At this time of year there is a multitude of events which could fill our calendars. The chance to meet readers in person and to sell books for Christmas gifts is a pleasure. Explaining how our stories developed, what we know about the characters and their journey and how we hope the story transports our readers is a special opportunity.
Even if sales are slow, you have reached readers you would not otherwise have met and that is worth your time. On the flip side you may have the opposite ‘problem’ and run out of books to sell. This is where a business card with your links on it are a bonus. Hand them out and let people know your books are available at other places, such as bookstores, libraries and online. You might not get that immediate sale, but there is potential for sales another time.
With so many events on the same weekends, it is difficult to know which one(s) to attend. It is a lottery of sorts. Even if an event doesn’t have super traffic, it is still an opportunity to connect with other authors and artisans. The bonus being you pick up some individually crafted items, rather than from a box store or retail.
I was so happy to find a ladder planter for my deck and a beautiful Xmas decoration at the last event I attended.
At the start of each year, some of us decide on goals for the year. These range from the most common ones, such as weight loss, fitness, and stopping smoking, the ‘healthy ones’ in other words. But, what of the other goals, the practical ones, so to speak? For authors this would be improving our brand, more sales, promotional opportunities, presentations or speaking engagements and more. As writers, we want to increase our word count, the number of projects completed, or receiving publicity or publishing deals.
Obviously, many of these goals go by the wayside pretty quickly, while others make it to mid-year, or possibly later. The question that arises is – why make goals in the first place? Are we swept along with the possibilities of a fresh start? Do we think we can achieve them, and stay committed to our self-inflicted goals? The excitement of a whole new year ahead of us is a powerful momentum for change. I think that is the key to our initial thinking, when it comes to annual goal making.
As we all know that momentum gets harder to maintain as the months roll by. We get off-track.
There are time constraints, health issues, family matters, work events, vacations, seasonal holidays – the list goes on. Each scenario affects how we feel, our ‘free’ time, and what we are able to accomplish. There is always some ‘distraction’ pulling us away from that initial elation of new year possibilities.
So, what is the answer? This is a difficult question to answer, as we are all experiencing life in a multitude of ways. No one person is the same as another. I think the first step is to be totally honest with yourself, when it comes to setting goals in the first place. Too many goals, too loftier a goal and the ‘good grief’ goals should be shelved before they even get ‘out the box’.
Making a goal is a very personal thing. You need to look at what your time will allow and also your personality trait. Do you have a week to week, or month to month planner or do you hope for the best? Or something in-between? Having too many goals sets you up for failure and that isn’t good for anyone. Remember we don’t have to do ALL the goals in one year – pace yourself. Put the most ‘important’ one first, then plan accordingly and stick to it. Put less pressure on yourself and accomplish one or two instead.
My goal board
You can even make a ‘goal’ under the umbrella of a wider spectrum, such as ‘improvement’, whether for your health or for your writing career. Many of you saw my 2021 goal board link – it is the best board I have made in many years and I don’t think I will be changing it very much for 2022. I have goals I want to reach in the next few years and the board reflects that for me.
Realistically, a goal can take longer than a year. Accept that and work towards it at your own pace. Time constraints and deadlines are not applicable here. We all ‘work’ at different paces, make that work for you.
Inconsequential – definition: of little or no importance : insignificant
In the grand scheme of things we are insignificant to the majority of the population of the world. However, if we believe this within a more local perspective, it can block the opportunities awaiting us. Being open to prospects in whatever form they present themselves, can, and doe,s widen our ‘range’.
Take for example an email sent to my writers group late last year. The local council asked if a creative writer could assist them in structuring a new vision statement. I was the only one to offer her services, surprisingly. To cut a long story short, I worked with a consultant and a new vision was produced. My reward, apart from the fee, was to attend the unveiling at a very posh luncheon and to receive a personal thank you letter from the Mayor. If I had not offered my services none of this would have happened. Sometimes we just have to take a deep breath and go for it.
Since then I have written several articles on behalf of non-profit organisations and am always on the look out for the next request. I even made a desk plaque which says New Opportunities.
So why not take some advice from the quote below and understand each person has a significant affect on those around them. It may be a small part of the world we effect but that is all right. After all we can not be everything to everyone.
Since finding writing as my favored creative outlet and my group, The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, I have embraced any and all opportunities. Yes, some were scary, such as attempting NaNoWriMo for the first time but others have been awesome adventures. I have learnt new skills and met some wonderful people. My life has improved beyond my expectations.
Before I toiled every day with no true relaxation or interest at the end of the day or week. Running my own company meant ‘the buck stopped with me’ and therefore I could never really shut off. I was also chairman of two Parent Teacher Associations for extended periods and excelled in the organization of fund raising events. However, I was still unfulfilled, missing that ‘something’ that captured my passion.
It took travelling across the Atlantic to find my passion. Rather drastic maybe, but I know I am where I need to be. I have found my creative outlet and embrace it wholeheartedly.
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 