SPA Girls Podcast – EP169 – 5 Goals You Need To Make In 2019
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Goals! We’re all so excited about them at the beginning of January, and then we feel them like chains around our necks by the end of the month. (Well, here in the SPA we do. Maybe you’re able to make it into February without feeling like you’re never going to make them work…hehe)
What we’ve decided is that instead of overwhelming yourself with ALL THE GOALS, if you set one goal in these five areas, for a shorter period of time (we’re suggesting 12 weeks) then you’re more likely to make them happen.
We go through the five areas, and talk about the goals that we’re setting in each, and give suggestions of goals that you could set as well.
This is another information packed episode that will help you set some relevant goals that are going to help you move forward in 2019.
SHOW NOTES:
Quote from the 12 week year by Bryan Moran “Identify the “Keystone” Action and Focus on It. Once you have an intense desire to accomplish something, you then need to identify the core actions that will produce the result you’re after. Often you can come up with a laundry list of things that you could do, but that just leads to diffusion and discouragement. In most cases there are a few core activities that account for the majority of the result, and in some cases, there is one, perhaps two, primary activities that ultimately produce the result. It is critical that you identify the one or two “Keystone” actions and focus on them.”
What we’re trying to do is (whether over a year or a quarter (ie 12 weeks) is give you five areas to set a goal in, that will serve your long term growth as an author.
This was inspired in part by our podcast with author Kelly St Clare (Podcast #163) who sets ONE craft goal per manuscript she’s working on, rather than trying to fix “All The Things.”
Remember a goal needs a specific timeframe.
You also need to review your goals as you go through the specified timeframe to make sure you’re doing what needs to be done to hit the goal at the end. If you’re not achieving it, look at why, and try to make changes so that you will make the goal.
Craft: (in the next book)
One goal per book for a craft skill that you’re working on.
Sharyn: Learn correct comma usage
Trudi: Do better at characterisation.
Cheryl: Being more descriptive.
Other ideas for craft goals:
- Work on dialogue
- Work on your sentence structure
- Work on eradicating the passive voice in your writing
- Introduce core elements early (setting, conflict, major characters, motivations etc)
Social Media: (To work on in Q1)
One aspect of SM that you’re going to work on.
Cher: Learn more about Facebook ads
Shar: Grow SPA Girls FB likes by 100 peeps, organically.
Trudi: Get more interactive in FB posts. At least 1 interactive post a week.
Other ideas for social media goals:
- Learn a new platform (but research the right one for your genre)
- Create a post schedule and post daily – eg. #MondayMusings #TuesdayTunes #WednesdayExcerpt #ThursdayThrowback #FridayFunFact #SaturdaySilly #SundayBookRec
Marketing: (Work on in Q1)
One aspect of marketing to work on in first quarter.
Shar: Nail Book Bub Ads.
Cheryl: Get the open rates/clicks up on my newsletter.
Trudi: AMS UK ads – sign on and do them.
Other ideas for marketing goals:
- Learn facebook ads – create five new ones each month
- Work on sending your email newsletter sign ups content that will have them opening every email from you! Short stories, deleted scenes etc.
- Amp up your blurbs
- Read more about copywriting
- Write some short stories and other content for your newsletter and other marketing content
Productivity (Work on in Q1)
One thing to amp up your productivity in the next quarter.
Shar: Write 5000 per week on new manuscript. Set aside an hour a day for writing.
Cher: Get up earlier, and work without social media distractions.
Trudi: Lynn Johnston trick – write down everything you do.
Other ideas for productivity goals:
- Spend time learning dictation
- Work out the word count of your next book, and when it needs to be finished by, then work out how many words you need to write each day and set as a daily goal
- Try changing where you write if you are struggling to get the words down. Cafes, or writing in a group situation.
Well Being (One per month)
One new habit per month.
Cher: New exercise regime – Pilates
Shar: Listening to headspace
Trudi: Start doing 10,000 steps every day. Get out in the garden.
Other ideas for goals:
- Set timer on phone and spend ten minutes stretching every day at 2pm.
- Set a timer on your phone and go for a walk every hour for five-ten minutes.
- Drink more water every day
Show Notes & Links
Episodes 100 – 200 List
200 What we’ve learned so far…
199 Interview with Adam Croft – Mindset and Marketing
198 Find Your Sparkle – with Julie Schooler
197 Hack Your Muse – with Kelly McClymer
196 Public Speaking For Authors – with Alena Van Arendonk
195 The Magic Pill – with Laura Van Arendonk-Baugh
194 A Day In The Life Of A Writer
193 Keep It Simple
192 Interview with Skye Warren: Money Mindset and Facebook Ads
For Authors (Part Two)
191 Interview with Skye Warren: Time Management & Advertising
For Authors (Part One)
190 Dragon Wrangling with Scott Baker: secrets for
Successful dictation
189 Interview with Patricia McLinn: Writing by the seat of
Your pants
188 Interview with Morgana Best: Writing & Marketing
Cozy Mysteries
187 Interview with Geoff Symon: Wounds & Crime Scenes
186 Interview with Natasha Bajema, WMD for Authors
185 The Writer’s Detective with Adam Richardson
183 Facebook Advertising with Maria Luis ~ Part Two
182 Facebook Advertising with Maria Luis ~ Part One
181 Learn dictation with Kilby Blades
180 Interview with Brian Meeks, Mastering Book Descriptions
179 Interview with Tara Cremin, Kobo Writing Life
178 Interview with Larissa Reynolds – Newsletters Part Two
177 Interview with Larissa Reynolds – Newsletters Part One
175 Wrangling Facebook: How To Make It Work For You
174 How To Write A Regency Romance
173 How Do You Identify Your Writing Weaknesses?
172 Interview With Dan Wood, D2D
171 Interview With Serenity Woods
169 5 Goals You Need To Make In 2019
168 Jumpstart Your 2019 Marketing with 31 Quick To Dos for Jan.
167 Scheduling For Writing Success
166 Our 2018 Roundup
165 He Said, She Said: Creating Dazzling Dialogue
164 Interview with Steffanie Holmes: Reverse Harem
163 Interview with YA author Kelly St Clare
160 Amazon Excl v Wide – things to consider and how to market
159 Interview With Kathryn LeVeque
158 Some Like It Hot – Or Not. Heat Levels In Romance
157 Interview With Louisa George
156 The Kindness Factor: Helping You Achieve More and Stress Less
155 Editing
153 Characters: From Cookie Cutter to Kapow
152 Interview with Tina Dietz: Audiobooks
151 Interview with Grace Burrowes
150 Should You Prune Your Mailing List?
149 RWNZ18 Interview with Damon Suede & Geoff Symon
148 Interview with indie superstar, Bella Andre
147 Top Ten Traits for Success
146 Write Better Faster with Becca Syme
145 Newsletter Ninja Tammi LaBrecque
144 Looking After Your Creative Health
143 Interview with Carlyn Robertson from Bookbub
142 Personal Branding For Authors with Lauren Clemett
141 Ten Free Online Tools For Authors
140 Tempting Taglines & Heartstopping Hooks
139 Findaway Voices with Kelly Lytle
138 Get Your Writing Mojo Back
137 Interview with Toni Kenyon: facebook live & serials
136 Dealing with misinformation and change in Sp-ing
134 Interview with Kevin Tumlinson, Draft2Digital
133 Interview with Sara Rosett
132 Organization For Authors – how to keep track of your
research and book details without losing your mind
131 Interview with Ricardo Fayet of Reedsy
130 Critical Care: Leveraging feedback for success
129 Brand You
128 SAS Special: Interview with Johnny B. Truant & Sean Platt
127 Industry Insiders with Damon J. Courtney of Bookfunnel
& Christine Monroe of Kobo
126 SAS Debrief with Jami Albright
125 SAS Special: Interview with Michelle Spiva
124 SAS Special : Interview With Michael Anderle
123 Sports Psychology for Authors – Interview With Nate Vella
122 Using Sub Plots To Amp Up Your Writing
121 Interview with Scott King: Outlining Your Novel
120 Pen-names Pros, Cons and Possibilities
119 Reader Engagement with Nalini Singh
118 Writing the Small Town Setting
117 Handling Negativity and Naysayers
116 Tough Mindset Questions For 2018
115 Interview With Nicola Davidson: Sex and Sensibility
114 Tropealicious
112 Interview With Honoree Corder & Ben Hale: Write Like A Boss
111 Ten Health Hacks For Writers
110 Interview with Kathryn Burnett: Your Writing Audit For Future Success
109 Interview with Melissa Storm: What Readers Want
108 Interview With Zoe Dawson: Writing Across Genres
107 Interview With Dave Chesson, The Keyword King
106 Pros and Cons of Kindle Unlimited
105 Why YOU should do Nanowrimo
104 Ten Truths For New Self Publishers
103 Find 30 Minutes A Day EXTRA!
102 Your Christmas Presence: Maximizing the Holiday Season for Authors
101 The Writing Life: Interview with Katie Cross
100 100 Episodes! Retrospective with funny moments; changing AO title
Regency Underwear
Young women of the Regency era were luckier than their Georgian and Victorian sisters who lived with the constriction of boned corsets to enhance their unnaturally small waists, and correct posture. The ‘natural Female form’ influenced fashionistas in the Regency era, much to the relief (I should imagine) of the women who lived in this time.
Ancient Greece was in vogue, and as such, the minimalist approach was in. Column dresses with a delicate ruffle, rather than being swamped in yards of fabric, and thick uncomfortable lace. Waists were high, (just under the bust) hoops were gone, and petticoats reduced. Skirts fell in a long straight line to the floor.
Of course it was still important to wear a support garment, however the change in style dictated a shorter corset. Gone was the heaving bosom style, once so popular that went from bust to hip, hooked at the front and laced at the back, with shoulder straps to help keep the sleeves of a dress in place. In it’s place was a corset that could be worn separately, and in some cases used as the dress itself. It was worn over a chemise. Stoc
kings were knee or thigh high, and held in place with garters. In earlier years, petticoats and panniers would be worn over the top, but this changed in the Regency era, and the petticoats were down to just one layer, and only if necessary.
Chemise – this was cotton or linen (easily washed unlike the dresses). Worn next to the skin. Usually short sleeved, with a loose drawstring neck.
Stays (corset)– worn over the top of the chemise for cleanliness. Without this a woman could look flat-chested, as often the gowns had little tailoring to enhance the figure. Could be fastened front or back.
Petticoat – These were often hemmed with lace, so if seen, along with a well turned out ankle, the lace was on show.
Stockings – Tied at the thigh or knee and made from cotton, silk, or wool. Held in place with garters that tied, buckled, or hooked.
Drawers/pantaloons – Until 1806 women wore no drawers! (scandalous) They came to just below the knee, but were not worn by everyone and often the wearer was thought fast!
Men’s underwear
Men in the Regency era had their own selection of underwear. The undershirt was a relatively new thing, as were men’s drawers. Before this, men simply tucked the long tails of their shirts into their pants. When drawers arrived they were like shorts with a drawstring and flaps that buttoned at the front, and tied below the knee. Often men still went commando rather than having this cumbersome garment under their trousers. Wool or cotton stockings completed the men’s wardrobe, and sometimes he would wear cotton stockings under his silk ones to reduce the appearance of hair.
Learn more about Wendy’s historical romances here
SPA Girls Podcast – EP254 – Interview with Tamsin Ley
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Today we’re joined by fabulous Alaskan author, Tamsin Ley, who is seeing great success writing SciFi Romance! We talk about Tamsin’s writing journey, marketing strategies, paranormal romance quirks and her advice for self-publishers.
You can find Tamsin at: TamsinLey.com
About Tamsin
Tamsin Ley builds worlds full of sexy heroes who don’t know they need a mate – that is, until they meet the woman they can’t resist. The romance is sizzling hot, a surprise twist waits around every corner, and the stories will never leave you hanging (although you may still crave more!)
Wine-lover, beer-brewer, foodie, serious gardener, and secret zombie prepper, Tamsin lives in Alaska with her husband of twenty something years. In the long days of summer you can find her in the great outdoors, but when the long winter nights set in, she’ll be at the keyboard creating imaginary worlds.
Resources mentioned:
Susan Kaye Quinn’s website
Indies Together Facebook group for authors
Come visit the SPA Girls on facebook
Watch the live recording of this podcast on the SPA Girls Youtube channel
SPA Girls Podcast – EP189 – Pantsing with Patricia McLinn
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If you’re a writer who struggles to outline, you’ll love this week’s podcast! We talk to Patricia McLinn, a USA Today bestselling author of mystery and romance, who is also a pantser who writes out of sequence. She’s here to tell you that it doesn’t matter how you write it, as long as it comes together in the end!
Patricia worked at the Washington Post for more than 20 years, is a past president of NINC, and has published more than 50 novels (at least that’s how many we could count on her website…) so she’s an experienced writer and editor who knows what she’s talking about.
She talks about how she writes first and subsequent drafts, her techniques for ensuring she has the right structure, and how her characters talk to her until she writes their stories…
Are you worried that you can’t outline, and that you’re not following the latest advice on how to write faster, better or smarter? Join us to hear Patricia’s take on how to succeed as someone who writes by the seat of their pants and still keeps producing many, many books.
Pat’s website: www.PatriciaMcLinn.com
