2025 GOALS – First Quarter – the expurgated version (the one without the gamut)

Get published:  My first steampunk novel is as done as I can get it, but there are still a few steps to go.  1) Update the screenplay it’s based on – I write everything as a screenplay first.  DONE  2) Save up for an editor.  3) Get an editor.  4) Make changes based on editor’s notes.  5) Acquire a literary agent.

Write second steampunk novel:  I’ve already written the screenplay.  My critique groups have read it and it does need some editing.  So, do the editing first.  I’ve already gone through the screenplay and have decided where the chapter breaks are going to be.  And it looks like there will be 19 chapters.  If I can do a chapter every three weeks, I should be done by the end of the year.  And of course, submit them to my critique groups as I go along.  Just starting, 1,130 words.

Start writing the third steampunk screenplay:  It is a trilogy.  I’ve never been one for an outline.  I’m a string-of-pearls writer, which technically is a form of an outline.  But maybe writing out an outline would help me write the screenplay faster, much like the screenplay helps me write out the novel faster.  It’s a method I want to try.  If I can end the year with an outline for the third screenplay, that would be a win.  I do have 38 pages of it done.

Read a book a month:  I just about stopped reading because I was devoting all my time to writing.  But as a writer, you should read – especially in your genre.  For two years I’ve been trying read a book a month, then last year I only read eight.  So I want to get back to 12 books a year.
     #1  01/27/25  Finished reading, “Exploring the Evidence for Creation”, by Henry Morris III.
     #2  02/12/25  Finished reading, “The Privilege of Persecution”, by Dr. Carl A. Moeller and David W. Hegg.
     #3  03/12/25  Finished reading, “52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting” by Debra Eckerling.

Read my Bible:  Every year my church has a through-the-bible program.  By March or April, I start falling behind.  Then I get so far behind that it becomes overwhelming to catch up and I stop.  I’m going to change my schedule around and see if it helps me this year.  I’m about a month behind.

Try six new cookie recipes:  I wanted to do this last year, but didn’t try a single new cookie.  I want to try new cookies before I make them for Christmas so I know if they’re good.  Let’s try this again.  None yet.  Still working on the Girl Scout Cookies I got at Gallifrey.

Get down to 185 pounds:  I have lost a pound a month before, but last year I really blew it.  I went from 193.4 at the end of 2023 to 199.6 at the end of 2024.  This year, I’ll have to lose 1.2 pounds a month to reach my goal.  I have to be more disciplined and stop going for seconds.  Actually, I gained 1.2 pounds from last month, 199.8.  I seem to always hover around 200 pounds.

Make six blood donations:  Did it last year, will do it again this year.
     First donation 02/22/25 – Completed 15 gallons.

Have business cards made:  Wanted to do this last year, but didn’t.  It would be nice to have them for in-person conferences, but I probably won’t really need them until I get published.  There are a few steps to this:  1) Take a new head shot.  2) Get a QR code for my website.  3) Design the card.  Not Yet.

Just a bunch of little things to do:  There are always a bunch of little things you want to do, but don’t find the time for because they are not big things.  Last year I completed two out of seven.  If I get to half of them, I’ll call it a win.  1) Reorganize bookshelf on my left – again.  2) Reorganize bookshelf on my right.  3) Reorganize the three bookshelves in the living room.  4) Reorganize the six draws in my desk.  5) Find our candy molds in our storage unit.  DONE 01/19/25.  6) Purge out storage unit to try to move to a storage space half its size and save money.  DONE 02/02/25, Well, ¾ the size, but it still saves us money. 7) finish at least twelve of the exercises in the “Your Goal Guide” book.  8) Buy a new suit, I will need it when my book is published.   

Overall, I think I’m doing pretty well, better that last year.

Dennis

262nd blog completed.

Second Steampunk novel: 1130 words. 

Second Steampunk screenplay:  157 pages.

First Steampunk screenplay:  Updated with notes from the novelization.

First Steampunk novel:  77,546 words.  Completed until editor reviews it.

Third Steampunk screenplay:  38 pages.

“I better not show this to Dennis or he’ll be booking a flight to Guatemala and dragging Kris with him.” – Vincent Reinhart    https://youtu.be/gSQByDDf3-s?si=xEPIVqn64QEmjXEw