Clean Slate

It has taken me two weeks to settle into a new routine. I spent A LOT of time – too much, probably – thinking, strategizing, planning, scheduling, rescheduling – and I think I have my projects set for 2019.

Most of last year was spent revising my book. Sporadically, mind you, and I think the last time I worked on it was…November? Is it bad that I don’t remember?

I wrote a few new stories last year. Never enough, so that’s my goal this year. More stories, more books, more flash fiction.

To that end, I’m a few months into using the money I was awarded from the HWA Scholarship. So far, I’ve taken 2 writing workshops, purchased some text books for the next class I’ll be taking, Advanced Creative Writing with Richard Thomas.

I just finished his Short Story Mechanics class in December. Wow! What an eye-opener. Read some great stories in class and the skills I learned have given me a new perspective on those stories I wrote last year.

All were rejected from the markets I submitted them to and now I see why. Using Richard’s tips, I went back to one particular story to rework it, read the first 5 pages and realized I should cut them all.

SO I WILL.

I’m not going to be too precious with words that don’t suit any given story. Not be to precious about things that aren’t beneficial to me.

I think that should use that mindset as my motto for 2019. What do you think? Which hashtag should I use?
#BeFierce
#GoForBroke
#Savage 🙂

So here are my ambitious plans for the year:

• Finish my book
• Find an agent
• Write 6 new short stories
• Write monthly flash fiction
• Outline & write a novella trilogy

Doable? I think so! At the very least, I’m going to try!

If you want to get in on the action, you should check out my Patreon page. That is where I’ll be posting the monthly flash fiction, story extras (interesting tidbits, character profiles, etc), and share some secrets on what that novella trilogy is all about.

I’ve reworked the reward tiers so everyone receives ALL perks for a $1 donation. $2 gets you Early Access to all posts. And $5 gets you an ebook at the end of the year with all the stories I publish throughout the year. My first GOAL is to raise a monthly support of $100, and then I will publish a print chapbook of all my stories for every patron!

I will also be featuring an exclusive offer tomorrow – so stay tuned to my Twitter feed & Instagram for details!