Plans and Goals for 2025

Last year was a “rebuilding year,” the euphemism I like to use when things didn't go as planned. However, I made some changes that I hope will keep me more on track in the coming year. These are my plans and goals for 2025.

Goals Are Dreams with Deadlines

Dreaming big, then making attainable plans and goals to get there, is a delightful way to spend an afternoon or two. Plus, the whole year stretched out ahead seems like a whole lot of time to add a dozen projects to the calendar. I invariably regret my exuberance in around November, then ask myself, “What was I thinking?”.

Also, execution strengths are not my gifts. I tank at deadlines that I set for myself — I can talk myself out of them in a nanosecond. Or, as Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) famously said, “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” I need accountability to keep me focused — I'm much better with external deadlines.

Therefore, one of my goals this year is to look for ways to build accountability into my process. It's a work in progress, in more ways than one.

Writing More In 2025

Last year, I wanted to release three books but only completed one. For 2025, I want to get three books out. These stories need to be told! The release dates are tentative.

• Spark Transform, the long-awaited next book in my space opera series. I could tell you all the reasons why it's taking me so long to finish this book, but we'd be here all day. Spring 2025
• Shifter's Thunder, the next book in my paranormal romance series. Winter 2025
• A new space opera story for Pets in Space.
• Writing-adjacent: Organize, produce, and release Pets in Space 10, the annual limited-edition anthology that I edit. I have to add it to my writing projects bucket so that I allot enough work hours for it.

Expansion Plans

• I could release Stellar Drift, my story from Pets in Space 8, as is. However, I have a nifty idea for an extra chapter and want to add it.
• Audiobooks. These have languished a bit owing to publisher kerfuffles and the like. It's been a marathon, but I can see the goalposts up ahead.
• Special editions for both series. I used Kickstarter campaigns to get the ball rolling on these. I am determined to do one this year for the space opera stories in the big damn story arc. They'll get gorgeous new covers, interior illustrations, and fancy extras for physical books.

Streamlining

Adults are good at finding equilibrium and always doing things the same way. Which is great for saving energy, but not so great if things need to change. For 2025, my goal is to look at all my processes and improve them. For example, getting different or better tools (and use them!), automating manual processes, and documenting steps for rare processes so I don't have to re-learn how to do it when the time comes.

Learn New Things

A.I. tools are here to stay. Therefore, I want to build my knowledge base now so I can take advantage of the improvements that are happening at light speed. My goal for learning to use AI tools is to get better and faster at the boring stuff so I have more time for telling stories, which is the heart of my business.

Get My Books Seen

One of the challenges of the mostly satisfying independent author gig is finding ways to get my books seen by readers who might like them. You probably don't want to read about my marketing plans because they are about as interesting as reading instructions for government forms. In a nutshell, my invaluable assistant helps by reminding me to do the basics. My plan for 2025 is to plan ahead and give her more things to remind me about so I can reach more readers.

As to seeing me, I will have a table at Fort Collins Comic Con in 2025. It's small and relaxed, so it isn't a moneymaking venture or an opportunity to find lots of new readers. Rather, it's a grand way to see old friends, make new ones, and support the local library.

Additional Plans for 2025

These are my additional plans and goals for 2025. This is otherwise known as quality time with my calendar. 😺

In the work-life balance side of things, my plans include traveling (three trips on the horizon) and taking low-commitment craft classes because they're a hoot and fill my creative well.

I need to stay healthy to do all that, so I'll continue exercising, studying and teaching Tai Chi, and washing my hands a lot. And get vaccinations, and eat more vegetables, and get rid of more clutter I don't need.

And equally important, I plan to entertain my cats, since they kindly do the same for me.

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