I love resolutions. ADORE THEM. I love making lists and ticking things off and I’ve been guilty of writing things down even though I’ve already done them just so I can tick them off. Not even sorry. #IDoWhatIWant
So of course I’m writing resolutions for 2016. Logical, achievable resolutions — naturally.
And I have many goals. MANY. Ready for this? Let us launch.
(I’m sneakily linking this up with Broke and Bookish’s Top Ten Tuesday because — WHY NOT.)
- SPEND MORE TIME WRITING. Because I’m a binge writer. So it’s totally likely for me to write intensely for 5 days and then do nothing for 5 months. Gah. I don’t want to change my style or habits (it’s just who I am, Bob) but I do want to get more done in a year!
- …WHICH ALSO MEANS SPEND MORE TIME EDITING, GOSH DARNIT. I whinge about editing a lot. Because I don’t like it. There’s pressure on editing! There’s anxiousness about axing the wrong words and it’s tedious and takes a long time. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?! I have 18 books that could be edited. Yup. 18. For me 2016 needs to be about editing.
- WRITE AT LEAST 2 BOOKS AND EDIT AT LEAST 2 BOOKS. I actually have 4 books I want to write (and it’s only January!!! HELP) but I shall shush them in a corner for now. Focus on editing, Cait. F.O.C.U.S.
- WRITE A WIDER VARIETY OF CHARACTERS…ALSO MAKE THEM MORE DIVERSE. I write quirky, sassy, dimensional characters (in my opinion anyway, ha!) but they all tend to follow the same patterns. This needs work. And I also wuss out of writing diverse characters a lot because…what do I know?! I might read 3989 books about being deaf or Asian, but if I haven’t lived it, then what right do I have to write it, hmm? But NO MORE. I want to be brave. Research! Write diversely!
- PARTICIPATE IN NANOWRIMO. I mean, obviously.
- GET A BOOK DEAL. Okay! Okay! I can’t put things out of my control on a goals list but… I do have dragons and they can be slightly threatening little beasts…
- REACH 5,000 FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM. That’d double what I have now, but pshhht. I can do it.
- DON’T BLOG SO MUCH. Most people resolve to blog more! I KNOW. But I’m overwhelmed, humans. Yes, your queen is freely admitting this right now. I want to answer all my comments and visit all the blogs, but that takes me HOURS each day. As far as my power extends, I haven’t yet found a time machine. I want to blog 4 times a week and keep up the social networking!
- LEARN MORE ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN. I’m addicted to pretty things. Not even ashamed. I haunt Creative Market and wish I had all the monies of the world to buy all the pretty graphics. But I’d also like to be able to PUT TOGETHER nice graphics. So far it’s all haphazard plopping things here and there and beaming. Nope. I want to learn thingies. Turning my own drawings into vector would be amazing. No clue how to do that yet without mortgaging my soul for equipment.
- READ 200 BOOKS. I did read 300 last year, and I won’t lie…I secretly want to read 300 again. But, like I said: the focus of 2016 is WRITING! So I want to aim for 20 books a month and stop competing with myself. Naturally myself is a great sport and the races between myself and I are amusing to say the least — but seriously. IT GETS EXHAUSTING.
- PICK AN AUTHOR AND DEVOUR ALL THEIR BOOKS. So far I’m tossing between Neal Shusterman, Neil Gaiman and Julie Kagawa. See, each year I try to pick an author and just gobble all their works. Last year was George RR Martin and Rick Riordan. And it’s a grand binge reading opportunity.
- HAVE UNDER 10 BOOKS ON MY TBR AT A TIME. This one is hilarious, isn’t it? Adorable and hilarious. Ha ha ha.
- RE-READ ALL THE STIEFVATER BOOKS. You know how much I love Maggie Stiefvater, right?! WELL. I barely ever reread…but her books need to be the exception. Last year I reread the Shiver trilogy. This year I want to listen to audios of her books and basically just absorb her words all. the. time so I can write that awesomely. #goals
- GET A NEW BOOKSHELF. If anyone says “just sell some books” I will look at you very fiercely and you will be scared.
RULE EVERYTHING. I assume this’ll happen when I sign my book deal. I mean “book deal” and “ruler of the universe” forms probably look rather alike anyway. I’m sure I can get a combined one. Then when my book hits shelves, millions will buy it all at once and — HUZZAH — I’ll be an instant world ruler. Mwah ha hahah.
- IF NOT “EVERYTHING” AT LEAST TAKE OVER A NEW PLANET OR TWO. I’ll probably name the planets Ian and Ferdinand.
- GET ARTY. Because I like art. I LOVE ART. But I get caught up reading and blogging and forget that I like art. I want to zentangle at least once a month. I want to maybe try watercolour painting? Or at least occasionally doodle flowers and rainbows with the blood of my fallen foes.
- TRAIN MY DOG TO BRING ME SANDWICHES. He is a useless secretary. He just loafs around and demands treats and bites me to show affection and seriously, this needs improvement. He should be able to bring sandwiches and coffee at my demand and at least draft my emails. He needs work.
Wow.. so many things to do :O
Good luck 😀
I hope you can make it 😀
Eeeep, thank you! Hopefully I didn’t aim too high.😂
Your welcome 😀 I think it is okay for you to aim high.
Imagine those wonderful feeling when you can reach “impossible” goal 😀
YOU CAN DO IT. You’re fantabulous and I hope to be under your glorious rule one day (so that you can also use your powers to give me a book deal. Because you’re a kind ruler who will also give her people dragons as pets…wait, what?). I suck at resolutions so I decided not to do that to myself this year. I DO WANT TO FINISH THAT NANOWRIMO NOVEL FROM LAST YEAR THOUGH. I am still woefully behind because I am too tempted to edit as I go along. And usually, I don’t write for 2-3 days and since I have the memory of a goldfish, I read over what I wrote and all I can think is: “I can’t believe I liked this when I was writing it.”
YES. I WILL HAVE ALL SORTS OF POWERS TO GRANT OTHERS BOOK DEALS TOO. And if people annoy me, my dragons will eat them. :’) I mean, there really is no downside to ruling over all, right? *sniffles happily*
aHEM.
Oh oh good luck to finishing your NaNo novel too!! SQUEE. Finishing things is like the BEST feeling of just about ever.
I’m torn between wanting to focus on reading this year, or writing.
It’s quite the dilemma, I tell you.
My goodreads challenge is set to 100 this year, as it is every year. Maybe this year I’ll actually accomplish it…I’ve failed the last couple of years.
IT IS. I figure if I alternate? So last year = reading. This year = writing. *nods*
Except I’m rarely that organised but iT’S A GOOD THEORY FOR NOW.
YES LET US IGNORE THE PLOT BUNNIES TOGETHER. editing old manuscripts only 2k16. Let’s make it happen. Ooh, look, shiny idea! *runs off* *runs back* “Blog less”, you say, and then 4 posts A WEEK. I didn’t blog that much when I was blogging MORE. Also, pretty sure that the equipment store also allows mortgages of favourite books instead of souls, but I think mortgaging your soul is a better bet between those two options.
But Alyssssssa I GOT SO MANY SHINY IDEAS. The 4 is slowly evolving into 5. :O I’m having to listen to audio books so I JUST DON’T THINK OR ELSE I INVENT MORE BOOKS TO WRITE AND IT’S BECOMING A PROBLEM. Ahem.
bAhha, but I used to blot 7 days a week…so 4 is definitely less for me!! XD We’ll see how I go. I love blogging so so much and I have so many ideas. AHEM.
YESSS I want to write more this year as well. We shall see how much time university takes up O_O I think I want to do the same as you – rewrite two books (Wanderland and Grizzly) and write two more (Twelve Dancing Princesses and whatever I decide for NaNo…maybe Jumanji abandoned buildings book because apparently I’ve become tired of contemporary).
Also I definitely think you’ll get to 5,000 Instagram followers. Your photos are very follow-worthy (and worse comes to worst, I’ll just make 2,500 accounts and follow you on them all)
Yesss. I hope university doesn’t swallow you completely BECAUSE I WOULD MISS YOU FOR SURE. And I really hope you get these ones rewritten because I can’t wait to read them. *happy dance* And zomg, I’m already tentatively planning NaNo too! SO MUCH FUN. (Although, tbh, I’m probably going to write this “tentative NaNo” book way earlier. I have no restraint.)
AWWWW. *BLUSHES* YOU ARE SO NICE THO.
“And rainbows with the blood of my fallen foes” – Cait, you’re wonderful. Resolutions are awesome, more precisely, resolutions in list form, because yes, lists are the best! And girl, HOW DID YOU READ 300 BOOKS LAST YEAR?! And HOW WILL YOU READ 200 THIS YEAR?! I could barely manage 50 last year!
Writing is something I want to do more of too, because, like you I am definitely quite the binge reader!
I KNOW. Wonderful and slightly scary. :’) Isn’t it such a good mixture. Omg.
AHEMMM. I don’t even knooooow how I read so much. XD I read a fair few comics, but basically most of those 300 books were actual novels. SO SQUEE. I LIKE BOOKS.
I’m aiming to read 100 books. I’m also attempting to write a book (just the one because of time and my sad lack of godspeed).
I think everyone here knows that you will read 300 anyway. Overachiever is an understatement. 😉
The solar system would be very different if you had named all the planets. …Please rename them all when you become unquestionable ruler of the galaxy. I need a good laugh. Have any names in mind for specific planets already?
You mean your dog doesn’t already bring you sandwiches? What’ve you been teaching him all this time? (And please don’t say sit – food should always come before etiquette. Actual fact of life.)
BAHHAHA YES. I know. *collapses* Although, tbh, I haven’t read that many books in January, so I’m not off to SUCH a flying start. I might actually stick to the 200?!?! WHO CAN KNOW. (It’d be a miracle. -_-)
YES. I will use all the under appreciated names like Montgomery and Alergnon. *nods*
I don’t know…I’ve been slack with my dog’s training? It’s really shameful of me. I mean, what kind of owner am I?! I just let him play and nap and eat all day…but ENOUGH. PUPPY HOOD IS OVER. SECRETARY TIME IS NEAR.
I also plan to pick a new author and devour whole series by him/her. My eyes are set on Maggie Stiefvater at the moment 🙂
Also, I plan to re-read a lot in 2016. My favorite paranormal series (All Souls trilogy), my favorite contemporary romance series (Hydraulic series) and couple of books from Outlander series. Apparently, I am an overachiever since most of them are BIG books.
All the best in 2016, Cait! I hope you will achieve everything you wish to 🙂
THAT IS A MARVELLOUS LIFE GOAL AND I HIGHLY APPROVE. Only because Maggie Stiefvater is the best of ever. AHEM. Rereading feels like a good goal for 2016 right?! I haven’t read any Outlander books but I’m kinda curious about them. 😀
I hope your 2016 is excellent too, Lucia!!
These are all excellent plans Cait! I hope to write more this year too. At least finish revising the 2nd draft of Eternal Light, finish the 1st drafts I started last year, revise the 1st draft of my NaNo book,… All the things. And I want to start query-ing agents this year. I will need your wisdom for that though. It’s a scary thing.
Aaaall the things for sure. At least we can give each other consolatory cake for all our editing woes? YES. yES. And MY WISDOM (pfffft, the tiny teeny amount there is) is here whenever you want to pick my brains. ;D
WELL, I must say these sound like do-able goals, Cait, especially ruling a planet or two…I mean, I seriously thought you have done that by now! XD Seriously though, good luck with all the writing and the books and the book deal! I probably would be one of the first in line to buy your book if it comes out 😀 Awkward request here though, I lost that link you gave me for your work on Wattpad *kicks self*, can I have it again, pretty please? 😀
I applaud you for reading 300 BOOKS! Quite an accomplishment 😀 I barely managed to finish 50 in a year, haha! and may I suggest NEIL GAIMAN for your annual author gobble fest? The Sandman Chronicles and Neverwhere are both magnificent 😀
WELL. THERE ARE MANY SOLAR SYSTEMS TO GET TO AFTER ALL. I have started small, but expanding is definitely on the cards this year *nods sagely* AFJDLKSAD THANK YOU THOUGH THAT’S SO NICE TO SAY. Fingers crossed for writing achievements. 😂 oh oh, that’s totally fine!! My wattpad is here.
I’ve been told to read Gaiman a zillion times in these comments so GAIMAN IT IS. 😂 I TRUST YOU GUYS!!
I’m sorry to tell you that, but aside from training your dog the rest of your goals are completely unrealistic. 🙁 Putting that aside though, just think: if you become ruler of everything you won’t need a book deal, you can just have the publisher you want publish your book, make them find people to translate is in every language currently in existence (even the ones that are only spoken), and make it a requirement that every home has at least one copy. They will have to do it, or else… OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
THAT IS ALL SO TRUE. So basically just the conquering needs to happen, yes? And I mean, once I am ruler of all, I can TELL my TBR pile to behave. That should also work, because I will be magnanimously powerful. *nods sagely*
Exactly 😉
Four posts a week is insaaaane. Like Alyssa said, I didn’t blog that much when I considered myself :intesely blogging”. BUT NONETHELESS I ASPIRE TO POST THREE TIMES A WEEK. (and not be lazy and be a consistent follower, not disappearing off for weeks at a time).. *cowers*
YAS CAIT EDIT. YOU CAN DO THIS!
HAHAH. OKAY. But see I used to blog 7 days a week SO IT IS CUTTING BACK FOR ME. 😂 Eeep, thank you though! The editing has been a bit sporadic so far, but I AIN’T QUITTING.
Wow! To say your list is intimidating is an understatement. I am a list maker, can’t live without one, but I hate New Year’s Resolutions. More power to you and I hope you accomplish every one of your goals. I’m still reeling from the 18 books!
Aw thanks, Sheila! ;D AND YES THERE IS A LOT HERE. But I have 12 months, so I can do it all. ;D … I hope. 😂
Rule all of the pineapples!
To be honest, I am not much of a resolutions person. At least, not in the whole New Year’s way. For instance, I started a star-chart for my writing in October, and resolved to do more daily exercise in November.
But I did decide to try and spend more time reading [fiction] after Christmas. I also have a massive writing slump about this time, so, although I’d like to resolve to write something new, I know it would never get done.
I SHALL. *dons pineapple crown*
So you do like monthly goals?! THAT IS REALLY AWESOME. And probably more achievable because you get to see the results faster, right?! Eeep. I would like to do monthly goals at some point…but I’m really slack with pinning myself down. 😛 AHEM. Awk, I hope the writing slump is over?
Dude. DUUUUUDE. It is absolutely impossible to explain the satisfaction that comes from ticking off stuff from your to-do list. Writing stuff down that I’ve already done just to scratch it off? Guilty! Also, I might be picking up the STIEFVATER this year! Yay! I’m actually pretty excited to do this because I’ve seen a lot of bloggers (And you) completely flail over her writing and yayyyy I wanna join in on the fun too :*
YES IT IS. IT IS ONE OF LIFE’S GREAT PLEASURES. Zomg Stiefvater! Stiefvater! This is a marvellous life plan and I highly approve.
Sounds like you have fabulous goals! I don’t blame you for wanting to back off of blogging; it can be exhausting.
I think you should read and devour all Sanderson’s books, personally. But I’ve heard Neil Gaiman is good as well.
My goals for 2016 . . . are still a bit muddled, but involve a great deal of finishing things and actually less writing than usual (but that’s because I want to do more editing than usual). Oh, and scholarships. I need to get some of those. 😛
IT TOTALLY IS!! (Proved by me answering the comments so late! I’M SO SORRY!! I do love your comments ever so much. <3) I do need to prioritise a bit better that's for sure. 😂 And fajkdlsfd I love the one Sanderson book I've read so I DEFINITELY NEED MORE. And I've read a few Gaiman books, too? But I want to devour all his adult ones.
More editing for you too?! SQUEEE. So many writers have said this...someone should host an Editing NaNoWriMo. 😂 Good luck with the scholarships too!
HAVE UNDER 10 BOOKS ON MY TBR AT A TIME. This one is hilarious, isn’t it? Adorable and hilarious. Ha ha ha.
No Cait this is just silly. The other goals are fine but this one is just beyond the reach of anyone. 😛
I know. I should’ve stuck to taking over another planet or something, because, pfft, let’s face it. THAT will happen before the TBR one.
Sounds like you have quite a few things to keep you – good luck with the book deal!
I’d start with Neil Gaiman. 🙂
Thank you!! Fingers are crossed. xD
Training your dog to bring your sandwiches sounds all kinds of genius. And a genius might be able to rule a planet or two 😉 I love your goals, especially the writing and blogging goals. Write more! Edit more! Blog less. 🙂 Haha. My goals are all kinds of insane too. Like, write a book per month. Because why stop at NanoWriMo. Right? RIGHT.
See me going crazy here already?.
Let’s just see if I can keep to them, right?! 😂 I’m so addicted to blogging, so picking editing (uguuughg) over blogging (lurve) is definitely going to be interesting. 😂😂
OMG WRITING A BOOK PER MONTH?!??!
YOU ARE CRAZY.
I ADMIRE THIS.
I’d also like to downsize my TBR because there are so many books that just get lost on there. Though something tells me it will be near impossible to do! I swear by the time I’ve finished a book I’ve already added three more to my TBR. Oh well! Good luck with all of your 2016 goals!
I knooooow right?!? It’s frustrating how impossible it seems. 😂 TBRS ARE DESTINED TO CRUSH US FLAT. Ahem. And I took a reading break after Christmas and ended up with like 398398 new books on my TBR though I SWEAR I DIDN’T PUT THEM THERE.
I’m a binge writer too, it’s so annoying. And 300 books in a year?? Teach me your ways, o great one. I’ll be feeling majorly accomplished if I read 50 books.
IT IS. OMG. WE SHARE THIS STRUGGLE. Like it’s good, in a way, because you get so much done so fast…but arghhh, I always burn myself out by writing too fast and then don’t even want to write for MONTHS. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR 50 BOOKS. YOU GOT THIS.
I love your goals! Especially your writing goals. I need writing goals like this! I may steal them. 😄
Good luck!
My TTT.
Writing goals are grand goals to have. 😂 GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS!
Now those are goals! Good luck ruling and taking over the world. And with the writing. Writing mystifies me. I love reading but I can’t get my head around how people actually write books. I’m seriously impressed with those that do. I’ve lowered my reading number challenge this year too and it hurts! I’m hoping it will encourage me to read bigger more challenging books but we’ll see. Great list! And if you get your dog trained to bring you sandwiches I want to know how!
Hehe, it IS kind of mysterious. Trust me it’s even mysterious for those of us who DO write. XD I’m in awe of those people who do lengthy how-to posts on writing and here I am…slapping words together and hoping for the best. 😂 Aaaanyway. But at least reading more quality over quantity is good, right?! AND SANITY. Sanity is nice too. *nods*
I hope you accomplish all these amazing goals you have, Cait. I’m sure you will cause you can basically conquer anything 😛 10 books on your TBR at all time? Wow, props to you if you accomplish that one, that is amazing!
EEEEP. ERICA. YOU ARE SO NICE. <3 And hehe, the 10 books on the TBR will be the most challenging one, I KNOW. ;D
*nods* I approve of these goals. Except that, I’m posting my goals for next year tomorrow, and one of my goals is to rule the world. So, you see, we might have to have a glorious fight to the death, at some point this year. But we can serve cake and coffee to the spectators, and you can bring your dragons because I will bring mine.
Yes, why haven’t you put little Atticus Bean to work? Why would you let him slack off when you could at least have him shine your shoes and tidy your books and make some of your Etsy products so you aren’t so busy. I’m sure he would also be fabulous at answering blog comments. He just needs to know you expect a great deal from him.
My Goodreads goal is set for 175 books, but I secretly want to read at least 200. We’ll see. This will also, hopefully, be a year of more intensive writing/editing for me. I want to edit, like, 2 or 3 books, and of course I want to write nine bazillion words next November. And I wouldn’t mind maybe blogging a bit more, because I get a ton of blog post ideas and I want to use them all before they get sad and fade away because I’ve neglected them too long.
Also, I ordered a bunch of books online, including the Mara Dyer trilogy, so I will be eating that soon! I just have a few million books to read first, but those shouldn’t take too long. 🙂
Happy New Year!
Ah, so I read your post before I got to answering this comment (my dragon secretaries have been slack, sheesh) and therefore have already greatly smote you. *nods* So this is no longer a worry. I have my dragons than you. Also my dragons are cuter. This is reason #985398 why I will rule first.
YES. Atticus is GOING TO WORK. Enough loafing! I should be the one napping in the sunshine all day while he does origami and dusts my precious book collections.
YAYY FOR EDITING THOUGH!! I really think it’d be fun if someone hosted like a massively bloggly editing challenge like NaNoEDITMo. *wishes hard* That’d motivate me so much more. 😛
YAYYY MARA DYER!! I HOPE YOU LIKE THEM. IF YOU DON’T, MY DRAGON MIGHT EAT YOU. JUST SAYIN’.
“Spend more time writing” — Gah, definitely something I need to do myself. I have all of these ideas and snippets of outlines and details here and there, I just need to park myself in front of Scrivener and write it all out! xD
Yes, read Neil Gaiman! His imagination and stories are amazing…
I don’t know if I’ve added you on Instagram *goes off to do so now*
Best of luck with your resolutions this year Cait! 🙂
Saaaaaame. (Omg you have Scrivener?! I LOVE SCRIVENER. I just got it and it honestly makes me want to write because it’s so neat and orgainised. :’) But I definitely need to prioritise my time better! YES. Good luck for your writing endeavours too!!
ALL THE GOALS!!! I approve of all of these! (except maybe the drawing flowers with enemies blood, which struck me a s a little morbid even for you, dear Cait)
Right now, the biggest goal for me is to finish editing LASER and then query agents. I’d like to write another book, but there is no telling when I will do it or what it will be about (though I will probably be sticking with urban fantasy because I love this genre SO MUCH).
ALSO MAY I SAY HOW PERFECT AN IDEA IT IS TO REREAD STIEFVATER AND THAT I APPROVE OF DOING IT NOT JUST FOR THE AWESOME BUT FOR THE LEAKING OF HER MAGIC INTO YOUR WRITING. I may have to do this too.
As for reading, my official Goodreads goal is 25 books, but I may have to reread Stiefvater stuff too, so…. (Goodreads really needs a rereading option.)
Omg, spoiling my creativity why don’t you, Katie. Oh oh querying?! QUERYING IS HUGE. BEST OF THE BESTEST LUCK. I shall be here with encouraging cake if you need it. Urban fantasy is delicious. <3 Actually anything with fantasy is delicious, or with dragons...basically dragons. (Does Laser have dragons? I MUST ASK.)
YES YES WE SHOULD ALL REREAD THE STIEFVATER ALL THE TIME AND HOPEFULLY ABSORB MORE AWESOME BECAUSE OF THIS.
And goodreads totally does need a reread option. GAh. And one that won't make it cancel from previous years challenges. -_-
ALL THE STIEFVATER!!!
Thank you! If I am in need of encouraging cake (and yes, I probably will be) I shall definitely notify you. (And YES LASER HAS DRAGONS!)
Yep yep yep. Goodreads, get on it.
Omggggg I LOVE LASER ALREADY. <3 How could I ever have doubted the dragonness. :')
Everyone who is surprised that she wants to reread all things Maggie Stiefvater, raise your hand!
…
…
…
…that’s what I thought XD
you and I can wail together about editing because I think Imma add ‘edit Red Hearts’ to my goals for this year. Because a) it needs to be done and b) i don’t think my goals for this year so far are interesting//challenging enough cuz i’m already bored. SO EDITING SHALL TAKE CARE OF THAT. Hopefully.
HAHAHHAHA. AHEM. OKAY. Fair.
And that is GOOD that I have you to wail with. *wails mutually* I have sooooo much writing I want to do and I literally need more hours in my day, though, Lisa. AFASJFKDLA MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR ME.
I actually had a serious discussion with my mom about whether Aussie days have more than 24 hours because YOU DO SUCH MANY THINGS AND HOW
But yes, even MOAR hours would be wonderfulous.
AND I HAVE SCRIVENER NOW SO WE CAN HAVE ALL THE FUN EDITING TOGETHEEEEERRRRR (‘fun’. ha. ha. ha.)
One of my writing goals for this year was to DRAFT more. I spent most of 2015 editing FRAYED (which while I LOVED, was also quite tiring) so I wanted to focus a little more on some stories that have been begging to be written. <3 🙂
OH oh I can imagine. AND THIS YEAR WE GET TO SEE WHAT HARD WORK YOU’VE DONE RIGHT?!?! ERMAGERD. I’M SO EXCITED.
I fully support you taking over the world, Cait. You’d be a good world ruler. Probably the best one we’ve ever had (also the only one, but, come on, that means you’d automatically be the best). Also, when you go on your worldwide book tour (because the world leader cannot ignore any country), you should come to Seattle and we will gush about Maggie Stiefvater and I will take you to one of the various pastry shops I haunt.
I, like you, want to write and edit at least two books. I should have put get a new bookshelf on my list, too, because both of mine are filled up. I have unloaded the bottom drawer of my dresser to put books in so my shelves still look neat and pretty. My bathrobe and summer clothes currently reside in my dufflebag.
WHY THANK YOU AINE. THIS IS WHY YOU ARE AN EXCEPTIONAL HUMAN WHOM I LIKE. And yes, the only = the best automatically. Go me. Plus I shall specifically come to see you when I am Queen of All because pastry shops = yes please, I wish for this.
I could put books in my cupboard too I SUPPOSE. But sigh. I like to look at them?! So I hate hiding them away, but seriously there is no. more. room. And the higher my stacks on top of my shelf grow, the harder they are to use for photography. LIFE IS SO HARD, AINE. HOLD ME AS I CRY.
Read all the Gaiman! It will help with everything in life – I bet definitely with ruling the world.
I SEE ONLY TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT. I’ve read a few of his books and zomg they are soooo good.
I too writing things on my to-do list that I’ve already done. #noshame XD Fabulous resolutions Cait. I’m terrible at keeping mine, but they’re always so fun to write. I want to read AND write more in 2016. I also want to learn to read Hangul. (-:
We are spectacular beings. THAT IS ALL. #legit I failed at all my 2015 resolutions but I WILL DO BETTER THIS YEAR. 😂
Omg, what is Hangul?!?!
It’s the Korean alphabet, it’s really cool. (-:
Wow, 300 books is super impressive! I’m sure you’ll get to 200 in no time.
I also really want to get better at graphics so I can make my own blog header. I have a couple ideas but have no idea how to get them onto a header.
Good luck with your goals!
Hopefully! *fingers crossed* I kind of slacked off the reading a little this year already?! hehe. But I’m editing hard so YAY. 😂 I really wish I could make digital art but so far all I can do is buy graphics and pretend I know how to put them together prettily. hehe.e GOOD LUCK TO YOU TOO!
I really like the pick an author and devour all the books. That is something I would totally like to now add to my list Good luck with ruling everything and all that jazz 🙂
EEEP. I’m glad you like that idea. XD I started it last year and it’s becoming my regular thing now! IT IS FUN.
All very sensible goals! Especially teaching your dog to bring you sandwiches. Please let me know if you figure this one out, because my dog is old and therefore allowed to sleep in the basement every night now, so he really needs to find a way to pay for his cushy lodgings. He is very unappreciative.
I’m going to TRY to read 100 books this year. I wasn’t going to pressure myself with a number goal, but hey, why not? Even if I only make it halfway there, I’m pretty sure that’s considerably more than I read last year. (Yeah… last year wasn’t my strongest for reading.)
Yess, I AM writing a book. Hopefully. I realllyyy want to finish my main WIP, the fantasy I’ve been working on for… well, you’ll find out when it’s a bestseller and I tell my life story. Let’s just say it’s not new. xD And since I didn’t quite finish my NaNo novel last year, I’d like to complete the first draft and, since that shouldn’t take TOO much time, maybe at least one round of edits. And I already have an idea for NaNo this year, although I’m so excited about that particular story I may end up starting it sooner.
Basically: Lots of words this year.
Good luck with all your goals!!
I SHALL. And my dog can hi-five so the next logical step is CLEARLY making me sandwiches, right?! I foresee this happening.
Good luck with your 100 books goal! WOOT. I think it’s important not to put too much pressure on oneself, right?! Or else reading becomes unfun. *heavy sigh*
SQUEE FOR WRITING. I hope you finish your book. Finishing books is the BEST feeling of the universe, I promise. 😉 And when it’s a bestseller I get to shriek I KNEW EMILY FIRST. HAH HA! Be be famous be, like, default. #legit Ahem. Also yay for NaNo. I do love Nano.
YOU MUSTN’T GET RID OF BOOKS!!!! BOOKS ARE TOO INCREDIBLY GRAND AND IMPORTANT!!!
THEY ARE LITTLE PORTABLE ADVENTURES OF HAPPINESS AND PERFECT. MUST. KEEP. THEM. ALL.
Your posts always make me smile. 🙂 Edit Edit Edit, I will chant this all year to you if you like. 300 you read last year WOW you are a machine. I only read 85 this year it will be 100. Good luck!
SQUEEE. I AM KINDA GLAD. Thanks, Megan. *happy dance* *then remembers edits* *starts sad dance* 100 is an epic number though. GO 100! WOOT. XD
Great resolutions! I am going to try to actually accomplish most of mine this year. I am writing and editing several stories, and chasing plot bunnies. I’m thinking of starting a seperate blog for book reviews this year, but I don’t know. It’s hard enough keeping up with one.
OH YAY FOR EDITS. we can edit and weep together. 😂 Unless of course you like editing…in which case I’ll weep alone with my chocolate. AHEM. But oh a separate blog?! Good on you if you try that! I would die trying to keep up with two. XD
Because of these goals, you’re my new idol. Seriously. I’m trying to get myself to 1000 instagram followers, and I can already see that is going to be a chore. And the number of books you have it crazy! I think you can do it, though. Good luck!
My TTT: http://brownbooksandgreentea.com/2016/01/05/being-goal-oriented-in-2016/
Ohhh YOU CAN DO IT. XD I found the best key to instagram is basically just posting consistently. ;D
You made me tired just reading this post. Ha! Well, I overhauled my MG blog today: new masthead, new font, got rid of some crappy posts. I did the TTT on there and basically said I need to kick that blog in the $%#@& and get it going again. I need to get off my $%#@& and get my Hidden Magic stories posted to Wattpad. Oh, and by the way, my son put the icksnay on the name change to my MC. He is emotionally attached to it. I also want to do an original ink and watercolor for my Children’s blog masthead, Four posts a week is still really good, Cait! I wouldn’t worry about that at all. Making time for your writing should be top priority anyway. Happy New Year! 😀
HEHE DO NOT FEAR. I am tired considering it all. 😂 Okay, not too tired, because I mean it’s throughout the whole year, right?!? So I have time. ;D Ahhh, yay for overhauls! And wah for the name crush. But I guess it’s sweet that your son is very attached to the old name. ;D Awk original ink and watercolor?! THAT SOUNDS AMAZING. I’m pestering my sister to teach my watercolour this year…so we’ll see how that goes. 😂 Happy new year to you too!
Sounds like you’re going to have a very busy year! Good luck!
I AM GOING TO BE MAMMOTHLY BUSY. I guess I aim high?!? #overachieverFTW ahem.
You’ve got this, Cait! Sounds like you are ready to conquer the world this year 🙂 Looking forward to hearing more about your writing projects. This is a very inspiring post – thanks for sharing!
SQUEE THANK YOU. *does the conquering-the-world dance*
You are well on your way to ruling the world 😉 Hee, I’m also planning to be more artsy! A long time ago I used to draw and paint a lot, but it got lost in all my other hobbies. I will now have enough space in my new house to pick it up again 🙂 I love that you pick an author and read all their work. I would recommend Neil Gaiman, I think he is right up your alley.
I AM. Conquering those shimmy awards and luring in innocent mortals with the promise of cake. I am doing well. :’) NEARLY THERE. AHEM. I totally hear ya with losing art amongst other hobbies. Me toooo. I mean, I wasn’t super into it in 2014? But I WAS starting and loving it and I just stopped practising and ugh. I’m not going to get better without practise. Blogging/reading/writing is very consuming though, right!??
I’ve read a few Neil Gaiman’s and I LOVE HIS STUFF. So he is an obvious master I need to devour. 😂
Oh, editing really is rough. I do have a goal of writing more this year though since I’m finally finished with school. I need to take some of that extra time and actually work on writing another book. It’s been awhile. haha
Good luck with all of your goals this year. I love the idea of picking an author and reading all their books.
Awk!! Good luck with your writing too then!! WRITING IS SO MUCH FUN. And it’s hard. But rewarding?!? Which is why I think most of us writers get so addicted to it. xD
And yes! The binge-reading-a-specific-author is my new favourite thing!!
Oookay Cait, all the very best for your resolutions! I’m pretty sure you’re going to nail them all or maybe buuurn them with your dragon’s breath? ^-^
I am very, very bad at resolutions! But I definitely want to study more (I kinda tell myself that every year…) and keep up good grades. Among my blogging goals, I want to blog a little less this year as well and do more blog hopping and commenting. Oh YESSS… I plan on writing my first draft this year and I definitely want to participate in NaNoWriMo this year! Hopefully, I’ll be able to do all these this year… hopefully!! 😀
BUUUUURN. I always like the burn option. *cackles like a terrifying pyromaniac* AHEM. BUT YES. Blog hopping and commenting is uber fun and totally helps one’s blog grow! IT DOES. 😂 But it can be hard work, so good luck to you!! I shall give you cake for sustenance because I am so nice :’)
AHHH FIRST DRAFTS!!! SO MUCH FUN.
I highly recommend Neal Shusterman, I’ve read 2 of his series and they are AMAZING. I don’t know why people don’t talk about what an amazing super talented author he is more.
I’ve got book editing on my 2016 goals list too. I so feel you with the editing thing, I honestly can’t stand it. Which I’m sure is obvious with the typos that occasionally (read: constantly) grace my blog posts. And then I let other people read my book and then become hopelessly torn between keeping what I have and following their advice. Then I edit some more and eventually collapse into a pool of “I hate this, I’m not doing this anymore” self-pity. Hopefully this is a good year for both of us to do more editing!
I’ve read Unwind and I LOVED IT but it was 3 years ago and I’ve totally forgotten it that I need to read again. 😂 And then FINISH the series this time. *nods*
Oh oh editing. EDITING. At least we can cry together?! hehehhh. And typos are my nightmare. I just don’t see them? Like…ever. And my betas always half die trying to figure out what I’m saying while I shriek that I SWEAR I EDITED IT. (I dump these things on my sister occasionally so she can pick up the typos!)
Good luck for your edits too!! I HOPE THEY TREAT YOU NICELY.
Why would you want to call a planet Ian? Who’s Ian? A boyfriend you’re hiding from us? Does smushy have a BOY smushie she’s smushing? With the graphic design, do you ever check out Freepik? Obviously not as great as Creative Market, but they’re all free and all you have to do is attribute the images back to them. If you need some help with free programs, email me and I’ll send the links through. How many books do you have on your TBR? I just started a mass cull of mine and rounding up boxes full of books to giveaway through the year too. We’re all like paper junkies addicted to inked loveliness.
I should write that down. That’s some of my best work right there.
Oh yes I am DEFINITELY hiding a boyfriend. I keep him in a vegemite jar and feed him waffles about once a month because idek how you’re supposed to look after boyfriends tbh. They are strange creatures. I hope mine doesn’t go moldy.
OH AND YEs. I like freepik! I’ve found a bunch of stuff on there and on some other sites where I didn’t have to credit at all (not that I mind crediting? it’s just I’m terrified I’ll forget. And that would be evil of me. >_<) Oh oh I will email then!! I HAVE TOO MANY BOOKS ON MY TBR THAT'S HOW MANY. Okay, but like on books I want to read imminently? 25? But there's a ton more on my shelves and let's not talk about the depths of my kindle. *shudders* But those 25 are books I actually want to read NOWISH. Instead of don't want to look at. I wish I lived in a bigger city and could do book swaps at events with other bloggers! ONE DAY.... It is the best line. Put that on a tee shirt.
Admirable goals. You got this, Cait! And when you rule over everything, I shall be your ever loyal subject. 😉
Awww, then you get EXTRA cake because you are so nice. :’)
YOU HAVE VERY PRETTY GRAPHICS! Did you not make them?? o.O Because so far I’ve been like, “Cait graphics = goals”. Anyways, I think your blog is very nice ^_^ and posting 4 times a week seems like a really good number to me. AND I AM A WRITER! AND MY PROBLEM IS I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS AND I WRITE THEM DOWN BUT I NEVER GET BACK TO EXPANDING UPON THEM OR EDITING THEM because i’ve been hyper focused on this one story for four years O_O Like. This book contains my BABIES. I want their story to be PERFECT. I’ve written, and re-written this book about six times, and they keep gaining more and more traits and plot twists, and depth. But I never STOP editing the plot. I never just edit grammar, and move simple things around. I’m terrified that I’ll never stop editing this story. I’ll carry it to my grave and never go out on a limb and try to get the story out THERE! So my new year’s writerly resolution is to edit my story for construction purposes only and stop obsessing over the plot. BY THE END OF THIS YEAR I HOPE TO HAVE IT /FINISHED/ AND SHOPPING AROUND FOR SOME PUBLISHER TO TAKE IT OFF MY HANDS! *battle cries* *charges into the vast 2016 before me*
BAHHAH HECK NO. I download freebies or buy them. 😂 I’m like one of those howling artists who scribbles in notebooks and gets zero done and never shows it because It’S BAD.😂 So I do wnat to improve that some day…and make my own graphics. But that’ll be a miracle basically.
I HEAR YA WITH TOO MANY IDEAS. ME TOO. ME TOO. I never edit because there are just too many more books to write. *collapses in agony*
And I totally know what you mean with that ONE BOOK that you just can’t let go of. I HAD ONE OF THOSE. Actually I took a break from it and worked on something new…came back…and for some reason it worked SO MUCH better. BUT YEAH. I LOVE THAT KIND OF BOOK. IT’S SO SPECIAL.
GOOD LUCK. YOU GOT THIS!!
I wish you good luck but I´m sure you´ll accomplish all your goals. 🙂 I fear that I won´t have much time this year -this is my final year at school and with some luck I´ll start studying in October. Nevertheless I´ll try reading 100 books and I finish watching Breaking Bad (finally). Also I want to read more comics.^^ As to which of the authors to read: I don´t know if this is helpful but I´ve read some books by Julie Kagawa and loved them and I´ve wanted to read a book by Neil Gaiman since EVER.
Oooh, final years of school are intense. GOOD LUCK. It’s my sister’s final year too so I’m basically envisioning lots of stress on her part. BUT STILL. YOU GOT THIS. Good luck!! Reading comics is awesome. I read a ton in 2015 and basically devoured everything my library has. Woops. hehe. And I’ve read Talon by Julie Kagawa and loved it? So I figure I’ll be a fan of her fairy series, right?!
Aww, thanks.^^ Good luck to your sister too, then. Julie Kagawa´s fairy series is a.w.e.s.o.m.e! 😀
You can rule the world as long as you force bookstores to be open 24/7. (Though really, it shouldn’t be too hard to enforce. You have all kinds of dragons and bookish minions to help you, right?)
My goals include finishing editing the book that is taking forever to finish and completing the first draft of another WIP. I also plan to read 100 books. (Then there are the generic eat healthier and exercise more that everyone says they will do then proceeds to do the opposite…)
-Alea
I will. I don’t even understand why that’s not a THING yet. And tbh, I think bookstores should sell cake. Like it should be a natural thing that ALL bookstores also have cafes. And comfier seats. Hammocks even. I’m going to totally improve bookstores.
Good luck with these fabulous goals though!! And 100 is a FABULOUS number. I LIKE.
I’m very bad with year resolutions, Cait. You have a lot of goals. Good luck!
I seriously love them buuuut, I CAN BE OVER AMBITIOUS SOMETIMES.😂 Thank you!!
Splendid goals! (*adds Support Cait’s Campaign for World Ruler to 2016 goals list*)
My Writing goals are my most important ones, since I really don’t like reading goals. I just kind of scrabble through books as I feel like it. So. Writing: (1) Finish SlavicNovel by the end of January (that’s a carryover from 2015) (2) Edit SlavicNovel (3) Write CamelotNovel, which is a fun, probably unpublishable adventure of a plot bunny that might end up on wattpad and (4) write two good short stories and edit them to perfection. Yup. Oh and I forgot (5) NaNo obviously which is going to be something new and exciting.
Clearly I need teeshirts for my supporters, or cute cakes that say “Cait Rules” because that would be delicious and fabulous. #goals
AHEM.
YAY FOR SLAVIC NOVEL. I love Slavic novel from what I’ve read of your snippets. :’) And writing those “unpublishable” ones is sometimes just worth it for all the FUN right?!?😂 AHHH DO WATTPAD! DO WATTPAD!! It’s kind of scary so I need the support. (That was very convincing, wasn’t it?)
Good stuff, Cait! In 2016, I want to panic less, run more, get better at cooking, blog maybe the same amount but do it better, and write, if not a novel, some short stories. I’m bursting with ideas. I also want to become a mermaid and ace all my exams but we’ll see about that. Good luck for all you goals! (and btw I think your graphics are amazing already)
OOOH, get better at cooking? *invites self to your house* I VOLUNTEER AS TASTE TESTER. Ahem. And good luck with your writing too! Oh I know the “bursting with ideas” feel so so much. My brain is like exploding with things I want to write and it’s only January. EEEK. I need 294829 more clones. 😂
My god, you are a writing machine! If only I had 18 finished books! I tend to just toss or lock away the ones I lose enthuasiasm for. Completely understand the hate for editing, I’m editing one right now and it’s actually hell 🙂 I hate editing. Why is writing so easy and fun and editing so terrible. Good luck with all your manuscripts, let’s hope you get some editing done!
HEHE. But they’re not 18 finished good books, TRUST ME. 😂 Some I probably will burn before ever re-writing…but I did learn from them so that’s a huge positive. ;D I hate editing too. CRY WITH ME JEN. WHY IS IT SO HARD. Writing first drafts is exhausting but fun. Although I love the feeling of finishing an edit. XD
Ok so honestly after reading this post I feel like you’re SUPERWOMAN and I’m, like, a stone in your universe. Because seriously, HOW do you have time for all of THAT? I cannot believe it. I will be the first to bow down and acknowledge you as ruler of everything. Officially, I am bowing.
I would be happy if I manage to upload once a week this year. I definitely haven’t been paying enough attention to my blog or the blogs I enjoy reading. But then again, I’ve wanted to change this for so long, I’m not even sure if it’s possible anymore. It never hurts to try though, right? 😀
I’m totally on board with the graphic design thing, though I’m a step behind there as well. I just want to make my blog look a little nicer and maybe, if I ever get the time, try to design a newer, prettier header. We will see how it goes. I also set my reading goal to 80 books, but my secret goal is to eventually read 100 books in one year. That will probably have to wait until university isn’t there to steal 2-3 months of reading time with exam stress and stuff like that.
Good luck with your goals!
BAHAHAHA. OKAY. Well, I am not superwoman (I shall claim Batman titles though) but I do take it one thing at a time. ;D Like spread out through 12 months it’s not that intense and writing is like one of my top priorities because I’m working really hard to make a career of it *nods* SO YEAH. But bow, yes. Bow by all means. *regally gives you cake*
It’s always possible to change habits, right!? 😛 Never to late to start stalking all the blogs. hehe.
I’m sooo addicted to gorgeous graphics. SO ADDICTED. But they’re also really expensive sometimes, right?! Boo. hehe I’d love to draw my own and convert them to digital art but I have zero ideas how to do that so far. 😂
You’ve got great goals there, go for it, I know you can do it. I understand your hesitation about writing diverse characters, I have the same problem (“What right do I have to right about their experiences?”) but we need to write about them, after all no one will write it for us, which is why I have a character who have a South Korean background and is gay and have a lady of color from the UK who is also gay (despite the fact that writing them terrifies me). I think it’s important to also promote Diverse Authors, maybe doing a post on your favorite diverse authors might help? Oops sorry, I’m not supposed to be encouraging you to blog more. Go edit those darling manuscripts of yours, I’m sure they will be wonderful diamonds when their polished 🙂
Doing a post on diverse authors is a GRAND idea, THANK YOU. (I love post suggestions, hehe.) But yes, zomg, encouraging me to blog more, shame on you. 😉 I just love blogging a lot so this is really hard for me! But proof that I need to cut back since I’m answering this comment nearly a week late. (Omg but I love your comments and appreciate them a ton. jUST SAYIN’.)
PICK NEIL GAIMAN, CAIT! PICK. NEIL. GAIMAN. I will personally send you a dragon with cake if you do. And you better get a book deal so we can all read your work and judge….I mean LOVE you. Of course we will love it, if your blog is any example ;D
OKAY. WELL THIS IS AN OBVIOUS CHOICE THEN. BECAUSE I WANT DRAGON CAKE.
And zomg don’t make me tremble in fear. 😂😂HAHA. I will be such a wreck if I ever do get a book out. NERVES. But it’ll be worth it. 😉Wonderful goals! If i had Instagram (or if i get it) i’ll definitely be sure to follow you. Especially if there are more book photographs!
My writing goals are to edit my current WIP, finish my NaNo WIP which is the sequal, and then start or at least finish outlining the third. In my head it sounds like a lot, but I still can’t imagine having 18 different books! My goodreads reading goal is to read 50 books this year, but i’m secretly hoping to get to 75.
P.S. I looked at my library for Maggie S. books (I can’t spell her last name) and they have shiver plus the rest of that series, the raven cycle and the Scorpio races. which one should i start with?
AWK, thank you. <3 My instagram is like STUFFED with bookish photos. 😂 A ton of ones that never even make it to the blog. I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH ADDICTION YES.
Oh oh that's a lot of writing goals! GO YOU. That is so awesome. And hhehe, yes 18 books is just...crazy. But I think we've proved that I fit that title quite well.😂 Anyway, you got this! I BELIEVE IN YOU. *gives you editing chocolate*
START WITH THE SCORPIO RACES. It's a standalone and it's soooo amazing and afjkdlsad her writing will just want to be eaten, I tell you.
I’m sure you know what I’m gonna say but…READ ALL THE NEAL SHUSTERMAN AND THEN WE CAN FLAIL ABOUT IT. *nod nod*
I feel ya on the writing thing — I go through phases where I write like crazy and then I lose all the motivation for months at a time and it’s bad. One of my goals is to write more, too!
I KNEW YOU’D SAY THAT. I JUST KNEW IT IN ME BONES. And also I think it’s a grand idea. 😂 I’ll reread Unwind and devour that trilogy first and then dig out everything else he’s written because I GOTTA.
*hi fives for trying to write more* Life is so distracting though, omg. One minute I’m intensely writing, and the next I’m planning to be an astronaut. *sighs*
I have many but first of all may I say that NEIL GAIMAN NEIL GAIMAN NEIL GAIMAN.
He rocks. Neverwhere is insanely cool (I do live in London though, which adds to its appeal for me). GAIMAN IS INSANELY COOL. I mean he’s a comic writer and SANDMAN SOUNDS SO COOL.
GO READ HIM PLEASE.
Here’s a quote from Sandman I’ve loved since the beginning of time:
“I’ve been making a list of the things they don’t teach you at school. They don’t teach you how to love somebody. They don’t teach you how to be famous. They don’t teach you how to be rich or how to be poor. They don’t teach you how to walk away from someone you don’t love any longer. They don’t teach you how to know what’s going on in someone else’s mind. They don’t teach you what to say to someone who’s dying. They don’t teach you anything worth knowing.”
And here’s another one!!!!
“People think dreams aren’t real just because they aren’t made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.”
― Neil Gaiman
And ANOTHER:
“Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot.”
HAVE I CONVINCED YOU YET.
I DO LOVE NEIL GAIMAN. I’ve read a few of his books…mostly the kids ones. 😂 So I already know I love his style and zomg I just want to read everything becuase HIS WORDS ARE MAGIC. And that Sandman dream quote is amazing. Reason #9859538 I need to read all the Gaiman.
I AM CONVINCED.
These are some really great goals. Most of them are pretty attainable since you seem to be such a hard worker, but your want for blood and conquer is a little… concerning… I mean, I understand wanting to rule a planet, but doodling with other people’s blood (or anyone’s blood) is generally frowned upon (not complaining or anything, just looking out for the well being of the world). 🙂 HAHA! All joking aside DANG! You have so many things you want to do this year! I can’t wait to read your book!
Pffffft. CONCERNING?! ME. I’m like the picture of rationality and logic and kindness. *kicks axe under the bed* Also I shall take note of your sage advice not to art with other people’s blood in front of them. I’ll do it secretly behind closed doors and therefore still keep my friends. #greatgoal
HAHAHAHA! That should work. I mean behind closed doors, no one will ever find your coloring utensils. #popularity
Your goals put a smile on my face. 🙂 this year I’m hoping to read more Maggie Stiefvater… !!!! I just read the Scorpio Races (my FIRST MAGGIE STIEFVATER BOOK I AM FREAKING OUT) AND IT WAS SO GOOD AND SO BEAUTIFUL AND HER WORDS KILL ME AND MAKE ME FEEL SO, SO ALIVE.
thank you a thousand times for the enthusiastic Stiefvater love!! What should I read next?
OOOH YAY. THIS IS A GOAL I AM 1000000% IN APPROVAL OF. And the Scorpio Races is like the BEST place to start. <3 :') I'm actually gonna reread that one first in my goal of "reread all the things". OH OH. YOU GOTTA GO THE RAVEN BOYs NEXT. I love her Shiver trilogy too, so READ THEM ALL AT ONCE?!?! Omg, life is so hard.
I am writing 1 book! 1 book is already WAYY too much pressure for me…. but I have never made an honest attempt to write a book so I decided to give my self 12 entire months for it. I have a good idea already, which is good, because usually when I think about writing I quit immediately because despite the amount of books I have read, I still have no idea what to write my own book about…. how? But this scrawny idea I have seams like it could grow into quite a wonderful dragon of book. So thats good. I also have a bit of a writing plan, go me! Now all I can do is pray to the Gods that I don’t get sidetracked….
My goal is to read 100 books this year, which means 8 books a month, which is actually a lot for me! I actually do have a life WOAH! thats surprising…! So a bunch of stuff gets in the way, (but lets be honest, its mostly Netflix…) Good luck with all of your goals! I too really love art and want to improve in graphic design! (well I can’t really improve if I dont know how to begin with…)
That is a grand idea though!! And tbh? My first book probably took me longer than a year. XD I was writing and then rewriting and I had like 948298 beginnings so YEAH. Hopefully yours will come smoother than mine did. 😛 OMG GOOD LUCK TO THIS LITTLE SCRAWNY IDEA. *feeds it cake so it will grow*
STAY FOCUSED.
YOU GOT THIS.
And 100 is a glorious number. *nods* And really achievable I reckon without stressing too much, right? 😀 GOOD LUCK.
YOUR PLANS ARE GLORIOUS!
(That SPN gif though. XD …Did I mention I started watching SPN??? Because DEAN.)
Yay, you’re going to write more! 😀 This makes me happy. ^_^ THE WORLD NEEDS MORE CAIT BOOKS.
My goodness, binge-reading a particular author sounds fabulous! You have great ideas, you know that?
You’ll be happy to know that I added The Raven Boys to my Goodreads TBR. I WILL READ IT SOMEDAY. (Lisa Pickle mentioning it has Welsh stuff and then me actually going to read the summary tipped me over the edge…) With any luck I’ll get addicted to Steifvater and you will have succeeded in your life goal. XD
YES to the new bookshelf thing!!!
Good luck with Atticus Bean… I have a feeling he will be stubborn about his secretary duties. XD
Also, I did Top Ten Tuesday as well — on my new book blog which I started on Friday. I’M SO EXCITED. My TTT twist was top categories of books I’d like to read more books in. 😀 https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/2016/01/05/ttt-book-categories-to-read-more-of-in-2016/
OMGGGGGG YOU ARE WATCHING SPN!?!? DEBORAH!!! HUZZAH!! It is like my first and still favourite TV fandom of ever. :’) Dem Winchester boys. *hugs them* *probably is murdered because of it* *but somehow doesn’t care*
Awwww, you are such a sweet nice bean though. :’) I’ll probably wattpad more of my writing if I get it edited up and DON’T CHICKEN OUT. 😂 Let’s face it. I’m an enormous writerly chicken at times. *ahem*
BUT YES I AM GLAD ABOUT THE RAVEN BOYS. MONSTROUSLY GLAD. And Lisa is a person to trust, tbh. I mean, I am too, obviously. SO LISA + ME = YOU NEED TO READ THE RAVEN BOYS.
I’ve been reading your blog for months now Cait but I’ve been way too shy to actually comment on such an amazing ruler’s blog. I must say that I’ve been a little intimidated! Anyways, I have so many book ideas and get so excited about them and then when i sit down to write them I lose interest after a few days of writing ha ha. My aim for this year is 135 books, 4 more than last year, because I know how busy school will keep me in the upcoming school year. Good luck with your editing and writing! 😉
Omg, hi Calliope!! *waves wildly* Sorry I’m intimidating. I seriously doooon’t mean to be!! (And I love new bookish and writerly friends *heaps cake of welcome on your head*) Oh oh and good luck on your reading goal! THAT SOUNDS GRAND. And pretty impressive with school on top of it! GO YOU. 😀
BINGE WRITE. GET THAT BOOK DEAL. YOU CAN DO IT, CAIT. *offers balloons and cake and the bestest books as support* Devour every author’s book, how bout that!?!?!? lmao. I kid I kid. And I need a shelf altogether. My books are mostly in a basket. They’re starting to crowd my desk now. SOS.
I SHALL. *flails about writing madly and eats all the cake* Omg, the shelf is the eternal desperate wish right?! I mean, I could slow the book collecting but AHHAHHAAHA.
No.
I’ll just throw my sister out of her bedroom and convert her room into my books. *nods*
I want to sit down and write my book, or another book, or a book with my friend now that she has is not under so much stress and pressure. We could write some bad ass shit, just sayin’. And we balance each other out in our styles. It’d be great. Also, Baby needs to bring me sandwiches and tea, too. She is one lazy girl getting spoiled by her new boyfriend. (Which is funny because people think she is his dog and his dog is my dog by the way they act toward us!) She could reply to some comments, keep down the social media front…I got plans for her! haha
YOU TOTALLY COULD. YOU COULD DO THIS. Just get that dog into secretary shape and totally write your heart out. *nods* I think these dogs of ours shouldn’t just loaf around so much. I mean, we do so much for them right? The least they could do is maintain our twitters.
These are some good goals. Having 10 books on a TBR is the type of thing I dream of haha. That’s like one sixteenth of my current TBR XD And taking over the world is always my #1 goal so we may need to battle it out or come to some kind of sharing agreement (I’ll give you an endless supply of chocolate cake if I get the world for 6 months of the year)
Good luck with all your goals!
I KNOW. IT’S A SILLY DREAM. 😂 But I can’t help it. One must have wild and crazy dreams on these resolution type posts, right?!? *quakes in fear of ginormous TBR* Pffffffffft. YOU GOTTA ADMIT I AM IN FRONT OF THIS WORLD DOMINATION RACE. You can have, like, an island maybe. A small island. And you can still pay me homage with cake. *nods regally*
Less than 10 books on your TBR? Oh you poor, delusional child . . .
Your furry friend, too?! It must be a dog thing, because Scout has yet to learn how to bake cookies at my demand. 😛 It’s very frustrating.
Holy smokes, I’m always amazed by your bookish goals and how easily you’re able to complete them! Meanwhile I’m over here wondering if I’ll be able to make it to 60 books this year. x’D And I totally believe you can accomplish all the writerly things. I’ve seen you draft, you have this in the bag.
I’m hoping to maybe, possibly, hopefully get an agent this year. *crosses fingers* I came sooo close last time, but alas, more edits needed to be done. *sighs heavily* I joined a writer’s group and they’ve been super helpful with the book, so once they’re done tearing it apart, I’ll do another round of submissions. I also want to complete my WIPs and stop getting so gosh darn distracted! Short stories have helped when I do get distracted, though. They don’t take too long to finish and it gives me a sense of accomplishment I can use as momentum for the next thing! I want to write more of those this year.
OMG EVERYONE IS LAUGHING AT THAT TBR GOAL. HUMPH. *goes to sulk in the corner*
But seriously, aaaall the things we do for our dogs and they just LOAF around. Sheesh. Time they snapped into action. *demands sandwiches from Atticus*
HHAHA NOT SO EASILY. 😂 Honest, I do not get all the things done these days. Proved by me answering this comment so late. 😂 (Omg but I love your comments and appreciate them a lot. I AM JUST SAYIN’.) But yessss, hopefully if I cut back on blogging a little I’ll have more time to write and get out more books and AFJDLKASFD IT’S EXCITING. Omg! Omg! I have my fingers crossed you’ll land an agent this year too!! ;D YOU GOT THIS. And good luck with the critiques…I know they’re sometimes hard to handle, eh?! 🙂
CAIT I love this post so much!! I’m also totally really big on resolutions (there’s just something so shiny and, well, NEW about the New year that I adore!). I’ve kept mine pretty simple for this year (which, whoops, means I really only have one main one, haha). I can’t wait to hear more about your writing and editing ventures!! 18 is one heck of a lot of books, dang! Maybe you should set aside a month in the year when you PURELY edit? And after knocking out a few books, you could go back to writing as much as you want. 🙂
Love the post, as always. <33 As for editing resources, I'm hoping to put one up on my writing blog soon, either some of my tips or a compilation of tips around the Interwebz. Maybe check out Susan Dennard's blog? It's a pretty good resource for all writerly things; she has such good blog posts!!
~Aneeqah <3
The Writing Hustle
My Not So Real Life
I KNOW RIGHT?!?! I am basically editing all of January…except I don’t edit every day and that’s why it takes so long. My bad. 😉 Buuuut still. So much to do! Not enough time! AHHHH. *runs around in mad circles*
Oh I used to read Susan Dennard’s query tips which were AMAZING so I should go back and stalk her blog. Thank goodness for authors who share their secrets. 😂
So I was all set to call it quits for the night. Then I saw the title of your post in my email and said, “Oh, I HAVE to read this one.” I have a few thoughts. I’ll put them in list form (so you can cross them off as you read them 🙂 )
1. I may have written things down on a list just to cross them off.
2. On the more diverse characters – the need to only write about things I have lived is part of what keeps me from writing. I’ll get an idea of a plot, character, whatever and then think, “You know nothing about this profession. How are you going to make it realistic?”
3. I really like the idea of picking an author to devour throughout the year. I may have to try this.
4. Under 10 books on your TBR – THAT is hilarious!
5. I had to look up zentangle and now I want to try it.
Good luck with the editing!
LIST WRITING IS THE BEST. NO SHAME FOR WRITING THINGS DOWN TO CROSS THEM OFF. Because that is me. We are like practically cyber twins in this matter. Ahem.
And omg for #2 I totally get that. Like I have these things I so WANT to write about and then I just feel like I’ll do them a disservice. But I really haven’t DONE that much? So writing about things I know would put everyone to sleep. -_-
OMG NO ONE BELIEVES IN MY 10 BOOKS ON THE TBR GOAL. *cries* Everyone is a doubter. EVERYONE.
😂😂
Zentangling is AWESOME and I really want to learn how to convert it to digital art one day. #goals
Of course this post is fab and hilarious and just perfect. Good luck on all of your goals this year, Cait! 😀 I’m sure you’re going to master all of these and a gazillion more.
Aw, thanks, Ebony! And if I fall behind I can always demand my dragons pick up the slack. 😉
I totally get where you’re coming from with getting a book deal. Wouldn’t that be great? I’ve been working on the same novel for 2 years now. If anything, I want to start querying this year. Yeah… I haven’t even done that yet. I think 2016 has some good things in store for us though.
200 books? I so wish I could read that fast. I’ll be lucky if I hit 50. I miss having the time to read more, but that’s life I guess. I’m kind of the same way. Left to my own devices, I’ll write consistently for maybe a month or two, then I can go months without writing any kind of fiction. It’s just the way I am I guess. Of course, I have so little time now that I can’t really be like that anymore so I’ve been trying to create new habits.
OH oh good luck if you do start querying!!! And if you want any help I AM HERE. The query trenches are pretty tough *nods*
Ah, yes, life is life and it has so many demands. *nods* And It totally get you with the just abandoning writing for a few months. Me TOO. I don’t feel like I miss it either? Like I LOVE to write, but I also like to not think about it for a while.😂
This is so great. I laughed so much reading the personal goals. Good luck with all of them. And hello? 300 books? Wow. “Hail the queen!”. 🙂 🙂
HEHE. THANK YOU. XD But I don’t think it’s going to happen this year!! 😂
I love all of your goals! I want to try and write more as well this year, if I ever get the time to do so… and participate in NaNoWriMo, obviously! And YES to a book deal for you, I want that to happen so, SO badly, because the WORLD needs to read your awesomeness.
A bookshelf.. I really want one of these pretty bookshelves. I hope I can get one, make one, I don’t know, just to display ALL THE BOOKS.
YES THE WORLD NEEDS ME. MY DRAGONS ARE GONNA GET THIS DONE ASAP CLEARLY. And bookshelves, omg, bookshelves would be soooo nice. I hope you do get one! AND ME TOO. We all need new bookshelves. Where is the bookshelf fairy? I have requests.
Best of luck with all your goals (especially training your dog to bring sandwiches!) 🙂
Personally I’d like to achieve a lot of the same writing goals as you, only the first step would actually be finish a draft of one book, let alone writing 2 and editing 2! I am so bad at sticking to one idea, so I tend to get a few chapters into a book and then come up with something I’m convinced is better and abandon the first book (until I come up with an even better idea a few chapters into that one of course!).
THAT dog one will be the hardest. But I mean, he can hi five? So the next logical step is obviously going to be bringing me sandwiches.
Eeep, I do hope you finish a book!! YOU GOT THIS THOUGH. It’s hard, but it feels sooo good to say you finished it, right?! And that’s definitely wroth it *nods*
More writing and taking over several planets all in one year?! Sounds like it’s going to be a busy one for you! Also, whoever tells you to sell books over buying a new bookcase should be fed to your dragon.
I was only hoping to get my tbr below 300 so 10 seems EXTREME! If you achieve that one I will be super impressed. And I’m also totally with you on the graphics thing. I hate my blog graphics and would love to have the skills to create some better ones but alas, my creativity stops at baking and cross stitch! 🙁
Good luck with them all! I’m looking forward to more of your books! Happy New Year!
I know right?! I AIM BIG. And zomg I should definitely feed those book haters to my dragons. Unfortunately they’re also my family and sometimes they feed me and buy me chocolate so I gotta keep them around. I could at least singe some eyebrows, right? Just…to make a point. *nods*
HAHHA. YES 10 IS EXTREME. I am an extremist. 😂
Have you tried canva.com? It’s REALLY great because it has like graphic templates and you can rearrange them and add your own pictures and textures and stuff and it’s really helpful for melons like me who have no idea how to even combine fonts. 😂
Nice goals! YOU CAN DO IT. And you also reminded me that I want to WRITE MORE this year. I wrote one, ONE, short story last year, and one, like, scene of something and that’s it. Which is just sad. So more of that! Perhaps that rewrite I said I would start in December will finally happen. Who knows. :’)
Also, anyone who tells you to “just sell some books” should rinse their mouth with soap and poison. That’s not an option, OBVIOUSLY.
MORE WRITING HUZZAH!! We’re still kinda doing the #rewriteathon on twitter if you want to join in. It’s a lowkey thing. Just most of us complaining. hehe. ;D
And zomg you wouldn’t BELIEVE how often I get told to sell books. I am in a family of book haters apparently. *grumbles*
That’s a lot of goals! :O First of all, 300 hundred books? Are you serious? I sooo envy you. I had difficulties with 110 this year and if I want to work on my story in 2016 it has to go down. So 60 books this year will be success for me.
But yeah, my goals are work on my story. I mean, I’ve been writing for 2 years now and it pisses me off that I haven’t finished it yet. So hopefully that will happen.
Blog more. The thing is, English is not my mother tongue but I’ve been studying it for 14 years and I love it so this year I want to start blogging in English. Which I think will be a little bit challenging because my grammar is not perfect but I wanted to try it for a long time so I’m pretty excited.
Hmm… what else. Oh, this year I want to get my life together. I will finish uni the next year so… I should start figuring out the world of adults… I guess… so I added to my TBR a lot of inspirational books and want to involve as a person… but I fear it will end up badly 😀
But your goals are really good and I hope you wil accomplishe them. Especially the book deal. If your books are anything like your blog, I will be the first to buy them 😀
YEAH I KNOW. I AIM BIG. 😂 But yes! 300 last year! I honestly think I won’t be pushing for that this year because it WAS an insane push and I want to have more time to just…chill. And art. And not feel pressured about all my goals. 😉 So I’m totally okay if I just go for 200. Basically 20 books a month. I got this.
Good luck for your English blog!! You are SO amazing to be doign that.
And getting one’s life together? *raises hand* Me too. 😂 That would be a dream come true. But the world of adults is scary and confusing, gah.
AWW YOU ARE SO NICE. <3 THANK YOU.
So many great goals! ^_^ I understand the need for cutting back. I’m having a similar situation now with Twitter. I tweet so much, but I can’t stay on top of responding to everyone. I end up responding a day or two later, sometimes, which is kind of awkward. >.> (And overwhelming, trying to catch up constantly!!)
*sighs* Quality, not quantity… that is the mantra. We can’t outdo ourselves, or we’ll just burn out!
As for your other goals, HURRAH! I’m glad you will be EDITING because then that means we will be able to read your books sooner. 😀 And of course, world domination, that is merely to be expected.
I looove twitter but lately I’ve been a bit brain dead on funny things to say. 😂 SO YEAH. I understand cutting back. Like I feel most people are pledging to do more? And here I am going “I need time to lounge around like a sloth, so yeah BAI.” And I do feel bad about that. >_> Do you respond to everyone always on twitter? Sometimes I don’t. I don’t want to be rude or anything, buuuut, sometimes I just favourite things and let it slide. *huddles in the corner of shame*
Honestly? I respond about 98% of the time… except for when I literally have nothing to say. xD Sometimes people tweet something and I stare it for a long time and I’m like, “Ummm… nope, I’ve got nothing.” So I favorite and move on. xD (This is a characteristic of mine that carries over IRL.) BUT yeah, I try to respond if I can… that being said there’s nooo shame in just favoriting, particularly if you have a lot of notifications! You can’t always respond to them all!!!
I actually want to do NanoWriMo this year too! I love to write! Is it bad that I already know what to write? I like writing though because it expresses your creativity on paper.
I may have already told you this, but I am going to read 100 books this year! 2 down. only 98 to go!
I need to express my artsy self this year, but the sad thing is, I can’t draw a leaf. 😀
Pfft, of course it’s not bad! IT’S ORGANISED. XD You could even do a Camp NaNo or something if you’ve already got your story ready, right?! I was thinking about doing a Camp…but I might do it unofficially because I can’t ever really figure out how Camps work. 😂 WOOT FOR 100 BOOKS! YOU GOT THIS.
I’M A BINGE WRITER TOO AND IT GETS SO FRUSTRATING SOMETIMES UGH. But hey, I’ve got what I’ve got, might as well own it, right? I started a story for NaNoWriMo and didn’t finish it (apparently binge writing can’t even last a month for me) so I definitely want to attack that story and finish it. Then edit and rewrite and edit and rewrite etc.
Your goals are epic and seriously I am in full favor of you ruling over the world or at least this planet.
OMG OMG YOU TOOO?!?!? HI FIVE ME, MY FRIEND. I FEEL LIKE WE’RE ALONE IN THE WORLD. 😂 Binge writing is sooo annoying sometimes, but when it’s your THING it’s just hard to change it right?!? I always finish a current project, but plodding along day after day? Noooooope. Doesn’t work. 😂 But good luck with edits and rewrites!
CAKE FOR YOU FOR YOUR VOTE.
Ok. I can’t even comment on all the awesome resolutions here^^ Write more? Yes. Read more? Yes. Graphic Design? Yes. New Bookshelves? Dear gods yes. Stiefvater reread? ♥♥♥♥ And that Supernatural gif? Perfection.
Good luck with ALL of your goals this year Cait!! May you be successful in all your bookish/blogging/writing endeavours. And if you’re successful in your world-domination , please remember that I pledged myself to you in 2015 😉
WHY THANK YOU. 😀 And may your year be uber successful too!! At least if I go missing under all these hefty resolutions, you’ll probably find me buried underneath a pile of Stiefvater books. 😂 NO REGRETS.
Oh oh you will be remembered. Special cake privileges to the early pledgers.
“If anyone says “just sell some books” I will look at you very fiercely and you will be scared.”
Bahahaha! That is the TRUTH!
I have a few goals this year, I won’t bore you with all of them, but here are the main ones…
To finally complete just ONE book. I have a whole bunch of half completed things.
I’ve also decided to start a blog – yay! So I’m hoping to get that up this month and then post at least twice a week! It is interesting starting a blog… So much excitement and yet a twinge of fear that no one shall care and I will sit alone in the dunce corner of cyberspace… So. Many. Tears. BUT I’m doing it anyway so hooray for that! I’m confident at least one soul will like what I write! Haha
My Goodreads goal is at 60 books but I’m secretly aiming for 100… Shhhh!
I AM GLAD YOU AGREE WITH ME ON THIS. 😂 I’ve given up on complaining about shelf space to my family…gah. They just all shrug and tell me to get rid of books. I REFUSE. *stamps foot* I love my books.
Omg, I really hope you do complete your book! THAT IS AN AMAZING FEELING and I think it really helps you grow as a writer, right?! And squee for blogging!! Twice a week is a fabulous goal *nods* And pfft, you shall not sit alone in the corner. I SHALL COME STALK YOUR POSTS. (Also secret reading goals are the best. Go you for 100. 😉
I know what you mean, I did the Goodreads Reading Challenge last year and 200 almost killed me so I bow in your presence. It’s also one of my goals to reread all the Stiefvater books (especially The Scorpio Races, I’ve been wanting to reread that for so long) Your writing goals are so awesome too. Send some of your talent and time management skills over here, please 😉
THAT IS AN EXCELLENT GOAL. I LIKE THAT GOAL, ALISE. DO IT. *piles Stiefvater books on your head*
Good goals for the year- especially the writing ones! I don’t generally feel optimistic about the New Year’s changes, because I figure you need to make change yourself- a new year won’t do it for you, you know? But this year, my first New Year as a blogger, it’s hard to not feel like big things are going to happen!
Oh I do get that *nods* I kind of like the “fresh start” feel? Like you have the year to do aaaall these things on a list? 😛 But yes, it doesn’t mean anything unless you work for it. XD
And lists! We all love lists!
Awesome goals, Cait! I don’t know if you know about it already, and it’s not exactly graphic design-y, but yesterday I heard about the app Font Candy, which allows you to add text in various fonts to photos. You’re pretty awesome at that already, but I thought I’d mention it.
My own reading/blogging goals: read more diversity! Especially more disabled characters and those with chronic illnesses, and lesser represented LGBTQ+ characters, as well as #ownvoices authors. I’d also like to write more discussions on my blog, just to have something different on my blog. I have thoughts, so I should work more at putting these thoughts on the blog.
Personal goals: write and send more handwritten letters! I recently wrote about this on my personal blog. I love writing letters, and receiving them! They’re really quite special. And I want to do more. Otherwise, I want to be more relaxed this year. Last year, real life was really stressful and upsetting, and I’d like to have a happier, more relaxed year in 2016. 🙂
Love this post! 🙂
ZOMG I DID NOT KNOW!! *flails* Is it an online thing or do you have to have an iPhone? I have an iPod but it’s a 4th gen and has stopped letting me download fun apps. Boo. When I rule the world, clearly my first step is to update so I can get better apps.😂 AHEM.
Oh oh I really want to do that with the reading too!! I want to read more disabilities…and things that the books don’t “fix”? Like I really hate reading about Autistic characters who turn out “fixed” by the end because it’s so wrong and degrading. Same with mental illness books. *sigh* So I’ll be looking out to your blog for recommendations on this. ;D
I hope you do have a more relaxing and better year, Jo! *hugs you*
Good luck for all your 2016 goals!
WHY THANK YOU. Good luck for yours too!
Rule Everything! I knew I forgot something! lol Good luck with your goals! The 300 books read blows my mind!
It is a VERY important goal not to ever be forgotten. *writes it on hand so can remember to rule fiercely after lunch*
These are some great resolutions Cait! 200 books is also my goal for the GR challenge this year, but I know you’re going to beat me by a landslide anyway. 😉 And I’m going to miss how frequently you post, but I can completely understand why you’re cutting back a little. It’s no fun to feel overwhelmed, so I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling that way a little bit. Good luck with all of these goals Cait! ♥
PS Laughing at the “have less than 10 books on your TBR” resolution. 😉
MAYBE NOT!! Maybe you’ll totally whoop me. ;D I’m already not steam-powering ahead on my challenge, which feels soooo haaaaard but I gotta edit. I GOTTA. *whines and eats chocolate*
I’ll miss posting a lot too. It’s sad when my inbox is quiet. bUT YEAH. I just need more dragon clones so I can do it all right?!?
OKAY LAUGH.
BUT I WILL DO THIS.
*tries not to be killed under 98398 books on TBR*
Fantasie goals! Very achievable in a year 😉
I do love the goal about the dog, if you manage that trick, please share it, because i would love to do that with mine as well 😀
Greatly entertaining post as well ways and i wish you all the luck to complete everything on your lists 🙂
VERY achievable I know. I always pick the most logical and achievable of goals. And I shall. I mean, my dog can hi-five quite successfully so obviously the logical next step is teaching him to fetch me sandwiches AMIRITE?!?
This post is so fabulous.
I admit I did pout in disappointment when I saw you wanted to blog less, BUT I totally understand why you’re dong it. 😀 Managing time is tough sometimes. I hope you do ALL THE THINGS this year. 😀
I POUT TOO, DON’T WORRY. I like to kid myself that I can do it all…but omg look at me replying to these comments like 1 week late. *dies a little* i NEED DRAGON CLONES.
😀 You can do it! We love your replies, even if we have to wait for them.
Though dragon clones would be fun.
AWWW. ABI. *TACKLE HUGS YOU* <3 But I agree, I just need to get the dragon clones because FUN FACTOR.
😀 Now I want to write a story about half dragon half human clones….
I’m hoping to write at least one or two books this year, and my Goodreads reading goal is 50! I have the same resolution to do more artsy things-forgetting about wanting to create art describes me exactly! I’m always reading, writing, or blogging in my spare time instead. I do have a sketchbook I got for Christmas that I would love to fill.
Also, my first read of The Raven Cycle was in audiobook format! I really love the audio versions, although I did miss some things so I loved going back and rereading the ebooks 🙂
YAY FOR ARTSY RESOLUTIONS!! Someone should create a linkup or something bloggish and keep us all accountable. ;D I always get distracted by books and forget that I actually like ARTING myself. *collapses* Ohhh I’m going to reread The Raven Cycle this year and I thought I’d try audio because I LOVE AUDIO and I LOVE THE RAVEN BOYS so what is there to lose here?! ;D
WAH! I hope you get published someday soon! You’re posts are a delight to read, and you have this liveliness that is endlessly entertaining and relatable. I’d love to see how your writing style translates to a narrative. Plus, we have similar taste in books, which means I will probably enjoy your books as well! Seriously, the moment you get a book on Goodreads, I’m adding it to my TBR!
I used to write some contemporary fiction, but I never really got around to finishing a novel-length story. I kinda quit writing fiction when I started blogging. I’d like to return to writing fiction someday, when I actually have time to sit down and enjoy the experience of writing.
Other than The Raven King, I only have two Maggie Stiefvater books that i haven’t read yet (the fairy ones). I’d like to be able to say I’ve read all of her books and loved them all.
I miss doing artsy stuff. I used to do tons of drawing and painting and jewelry-making. I’d like to start doing that again, especially the drawing. There is some fan art in my head that needs to find its way onto a sheet of paper. I’m pretty good at print design, but I’d like to learn digital illustration.
AWww, Dana! THIS IS SO NICE TO HEAR. I JUST…AFJDAKLFSD IS ALL I CAN SAY. OMG. *HUGS YOU IN FLURRY OF CAKE CRUMBS* Blogging has taken over my writing-novels time a bit too, so I totally understand that. ;D And as much as I looove blogging, I really do need to focus on writing more. 😂 Hopefully get to that published dream someday sooner?! hehe
The fairy Stiefvater books are ACTUALLY QUITE GOOD. Not her best? But I love them even if they’re a little cliche (but I mean they weren’t back when she wrote them). THE RAVEN KING..<333 I NEED IT.
omg learning how to do digital art is a bit of a dream for me too. :')
Yesterday, I said I new a new bookshelf to my friend (because even though I tweet about it daily few people commiserate, so I had to resort to non-bookish friends) and she said I could put them in a shelf outside. THE AUDACITY. The problem here is not too many books. The problem is never too many books, repeat after me, books are friends.
Anyways, GOOD LUCK WITH THE EDITING! I shall have to finish something before I can edit it, but I feel your pain; I’m not a huge fan of editing either. I don’t really do extensive editing, which is why I always put so much pressure on myself the first time round – I feel like it needs to be perfect from the start. I’ve been trying to work on that and it works periodically, but sometimes I still catch myself doing it.
OMG. HOW DARE SHE. SOMEONE NEEDS EDUCATING AND YOU SHOULD RISE TO THAT CALL, VLORA. Books are friends. For sure. And there are never too many. *knocks down a wall*
*builds another room for more books*
Editing is really…tough. *cries* AND INTENSE. And so much pressure to actually get it right. OH OH and also you then have no excuse to not let anyone else read it, amirite?! 😂 THIS IS WHY I AVOID EDITS. *hides work foreveR*
Neil Gaiman would be an interesting author to binge read, I think, because most of his books are stand-alones, he writes VERY different stuff, and also children’s books, MG books, YA books, and adult books. I only read about half of what he’s written so far (or even less… I’m not sure) and I liked him quite a lot.
Great goals, by the way, I also want to write more though work seems to be taking over my life and we’ll see how that goes.
YES. So true! I’ve read most of his children’s books? But I want to read his older ones *nods* because I love his style so so much. I hope you do manage to get a chance to write more too!! Sometimes I forget how important writing is to me?! And then I get stuck back into it and OMG I LOVE IT TOO MUCH FOR WORDS.
HAHHAHAH this is such a cute resolution. Have only 10 books in your TBR at a time? REALLY CAIT REALLY? xD
And awww, it looks like 2016 is your writing year, and who knows, maybe you’ll get tons of book deals! I know that I definitely want to read all your books. SO QUICK, EDIT THEM. GO CAIT, YOU CAN DO IT.
I KNOW. BUT I CAN DREAM RIGHT?! I CAN ASPIRE TO IMPOSSIBLE THINGS. I’m gonna be officially crowned queen before my TBR gets that low. -_-
Whee, goals! You’ve got quite a lot of them, but I’m sure you’ll manage to conquer most of them by the end of the year, haha. 🙂 As for reading all the books by one author, that’s a cool goal and my vote goes to Neil Gaiman because, well, Neil Gaiman. (I absolutely ADORE The Ocean at the End of the Lane!) Also, best of luck with all of your editing and writing! And I most sincerely hope you do get a book deal this year, because I would totally buy your book. 🙂
A belated Happy New Year to you! I hope your 2016 is absolutely fantabulous!
hehe, thank you, Taylor!! *flails quietly* I HOPE I CAN. I’m already behind on, like, EVERYTHING, gah. But it’s early. ;D I love Neil Gaiman! I’ve read a fair few of his books, mostly the kids ones, SO I WANT TO DEVOUR THEM ALL. Plus he’s an awesome person IRL too so just…general Gaiman awesome. I LOVE IT.
AWWWWW. <3 That means so much to me, thank you!!
Ruling the world, huh? Pretty sure you’ve got that down.
P.S get more arty? I APPROVE IMMENSELY
best of luck with all the writing and blogging for 2016! xx
Ooh a bookshelf tear is a FINE IDEA. I haven’t done one in ages!! And, zomg, my books are everywhere at the moment so it could be quite fun. 😂
And yes. The ruling is coming along nicely. *surveys domain happily*
ALSO, bookshelf tour maybe? *bats eyelashes*
THE HEADER PICTURRRRREEE DUDE. Like I first saw it on instagram and I flipped my iPad around to show my sis and was just like, “LOOK. SO ARTFUL.” But psssh, all your insta pics are I mean come on. “I’ve been guilty of writing things down even though I’ve already done them just so I can tick them off.” < Girl, I do the exact same thing. BUT IT'S LIKE SO IMPORTANT because when you glance at the list of all the things you crossed off (mm-hmm) it won't look like much because you do all these things throughout the day (or week or whatever) that you don't write down, and furthermore, don't cross off, but it doesn't change that you did them and so if you write them down just to cross them off then you can look at your list and be like, "Yep! I DID ALL THAT." #logic
UM NO BLAME DUDE. EDITING SUCKS. There, I said it. Editing should just go sit in the corner (FACING the corner) and think about what it has done — THROWING ROCKS AT OUR CREATIVITY AND WHAT-NOT. Riduclous. But man, good luck with those 18 little monsters! xD Oh my gosh yes writing projects — why must they haunt us?? it doesn't make sense to me, it really doesn't. I think I have at least 6 books I want to write this year. (But let's face it — I'll probably write like…half of one.)
YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY DO IT, GIRL. (about the followers on insta thing, but hey everything else too — you are, after all, Superwoman.) I can completely understand about being overwhelmed. Like, you blog a lot. And that’s awesome (for us greedy readers heh heh) but it usually ends in SUCH A BURNOUT. Like, we can’t have our Pineapple Queen burnt out. Because whO WILL LOOK AFTER HER DRAGONS?? HMM? #priorities
“WELL. I barely ever reread…” < I WAS GONNA SAY…LIKE…how do you ever have time to reread anything?!?! Either a) you live in a 3-dimensional view of time, b) you are in fact the creator of time or c) Australian days are longer than American days/rest of the world days. (Can I go with all three? I'M GOIN' WITH ALL THREE.)
I completely passed over the "rule world" resolution as completely normal. #TrueCakeFan
“Or at least occasionally doodle flowers and rainbows with the blood of my fallen foes.” Okay, here it comes: YOU ARE AWESOME. have I mentioned? I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY DOG. And there’s two of them, too. It’s like, “JEEPERS CAN’T YOU HELP EACH OTHER LEARN SOME THINGS?? Like how to make tea and bring me my chocolate bars without eating them and dying? COME COME.” (they don’t even know “come.” Or rather they know it but they pretend they don’t. They’re stubborn, spoiled monsters.)
I do not have big reading goals. xD I at least want to read The Lunar Chronicles and a few classics, plus finish the Narnia series. And I want to write those 6 books I mentioned. And finish drafting 2 more. And the 6th book out of those 6 books might just be a series of some kind, so it would be cool to write like 5 or 7 of them. yep. #GOALS
huzzah i wuv dis.
love,
Pineapple Abbie
FDJSLAKD THANK YOU. I AM HAPPY TO BE CALLED ARTFUL. :’) It is a title I shall eat with pride.
I’m basically going to just start writing things down that I’ve already done and ticking them all off and feeling accomplished. BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLAN.
Zomg I have like 5 books now that I want to write. FIVE, ABBIE. HELP ME. It’s only January and I keep getting these ideas and they make me kind of scream with need and longing. Ahhh, but I must edit. Focus. on. editing. *runs wildly after plot bunnies*
Also we should both get down to the business of teaching our dogs how to be useful. Make sandwiches. Bring us tea. Answer comments. *nods* Dogs shouldn’t just loaf around. LEt’S BE TOUGH HERE.
I LOVE YOUR GOALS TOO, BTW. Are you doing NaNo at all?!? Are you going to share snippets of your epic writing?! I NEED. I NEEEEEEED.
YOUR POSTS NEVER FAIL TO LEAVE ME CACKLING. okay, your goals are a bit overwhelming for a person like me but for you, they’re like, “psh i could do this in my sleep (maybe)” like READ 200 BOOKS is a crazy huge number for me but that’s actually an easier goal compared to the other ones like WRITE TWO BOOKS. and also your definition of blogging less is still blogging more than me. *laughing turns to crying* i think i’ve resigned in any possibility of me being queen and will now bow to your feet. SLAY THOSE GOALS LIKE YOU SLAY THE DRAGONS! i know 2016 will be fabulous fo you <333
OMG WELL THAT IS THE BEST THING I HAVE HEARD OF EVER. OMG, THANK YOU. :’) THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. I definitely have a lot of time to do these things though 😂 Writing is kinda like my focus? BUT YEAH. I gotta cut back or I’m going to go insane. And it’s hard! I used to blog 7 days a week. I KNOW. CRAZY ME. 😂
These are fabulous goals! Obviously, your dog should already be bringing you sandwiches, so you’ve fallen behind on the canine training portion of the program. Second, you should binge NEAL SHUSTERMAN. You understand? ALL the Neal Shusterman. He is a genius!
I want to do the writing thing more to, which I have epically failed at so far. But you know, it’s still early? Or something? Anyway, this had better be the year you get a book deal. Because frankly, you deserve it. And I am not just saying that because I like you, which I do, or because when you become the overlord I want you to look down on me favorably, which I also do. But because seriously, you’re good at it.
My goals are basically something along the lines of “try to be awake enough to come up with goals”. That sounds like a solid plan 😉
I HAVE. I am a horrible canine trainer. He doesn’t even fetch slippers like all the good hounds do in books. He just sort of tells me to feed him and then licks my face and IT’S CUTE SO HOW CAN I BE FIRM WHEN I MUST? *sighs* I really reeeally want to read the full Unwind series! AND THE REST OF HIS BOOKS. He is a genius and no mistake.
I shall definitely look upon you favourably after this favourable comment.
YOUR PLAN IS SOLID. Your plan could be to get more clones so you can sleep more? I mean, seriously, Shannon, you have two children. Set them to answering comments and sorting through ARCs. On second thoughts, I’ll get my dog onto this too. Enough slouching around for our minions. *cracks whip*
This is all very ambitious. Particularly the goals to blog less and read less. 😉
I also aspire to read more Neil Gaiman this year! Have you read The Graveyard Book yet?
IT IS. I feel like I’m going to fail for the “doing less” though…but gah, I want to do art this year. I NEED 39839 MORE HOURS IN MY DAY.
I have read The Graveyard Book! I’ve read Good Omens, Coraline, Don’t Forget The Milk and The Ocean at the End of the Lane…so I have a headstart on my Gaiman. But I want to read the Anasai Boys (or however you spell it) and American Gods FOR SURE.
I love your resolutions! Good luck! <3
WHY THANK YOU. XD Hopefully I get them all done. 😂
I have around 10-15k words left to write for my first novel’s draft, so I’m going to finish that this year! (Hopefully.) I want to aim to read 50 books, I’d like to read 100 but SO MUCH SCHOOL UGH. These are all wonderful goals and I hope you accomplish them! <3
OMG GOOD LUCK!! *sprinkles you with encouraging cake crumbs* And school, omg I do get that. *nods sadly* It is a time eater.
Good luck on your blogging goals Cait! I am constantly in awe by how much you blog, read and DO ALL THE THINGS. Best of luck with getting that book deal and just quietly, you already rule the blogosphere! <3
Awww, thanks, Jeann. XD I am totally drowning trying to do it all though SO YEAH. 2016 is the year of less. *sniffles sadly* And omg yes of course I quietly rule already. *flips hair majestically*😂😂
I’m loving your resolutions. I have goals – but it’s hard to stay focused on them! Good luck to you (and me)!
It is hard. I DO GET THAT. *nods sagely* But at least we have the whole year to work on them, right?!? 😛
I’m ALWAYS writing a book (or 2 or 9) and tackling NaNoWriMo twice and basically being an industrious squid of industriousness. But EDITING? Yeah, I channel my Inner Chicken when it comes to editing. I cluck and strut away and flap my wings. (Well, the run-away part at the very least.) Which is why I’m just retweeting your flailing tweets rather than, y’know, experiencing my own crisis-of-writerly-faith at the moment. I just finish my novel and then politely request that it edit itself while I hop off to my next project. (Apparently I’m A LOT of different animals in this convoluted metaphor.) Hop, hop, hop and away. I know you have a post on editing. I LOVE your post on editing! Now if I could only work out how to settle down enough to actually edit, that’d be swell!
But ONCE YOU RULE THE WORLD YOU CAN RENAME JANUARY TO EDITARY AND WE CAN *ALL* BE FORCED TO SIT DOWN AND EDIT LIKE THE GOOD SQUIDLINGS THAT WE ARE! (Or WILL BE.) That’d also be swell.
Also, a Stiefvater-a-thon is on my list EVERY YEAR. Because ONE CAN NEVER RE-READ MAGGIE STIEFVATER TOO MANY TIMES! (A Stiefvater-reading month would be another swell thing.)
All the swellings!
HAHHA OMG WE ARE TWINS IN THIS. *dies* Whyyyyy would I want to edit and revisit a story I’ve already WRITTEN when I could do something new?!? I think this is why I rarely reread either. Like if I know the ending then: boooring. XD (Yes, yes, I do agree this is terrible of me.) But seriously…if we request politely that the novel edits itself…why isn’t it working??? Like, what is wrong with the world, really???
SOMEONE SHOULD HOST A STIEFVATER-A-THON FOR REAL THOUGH. THAT’D BE AWESOME.
I want a dog to deliver a sandwich to me.
Please and Thanks!
“Rule all.”
I like it. Simple. Straight-forward. To the point.
P.S. The Maggie Stiefvater audiobooks are awesome! I’ve listented to The Scorpio Races about a dozen times.
Haha. These a good goals. XD I look forward to seeing more about your writing. ^ ^ I definitely am doing a lot of writing this year and I aim to read 35 books which is big to me since I’m such a slow reader. XD
This post made me laugh so much! Tell your dog I say hi. (Tell Ferdinand and Ian too.)
GOOD LUCK with your goals!
My goals are second draft WIP novel (I’m one and a half chapters away from that so should finish tomorrow or Thursday!!!!!!!!); third draft; give to betas; start sequel. In terms of reading, read 50 books. Sadly I’m already behind as I have started Les Mis (schoolboy error) so that’s going to be my life for the next two months … #oops
PS I’d just like to stress again THIS POST WAS SO FUNNY,
Thank you and goodnight.
I shall definitely relay your message to my (still lazy and non productive) dog. AHEM. 😂 Ooh good luck with your next drafts!! SQUEAK. I always find polishing things up for betas is the most nerve-wracking thing of ever. hehe.
tHANK YOU FOR YOUR NICE WORDS, EMILY. YOU ARE THE BEST.