Goals and Challenges 2015

WRITING

The Originals

• ·         Rewrite Prelude, Chapter 1-4 by July
• ·         Brainstorm “Ending, Part 1(North), Draft 2” in June
• ·         Write “Ending, Part 1(North), Draft 2” during July Nanowrimo
• ·         Brainstorm “Ending, Part 2(South), Draft 2” during October
• ·         Write “Ending, Part 2(South), Draft 2” for November Nanowrimo
• ·         (If extra time, continue Gryphon “short” story)
• ·         If time, rewrite Chapter 5-7 by December

Three Floating Coffins

• ·         Finish Rewrites of Chapters 1-14 by end of July
• ·         By June, make minor corrections of 14-41 and identify places for re-writes
• ·         Extensive re-writes in summer (June-September)
• ·         Get critiques (OC Inklings, Brea, Michelle, Others)
• ·         Hopefully, should be mostly complete by 2015
• ·         Start thinking about Agents or Self-Publication and Promotional Material (Synopsis, etc.)

Counterfeit Diamond

• ·         Brainstorm in March
• ·         Create a draft for Camp Nano in April

Company

• ·         Go through all the critiques
• ·         Draw/ work out setting
• ·         Start writing second draft (pre- “Blind Man’s Bluff” chapters)

Short Stories, Blogs, and New Work

• ·         Decide what to do with blog
• ·         Keep doing travelogues, book reviews (those are good for me)
• ·         Publish “Bad Days”
• ·         Try to get at least 5 new short stories out there (for marketing purposes, too)
• ·         Fill up Idea Notebook
• ·         Turn Ideas into Stories (Maze, Box, etc.)

BUSINESS

Marketing

• ·         Plan by January (February at latest)
• ·         Create Email List
• ·         Revamp website and blog (?)
• ·         Active Search for Fans (at least 3 things)
• ·         Brea Library Presentation

Hard Copy of Changelings

• ·         Go to Createspace, get Proofs in January
• ·         Get Proofs to Line Editors (Alydaughter, anyone else?)
• ·         Cover Design, Pricing, Mailbox, etc
• ·         Amazon Promotion in June
• ·         Get Hard Copy Out by June 2
• ·         Send Copy to Library of Congress

Taxes

• ·         Income Taxes in February
• ·         Keep Track of Expenses
• ·         Think about/ Ask about getting an accountant
• ·         Sales License

Cards

• ·         Do I want to keep making/ selling them as a fundraising tool?
• ·         If so, do I want to do it online or in person
• ·         What sort of vendors would give me the best access?

EDUCATION

Go Back to School

• ·         Look into Teaching Overseas
• ·         Decide on Program (Masters, Credential, Certificate?) and School by January, Feb max
• ·         Put together application
• ·         Apply
• ·         Financial Aid
• ·         If accepted, Begin Program

TRAVEL

Winter

• ·         Los Angeles Public Library
• ·         Fowler Museum and Indonesian Restaurant
• ·         Getty Museum

Spring

• ·         Swallow Parade at San Juan Capistrano (March 21)
• ·         LA Festival of Books (April 18-19)
• ·         Lightning in a Bottle (Memorial Day) ?

Summer

• ·         Lotus (Asian) Festival or Nisei Week
• ·         Shakespeare (Griffith Park?)
• ·         Redlands Bowl (Summer Concerts) ?
• ·         Dad’s Retirement Party

Fall

• ·         Huntington Beach Library and Old World Plaza (German food)

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Learn about German Heritage

• ·         Learn German language
• ·         Read ½ of German Genius (history book, 944 pages), average of 2 chapters a week
• ·         Read one novel by German author (preferably Faust)

 Physical Health

• ·         Lose 50 pounds (15 in winter, 15 in spring, 10 in summer, 10 in fall)
• ·         Change Diet: Cut meat (at least 2 vegetarian dishes a week), cut soda (only 6 per week), cut dessert (only on weekends), add fruits/ veggies (3 servings a day), add vitamins (calcium chews)
• ·         Keep track of portion sizes via Fitness Pal
• ·         Exercise: at least 20 minutes, 4 times a week; 40 minutes, once a week (walk to park)
• ·         Floss daily
• ·         Forgive failings and persevere

Mental Health

• ·         Get rid of Candy Crush
• ·         Reduce TV time to 7 hours a week (or less!)
• ·         Set aside 1 hour a week for reading
• ·         Listen to podcasts while cooking dinner (2 times a week)