In 2018, You Will!
Posted by David Duhr in 
Call ’em resolutions, if you must; we prefer to stick with goals, or even simple desires.
Either way, 2018 is almost here, and all of us want something out of writing and literature this year, be it to finish a major project, read x-amount of books or a particular writer’s entire output, or simply to become a better writer.
Just like last year, we want to hear about your 2018 literary goals… in the form of a sentence-completion exercise.
In as many or as few words as you’d like, complete the following sentence:
“In 2018, I will ______________”
Please leave your response in the comments below.
As for me, in 2018, I will complete a draft of the book I began writing in May.
It’s not a resolution. My world won’t collapse if it doesn’t happen. But that’s what I’m shooting for.
What are you shooting for?
Happy New Year, friends. Keep on writing!
WriteByNight co-founder David Duhr is copy editor and fiction editor at the Texas Observer and has written about books for the Dallas Morning News, Electric Literature, Publishing Perspectives, and others.
WriteByNight is a writers’ service dedicated to helping you achieve your creative potential and literary goals. We work with writers of all experience levels working in all genres, nationwide and worldwide. If you have a 2016 writing project that you’d like a little help with, take a look at our book coaching, private instruction and writer’s block counseling services. Join our mailing list and get a FREE writer’s diagnostic, “Common problems and SOLUTIONS for the struggling writer.”
In 2018, I will … improve my writing even more so I can make more $$$ with my Ghostwriting! :)
Sounds like a plan, Robin! How will you go about it? Practice practice practice?
My four year writing journey will be the most successful. Based on David’s critique of my two science fiction novels I will improve my craft, final WBN proof reading, and find a literary agent who finds my premise very unique and by the end of 2018 or start of 2019 my two books are actually published. While the many month search for the publisher takes place – I work on the outline of my third book, and complete that very political book – world events – my take on how to fix the world….No, not arrogant at all. The world’s… Read more »
Good luck on your retirement. I found so much to do, I haven’t had time to get bored or depressed. I enjoy the process of writing and taking the rough draft and making it a readable story with engaging characters. I’m still learning, but then again, when you quit learning you die….so enjoy the journey and keep plugging along. I still enjoy working as it give me a chance to get out and meet new people. As I’ve told a few…be careful. Bystanders may be written into the story and the obnoxious ones get killed.
“Writing is a great escape from reality.” You should have that printed on some kind of banner strung across your classroom, John!
“Of course I haven’t submitted any written material to be rejected – yet…but even if that happens…I know I can go back to my writing; and feel a sense of accomplishment.”
I hope this means now; that you feel a sense of accomplishment now. You wrote two books in 2017! If that’s not accomplishment, I dunno what is.
It’s fun being a WBN coach, I can tell you that.
There’s a story about a crew boat racer who wanted to improve so he created the bumper sticker quote “Does this make the boat go faster?” I have it taped on my monitor.
Way to go! Write like the wind!
You sound like you have a full plate. Time travel can be so convoluted and complex. A thought on your series; Are you sure ALL the evil is destroyed? As in Time Bandits, one piece of concentrated evil… Warning from someone recently retired. I expected to have more time after dumping the 40+ hours a week job. The universe hates a void. It will fill up your world faster then you can blink. Also, without the structure you’ve had for 33 years, all your routines may be disrupted. I expected to have 40 more hours to write and get stuff… Read more »
In 2018 I will write more stories and try harder to find publishers for the ones I have already. I will take an online class or two to improve my writing skills.
An excellent plan, Elizabeth. An increased dedication to both output and craft — that’s something we can get behind! Good luck, and keep us posted.
In 2018 I will publish at least two books (Other than the Jillian Factor), I will clean up my contemporary paranormal/fantasy series, I will have the second book in the Jillian Factor ready for publishing, I will redo my website into something functional within six months, I will learn who to market a book while growing a mailing list, I will plan my trip to England and Scotland for 2019, I will write at least two new books and edit two over the next year. I think that’s enough. Staying organized it a key, but I’ve already got that handled… Read more »
Did you know we just got back from England and Scotland? It was the highlight of my 2017. I could live in Edinburgh.
This sounds like a good mix of writing and writing business. I like that. It’s always a good idea to learn whatever one can about the behind-the-scenes stuff.
“It is eye opening as to how much you can accomplish in a couple of hours a day.”
Yes! I love this.
Okay, I have written the two new books. I’m still working on that marketing. The website is revamped and getting better. As to publishing, my cover designer got hit with life, then I had to spend my “publishing money” on repairs for my bike and car. So I may not get the two books out I wanted. I am polishing the second book for the Jillian Factor, and a novella which I hope to have both out by December. I did get the fantasy series cleaned up, but I still have tons of work to do on it. On the… Read more »
Good work, Barbara. I know you’ll keep on trucking, even after you hit all of your goals!
Now that I have finished 2400 words/6 pgs. after working on copy/pasting the best from one doc into another today for my survivor/recovery memoir, I feel more confident that I will get this story written in 2018. The style of writing by Mary Monroe in Butterfly’s Daughter gave me the inspiration for how to write that I needed.
Hey, Eleanor, way to hit the ground running in 2018! A little work on December 30 never hurt anyone. Good job. And good luck! I know how much this book means to you.
In 2018 I will finish the final draft of my memoir and begin the process of finding a publisher who believes as much as I do that this book needs to go out into the wider world. I’ve been writing for a little over a year now and the book is nearly ready for a professional editor. WBN can help me with that, and maybe help connect me with an agent or at least get me started down the road to finding an agent.
Sounds like 2017 was productive, Kara: You wrote the bulk of a book. Congratulations!
And we’d love to help with the editing process and provide assistance with agents. Just let us know when you’ve crossed the finish line.
Until then, good luck! We’ll be cheering you on down the homestretch.
In 2018 I will write one novel, 2 novellas, and 2 nonfiction books in my new Get Organized, Get Writing Series. I will continue reading LOTS of books too. And I will try to publish a blog on my website–at least twice a month.
I’m in favor of anything that helps aspiring writers learn and practice organization. Tell us more!
In 2018 I will complete the first draft of my novel, attend Killer Nashville writing conference, edit the second edition of memories of the sharecropper’s Family, and consider working with an agent.
Sounds like a busy year, Dot. Good luck! Make sure to set aside some time to stay in touch with us!
I will get the he courage to start writing within this month.
This is an excellent goal, Robin. It’s in there! Keep us posted.
Here’s a list to nail to my wall:
• Write more and read more.
• Read “The Story Grid” (by Shawn Coyne).
• Make writing compete in priority with my career. What does this mean? It means time, planning, strategy, seeking help, being informed, having a drive, setting goals.
• Interact more with others around writing. (Example: Go back to my critique group, read in public, etc.)
• Seed my brain with new knowledge and experiences.
• Stay engaged with people and social groups. Watch. Be aware. Be self-aware as I react to what’s happening around me.
I might nail this to my own wall!
But how much of this were you already doing in 2017? Most of it, I think. No?
I will query for my YA contemp ALL TRAILS LEAD. I will edit and shape my next novel WHEN I SAY RUN. I will enter short stories in contests or online journals. I will read, read, read. And try to make this dream of being a writer actually happen!!!
Sounds like a great plan, Emily. We’re behind you!
[…] Last week, at the very end of 2017, we asked you to look ahead and share with us your literary goals for 2018. […]
I publish “Intrusion” and “Dave’s You Must Be This Short To Enter” this year.
This has been a milestone month. My novel, “Intrusion” and my anthology, “Dave’s, You Must Be This Short To Enter!” are both published. As of this moment, they are only available on Kindle, but that will change in the near future. I was so stoked that I sent E-mails to nearly everybody on my E-mail list. Outlook thought I was spamming and temporarily suspended my account. Another highlight, I finished building the workbench in my garage and built and installed the cabinets. All that is left is to install the door handles.
I love seeing this comment right below the one from earlier this year. Good work, my friend. You hit your goals!
I forgot I put that out there. I don’t do as many affirmations as I did in years past. If I don’t put something “out there” it rarely happens, but if I do, it often does.
Dave, how do I add my picture?
I must have missed this question. Never too late! I think photos are included only if you’ve set one up through Gravatar (http://en.gravatar.com/). And to do *that*, I think you need a WordPress account. Which I believe you do?