1,000,000 Words

Like every New Years Eve, I spent last night writing down my goals for the new year. My cousin, BFF, bucket list buddy (yes, they are all the same person) and I share them and help keep each other stay accountable.

As I was working through my list, I realized my goals were all something, God willing, somewhat achievable, but my mind keeps seeing a number and I thought, what the hell. I want to write 1,000,000 words in 2016.

Untitled-1Now, I know that seems crazy, but when I broke it down, it seemed a bit more attainable.

83,333.33 words per month

20,833.33 words per week

2,732.24 words per day.

I average 1,000 words an hour when I’m working on my WIP. Even if I’m writing slow, let’s say it takes me 3 hours a day to reach that goal. With 24 hours in a day, that’s not too much.

But, what will I write?

There the 11 projects I have slated to write this year.

7 full lengths at 70,000 words each

3 novellas at 25,000 words each

1 short novella at 10,000 words each

If my math is correct, that 575,000 words. I’m over half way there.

Freelance projects of 3,000 words per month are on the schedule.

That’s another 36,000 words.

I want to dedicate one blog post a week for two different blogs. Each post 300 words. That adds up to another 31,200 words.

If I add in emails, outlines, project plans, and yes, even grocery lists, or anywhere I can average 300 words per day, that would get me to 109,800 words (The leap year helps.)

I’m at 752,000 words. 

I just need to find another 248,000 words. 

It may be more of an aspiration, than a goal, but the point is to keep writing in 2016, so if I am working towards that, any number I hit by the end of the year, I’ll be happy with.

AND, I am already off to a good start, 350 words down, only 999,648 more words to go.

What are some of your GOALS for 2016?

My Monthly Update: 2015 Goals – Professional and Personal

I am fond of a saying in my family, “I don’t want to be praying about the same thing this year that I prayed about last year.” Meaning, we are always going to have stuff to pray for, things we want, hopes, dreams, issues, problems, but as long as it’s not the same pray, the same things, hopes, dreams, issues & problems over and over again, then hopefully we are learning, moving forward & growing.  I feel so blessed to have a whole new list of goals for 2015.

Professional

Publish:

  • Hope for Us (Hope Series Book #3)
  • The Hope Series Box Set
  • Ambushed by Love – Contemporary Romance – love triangle
  • A New Season – Dark Romance – sports
  • Inked: Three Permanent Love Stories
    • Emilynn & Leo
    • Tommy & Cameron
    • Sabastian & Gracie

*All are written except for the last two in the Inked series.

Write:

  • Inked Series Book #2 & #3
  • Two other original MS

Marketing:

  • Create & Implement a blog post schedule
    • Tattoo Tuesday – features & stories
    • Teaser Tuesday – post excerpts from WIP
    • Personal Post
    • Feature other Authors & Books
    • Insecure Writer’s Support Group Post
    • My Monthly Update – Update on previous month & goals for the next month
  • Create & Implement a social media post schedule
    • Facebook Page & Tsu – 4x per week – 2 promos, 1 interactive & 1 personal/funny (connect to Twitter)
  • Send out Newsletter once per month (monthly winner of Amazon Gift Card)

Production:

  • Learn how to format my own books
  • Learn how to create teasers in photoshop

Personal

  1. Read 50 books (5 books on writing craft)
  2. Watch 50 movies
  3. Sweat 30 mins a day, 4 times a week
  4. Track my food daily
  5. Stick to my budget and save money
  6. Do something to feed my spirit at least once per month
  7. Say yes to more social situations and look at those as opportunities
  8. Write 1,000 words per day
  9. Write a personal blog post once per month
  10. Do something new every month

What are your goals for 2015? 

My Top 10 Best Moments of 2014 . . .

I had a great years. I accomplished some goals and reached some milestones.

Here are my top 10 moments:

  1. Published my first novel, Another New Life on June 2, 2014.
  2. Got my first fan letter from a reader who told me her story and express to me how much my story touched her. –Huge thank you to everyone who contact me and told me how my books effected them. 
  3. Published my second novel, Hope for Her (Hope Series Book #1).
  4. Discovered two amazing groups of writers who helped me celebrate the good and got me through the bad. New Adult Street Team & 80,000 WordsThank you both for giving me a safe place. Love you. 
  5. Took a life changing trip to New York – Will schedule a solo writing retreat every year from now on.
  6. My tattoos – one to remind me why I do this, one to celebrate milestone #1 & one that turned into a bonding ritual  with my friend (love you Maggie) and my brother (love you Kevin).
  7. Published my third novel, Hope for Him (Hope Series Book #2)My favorite book I’ve written up to that point. 
  8. Help create and publish an anthology, Love Addiction. It hasn’t done as well as expected, but I gain so much knowledge about myself and others from the experience.
  9. Started a new business, SAM & Associates LLC. -One step closer to being my own boss. 
  10. Achieve ALL my writing/reading/watching Goals in 2014.

Favorite Books of 2014:  

  • Quintessentially Q by Pepper Winters
  • Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
  • 11/22/63 by Stephen King
  • Bound by Lorelei James
  • The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Favorite Movies of 2014:  

  • Lone Survivor
  • The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
  • Her
  • Interstellar
  • The Wolf of Wall Street

Favorite Movie Character: 

hobbit_legolas_poster

LOVE LEGOLAS!!!

It’s your turn. What’s on your list for 2014? Favorite moments, movie, book, trips? 

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

My Monthly Update – Crazy Busy Month Ahead

Latest News

 

It is going to be a busy month. Here I what I am getting into this month:

 

The NCAA Final Four is at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. It is on my mother’s bucket list, so we are going.

Nascar is at Texas Motor Speedway and I’ve never been. Given how great Dale, Jr. is doing this season, I have to go.

My Cover Reveal for Another New Life is schedule for April 10th. You want to participate, please sign up here.

Oh, yeah, and there is a little thing called the A to Z Blogging Challenge. 26 posts in 30 days. Click on the badge to the left if you haven’t signed up, yet.

Movies Coming out in April

Captain America 2 – already rented the first movie and will watch it and the Avengers again the night before opening day.

Rio 2 – I loved the first one and Bruno Mars is in this one.

Draft Day – So excited for this one. Love any movie that shows behind the scenes of professional sports.

Transcendence – It’s Johnny Depp. Enough said.

Goals for April

Finish proofreaders notes on Another New Life

Finalize cover for Another New Life

Continue prep for the May release

Edit About You & Me (Book #1) – Prepare to pitch during RT Conference in May and RWA in July.

Awards

I received an award in March and although I don’t follow the award rules, I have to acknowledge the amazing blogger and one of my beta readers for recognizing me.

Thanks so much Tianna for the Being a Light in the World Award. The award was created to celebrate those wonderful people in our world who spread light, love, hope and peace in the name of humanity. – What a beautiful thought.

What’s on your April to do list? What movies are you looking forward to seeing in April? What are your writing goals for April?