Writing Goals for 2023
I’m filled with optimism at the start of each year, and 2023 is no different.
2022 Goal Review
While I’m happy with what I achieved in 2022, I didn’t accomplish all my goals. Here’s a look.
- Independently publish Graphite and Turbulence COMPLETED
- Query my Middle-Grade novel (OOPS)
- Write a weekly blog post COMPLETED
- Attend the 20Books Vegas writing conference COMPLETED
- Attend the Rainforest Writing Retreat COMPLETED
- Take two craft-related courses COMPLETED
- Draft Book 3 in the Elemental Artist series COMPLETED
- Draft Book 4 in the Elemental Artist series IN PROCESS
- Beta read or critique read for four authors (OOPS)
- Write four short stories (1 per quarter) (OOPS)
- Read and review 12 indie books besides the 24 books (trad or indie) COMPLETED
- Start a super-secret project with the Jamigos. (OOPS)
Okay, so this is the second year in a row I did not query my middle grade novel. I’d done the work of figuring out what agents I wanted to query… but never pulled the trigger. Obviously, that’s something I need to work on and will go on the 2023 writing goals.
I beta for 2 writers this year, but not four pieces. Part of that was only 2 writers in my current circle asked. However, I also joined an in-person writing group. The group gave me the opportunity to read and provide feedback on several short fiction pieces, so the goal wasn’t a total fail.
My short story goal bombed. I only wrote 1 short story this year. I wrote it for a specific anthology, and it was accepted for publication (the anthology should be out in 2023), but I could have done more.
The super secret project with the Jamigos got sidelined. But the reasons behind the sidelines were good ones! One of my critique partners was selected by a mentor for Pitchwars. They worked together to make her story even more amazing, landed an agent, and sold her book! Her debut is coming out from Lake Union Publishing (one of Amazon’s imprints) in 2023. My other critique partner won a position on the board of directors for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and is organizing their 2023 conference.
2023 Writing Goals
Many of my 2023 goals are repeats of last year’s list, but they don’t feel the same. This may be because I experienced a lot of “firsts” last year. In 2023, I can build on what I learned.
Honestly, it’s a lot easier to return to events where I know a few people. I met a lot of fun writers in 2022, and I’m looking forward to seeing them in 2023. And meeting new writers, too!
Last, as I wrap up the Elemental Artist series, I’m looking forward to what’s next (thanks #4 Futuristic!).
Here are my goals for 2023.
- Independently publish Charcoal and Smoke
- Query my Middle-Grade novel
- Write a weekly blog post
- Attend the 20Books Vegas 2023 writing conference
- Attend the 2023 Rainforest Writing Retreat
- Take two craft-related courses
- Write a cozy mystery
- Write and revise Book 4 in the Elemental Artist series
- Beta or critique read for four authors
- Write 52 short stories (1 per week)
- Read and review 12 indie books besides the 24 books (trad or indie)
- Add signed and unsigned books to my shop
- Learn more about marketing
- Upgrade my desktop computer
- Be better at keeping track of revenue and expenses
- Find a balance between work, writing, and life
- Read many of the books I’ve already purchased before buying more!
Several of the goals above are aspirational (TBR pile, I’m talking to you!). Others build on what I’ve already done or learned. But in either case, writing them down is the first step in achieving them!
What are your writing goals for 2023?
The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Henry & Co. on Unsplash.