My Big Fat Untitled Post

Happy 2016!

You know everything you didn't get done in December? It's all still hanging around.

How well did you do at meeting your goals for last year?

I did fair--I give myself a C.

I accomplished all my small goals, and by a bug's breath, I read the number of books I'd goaled for the year. This number is embarrassingly tiny for a writer, so I'm not sharing. I'm still way behind, so my TBR list isn't shrinking any time soon.

I could've done better with my walking/exercising goal, but I'm ahead of where I was last year, so I'm happy.

I did not get a newsletter going.

Nor did I complete the drafting of my trilogy project. Two books are done, so only the third one remains to complete.

I did get a better grip on restoring some balance to my life. Not much, but every bit helps.

In 2016 I have fewer small goals, but my large goals are just as intense and more immediate:

 1. Find my Forever Editor.

For reasons beyond my control, none of my previous editors have edited more than one of my books. I need and want to find my Forever Editor. During the last year, I've collected about a dozen names, some of whom I'm pretty sure I can't afford. 

If you know of or have used a really awesome developmental and line editor who is familiar with trilogies and the broad mystery and romance genres, and you would like to share his or her name with me, I would be most appreciative. You may do so in the comments, by email at tikihuttimeATgmailDOTcom, or by messaging me on Facebook or Twitter.

 2. Get Book #2 to my critique partner, which involves reading and making changes I know are needed for it to make sense.

 3. Draft Book #3

 4. Create a marketing and promotion plan for the trilogy.

 5. Start a newsletter.

 6. Publish Book #1. Those of you who are writers, traditionally published or indie, know all the steps this involves.

 7. Read a minimum of [BLANK] books. Still not telling you this pitiful number because it's the same as 2015.

 8. Blog

 9. Walk and/or exercise daily for a minimum of 30 minutes.

10. Have a Real Life. This includes taking off one day a week.

That's it. Ten little items. Doesn't sound like much. But for me it is. I'll have to stay focused. Think Windex will help?

What are some of your goals for 2016?

Wonder why I'm sharing my goals here? Publicly? Writing them down makes them real. Sharing them makes me accountable. I may need that extra push come the fall. Or maybe even next week! Sad, but true.

There's another reason, too.

For the first few months of the year, my blogging routine is changing again. Here's my plan.

January: I will respond to your comments here on the blog, but I won't be around to visit your blog. I know how selfish that is, and I apologize. I have to get a running start on Book #3.

February: Will likely be a repeat of January with probably only an update post from me as to where I am. Or something else entirely.

March: I hope to be back to a real blog and visiting yours in March. As long as I'm at the middle or more of the third book by this point, I will be. Otherwise, no.

Since I won't be reciprocating with a visit and a comment on your blog, do not feel compelled to leave a comment on this post or the one in February. I debated with myself about turning comments off, but decided to leave them on. I'm crossing my fingers that you'll leave me some fantastic editor recommendations.

April: You'll all be busy with A-Z. April at the Tiki Hut will be a blog-free zone.

May: In the words of Arnold--I'll be back. We're gonna rock 'n roll!

There you have it. All my writerly angst hanging out to dry.

Also during this time, I'm going to clean up around here. I'll start by a long-overdue scrubbing of the blog rolls. If I haven't heard from you here or on other social media in the last year or so, your blog link will be deleted. If you lurk, that's fine - I'm happy you still drop by and read. It's just that I don't know you've been here. Contact me by any method outlined above, and I'll leave your link on.

I'll be making a few other changes during the year, but the scrubbing is probably the only thing I'll get done before I'm back in the spring.

I feel as if I've forgotten to tell you something, but I'm not sure what. Don't be surprised to see updates here or in my February post.

Wishing all of you a fun and productive year.

If you want to know what kind of progress I'm making, check back on Monday, February 1.

Hugs to all!