Comments on: 2012 Resolution #2: Finish a Novel and Write Another One

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:51:52 +0000

Are you going to put any of your newly freed up time toward researching and fact-checking your posts here?

By: deRuiter

deRuiter — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:36:09 +0000

Can’t think of anyone more suited to writing fantasy. Good luck and finish them both off in one year.

By: Temi

Temi — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:56:14 +0000

Wow. This is an ambitious goal. Good luck Trent. I hope you make it.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:21:16 +0000

I, too, think this is aiming a little high.

As far as writing quickly goes, we all know it doesn’t matter how fast it’s done if it’s junk. Which is not to say the novels will be junk. Who knows?

By: Valleycat1

Valleycat1 — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:45:59 +0000

If I were someone who gave up on two of last years goals when life threw one curve ball I think I’d be aiming lower . There’s no rule that you can’t add another goal if you attain the original one early on, and you don’t end up feeling like a failure. One piece of business advice that works for other arenas is to under promise and over deliver. So in this case, planing getting the first novel complete to being publication ready. Then any effort toward the next book is a total win, not possible fail.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:57:36 +0000

Considering zero novels have been completed so far, it seems a stretch to think you could finish two in one year. Perhaps it would be more realistic to resolve to complete one novel and make a start on the second.

Disclaimer: I haven’t completed any novels either

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:18:54 +0000

I think it’s fine to mix a small daily goal with an intensive goal. Trent can’t spend much time during the day exercising and losing weight beyond his 15-30 minutes and meal prep time. The novels can take up to all of his free time.

The novel might sound tough, but I have so many friends publishing their NaNaWriMo projects from November this month that I think both could be done by June if Trent writes and uses his editor seriously. He certainly can write quickly.

By: lurker carl

lurker carl — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:10:28 +0000

Spread out your goals. Packing too much into a short timeframe will set you up for failures.

By: Kai

Kai — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:08:08 +0000

There’s nothing wrong with having lofty dreams, but goals should be achievable. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t aim high in your goals, but if your goals are consistently not met, then you should revise your expectations and start setting goals that are going to be achievable.
I have dreams and ideals that are sufficiently lofty as to be unachievable, but still worth working towards for the in-between parts. The goals I set, however, in these areas, are measurable and achievable.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:54:52 +0000

Ignore them, Trent. It’s fine to have lofty goals.

To quote Robert Browning: “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for? ”
A

By: kc

kc — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:44:15 +0000

@ Steven: ha!

Seriously Trent, your goals ought to be challenging but attainable. You may be setting yourself up for disappointment.

By: Steven

Steven — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:29:20 +0000

How I really hope your next resolution won’t be to read 150 books.