This month, Robert Lee Brewer has issued the April Platform Challenge for writers. The current thinking is; one of the most important tools for a writer in today’s media environment is a strong platform. Think of it as branding for social media. Now, I would’ve thought that actually finishing the novel would be important too, but whatdaIknow?
Anywho, today’s exercise is to set goals. Okay, I can see that. Goals are good things, they help to consistently point you in the desired direction. That presupposes the goals are consistent and coherent. That be asking a bit much from me, but lets give it a go. Short term goals are those that I believe I can accomplish before the end of the year; long term goals are more bucket list-quese.
- Keep on rockin’ at the day job. Papa’s got bills and retirement is over a decade away.
- Complete the April Platform Challenge
- Celebrate 20th anniversary with wife
- Finish getting the house in shape for the open house
- Get Thing1 to college this fall without crying (this may not happen, the without crying part, I mean)
- Get to RavenCon, meet Glen Cook, try not to embarrass myself
- Finish the initial draft of the Order of the Silver Rose
- Start looking for an agent
- Keep growing as a father and husband (no, not in the waist, either)
- Get Thing1 to complete college and shuffle Thing2 and SamIAm in and out of college, as well
- Get that black belt (I’m already so close)
- Get published (or a contract) before I’m 50. This should probably be a short term goal.
- Pay off debt, live large.
- Celebrate 50th anniversary with wife
- Find an agent
- Retire, or something simulating retirement that doesn’t involve being a greeter at Wal-Mart.
I’m not sure if these goals are supposed to be like resolutions (resolute) or promises or what. I believe I’ll treat like waypoints; not as an end, but more like sign posts along the way.
