Aiming Objectives and Resolutions for 2021

Hey there! 2021 is upon us, and I'm by your side to embark on a brand-new year filled with ambitions and plans!

The past few months have been a whirlwind, with a string of family issues that left me needing a break to recover and heal. But I'm back, ready to jump back into the game!

While taking some time off, I thought about what I'd like to do this year, struggling a bit since I'm still unsure of my capabilities. However, I've come up with a list of intentions for 2021!

One goal that's been eluding me lately is diving deeper into self-published and indie books. The main hindrances have been:

I can't seem to find these books in libraries. I much prefer getting books from the library since I can't afford to purchase books I might not like.
Most of the self-published or indie books I've splurged on without reading first have turned out to be disappointments for various recurring reasons.

This year, I'm going to be a tad braver, and I've found a way to read more indie/self-published books. Last year, a platform named Reedsy.com reached out to me, asking me to apply for their book reviewer program for Reedsy Discovery.

Since it was optional and I had other projects on my plate, I didn't spend much time on it. However, I've decided that I want to actively read and review for Reedsy Discovery this year. Not only will this provide me with more opportunities to read indie/self-published books, but it'll also help me hone my reviewing skills.

I know there are brilliant self-published/indie authors out there (shout-out to Michaelbrent Collings and Bethany Atazadeh), and I want to find more of them!

I accomplished a ton last year. I finally drafted Demon Fall after an 18-month battle. During November, I almost finished the first draft of a comic book series I'm working on with a friend. Despite all I achieved, I've been inspired to aim for drafting or outlining one or two more books this year.

I have a few exciting options:

I could work on the sequel book to Demon Fall. I already have a basic outline and just need to flesh it out further.
I could work on the next book in the comic series, which would be quicker to draft, as it's planned to be shorter. However, I don't have an outline for that one yet.

I have a plethora of project prospects, and I think I can accomplish a lot in these two projects this year, given I focus and keep at it.

Doing beta reads for Demon Fall has taught me so much. I hadn't considered many things while writing this book, and I missed several essential elements—plot holes, inconsistencies, and an outline. With the help of feedback, I'll be able to fix these issues and prepare for queries.

I'm thrilled because I believe Demon Fall has great potential to grow and improve!

NaNoWriMo 2020 taught me it's feasible to draft 2,000 words per day without burning out. I'd like to start maintaining this word count in months that aren't National Novel Writing Month. I've learned that if I put my mind to it, I can be a fast drafter!

I write by the seat of my pants, which I love, but it leaves room for messy revisions. Going forward, I plan to study plotting more and practice outlining to improve the quality of my work.

I'm really excited to work on these things this year! I learned so much in 2020, and there's still a whole world of knowledge waiting to be uncovered. I see great hope and potential, and I can't wait to get started!

What are some stretch goals you'll be reaching for this year? Let me know in the comments below!

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Reedsy Discovery

Reedsy Discovery is a platform established to foster collaboration between independent or self-published authors and readers, primarily by providing review opportunities for books and supporting indie authors with visibility and feedback.

Key Reedsy Discovery Features:- Book Reviews for Indie Authors: Indie authors can submit their books for reviews on Reedsy Discovery, as opposed to the traditional, more selective publishing routes.- Review Incentives: Aspiring book reviewers can sign up to read and write reviews. Although reviewers do not receive a fixed fee, readers and authors can tip them up to $20 per review. This arrangement enables some reviewers to earn substantial sums over time, with some readers tipping regularly around $10–$15.- Community Engagement: Reedsy Discovery fosters a community, allowing authors to connect with readers and reviewers, thereby increasing the chances of their books being discovered and gaining traction in a highly competitive independent publishing market.

Benefits for Book Reviewers:- Monetary and Skill Development: Reviewers have the opportunity to earn incremental income through tips and enhance their reputation as insightful critics.- Access to Diverse Books: Reviewers gain early access to a wide range of indie and self-published books, often before they gain mainstream attention, enabling them to support emerging talent.

Advantages for Indie/Self-Published Authors:- Constructive Feedback and Exposure: Authors receive feedback from engaged readers and reviewers, which can help improve their work and better understand their audience. Visibility gained through reviews helps boost sales and foster a loyal reader base.- Networking: The platform helps authors connect with publishing professionals such as editors and marketers, further facilitating their publishing journey.

Reedsy Discovery is therefore essential for both reviewers and indie/self-published authors, leveraging community engagement, feedback, and financial incentives to bolster the independent book market.

This year, I've decided to actively participate in the Reedsy Discovery program as a book reviewer. This move not only allows me to read more indie/self-published books, but it will also help me hone my reviewing skills and potentially discover new talents in the field. Additionally, I am aiming to improve my own novel writing skills by studying plotting and outlining techniques to produce high-quality work. With these goals in mind, I believe that 2021 offers ample opportunities for both education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as well as some entertaining new books to immerse myself in.