My 2024 Writer Goals – DA’s Treasure Map

I was giving myself a hard time about being unproductive until I worked on this post. It happens that way for me sometimes, although some would argue it is more than sometimes… but that is another post. Generally speaking, I don’t realize just how far I’ve come until I look back on where I came from. So, I’m going to tell future me right here and now… I’m proud of you and so glad you kept moving even if it was two steps forward and one step back most of the way.

I did pretty well putting my theme word into play last year, so I hope that this year’s word expands on all the great groundwork I’ve put in place. I was very deliberate in my choices, learned to place boundaries, and aligned with like-minded creatives on the same path as me. It has been a great process and I have learned a ton about myself.

For any of you who are interested in checking out last year’s post, you can find it here. In summary, I chose “Alignment” as my 2022 word, and “Deliberate” as my 2023 word, and last year’s post mentions my thought that my goals weren’t met in 2022 because I was focusing more on aligning with my purpose and passion. Here is the thing, it paid off but it took both years for me to get to where I wanted to be, since it took both aligning with the right things and being deliberate about where I spend my energy to prepare me for this level-up. Now, I am so very ready! Let’s do this 2024!

I spent more time in my head, less time on social, and spent focused hours wrapping up loose ends that I feel responsible for. (Still working on that if I’m honest). I backed off trying to control things I can’t because of personalities I am unable to gel with and learned to give myself grace for things I can control but need to ask for help on. I need to rely on others more… perhaps a life lesson? and I paid more attention to the signs from the Universe, a little woo-woo for some perhaps, but I believe being more in touch with signs and my Muse has led me to a really good place. Also, more time with family and friends was a given, and I hope to do much more of that in 2024. It is, by far, the most important thing for me to focus on moving forward, other than my writing.

I trimmed the fat, got down to business, and kept the word “deliberate” in clear view both at home and at my day job. Literally, I had it written on a post-it note. It reminded me daily to keep true to myself and boundaries were a huge part of that for me. For this year’s word, my mind keeps going back to “Year Of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes. If you haven’t read it and you are creative, I highly recommend it. The premise that she said yes to every opportunity that came her way, which in turn linked her to the success she enjoys today, is truly inspiring.

While I am not quite ready to commit to saying yes to everything that comes my way, I have been putting into practice saying yes to things that align with my ultimate goal, which sometimes include things I would have never considered before. Submitting to a literary journal, participating in a live reading, and being a guest on a podcast were just a few things I got out of my own way on. I am looking at these as “stretch goals” and I can’t believe some of the opportunities that have come my way just by being open to them. I am so thankful for some of my friends who dragged me along, sometimes kicking and screaming… you know who you are. I am firmly convinced now that 2024 needs to reach beyond what is comfortable for me, and closer to a leap of faith than ever before.

2024 will be a year of more of that, really focusing on the next stage for me. The level up. I am closing the doors on my Presidency of GDRW, lowering my own expectations to what is humanly possible for me to do in a day (I’m not as young as I used to be), and getting off the fence on old projects by either finishing them or moving on. I’ll be focusing my attention and getting down to business, purposefully moving forward with my end goal always in sight! Thinking long and hard about the things I’m saying yes and no to are a big part of that and was a hard lesson to learn over the past couple of years. In a world where it is so easy to lose your relevance, it is my goal to stay the course and focus on creating, doubling down on what makes my voice so special. I think keeping my Muse in mind and doing what makes me happy will be the key. The word “Joy” is pretty much the perfect word for me at this point, seeking it, spreading it, feeling it. I’m so excited for 2024!

This word will be perfect for me this year. Bottom-line if it doesn’t bring me Joy, I’m not doing it. That was really what last year’s word was all about. I was deliberate with the amount of time I did have, but just didn’t have enough time to do ALL the things I had planned. 2024 is most likely going to be the year of creativity for me since I will have a handful of things off my plate and will have more time to spend on projects (theoretically). I still want to try new things and do away with the things that don’t make me happy. That might mean less interaction on social platforms, maybe even less engagement, and more time in my head with my characters. No more spreading my creative self too thin, I am going to focus on creating my future author business and building a backlist. I would also like to dabble in audiobooks, how-to videos, and perhaps a non-fiction offering. More to come on those projects if they see the light of day.

So here is where I am right now for future goals:

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DA’s 2024 Writer-Do List

Finalize Book 1 of Supernatural Mystery series as I finish Book 2

Research and Outline Books 3 and 4 of the Supernatural Mystery series

Order covers and develop blurbs/back matter for the Supernatural Series and prepare to publish

Secret You Tube project!

Continue to take courses that align with my Author Journey

Launch “Wolf Of My Heart” and update Subscription Automation

Update all back matter and digital files on all platforms

Launch Goddesses In Love Collection (Books 1-4) in Digital, Paperback, Hardcover

Develop audio files of Books 1-4 for Goddesses In Love series

Continue Research and Drafting of Witch Single Title Project and Non-Fiction Project

Continue to Rework Short Stories and submit for publication

Write more personal essays to submit

Play around with children’s book ideas

Find more amazing readers to join my journey on Goodreads & Book Bub

TRAVEL!

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I am planning trips for family events and have some book events planned a little closer to home. However, I will be doing the Louisville Bookfest again in 2024, since I adore the coordinator and believe in the mission they built their event around. Putting books in the hands of readers is what it is all about, especially if they are kids!

On a personal front, I am about 80% there with the office, just have an idea for the closet I would like to work on. I live in a small house, so storage solutions are my biggest priority. I have been purging as I go, getting rid of things I no longer use, and replacing things as I need to. With all that said, I have promised myself more regularly scheduled visits with my Muse, and this will be the year I reconnect with her. I need Balance, Alignment, and to be Deliberate about it, which in turn will bring me Joy. See what I did there? Those past words still come in handy! I think I’m ready for some Joy in 2024, how about you?

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Do you write down annual goals? Do you find it helps as much as I do? Share your post in the comments, I would love to see what you have planned for 2024! In the meantime, happy writing, and I will see you in the New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!