Maybe this is an obligatory post for the first day of the year (except that I accidentally saved it as a draft and now it's posting late--I'm going to pretend that's not a sign), but I have high hopes for 2011 and I want to set out my goals for the year to give myself the best chance of achieving them.
Writing
First of all, I have to write the second Medusa girls book, which is due June 1st. I'm going to write a significant outline first so my editor and I can commiserate and then it will be on to the writing. There will also be copyedits and then page proofs for the first book.
I also have two Secret Project proposals planned, for Secret Projects DW and OTO. I'm tackling OTO first, getting the proposal done and to my agent in January. Then (unless a new contract comes along with a deadline attached) I'll work on the DW proposal.
I'm writing my first anthology this year and the story is due February 15th. It shouldn't take long, since it's only 25-50 pages, but I want it to sparkle.
Promotion
In January I'm hosting a riddle/scavenger hunt contest to reveal the title of the first Medusa girls book and give you a chance to win great prizes.
In early spring I will open up registrations for the second Splash Team. Current Splash Team members will get first dibs, followed by newsletter subscribers. If there are still spots left after that it will open to the general public. (For your best chance, sign up for my newsletter now.)
I haven't decided if I'm going to do a street team for the Medusa girls books.
This will be my first year with two book launches. Fins Are Forever will release (along with the Forgive My Fins paperback) on June 28th. Then the first Medusa girls book will be out in early October.
I'm attending the RT conference in Los Angeles in early April, the TLA conference (Forgive My Fins is on the Lone Star Reading List) in Austin the following week, and the RWA conference in New York in late July. I'm hoping more conference opportunities pop up, but I'll have to wait and see.
Travel
Other than travel for conferences, book launches, moving, and visiting/going with my parents to Vegas in the summer I don't have any specific travel plans for 2011. I'm always open to travel opportunities. And I have promised myself a life-changing trip when I reach my weight loss goal, so maybe that will be on the horizon.
Moving
Getting to Seattle has been my plan since returning from my big trip in early 2010, and I'm still on that track. I'm waiting to hear on one other cool possibility and then for another book contract so I can afford the cost of living, but as soon as everything falls into place Daisy and I will be packing up for the Pacific Northwest.
Personal
Last year I went vegan on April 26th. Since then I've felt healthier and I lost about 20 pounds. I plan on continuing my vegan diet and want to add in more exercise (like walking Daisy, dancing, hiking, and swimming) so I can lose even more weight. Healthy is definitely on the agenda.
I have a project in the works that combines two of my biggest passions. I'm going to launch this early in the year and you will be hearing more soon.
Finally, I want to do some things that aren't writing-related. So much of my life, my world revolves around my career (which, thankfully I love with a passion) and I would like to find a little more balance. I have other priorities that need attention, too, not the least of which is myself. So I'm on the lookout for a fun hobby or activity to bring some diversity into my life.
So that's it, my peek ahead at 2011. (Sorry it turned out so long. I didn't realize how much I have going on this year.) There are a lot of gaps, especially in the writing portion because so much of that depends on publishers and contracts. It will be exciting to see how it all plays out.
Hugs,
TLC
