’m sticking with 300,000 target. Although I have effectively gained ½ - ¾ of a day a week as I’m no longer looking after Great Auntie, the college time will more than make up for that. If I fail, I won’t be too hard on myself as I exceeded my 2014 target so I’ve got a sort of buffer of words averaged over the two years.
If anyone would like a blank spreadsheet I use to record my word count each week, which automatically adds up the different categories and gives you a running total you can compare to a target you set yourself, get in touch through the contacts page and I'll send it over.
2) Editing
As I wrote wrote wrote in 2014 I now have a bit of a backlog of self editing to complete: Kev 1,2,3 and Glitzy Gay Saga.
So my plan this year is to do a bit more editing as I go along, rather than leaving it too long. I like to leave time between first draft and self edit, but I’ll try for 1-2 months after, so I shouldn’t have a backlog again.
3) Engaging
Local groups
- Contribute to running Waltham Abbey Writers, with Jean Fullerton and Victoria Robertson.
- Continue to attend the RNA London and SE chapter meetings when I can. I find these really valuable for networking and learning from other authors.
Conferences
- I will attend and help to plan the UK Meet 2015 in Bristol, doing my best to social media and market it all over the place.
- I’ll attend the July RNA Conference in London.
- I’ll attend the Purbeck Literary Festival with Charlie Cochrane and Clare London.
- I’ll attend a New Forest writing retreat in February to focus on some elements of these goals.
Social media
I enjoy social media. As someone once said to me, ‘social media, is you, online’ which is marvellous. What I struggle with is balancing how much time it takes, with all the other demands I have on my time. I’ve met some wonderful people through social media, and it’s a great way to connect with other authors and readers. I’m currently on facebook and twitter as Liam Livings, and am debating whether to join any other platforms. Hootesuite is great at managing things in one place, but for the moment I think I’ll leave it with those two, and my blog. There’s instagram, Pinterest, google plus, linkedin, goodreads, I could go on...but I won’t. I’ve had mixed messages about Goodreads, that it’s for readers and not authors, that I must have a profile there, that I shouldn’t, and honestly who knows. Sometimes I find all the different social media platforms a bit over-whelming, so I’d prefer to stick with the two I currently use, along with my blog, and use them well, but in a managed way, so it doesn’t take up too much time from real life/writing.
I will continue with my current social media engagement, blogging as and when required, and look into setting up an Amazon author page, and Goodreads account, and I’ll take it from there.
Othering
- I will continue to be a reader for the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme. I think this is a fabulous member benefit and I’m glad to be able to help with it.
- I’ll sort out branding/strapline/logo for Liam Livings. I didn’t want to do this straight away, until I had a few published books under my belt, but 2015 feels like the right time to look at it. As a marketing professional I know the temptation to over-think this, it’s been on my to think about list for a while, so now it’s on the to do list.
- Linked to this, I will explore options of other marketing support/ services I could provide to authors/publishers.
Have you set your goals for 2015? Or do you play it by ear?
Until next time,
Liam Livings xx
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