The new year is already underway and I'm getting clear on my goals.
I know, I'm a little late in writing out goals for the year, but I've decided to stop procrastinating and do it now. Ironically, "stop procrastinating on my life goals" was on my list last year.
I'm a big believer in New Year's Resolutions. Every year I faithfully make a list, but we all know following through is not as easy as list-making. I keep hoping one day a resolution will stick - for more than a few weeks even if not forever.
What I've found works best for me is not making these resolutions silently but out-loud to people who I know are going to expect me to follow through. This puts me in a tough place if I want to back out because the goal has picked up steam. It's harder to tumble out of a moving vehicle than to step off of a stationary train. So, I'm going to share my resolutions with you, because then my list becomes much more than a goal: It's a promise.
Goal #1: Read at least 25 books this year.
I was going to make this goal #2 behind writing, but then I realized reading is a pre-requisite to good writing skills. I used to be a bookworm, but my reading time seemed to disappear to the same place socks go in a dryer. Ideally, I'd like to go back to reading a book a week, but I'm starting off a little slower than that with 25 books I really want to read this year, including:
The Peridale Cafe Series - How can I not read Agatha Frost? The books are the definition of cozy mystery. There are 15 books in the series so far, I'd like to read as many as I can this year if not all of them.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel - I've read a lot of books on the craft but somehow missed this one?
Midnight's Children - This has been on my bookshelf for over a year, I have to read it!
The Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries - Courtagonist recommended the author and I'm looking forward to starting this series. There are 5 books in this series.
A Fatal Twist - I've enjoyed the rest of the Downward Dog Mysteries and it's yoga and dogs - what's not to love?
The Curious Kilt - Saw the author on Twitter and this immediately caught my attention.
AJ Penumbra 1969 - I read Mr. Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore and the mystery kept me reading until the end. I also think Penumbra was an interesting character.
I'm hoping I'll read a lot more, and I do have some books not listed here on my book list in Goodreads, but I think this is a good list to start off the new year. I do also want to try keep up with the books being read by the Cozy Mystery group on Goodreads and the Cozy Mystery Community on Facebook.
Goal #2: Write at least 4 Books.
This year I am committed to writing at least 4 books and hopefully more.
These are the non-negotiable books that must be written to schedule:
The Faerie Apothecary Mysteries
February
Book 4: Charms and Changelings
May
Book 5: Potions and Panic
September
Book 6: Talismans and Turmoil
November
Book 7: Tonics and Turning Points
I have an idea for some novellas too, so stay tuned!
Goal #3: Post more on Social Media.
I'm in my thirties, but I don't know much about social media. I was the last person I know to join facebook, just joined twitter last year and only started an instagram account at the insistence of my much younger cousins. I still haven't made a single post on instagram, purely out of fear.
I'm determined to get over the fear of social media and start posting more. That's why I'm separating my blog posts into 4 categories:
1. Coffee and Chaos - Life as a writer can be a struggle and it can be immensely rewarding. I'd like to share real moments of my life and my thoughts with readers.
2. Fae archives - I'll keep posting about the faeries I mention in my books, because I'm interested in mythology and use a lot of myth and legends in the book so I want to share that with anyone who's intrigued.
3. Mossie Musings - I thought it would be fun to share short stories, poems, or even just posts from the POV of the characters. I've seen other blogs do this and it's always a neat reading experience.
4. Guest posts - I'd love to have guest posters add their thoughts on cozy mysteries, cozy fantasies, and/or the paranormal because these are topics I absolutely enjoy!
Is there anything else you'd like to read about on the blog? I'd love to hear from you what great books I could add to my reading list or what articles you'd like to see on the blog. I'm working on adding a comments section to these posts, but in the mean time, you can always talk to me on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.