2019 Goals

Every year, the 24 Carrot Writing crew shares our yearly Writing and Craft goals.  We hope that in reading our plans for 2019, you may find a starting point for your own 2019 goal list.

​We also feel strongly that writing goals down and sharing them builds accountability and leads to accomplishment. We encourage you to share your 24 Carrot Writing Goals on our Facebook page (look for a pinned post about goals) or in the comments below, and use this goal tracking sheet. 

While the 24 Carrot Writing approach emphasizes setting Writing Goals and Craft Goals, you will notice that Amanda and Kelly have added sections. Amanda finds that adding Submit as a separate header allows her to track and achieve her submission goals. Kelly is focusing on connecting with the KidLit community in 2019 and has separated out Community as a header so she can be sure to focus on those goals. Start with the framework of setting Writing Goals and Craft Goals and then feel free to adjust your goal list so that it works for you. 

We hope you set your 2019 goals, use the 24 Carrot Writing method to hit your targets, and find inspiration and motivation in our blog throughout the year. And don't forget to reward yourself with a special carrot every  month to celebrate your progress.​​

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Francine
Writing:

• Show up. 
• Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (or minimum of 20 min/day if life gets in way)
• Complete rewrite of contemporary YA manuscript (May 15); submit to critique group (June 1)
• Revise contemporary YA manuscript based on critique (September and October)
• Draft historical YA novel (Fall/Winter 2019) 
• Write monthly blog for 24 Carrot Writing
• Attend one-day writing retreats with 24 Carrot Writing and critique group
• Plan and attend one weekend writing retreat

 
Craft:

• Manage social media, blogs and website 
• Attend 2019 NESCBWI conference
• Participate in monthly critique group
• Read craft books and industry blogs (especially summer)
• Organize office files and submission materials
• Research agents and editors for YA contemporary novel
• Develop submission plan for YA novel and submit Fall 2019 (use Kelly's Boomerang Method)
• Take research trip for historical novel – Fall 2019
• Read: 52 novels/non-fiction books (24 YA Fiction and 28 Adult Fiction/Non-fiction) plus 96 PB (8 per month)
• Teach Five-Year Creative Planning Workshop at PVWW (plus other?)

Amanda
Be intentional
Write:

• Write MG novel sequel (January  - April)
• Revise MG novel sequel (May)
• Write and revise at least 6 new PBs (June - December)
• Draft a contemporary chapter book/ MG?

Submit:

• Submit YA novel, using submissions plan
• Submit MG novel
• PBs: Boomerang submissions

• After NESCBWI – draw up new submissions plan

 
Craft:

• Launch personal website (Amanda Smith Writes)
• Blogs and reviews for ASW
• Blogs and reviews for 24 Carrot Writing

• Attend local workshops
• Attend NESCBWI Spring conference
• Research agents and magazines
• Attend one-day and annual writing retreats
• Participate in Loft book group
• Read for research and log books in Goodreads
• Participate in C2C and Loft Critique groups

Annie
Writing:

• Finish rough draft of MG novel by June
• Finish 2nd draft of MG novel by December
• Write 4 new PB drafts
• Revise/edit 4 PB drafts based on critique feedback
• Write for minimum of 2 hours per week
• Submit to 5 agents/editors per month 
• Write monthly blog/book pick

Craft:

• Attend NESCBWI conference
• Attend 3 PB/MG workshops 
• Work on marketing for second PB due out in April & schedule at lease 6 events
• Schedule at least 6 events for debut PB
• Participate in monthly critique group
• Read 10 PBs per month
• Read at least one MG/YA per month​
• Update/maintain my author website on regular basis
• Attend at least 6 book launches/author events

Kelly
Writing:

• Write 5 new PBs in 2019 (one every 2 months with July/Aug off)
• Revise 12 PBs in 2019 (one a month)
• Boomerang all Submission Ready MS (monthly task)
• Commit to Writing Wednesdays

Community:

• Attend 6 Book Launch/Author Events/Workshops
• Blog Monthly for 24 Carrot Writing and/or Manage Guests on 24 Carrot Writing
• Review a Book a Month online (Goodreads & Amazon)
• Write Discussion Guides for Writers (minimum of 6)
• Teach Story Squad Writing Class at HCA (min of 12 classes)
• Develop and Work a Marketing Plan for PB Debut in 2020 (participate in Soaring 20s, seek out interviews, polish Author Website, build email list, target cross-marketing opportunities)

Craft:

• Attend KidLit Book Group (minimum of 8x)
• ReFoReMo (participate in challenge and commit to reading 300 kidlit books in 2019, track books in Goodreads)
• Attend SCBWI & WPWR
• Read Industry Blogs, Newsletters and Trade Journals
• Participate in Critique Groups (submit to C2C minimum of 6x year & Loft Crit Group min of 6x year)  

​Add your own 2019 Goals in the comments section! ​