In the last year, I’ve started to separate the goals I have for writing from the goals I have as a writer.
As in, “finish second draft by August” and “write three more poems by Christmas”.
As opposed to “become a full-time novelist” and “get involved in podcasts/live events”.
Nothing sexy, I know. I tend towards more practical, actionable items that I feel can be achieved through diligence and discipline. It always makes me giggle whenever I hear a writer say their goal is to become famous. In my mind, that kind of amorphous goal distracts you from the vision and focus required to finish, refine and sell a novel. The good folks at The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast can confirm:
But it also just feels out of synch with what it means to be a writer. You write to be read, of course, but you cannot predict how many people will read your words. Or how far a reach your writing can attain. As I used to tell my writing students, “If one person reads your work and it resonates with them, you have achieved your goal as a writer. Everything after that is gravy.”
I recently heard Roxane Gay say something to the effect that being a writer requires having “a sense of self that is outsized”. Truly, if you have the gift of creating worlds on paper, you have a mini God complex. But that doesn’t mean that world domination is guaranteed. Focus on the words, focus on your goals, and be proud of every accomplishment, even if it seems small to you.
What have I accomplished this year? So much, but to the outside eye, not much at all. I finished the second draft of the novel, I queried 15 literary agents over the last three months, I started laying out a second novel, and sent stories, novel excerpts and poems to contests and open calls across North America. I have also launched this Substack, refreshed my socials and earned some money to keep the operation going.
In my mind, 2023 was a foundation-building year. I cut expenses and lived more modestly to focus on the writing life. When people asked what I was up to, I reflexively answered, “my usual little things”. But these not-so-little things are stones that I strategically put in place, layer upon layer, to create a solid foundation for my future life. The results of everything I have done will not be fully understood—even to myself—for years to come, but I have been doing the work and the results will reflect the passion, joy and tears I have poured into that work. I believe that.
What are your goals for 2024? For the writing, and as a writer?