january, of all things

Well, first of all, I'm watching The X-Files. For this, I blame my friend Mary: I went to her house a couple weeks ago and watched the first X-Files movie (Fight the Future). After watching that, I've had a craving for the rantings of Fox Mulder. 

But that's not what's important at the present moment. What's really on my mind is January. I try not to be all crazy with the new-year-new-you mentality, but I'll admit I've been looking forward to January more than usual this year. Since going part time at my day job in late November, I have been testing the waters, so to speak, when it comes to using my new "free" time for writing. Come next week, when school starts up again, I'm going to be hitting the ground running (I hope!). My goal is to have the draft for the first book in my new series to be completed by the first week of February. I've already got episode 2 of SHIFTED set to go live on the 14th, and I'm working on getting episode 3 ready for the 28th. 

In February, I hope to finish all (or most of) the remaining 12 episodes of SHIFTED so it can have smooth release dates every two weeks between 1/14 and 6/3. 

Come March, I hope to be working on edits for book 1 of the new series and the draft of book 2. I would like to have the first book of the new series (more details to come in a different post) in late March or early April. And if the fates are smiling (or if I just keep writing and not making excuses), book 2 should be ready to fly come June. 

As excited as I am for all of this, I can't help feeling the slightest bit... well... terrified. Since 2011, I've only managed to put out one novel per year, with 2013 being a banner year with one novel (Becoming) and one novelette (SHIFTED, Episode 1). In 2014, I'd like to put out eleven 10,000-15,000 word episodes of SHIFTED and three or four full-length (60,000-ish word) novels. 

To be clear, this is kind of insane. At least it's kind of insane for me. The idea of writing all this down and posting it online for anyone to see gives me pause. My old concerns rise up within me: What if I say I'm going to do this but I don't accomish it? In other words, what if I FAIL? 

If I don't do it? Whatev. 

For real. The world won't end. Just allowing myself that grace gives me the confidence to move forward with my grand plans. If I don't succeed, I'll survive. If I don't try, I won't accomplish anything. 

So, in short, in 2014, I'm planning to kick ass and take names. I'll venture into uncharted territory. I'll write. I'll write a lot. And I won't make excuses. 

Here's to 2014. More than that, here's to January.