What are you planning for 2023? by Brendan Conboy

If you were planning to start a family (or prevent a family) you would consider some form of family planning.  You would consider names for your offspring, where you need to live for the best school catchments, how to decorate the nursery, which car seat and pushchair (stroller) to buy.  You would sit up late into the night discussing, planning and strategising, as the excitement intensifies.

Everything that we write is our ‘baby’, whether it be a poem, a blog, a magazine article, a screenplay, flash fiction or a novel.  From conception to creation and revelation we all need a strategy in order to improve our chances of success.

It’s Boxing Day, and I always see this day as a good day to start planning for next year.  By the time New Year’s Day arrives I want my plan to be in place and already being implemented.  So, how do you plan and where do you start?

I like to set SMART goals (specific, measured, achievable, realistic & relevant and timebound).  It’s demoralising to set yourself up to fail, so be SMART.  Consider doing the following:

1.       Review the last 12 months. 

·       What was easy and fun? 

·       What was difficult and challenging? 

·       What did you enjoy giving birth to? 

·       What do you regret? 

·       What do you want to do more of? 

·       What do you wat to do less of?

2.       Mind Map the next 12 months.  This will vary depending on what season you are in – writing, editing or publishing.  I like to do this visually (I am mainly a visual learner).  At this stage, don’t get bogged down by detail, simply write some broad strokes of what you would like to achieve. 

·       Write or finish a first draft

·       Join a writing group

·       Become a member of ACW (pay subscription)

·       Attend or provide a workshop

·       Find a writing buddy or mentor

·       Go on a writing retreat

·       Take part in NaNoWriMo,

·       Find an editor

·       Revise draft

·       Finish the manuscript

·       Find a publisher or self-publish

·       Formatting and cover design

·       Launch with a splash – throw a party

·       Increase your book sales

·       Build a website with eCommerce

·       Start a mailing list and newsletter

·       Build your fan base on social networks

·       There is so much more I could add here – What can you think of?

3.       Consider your non-negotiable obstacles (be real)

·       Family and other life outside of writing (yes, it does exist).

·       What are you committed to?

·       What do you NOT want to do?

·       What have you previously wanted to do, but not made space for it?

·       What experiences do you want to avoid?

·       Allow time for self-care and your own emotional well-being

4.       Choose 3-5 major projects and map out the detail. 

·       Remember to be SMART

·       Use planning tools that work for you.  I love spreadsheets, notebooks, to-do lists, calendars, and scheduling tools.  You name it I will use it.  Find what works for you and make it work for you.  Think about word counts, deadlines, set realistic amounts and dates.

5.       Plan your work and work your plan.  If you fail to plan, you plan to fail, but don’t get too hung up if you are not hitting your desired targets.  Re-evaluate and re-assess regularly and get back on track.  No one rarely achieves all that they plan but I guarantee you will achieve and be happy.

Be blessed in all of your writing in 2023.

Brendan Conboy is the author of 10 published books including his fascinating autobiography, The Golden Thread.  In 1986, Brendan invited Jesus into his life and God blessed him with the gift of rhyming words.  He used that gift as a Christian Rap artist for 25 years and has written 4 poetry books including the entire Book of Psalms in Rhyme.  He has 3 published novels - Issues, Invasion of the Mimics and Legacy of the Mimics.  He is the creator of Book Blest Christian book festival.  Visit Brendan's website HERE.