Oh yes, I am aware of the time.
A few years ago, I began getting up at 5am to write, noting that I needed to write before the day began, and as a way to juggle work, motherhood, and my passion. Honestly, it worked like a charm. I got more done in a single year than I had the previous seven. I need the quiet, those early hours when everything else is still slumbering away.
When my work schedule shifted, however, it threw a wrench into those early a.m. writing sessions. I found I did not have enough time to pursue said passion and with the end of Dark Ember still elusive, I sort of...gave up.
As you can see, I've found more time. I will be getting up at 4a.m. to continue my pursuit of authorhood. Yes, its cutting into my sleep time, but I recall having similar reservations when I joined the 5a.m writers club on Twitter.
This new year will not change everything with the drop of a ball or a peach (shout out to Georgia). I know it will take more than turning the page on a calendar. I have done well, before 2020, with goal setting. So, here are my goals for 2021.
Goal 1: I will complete Dark Ember.
I know. I've been struggling with this for the last several months. The wild thing is that banging out 111,000 words came so easily. I really only began writing Dark Ember in November of 2019. Had I stayed on schedule this year, I would have completed it by summer. Instead....well, I didn't. I have sketched out the ending, though, which I hadn't before. Starting today, I will endeavor to finish this bloody novel so I can move on to other projects.
Which brings me to goal 2.
Goal 2: Edit and self-publish a novel by December 13th, 2021.
-Yep. I've decided to try my hand at self-publishing. A good friend of mine pointed me to an app where I might find a cover designer and editors I can afford, so I'm going for it. My angel novels deserve to see the light of day and if a publisher isn't interested, I'll release it to the masses and see what happens.
Goal 3: Complete a first draft of novel #3.
I'm not sure which novel this will be, my demon-won world/paranormal romance, or Guardian's second novel (The Demon's Genesis) or even a horror novel about paranormal investigators inspired by Ghost Adventures. Who know? But I will get another first draft done before the new year.
On a more personal note....
Goal 4: Lose an additional 40lbs.
For those following me over the last years, I have several medical issues. Most of them are exacerbated by the pounds I've yet to shed. In October, I began a healthy regimen and lost 21lbs before taking a break to enjoy the holidays. I'm back at it today, even on a sprained ankle. (I can't walk in flat shoes, I swear. I'll blame it on my nerve damage from my messy spine)
And finally, Goal 5: Be kinder to myself.
I tend to make a mountain of molehills when it comes to myself. Why is it so easy to forgive others, to show them such grace, but be considerably harder on oneself? I'm determined to change that this year. I deserve forgiveness and grace from myself. I work incredibly hard to be there for my family and to work diligently with my pre-k class. I deserve to be kind to myself, to take breaks when necessary and to understand when I simply can't do any more. I'm a "First up/Last down" kind of gal. Maybe that had something to do with my health issues flaring every now and again.
So, that's it. Those are my goals for this year. I'm speaking them into existence. There are other things I want to do in the roaring 20's, but these will do for now. I hope you all had a safe and wonderful holiday. Its back to the grind now, I know. Hopefully 2021 will be a kinder mistress than the trials we all endured in her predecessor.
Have a wonderful day and check back here for excerpts and updates for my work. I will be posting 3-6 times a week now as I try to stay on with my goals.
Be well,
-C.A.
