wish list – Cindy Young-Turner

Happy new year and a 2015 writer’s wish list

Happy new year! I know a lot of people who are more than happy to see the end of 2014. There were plenty of both good and bad things for me. I was really hoping to finish Thief of Destiny, but fate seemed to conspire against me and instead I ended up re-releasing and self-publising Thief of Hope. I think that will end up being a good decision. It came out in early December and that month has been the best I’ve had in terms of sales in a long time. I’ll be self-publishing book 2 and that means once I finish, the book will come out much quicker.

Here’s my annual writer’s wish list. Some of them will be repeats of last year.

1. Better time management

I’m determined to write more and waste less time on the internet. I have little enough time as it is, so no Facebook until I’ve written a page. Doable? I think so.

2. Finish book 2

All right, I think this is the third writer’s wish list and this item is still lingering. It will NOT be on the 2016 wish list. I’ve been telling people late spring. Fingers crossed I can stick with it. I have almost half of the book written, it just needs a bit of rewriting and then the big push to finish. I even have some ideas for the ending.

3. Blog more

I’m hoping to have a lot more to post about this year. Exciting things are coming. Plus I know a bunch of people with new books out that I’d like to feature. And hopefully more of those to come during the year.

4. Attend more author events

I went to Balticon last year, but that was about it in terms of events. With my book in limbo for a while, it made sense to hold off attending events and plan for 2015. I have a list of events in mind already.

5. A copy of Adobe Creative Suites

I broke down and signed up for the trial copy of Photoshop and InDesign so I could do some basic graphic design and marketing materials, but I really need to invest in a good design program.

6. Enjoy life

It’s easy to get caught up in work and family and chores and putting one foot in front of the other just to get through each day. I want to take more time to truly appreciate life, even–or especially–the little things.

That’s it for now. Wishing you much success and happiness in whatever your endeavors may be!

Happy new year and a 2014 writer’s wish list

Happy new year! Hard to believe 2014 is here already. I was sick on new year’s eve this year so I’m starting a little late but I’m back in the swing of things now. I hope this will be the best year yet. I have big plans for you, 2014. All I have to do is make them happen.

And on that note, here is my annual writer’s wish list, updated for 2014.

1. Time

This one always seems to be a given. I wish I had a TARDIS or a time turner to add some more hours to the day. Really what I need is better time management.

2. De-cluttering

It’s amazing how much stuff you accumulate over the years. I’m determined to become better organized this year and get rid of a lot of stuff I don’t need. Like old drafts of chapters I’ve since rewritten and the box of very old drafts 0f my published novel. Yikes. Why am I holding onto those? Nostalgia? Time to meet the recycling/shredding bin.

3. Finish book 2

I know, I was supposed to do this in 2013. It ended up not being a very productive year overall in terms of writing. I’ve found my way now and I have a plan. Should be easy if I can implement the time management of #1 on the list.

4. Read more

I actually read quite a bit (for me) in 2013 and discovered some great books, not necessarily new but new to me. I’m finally on the last book of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, which is quite an accomplishment considering the length of some of the books. (Don’t ask about GRRM’s ASoIF, still working on those.) I hope to read and blog more about some of the books I’m discovering and enjoying.

5. Blog more

To start, #4 will give me some things to blog about. I will strive to be more consistent in my posting.

6. Success for my writer friends

A number of writer friends were published last year and several are getting close to publication. We all support each other and I wish them many successes for the coming year. Fingers crossed that someone will make the big time!

7. Reconnecting with friends

We all have busy lives and families, but over the years I’ve realized how important friends are in my life. I’m lucky to have a number of friends who go way back. Even though we don’t see each other very often, we have no excuse not to stay in touch. I’ll do my best to make sure that happens.

8. Write every day

A page a day equals a 365-page novel after a year. It should be doable. After all, that’s what we writers do, isn’t it? We write. I need to remember that.

So do you have any resolutions, writing or otherwise, for the new year? Wishing you much success and happiness in whatever your endeavors may be!

Happy 2013 and a new writer’s wish list

Hope you all had happy holidays and wishing you joy and peace and success for 2013. I’m emerging from the whirlwind of December and trying to get things back on track and do some planning for the upcoming year. The nice thing about January is the blank slate. Anything is possible. I hope there will be big things to come this year.

I did a writer’s wish list post last year and I thought I’d do another for this year. I’m feeling a bit more introspective this time around. Stuff doesn’t seem as important as the ability to spend time with loved ones.

The 2013 Writer’s Wish List

1. Time

This was on the list last year. I think it’s a given. We all need more time. I hope to prioritize more in 2013 and make time for the things that are really important to me. Life is too short to waste it.

2. Confidence

I’m working on this one. Sometimes it’s hard to have confidence in myself as a writer. I’m probably my own worst critic. My wonderful critique groups aren’t shy about telling me when something needs work and giving praise when something is good, but I need to remind myself also that yes, I can write and sometimes I even write well.

3. Better networking skills

I’m working on this one also. I did Balticon this year and was a panelist and survived. I even talked to a few people. I’m hoping to participate again in 2013. I’m planning to do some book festivals and other events, so this will also help build on #2.

4. An ending to my current work in progress

I admit, I’m envious of the Crescent Moon Press authors who already have sequels out. I’m working hard on Thief of Destiny and I’m determined to finish it this year. Thief of Hope has had a pretty positive reception, and Journey to Hope, a short prequel, just came out in December. I hope book 2 will help bring more fans to the series.

5. Good health and happiness to friends and family

This isn’t writing related, but I’ve found that my mental health really does impact my writing. 2012 was a tough year for a lot of people. When bad things happen, it puts into perspective what is really important. I wish I could be closer to my family and my dearest friends, but at least technology makes it easier to stay in touch. I want to send out healing thoughts to a good friend who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and is undergoing chemo. He expects to be in remission this year, but it’s going to be a challenge getting there. His wife and I have been friends for ages and I was lucky to be able to attend their New Year’s Eve wedding a number of years ago. Please check out his blog (http://myrepochbattle.wordpress.com) where he’s sharing his experiences and could use some support.

More than anything, 2012 was a reminder that we all need to be there for each other. If nothing else, I hope this is one wish that will be fulfilled this year.

A writer’s wish list

Well, the shopping is done and presents are all wrapped, but I don’t think I’ll find any of these things under the tree. Here’s what’s on my writer’s wish list this year:

1. Time

I wish for more time every year, but haven’t found a way to get a 26-hour day or fit everything in. I think I need Hermione’s time turner. Could I get that in my stocking?

2. A shiny new Macbook

My name is Cindy and I’m a Mac. I love Macs. I love my Macbook, but it’s four years old and there are newer, shinier things out there. It still works just fine, though, so for now it’s staying. The Mac desktop is ancient and really needs to be replaced. Again, it’s still chugging along and I’m cheap and don’t want to replace it until it dies.

3. A black hole for all those pesky adverbs

Adverbs are seductive. They sneak up on you, so handy and easy to use. Then before you know it, you’ve got a whole page littered with them.

4. Ditto for those repeated words and phrases

When I was going through edits on ToH, I was embarrassed and appalled by how many times I repeated certain words and phrases. How could I not have noticed them? I hope I’m a bit more conscious of things like that now, but I know I still have some crutch words I always seem to fall back on.

5. More readers

If more people bought my book (say, thousands more), maybe I could quit my day job and write full time. That would also help out with #1 on the list.

6. Find out how book 2 in the series is going to end

Again, this goes along with #1 on the list. I need more time to write so I can finish the next book!

7. Publishers for the wonderful authors in my critique groups

I know a number of people who have written great books. They just need to find a publisher to snap them up.

8. Less social anxiety

Speaking in front of groups is one of my worst fears, but it’s something I have to do more of. I survived my first public reading and did pretty well, I thought. Hopefully there will be more to come in 2012.

9. Peter Jackson to direct the movie version of my book

He must be nearly finished with The Hobbit, right? I have the perfect new project for him!

10. Peace on earth and good will toward men. And women. And pigs. And frogs. And chickens…

Not writing related, but it’s a given.

So what’s on your writer wish list?