How will you grow this year? At 24 Carrot Writing we believe that goals are like a garden trellis. They provide structure, shape, guidance, and support. And they help us reach ever upward.

Take a look at our goals for 2022 and perhaps peek back to see what we have planted in the past. Gather some seeds, clip some cuttings, and have fun planning your own writing-garden for the new year. 

24 Carrot Writing is here year-round to help you stay on track. We have fabulous bi-monthly blogs and book picks planned to help us grow, as well as an active Facebook community to offer support and encouragement.

​Bloom beyond borders! 

Amanda:
Reach past my limits. Listen to my art. Bloom!
​
Write:
Devotional
Picture books
Novel in Verse
Brainstorm MG
Poetry
Revise simmering manuscripts and get them submission ready.
 
Query:
MG fantasy: monthly
PBs: 10 queries every two months
Poetry: Every other month
 
Craft:
Blogs and reviews for 24 Carrot Writing and ASW (alternate months)
Attend local workshops / conference / retreat
Research agents
Participate in Picture Book Group
Participate in Critique groups

Below is the final result of my blooming zentangle. Read more about it here.

Kelly:​
Trust Your Story and Your Path

Write, Revise and Submit:

• Write 4 New PBs in 2022 (one every quarter)
• Revise 6 PBs in 2022 (one every other month)
• Boomerang all Submission Ready MS on Every Odd Month
• MG Novel – Dig into Revisions in January/February and give to CG in March
• May – December – Revise MG Novel and send to CG in January 2023

 
Craft & Community: 

• Attend 6 Book Launch/Author Events 
• Blog and/or Manage Guest Blogs 8x for 24 Carrot Writing 
• Study Current Book Market by Reading Industry Newsletter (2 a month)
• Read 310 books in 2022
• Participate in Monthly PB Group
• Participate in Loft KidLit Book Group 8x
• Review a Book a Month Online (Goodreads/Amazon/B&N and SM) 
• Participate in Soaring 20s Group and Continue to Manage Soaring 20s Reciprocal Reviews
• Conduct Author Visits or Create a SM blast for How Long Is Forever Quarterly
• Participate in Critique Groups (minimum of 1x month)

Every year we share our goals in the hopes that they will inspire you to set your own 24 Carrot Writing Goals. Setting solid, measurable goals is a basic tenet of 24 Carrot Writing. Whether you are joining us in January, or later in the year, it is never too late to create a path to writing success.

Take a peek at how we have decided to structure our goals this year and look back at our targets in past years.  Go ahead and snag a few targets from our lists to add to your own goals. Tweak our plans to match your own style  and don't forget to use our 24 Carrot Writing community to help you stay on track! We've got a great year of bi-monthly blogs planned, and an active Facebook community ready to offer support and encouragement! 

Kelly
​
Write with Confident Joy

Writing, Revise and Submit:

• Write 4 New PBs in 2021 (one every quarter)
• Revise 6 PBs in 2021 (one every other month)
• Boomerang all Submission Ready MS on Every Odd Month
• MG Novel Monthly Revision Plan
  • January Full Read & Construct3 Alt Beginnings
  • February Character Examinations
  • March – June – Revise 5 Chapters Per Month
  • July-October – Employ 1 Revision Strategy Per Month
  • November – Full Read and Final Tweaks
  • December – Send to Crit Group

 
Craft & Community: 

• Attend 6 Book Launch/Author Events 
• Blog and/or Manage Guest Blogs 8x for 24 Carrot Writing 
• Study Current Book Market
  • Read 310 books in 2021
  • Participate in Monthly PB Group
  • Participate in Loft KidLit Book Group 8x
  • Read Industry newsletters (2 a month) 
• Review a Book a Month Online (Goodreads/Amazon/B&N and SM) 
• Participate in Soaring 20s Group
  • Continue to Manage Reciprocal Reviews
  • SM blast 1x week 
• Create a SM blast for How Long Is Forever Monthly 
• Participate in Critique Groups (1x month)

​Annie

Writing:

• Finish first draft of adult novel (by January 31st)
• Submit adult novel draft to beta readers
• Write adult fiction novel synopsis
• Write adult fiction novel query letter
• Research adult fiction editors/agents
• Complete adult novel revisions based on feedback (by April 30th)
• Submit adult novel to 10 agents/editors (by May 15th)
• Write 2 new PB drafts
• Revise/edit 2 PB drafts based on critique feedback
• Write for minimum of 5 hours per week
• Write scheduled book picks/blog posts for 24 Carrot Writing
• Brainstorm ideas for new novel writing project and begin drafting

 
Craft & Community:

• Participate in monthly critique/feedback group
• Participate in monthly PB mentor text group
• Read 5-10 PBs per month
• Read at least 2 MG/YA/adult novels per month
• Maintain/update author website regularly
• Attend at least 4 book launches/book events

Amanda

Be intentional
​
​Write, Revise and Submit:

• Revise fantasy MG novel and get submission ready
• Brainstorm, plot, outline and draft new contemporary MG
• Write new Picture books
• Revise 8 picture book manuscripts
• Query one Picture book manuscript a month
• Query fantasy MG

​
Craft & Community:

• Blogs and reviews for 24 Carrot Writing
• Blogs or reviews for ASW monthly
• Attend local workshops

• Attend NESCBWI Spring conference (Virtual) (?)
• Attend annual Writing Retreat if possible
• Research agents
• Participate in Picture Book Group monthly
• Participate in Critique groups monthly
• Read for research and log books in Goodreads
• Classroom visits and events for Friends and Anemones once possible

Every year, the 24 Carrot Writing crew shares our yearly writing and craft goals.  We hope that in reading our plans for 2020, you may find a starting point for your own 2020 goal list.

Our 24 Carrot Writing blog goal is that you set your 2020 goals, use the 24 Carrot Writing method to hit your targets, and find inspiration in our blog throughout the year. And don't forget to add some carrots along the way to keep you motivated.


Kelly

Enjoy my debut PB launch, and make writing goals a priority in 2020. 

Writing:

• Write 4 new PBs in 2020 (one every quarter)
• Revise 6 PBs in 2019 (one every other month) - Elevating 3 to Submission Readiness
• Boomerang all Submission Ready MS (monthly task)
• Revise MG novel and share with critique partners (revise thru June – to share in July)

Craft & Community:

• Attend 8 Book Launch/Author Events
• Blog Monthly for 24 Carrot Writing and/or Manage Guests on 24 Carrot Writing
• Review a Book a Month Online (Goodreads & Amazon)
• Work Marketing Plan for PB Debut in 2020 & Launch my Debut
• Attend KidLit Book Group (minimum of 8x)

• ReFoReMo (participate in challenges and commit to reading 300 kidlit books in 2020, track books in Goodreads)
• Attend WPWR and 4 Writing Workshops
• Read Industry Blogs, Newsletters and Trade Journals
• Participate in Monthly Fisher Cat Critique Group, Monthly 24 Carrot Goal Meeting, Monthly PB Review Group

Amanda

Be intentional

Write:

• Finish MG Novel
• Write Chapter Book
• Revise and get submission ready 2 MG novels and 6 Picture Books
• Work on Writer’s Loft Anthology
• Query submission ready manuscripts
• Submit early reader manuscripts for educational market
• After NESCBWI – draw up submissions plan

Craft:

• Blogs and reviews for 24 Carrot Writing and ASW

• Attend local workshops and author events
• Attend NESCBWI Spring conference
• Attend Whispering Pines Writing Retreat
• Attend annual Writing Retreat
• Research agents and magazines
• Participate in Picture Book Group
• Participate in Critique groups
• Read for research and log books in Goodreads

Annie's 2020 Goals
Write for the sheer love it!

Writing:
• Finish 4th draft of Ageless MG novel (by February 29th)
• Submit Ageless MG final draft to beta readers
• Complete Ageless MG revisions based on feedback by May 30th 
• Write 4 new PB drafts
• Revise/edit 4 PB drafts based on critique feedback
• Write for minimum of 5 hours per week
• Write monthly book pick
​
Craft:
• Participate in monthly critique/feedback group
• Participate in monthly PB mentor text group
• Read 10 PBs per month
• Read at least one MG/YA per month
• Maintain/update author website regularly
• Attend 3 writing workshops 
• Attend at least 3 book launches/author events

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.
​
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! 

 
Every year, the 24 Carrot Writing crew shares our yearly writing and craft goals.  We hope that in reading our plans for 2018, you may find a starting point for your own 2018 goal list.

Our 24 Carrot Writing blog goal is that you set your 2018 goals, use the 24 Carrot Writing method to hit your targets, and find inspiration and motivation in our blog throughout the year.

Kelly 

Writing:

• Write  minimum of 8 new PBs in 2018
• Revise 2 PBs every month 
• Write or revise a query letter every month
• Revise MG novel 
• Write KidLit Book Group Discussion Guides for The Loft
• All complete submission ready MS must be out on submission - practice boomerang method (blog coming in February 2018) 

Craft: 

• Attend The Loft KidLit Book Group minimum of 8 times
• Attend Whispering Pines Writing Retreat
• Take/Attend 4 writing workshops/craft chats (The Writers' Loft and/or SCBWI)
• Submit 10 new or revised manuscripts to Critique Groups
• Read 100 PBs and 12 MG/YA books
• Write 12 blog entries for 24 Carrot Writing
• Attend minimum of 10 book launches and/or author events of fellow writers
• Read industry blogs and newsletters

Annie

Writing:

• Finish rough draft of MG novel (by July)
• Work on 2nd draft of MG novel 
• Write 4 new PB drafts
• Revise/edit 4 PB drafts based on critique feedback
• Write minimum of 20 minutes/day five days per week
• Submit 3-4 different PB manuscripts to at least 10 agents each 
• Submit completed MG novel to agents/editors
• Write monthly blog

Craft:

• Attend NESCBWI conference
• Attend at least 3 PB/MG workshops or critique groups
• Work on marketing for my PB debut in October
• Participate in monthly critique group
• Read 10 PBs per month
• Read at least one MG per month
• Update/maintain my author website on regular basis
• Attend at least 6 book launches/author events

​Amanda
Writing:

• Office hours: Tue, Thu, Fri (9 – 2)

Revise:

• YA Novel
• 4 PBs
• MG

Submit:

• Make a sub plan for YA and SUBMIT
• PBs: Boomerang submissions of all submission ready PBs

• After NESCBWI – draw up submissions plan to conference agents and editors
• Submit MG when ready

Write:

• Plot and write parts  II and III of MG trilogy
• Figure out if 3 PBs want to be a CB

Craft:

• Organize folders

• Attend local workshops 
• Attend NESCBWI Spring conference (Sunday?)
• Volunteer for and attend Encore
• Research agents and magazines
• Attend annual Writing Retreat
• Participate in Loft Book Group
• Read for research and log books
• Build author’s website (Summer)
• Participate in monthly online critique group
• Participate in Loft Critique groups

Francine
Writing:

• Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (or minimum of 20 min/day if life gets in way)
• Revise current contemporary YA manuscript
• Complete Draft 1.5 of a new historical piece
• If time permits and inspiration strikes, rewrite a contemporary YA manuscript that has been resting in a nearby drawer.
• Write monthly blog
  

Craft:

• Manage social media, blogs and website (weekly)
• Read novels and research materials that support my projects (weekly)
• Expand my workshop repertoire/develop new presentations (monthly)
• Invest in workshops and talks that will fill my educational well (monthly)
• Attend/present at NESCBWI conference
  
• Participate in monthly critique group

At it's core, 24 Carrot Writing is all about setting goals.

We are sharing our 2017 goals in the hopes that it will help you set your 24 Carrot Writing goals for the year.

Everyone's writing plan and work patterns will be different. We hope you find ideas and inspiration in the yearly goals we are sharing and can map out your own goals for the year. 

The possiblities are endless and the slate is clean. Set your goals.  Make your plan. Then jump out of bed every morning ready to put your plan into action.


Kelly
Writing:

• Give my PB writing the WRQS! in 8 of 12 months this year (http://www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/give-your-writing-the-wrqs)
  • Write 8 new PBs
  • Revise 8 PBs
  • Write 8 PB Query Letters
  • Send 10 PB submissions a month
• Revise 3rd draft of completed MG novel

• Finish first draft of new MG novel
• Write monthly blog entry for 24carrotwriting.com

Craft:

• Read in the genres in which I write and catalog books in Goodreads/ write reviews of at least 6 books this year
• Attend a craft class, chat or Writer’s Loft event every month
• Participate in monthly PB critique group
• Update my author webpage
• Read agent, editor and writing blogs and industry publications

Francine
Writing:

• Complete 3 drafts (with critiques in-between) for my historical YA novel "Untitled"
• Complete 2 drafts (a complete rewrite and a solid revision) for my realistic contemporary YA fiction novel "Marcy Schroeder..."

• Write monthly blogs for 24carrotwriting.com
• Research/send 8 submissions per month for my realistic contemporary YA novel "Fractured" 

Craft:

• Attend SCBWI Mid-Winter Conference in New York City  Feb. 9-12
• Attend NESCBWI Spring Conference in Springfield, MA  Apr. 20-23
• Plan/Coordinate 2017 NESCBWI Encore! II at MWCC in October
• Plan/Coordinate four "meet and greet" gatherings for NESCBWI
• Attend monthly critique group meetings
• Attend Annual Writing Retreat
• Finish designing and publish my updated author website; breathe new life into Facebook Author page​
• Revise PowerPoint Presentation for 5-Year Planning Workshop
• Develop PowerPoint Presentation for Journaling Workshop
• Brainstorm/Outline/Develop PowerPoint Presentation for Bullet Journaling for Novels Workshop
• Read! Craft, Genre, Pleasure!

Amanda
Writing:

• Write at least 20 minutes every week day
• Have one designated writing day (Writing Wednesday)
• YA Novel
  • Critique group revision (February)
  • Synopsis and Query revisions (January and February)
  • Research 10 agents (January and February)
  • Query and Submit (February and March first batch)
• Second Draft of MG "Claire Argent..."  by May
• Revise 3 Picture Books
• Write at least 2 Picture Books
• Submit submission ready piture books, at least one a month.
• Send novel queries out in batches of 10. (February, April, June, September, November)
• Submit to magazines

Craft:

• Attend local workshops
• Attend NESCBWI Spring Conference
• Attend annual Writing Retreat
• Research agents and magazines
• Participate in Loft book group
• Read for research and log books
• Build author’s website (Summer)
• Participate in monthly critique group

 
Annie
Writing:

• Finish 1st draft of MG novel (by March)
• Finish 2nd draft of MG novel (by June)
• Complete final draft/revisions of MG novel (by September)
• Polish and submit MG novel (by end of November)
• Begin outlining/drafting new MG (fall 2017)
• Write 4 new PBs and revise based on critique group feedback 
• Revise PBs written last year
• Polish and submit 3 PB manuscripts
• Write monthly blog entry for 24carrotwriting.com

Craft:

• Read, read, read in the genres in which I write!
• Participate in monthly PB critique group
• Work on my craft through writing exercises  
• Attend NESCBWI writing conference
• Attend at least 3 PB/MG workshops/classes
• Regularly review writing resources/workshop materials to hone writing skills
• Annual writing retreat
• Update/maintain my author website on regular basis