Weekly Goals

I have had several good weeks in a row now in regards to my writing and reading. So, I won't really change much but stick to my basic goals, since they have worked well for me so far.
The only real difference is that I will introduce a word count goal, to make sure I keep writing new material every week. Some weeks have been a bit too focused on editing, outlining, and exercises.


Core Goals

Write, edit, or outline every day (including the weekend): My regular top-priority, the most important weekly goal, which should help me reach my long-term goals of improving both my consistency, productivity, and writing quality.

Get exercise: Another regular goal, one of my two big non-writing goals, which help me improve my overall physical health. The aim is to do 2-3 proper exercise sessions a week and do some light exercise the other days. Hopefully, I can find the time to go to the gym again this week.

Eat healthier: The other physical health goal. I need to avoid snacking entirely on the weekdays, and I need to keep the snacking to a minimum during the weekend and generally avoid overeating

Read with intention: This a new goal for the year, and again one that should help me keep focus on my long-term writing goals. It’s a vague goal, but the intention is to make sure I learn something from whatever I’m writing. I need to take notes on stories (on what I can learn from what they do well/not so well), and I need to stay focused while reading.

Focus while writing: Likewise, a new goal and a vague goal. And again, it’s meant to keep me focused on my long-term writing goals. The goal is to be aware when my attention starts to slip when writing and correct it. This can be as simple as forcing my attention back to the writing, taking breaks, or start using “tools” like the pomodoro technique or turning of the internet.

Do a WYRM review: I need to keep momentum on this goal and do a review every week.


Stretch Goals

Write 1K words: A lot of my writing time has gone towards edits, outlining, or writing exercises lately. Which is fine, but I want to make sure I also keep writing new material every week.

Do vocal exercises: Another regular goal carried over from last year, though not one I generally need to focus on a lot. I should do my oral exercises, on average, once a day.

Do writing exercises : Another small goal to help me focus on improving the quality of my writing. I should do at least one writing exercise a week.

Read short stories: A regular goal from last year. I want to read/listen to at least 3 published short stories.

Read “new” magazines: And yet another regular goal. To make sure I read more broadly, I should read/listen to at least one short story published somewhere else than the three magazines I read/listen to the most (Podcastle, Clarkesworld, and Flash Fiction Online).

Read/listen to non-fiction:This goal is meant to help do light research and get information from the real world. Ideally, this should lead me to produce more original story ideas than the ideas I derive from already published stories. I need to read/listen to podcast/chapters about at least 3 different non-fiction subjects. Ideally, they will also be different sources, different podcasts/books.

Submit short stories: If I have any stories/poems rejected or any new material ready, I need to send it out for submission.

Do Fantasticon work: I keep chipping away on various assignments for the con, and while I don't expect to get all of them done, I want to start working on at least one of the following tasks this week:
- Draft SoMe post about the con venue.
- Draft SoMe post about tickets being available.
- Continue working on translation of a GoH story.