This week, I’m going to be focusing on my top three priorities for the rest of the year. Not only is this helping me focus, but it’s holding me accountable. I need to keep these areas in the forefront of my mind.
Onward, dear reader, into the main event.
Publishing
It shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that publishing is one of my three top priorities for the rest of the year.
At the time of writing, I’ve just released The Mother of Prophecy, a prequel origin story for The Adventures of Eddie Skillen series. That’s the first story I’ve published this year.
My self-imposed deadlines (which’re going to stay very private for now), mean that I will publish books one and two by the end of the year.
The Kingdom of Vassnia is the first in the series, and that’s already been through a few rounds of editing.
The next stage of that is to get it Beta read and go through any feedback. The Witches of Shaeram, book two, has been first drafted, so over the next few months, I’m going to be working on my initial edits, ready for the end of 2023.
However, it’s not just book publishing.
I want to keep blogging. This style of writing is my way of sharing the inner thoughts, without the stress that comes with talking to people in real life. It’s kind of therapeutic for me, and because of that, I want to keep going with this series.
Of course, books are my major priority, but this helps keep me on a level playing field.
Newsletter community
Leading on from the blogging comes the newsletter community. The second of my three priorities for the year is to create a thriving group of wonderful readers who I can get to know over the next few weeks, months and hopefully, years.
I’m not good with social media, I’ll admit that now. The overwhelm of trying to take the perfect photo or dance to a tune, not for me. I have Instagram, but it’s not my focus.
No, the newsletter world is where I’m at. It’s my favourite way of getting to know readers, and other authors, and in my opinion, is one of the easiest ways to find people who love the same things as me.
It also helps ease the anxiety that comes with connecting with new people. In real life, I’m introverted, and I love my own company. But with books, I’m all in.
Want to talk about your favourite Chosen One book series? I’m with you.
Thinking about starting in a new genre and want to talk through plot ideas. All over that.
You get where I’m going with this, right? Newsletters are my jam, and I hope to see you over on mine soon.
Shameless, I know, but let me have it.
Creative consistency
For the longest time, I’ve had an issue with creating a consistent routine for my creativity. Sometimes I’ll go for a week without creating something, other times I’ll have so many ideas it’s a struggle to see the end goal.
So, for the rest of the year, I want to focus on creative consistency.
I’ve already started implementing that, and all credit goes to Dan and Sam over at the Activated Authors.
I’ve been part of the community for nearly six months now, and I can’t see myself leaving. When I was creating alone, I’d sit at sporadic hours, working with just the voices in my head for company.
Now thought, I have regular times each week where I meet, via Zoom, with like-minded individuals who’re all there for the same thing, creativity and taking their careers to the next level.
That consistency means I can plan what I need to do at the start of the week, and give myself clear objectives and goals, ready for those sprints.
So there we have it, my top three priorities for the rest of the year. I hope that’s given you some insight into what goes on in the life of an author.
Now, it’s over to you. Whether it’s business or personal life, what are the three things you want to focus on this year? Is it more time for yourself, focusing on learning a new skill, or travelling to somewhere you’ve never been before?
I’d love to hear from you, so make sure you let me know in the comments below. Or you can sign up to my free author newsletter and give me a shout over there.
Speak to you soon!
Robyn.
