Way, way back at the start of the year, I wrote my resolutions as folks tend to do in January, many of them appealing because there was no immediate need to do them. As the year hurtled on, I tried to cram them in so I could tick them off and my successes were 50/50.
Look for work elsewhere
MASSIVE TICK. I’ve been freelancing for more than five years now and while my job satisfaction and happiness levels have soared in that time, copy-writing doesn’t pay well. This year, I took on a part-time job at the University of Glasgow. It turns out that academia is the nicest environment to work in. Steady money, incredibly nice people and I still have my freedom. Win-win.
Author services
At the start of the year, I planned to offer more author services, but ended up not doing as much of this work as I did in 2017. Ah well. It was a busy year.
Publish four books
Half tick – I published two, Artists Town and Ten Little Stars. And wrote three, which all need tonnes of tidying up. Writing successes this year included having one of my books on Wattpad long-listed for the Wattys2018, a competition that had more than 150,000 entries. When you’re an indie publisher, it’s nice to have that external validation of your writing. I also did #NaNoWriMo, writing 50,000 words in 30 days, which was hugely enjoyable and fulfilling.
Sell directly
I did do it this year, via an event at the local library where I sold books, but I haven’t done enough to push that part of my author business – partly because it feels a little pointless. Selling directly doesn’t count towards book rankings, and they are so important for overall sales. Still, it’s back on the list for next year.
Ongoing development
TICK. This year, I did an author event with the amazing Caron Allan, which was far more fun than we expected. That, I decided, counted as my ‘run a workshop’ plan set out at the beginning of the year. I continue to listen to podcasts, read blogs and work at developing my writing skills. Next year, I’ll concentrate on the further development of the marketing ones.
Happy New Year to you all – and thanks for reading.
Emma Baird - author 
Emma, you’ve completed so many things this year. Don’t forget the half marathon.
Thanks Gary – and thankfully, I’ve not been hit by that awful affliction that often causes people to say ‘this year the half, next year, the full marathon’.
Happy New Year Emma. Good luck with your 2019 targets.
Thanks and all the very best to you and your family in 2019.
It’s all good – as they say on Imposters – always forward, never back! Have a great New Year!
And you! We’re off to a restaurant called Roast It Bubbly Jock, which has to be great on the basis of the name alone.
Happy New Year Emma. Well done on achieving such a lot. Here’s to a great 2019! X
And you! x
You did a lot better with your resolutions than I did!
De-clutter my house was on the list, as it is every year. Maybe, maybe this year…