I’m trying something a little different this year when it comes to setting goals. I’ve been very specific in the past and that has served me well as a planner, but my muse has been less than cooperative. For example, one of my 2015 goals was to start writing the sequel to The Muse. My muse disagreed with that goal and remained stubbornly silent on that project. We’re still not on speaking terms when it comes to this sticky subject.
I’m as driven as ever to get my novel published (somehow, some way). I have a million ideas for the The Muse’s sequel and truly do want to start writing the continuing saga of Amanda and Ian. As far as poetry goes, I’m writing haiku for multiple competitions and forums. There’s also this blog and a shelf full of craft projects!
Clearly, I have a lot of projects burning a hole in my muse pocket.
Instead of setting incredibly specific goals my muse ignores anyway, perhaps big picture goals are the way to go.
Kinda Sorta Goals:
Write, write, and write some more.
At the core of everything is my fierce desire to write. Whether it’s poetry, novels, or funky articles about knitting, my central goal will always be writing in any form.
My muse takes me a in all different directions and frequently changes her mind! I’m just going to go with the flow and keep my pen moving.
Stay optimistic and keep trying.
My go with flow mentality doesn’t mean I’m losing my determined edge! The Muse is a still a huge priority and I’ll be doing everything I can to get it published. Whether its through the traditional channels or self-publishing, it’s about time this thing saw the light of day!
The same goes for poetry. I’m going to grab onto any opportunity I can to submit to competitions, journals, etc.
Join the community.
My participation in the Poetic Asides community has inspired me to seek out other groups of writers. I’ve joined a few new groups, but have yet to fully participate (sometimes I just like to sit under the radar and get a sense of how the community functions). As 2016 unfolds, I’m hoping to find my groove in new poetry communities, but also among Young Adult writers.
This might mean searching for communities in the blogosphere and/or social media. Either way, I’m looking to connect with more people who like to write what I like to write. Maybe they can offer some advice on publication or some good old fashioned encouragement? We’ll see!
Experiment.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Writing the same thing in the same way all the time. I want to see my writing continue to grow into something fresh and engaging. That means playing with fictional techniques and haiku formats. In addition, I want to see myself write something totally different. The possibilities are endless if I consider a different genre or poetic form.
This same sense of experimentation also applies to my craft table. I want to try new crafts (like painting and beading) and expand my knitting and photography skills.
Trust the muse.
My muse always knows best. I have to remember to get out her way and let her speak.
Word of the Year: Enthusiasm
Weird goals aside, I want this year to be about hopeless enthusiasm that can’t be cured. No matter where this crazy journey takes me, I’m jumping in with everything I’ve got.
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What are your kinda sorta goals for 2016?
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c.b.w. 2016
I will look forward to see how this year unfolds for you. My goals are to dig deeper into historical research and find new things to write about. I want to get all the family photos scanned and labeled for future generations and work on getting the rest of the genealogy research into the computer. Thinking more and more about future generations and having this available for them.
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That sounds like a fun project! 🙂 While there’s nothing like a real photograph, it’s a good idea to have them backed up on a hard drive or the cloud to keep them safe!
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Good luck for the year to come, and for those goals. My word of the year is ‘sabbatical’.
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Hopefully, you won’t be away for too long. I enjoy your poetry waaaay too much!
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Inspiring indeed!! Cheers to a new year and all of its creative endeavors!! 🙂
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The same to you! I can’t wait to see what you’ll be writing this year. 🙂
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Thank you!! 🙂
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Love love love your goals. I found a couple of years ago that for me ‘general’ goals made to keep my focus work so much better than specific goals. (On most things anyway.) Specific goals leave lots of room to fall behind and feel like a failure. No good.
I’m especially curious to hear about your search for community. I have had an INCREDIBLY hard time finding other poets and when I do… interacting with them. I like being under the radar too much too. XD
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You took the words right out of my head. No matter how much I accomplished in a year, I still felt like a failure because it didn’t add up to my very specific goals. It’s tough to keep going when you feel like you aren’t getting anywhere. When I looked at what I did accomplish apart from my goals, it made me realize I was being too hard on myself from both sides of the fence.
As for the community aspect, I think I’m going to start by following the connections I’ve made on Poetic Asides. All those people had to come from somewhere and most certainly poem in other communities! 🙂
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These are great goals! With how uncooperative life and muses can be, they’ll provide some focus without feeling confining. Can’t wait to see what you accomplish this year!
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I’m hoping my muse will feel the boundaries dropping. 🙂 May 2016 be a fantastic year of creativity for you, too! You’re going to write wonderful things – I know it!
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🙂 Thanks!
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‘Kinda Sorta’ is very much in line with my very English ‘review of the year’ 🙂 I hope you are able to achieve those – I hesitate to use the word goals – aims in the coming 12 months. Experimenting is always going to be a brave action in writing – do you risk losing some followers because they don’t like the new style? I think you do because experimenting is the way you get to grow and allow your talent to breathe. As for the Muse hiding away – I too find times when the poetry will not come. I’ve learned not to try and force it! Good luck for the coming year 🙂
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Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂
It’s weird – I haven’t lost any followers since the shift towards poetry. If anything I’ve gained new followers. It seems whatever I’m doing is working for my audience, so I’ll just keep rolling with it!
So far experimenting has lead to some interesting results. I’m not publishing any of it any time soon, but I’m enjoying the journey. 🙂
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