Happy New Year!
It’s the first full week of 2020, and I want to encourage you to take a look at your writing, editing, and publishing goals for the year. Then ask yourself:
Are these goals or wishes?
Every year I see writers mistakes wishes for goals:
* Get an agent
* Sign a publishing contract
* Make $XXX writing
The problem with these “goals” is that the writer has no control over them.
* You can’t make an agent represent you (without breaking a
few laws)
* You can’t force a publisher to offer you a contract
* You can’t make anyone hire you
When you mistake wishes like these for goals, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, look for things you can control. For example, in 2019 you queried twelve agents, submitted to eight publishers, and made $5,000 selling short stories. For 2020, your goals might look something like this:
* Query twelve different agents
* Submit to eight different publishers
* Got to a conference to meet at least two agents and one publisher
* Submit 10% more short stories than last year
* Only accept writing gigs that pay $XXX/story
These are goals you can achieve because YOU are the one in control.
What goals have you set for 2020? What do you wish for in the new year?
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