FOCUS is the catch word for my 2014
Zoom Lens
I am going to write less and accomplish more.
What I mean by this is I am not going to stretch myself too thin by working on a whole lot of plots/stories at the same time. This was my mistake in 2013 and it overwhelmed me and burnt me out.
No more monkey writer brain.
N.I.P. (Novel in Progress)
This year I am focusing on one plot at a time. The Tattooist (my WIP) is my no. 1 fiction focus this year. This is the story and characters that shout loudest in my mind. This is the story my agent wants me to focus on. This is the story and the characters that is going to define me as an author. This is the story that we – my agent and I – will be pitching for publication. Watch this space for little snapshots on this one.
Short stories:
I am going to keep my mental muscles sharpened by playing in short stories. My aim is 6 short stories this year – not necessarily published but definitely written. I love the focus and discipline that short stories require. I find that writing short stories keeps my plot brain in focus for my full-length fiction.
Monkey writer brain:
When new plots threaten to distract and tempt me I am not going to ignore them. This is impossible. I am going to keep an active future fiction notebook going. The distracting ideas, themes, plots and characters will be put into the safe pages of this notebook. This will be the monkey brain Moleskine notebook.
Siesta
I write full time – this is my occupation. For the last 2.5 years writing has reigned supreme. In a sense I have checked out of real life. I need to come out of the writing nest and feel sunshine on my face, stretch my legs and have adventures.
This year I am going to take two days off every week. Two days of not even thinking of writing. Two days of remembering that to write a writer must live, laugh, cry and seek out new experiences. I must engage in the outside world again. This means time to do new things, challenge myself with fresh experiences, make time to go on road trips and have adventures. So I aim to write 5 days a week. I am not putting a word count on these 5 days. As any writer knows, sometimes the best writing occurs when we’re not writing. But I do aim to sit at my desk 5 days a week (or on my laptop if I am away from home) and write.
Happy New Year!
What is your FOCUS for 2014?
Kim Koning 
Good luck! I’m attempting 500 words per day, with hopes of completing my WIP by June 30, 2015. Similar to your hope to FOCUS, my one-word theme of the year is COMPLETION. We can do this!
You have focus… and great talent! I hope your 2014 is going well!!
Thanks for following my writing blog “FromUnderthePages.” Your projects are inspiring & I wish you all the best.
I think my focus needs to follow your focus. Especially putting down the monkey brain distractions into a SINGLE notebook instead of on small pieces of paper all over the house. Such an obvious idea. I already knew this. But I buy notebooks and save them – with pristine pages. Time for order, then. and to open the notebook and WRITE in it. Thanks for the lead. And thanks for the visit to my blog.
Tish – I totally get beautiful notebooks with pristine pages. I have a total notebook/stationery addiction. It really is a problem. 😉
Also guilty of notes on little pieces (not always paper) all over.
Hope the new notebook to WRITE those meandering monkey thoughts in works and zooms you into some extra Focus for 2014.
Loved your blog and ditto! Thanks for stopping by here. 🙂
GREAT insight, Kim! You’ve given me a lot to think about with motivation & organization. I’ve been way too scattered in 2013. The photo of the word “Focus” in the camera is our genius!
Penny! 🙂
Just seeing you commenting here brings a smile to my face.
Happy that this post Zinged for you.
Here’s toasting to a more Focused 2014.
Much live my friend x
I like your focus, Kim. Very sensible. My focus is to de-clutter a room that could become my art room, and I’ll continue writing a memoir – my dad’s wartime experiences in both world wars. I haven’t set any deadlines, I don’t want to feel under pressure. Easy does it.
Hi Irina.
I like your goals girl the year. Clearing out spaces in both mind and the physical is so important and great to start at the beginning of a fresh new year.
Your memoir sounds fascinating. Can’t wait to see where it goes. Happy Writing! 🙂
Great idea Kimmi ! My FOCUS for 2014 is to plant my garden full of colour and to keep it like that….so that I can enjoy my gardening passion that I used to have.
Love that goal! Of course it helps if you have a green thumb like I know you do. For me, with my lethal black thumb, I just enjoy looking at colourful gardens and let others cultivate them. 🙂