I’m very excited to participate in the blog challenge Sophia Valentine of Lifestyle and Literature created (see graphic for topics and dates if you have a blog and would like to participate. If you’re a reader, I’m sure you’ll enjoy learning about some of the great participating authors).
This week’s post is about where I’d like to be in five years. Although this can apply to many life areas, I’m going to concentrate on my writing right now. Since a “picture’s worth a thousand words,” here is my view of what I would like to see happen with my books in five years. I’ve only shown one possible headline, but I hope to have at least five more books published by 2021.
How do I plan to make this happen? I’ll continue writing, of course. Currently, my mystery tentatively titled, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” has been contracted with Solstice Publishing. It is the sequel to “A Stone’s Throw” published last November. I am also working on a completely new standalone I consider a psychological thriller. I’m hoping to submit it to an agent and/or publisher some time this fall.
Besides writing, I need to promote my books. I plan to continue advertising on social media but, more importantly, connecting with my followers. My five-year plan includes making additional professional and reader contacts; increasing subscribers to my author newsletter; sending press releases to the media; and appearing at libraries, bookstores, author signings, and writing conferences. Maybe in five years I’ll be able to clone myself, so I can manage to do all this. If not, I will try to prioritize my time as best as I can.
If I don’t achieve my goal in five years or sooner, I will still be happy if I’ve reached a good number of people who enjoy my books. I don’t intend to compete with anyone but myself or change my writing to please what I perceive the public wants. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to emulate some of my favorite authors or seek advice from fellow writers and readers. It simply means I will strive to improve my writing with each book and develop my own individual style.
Ruff Drafts 