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About the author and blogger ...

Anne Goodwin’s drive to understand what makes people tick led to a career in clinical psychology. That same curiosity now powers her fiction.
A prize-winning short-story writer, she has published three novels and a short story collection with small independent press, Inspired Quill. Her debut novel, Sugar and Snails, was shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize.
Away from her desk, Anne guides book-loving walkers through the Derbyshire landscape that inspired Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
Subscribers to her newsletter can download a free e-book of award-winning short stories.

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Appraising and reflecting on the old year’s authorial achievements and my aspirations for 2020

6/1/2020

10 Comments

 
Having posted my analysis of last year’s reading on New Year’s Eve, I’m back now with my audit of 2019’s writing and other authorial activities. What were the highlights? How wide was the gap between my aspirations and what I actually achieved? Where will I focus my time and energy in 2020? This time last year, I shared my fantasy goals to become a celebrity, write a series and win a major prize as well six more realistic targets where I haven’t done a whole lot better. Come and help rub my nose in the dirt!


Did I bring my short story publication count to 100 by the end of the year?

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Reader, I did not!
 
I successfully placed six new stories but am still eleven short of my century when – hopefully – I can stop counting. There was a parallel failure to reach 100 in my reading the world list, so at least there’s balance across my reading and writing, with both well above my age.
 
But I did try, both with magazine submissions, and a few highfalutin competitions (BBC, Sunday Times, Costa, Commonwealth, Bridport, Tom Gallon Trust), and thus achieved one of my few smarter (specific, realistic and under my control) goals:

to submit short stories to 5 prestigious competitions

Three of the submitted stories were longer ones I’d actually begun writing the previous year, so I was pleased to get them fit for submission even if they’ve no chance of a prize. So I’ll keep plugging away this year and hopefully resurrect some of the other abandoned stories in my WIP files.

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A couple of months ago it struck me I could do more with my previously published stories that didn’t belong in my collection, Becoming Someone. Some of those have won prizes, albeit not as prestigious as those mentioned above. Hold that thought, while I digress to one of last year’s objectives:

to grow my author email newsletter list.

I’ve tried. I’ve handed out business cards and stuck colourful labels in the stock I sell directly. I’ve posted an invitation on the Annethology homepage for those who visit online (and one here, because I’ll use any opportunity). Sure, my list has grown, but at the rate of a bonsai when I’m after leylandii. I guess I should be thankful it’s not like the ice caps, melting away.

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There’s a wealth of horticultural advice on writers’ email lists and they all advise providing a freebie as a fertiliser. Of course, it might not work for me, but I can learn something in the process. What’s more I can do something special on this year’s palindromic date:

Self-publish an e-book of prize-winning short stories as a promotional giveaway on 02.02.2020

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I’ve already made some progress: chosen my stories, reedited them and designed a cover. (Please tell me if you don’t think it’s good enough; I didn’t want to pay out for a designer but I don’t want to look cheap.) Although I’ve relished editing stories I thought were finished years ago – obsessively chasing repeated words, while knowing there’ll still be some left to embarrass me when I’ve pressed publish – I’m not enjoying the Amazon part. Is it me? Is it them? Is it first-time blues?

Regarding “proper” publications, I’ve met my objective regarding my next novel, Matilda Windsor Is Coming Home, about a brother and sister separated for fifty years against the backdrop of the longstay psychiatric hospital closures:

to develop a marketing / publicity plan for Matilda Windsor Is Coming Home.

It’s not much more than a word document I’ve added to as inspiration strikes, but right now I have a big decision to make regarding when and how it’s published. Should I go with an offer for 2021 or plunge into the dark waters of self-publishing to get it out this year? Maybe I’ll see how it goes with Somebody’s Daughter first.
 
As for Snowflake, about a teenager with a noise phobia in a dystopian society, I’m awaiting reader feedback on my first – but much revised – draft. I’d like to submit it this year, but can’t commit to that until I see how much work remains to be done. But, having navigated a tricky plot hump, I’m enjoying this novel again, so I’m confident I’ll be able to:

Revise Snowflake in the light of reader feedback

Although I’ve had several semi-decent ideas about a possible next novel after Snowflake, and made notes and even written scenes for around half a dozen, I’m no further forward on how to balance what I want to write with what is easiest to sell. But having thought about it, you could say I’ve met my wishy-washy goal:

to reflect on the future direction of my fiction into the 2020s.


I’ve thought about shifting my focus and forming stronger alliances with inbetweenie authors to collectively publicise our books. Actually, 2019 was a good year for live events, with WHSmith opening up to signing sessions for ordinary authors and discovering a couple of new book fair opportunities with another local IQ author. But, as an introvert, I easily tire of smiling at people who aren’t interested in reading any book, never mind mine. On the other hand, I’ve met some lovely people who have generously taken a chance on an unknown author. I need to make the most of opportunities while safeguarding my mental health.

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Although I get nervous before an audience, I probably prefer presenting to staffing a stall. My literary quiz was well received at a local conference, as were my readings alongside poets at a Christmas event. I’d been thinking for several months that I ought to present my flash fiction at an open mic event, but that spurred me to make it a concrete objective:

Perform at an open mic event

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Meanwhile, we can promote ourselves in the virtual world without getting out of bed. Although I didn’t make my century of short story publications, I hit the mark exactly regarding blog posts, albeit down on last year by 25, but that’s no bad thing. I hosted two guests and was generously welcomed across the threshold of four other blogs:

 
Conversations with Colleen

Anne Goodwin, How D’ya Do?

Schooldays reminiscences

Smorgasbord Sunday interview

 
while my characters were interviewed twice on Lisa Burton radio: Steve from Underneath and Marmaduke the cat from Sugar and Snails. Despite this, I failed dismally


to publish a longer blog post about once a month.

In fact, I believe my longest post was the one where I set this as an objective. I think I can safely let that go for 2020. Which leaves me with only three specific goals for the year, but I’m okay with that. While I work towards them – along with other less focused aspirations – I wonder what you think.


Finally, I composed almost 50 99-word stories in response to the Carrot Ranch prompts, and now it’s time to post my first of 2020. Looking at the picture, I see a Welsh dresser, as will you if you’re from the UK. But in the US, this is called a hutch and, although my story passes through the kitchen, the main action features a rabbit cage:
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Maybe next year

Every Christmas, he gifted her a pretty notebook and a pen fit for an arthritic hand. Every year, he took the grandkids to the pantomime, left her at the kitchen table, to fill the first page. Every autumn, he looked for it amongst the litter of the rabbit hutch, a crumpled sheet of unmet targets and dashed hopes.

He never mentioned it. Simply smoothed out the wrinkles and filed her disappointment among his gardening magazines. His resolution spanned a decade but he swore he’d get there. One day he’d bring them out and show her how far she’d come.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
10 Comments
D. Avery
6/1/2020 11:10:28 pm

You wrote a real sweet flash.
Seems like you've also had some flashy accomplishments. May you enjoy even more sweet success in this new year, new decade. I have no doubt that you will. Dang yer organized.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
8/1/2020 02:56:26 pm

It is sweet, unusual for me. Not quite a BOTS, but the sentiment fits. Thanks for your encouragement.

Reply
Charli Mills
8/1/2020 06:19:36 am

Anne, I really like the design of your short stories book cover. I'm impressed you did that on your own! It doesn't look cheap. Your goals have carried you to an interesting junction for deciding the future of your publishing. I like the idea of you building up synergy with a group of similar authors. And you know I'm all for you flashing at an open mic night! I'm wondering if you should do a vision board for your three lofty goals -- magazine cut-outs and quotes to show what that would look like. What does celebrity look like to you? What would make an exciting series? What would winning a prize look like? Those are images you could create on a poster board to shape a vision of your writing success and come up with your North Star. But only if it would be an engaging exercise. You've had a successful year. Nothing to place in the rabbit hutch.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
8/1/2020 03:11:26 pm

I’m glad you approve of the cover. I’m pleased with it but it’s how it looks to potential readers that counts. I scoured Canva for a similarly styled background to Becoming Someone and played about with different texts and sizes/placement for the figures. I even have something similar for each of the stories – I think I got carried away! – but I don’t know if I’ll be able to use them on conversion to the e-book.
Thanks for the suggestions about the visualisation – I’ll think about it but it doesn’t feel like me! My best ideas for goals/prioritising arrive organically, usually when I’m well away from my desk, rather like my inspiration for my fiction. But I recognise there that there is a need for planning alongside the pantsing which applies equally to goals and ambitions.

Reply
Jules link
8/1/2020 03:31:13 pm

I've almost the reverse... I write, I gift what I write to family - occasionally... but they perhaps are not my target audience?

I enjoyed your flash. I hope that someone in my family will appreciate what I've accumulated - writing wise.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
10/1/2020 08:10:44 am

Interesting to reflect on our differing motivations -- thanks for sharing yours Jules. My family are very supportive but it's important to me to be read by people I don't already know. It also feels less complicated!
Glad you liked the flash.

Reply
Norah Colvin
11/1/2020 11:21:22 am

Lovely to read of last year's goals and achievements, Anne, even if they didn't quite match, you accomplished much. I wonder if it would be a good thing to tick off all our goals anyway. Maybe it would mean we aimed too low.
I'm looking forward to receiving my free ebook. I love the title, which blends nicely with your book of short stories. and the cover. I am intrigued by the inverted female in a different colour.
I'm interested to hear that you are contemplating self-publishing Matilda rather than wait for a traditional publisher in 2021 and look forward to hearing your decision once it becomes clear.
I enjoyed your flash. If only every spouse would be so encouraging and see the potential that many writers don't see for themselves.
I wish you enormous success with writing towards your goals this year.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
12/1/2020 08:03:52 am

An interesting perspective, Norah. I actually don't mind aiming low, celebrating conquering the foothills instead of despairing at not reaching the peak. Because there'll always be new goals to fail at!
I'm glad you're intrigued by the cover and yes I wanted it to blend with my collection (and one of the stories is taken from there, you might guess which one!)
Yes, I never thought I'd self-publish a novel, but Matilda is ready to go (after a round of copy editing) and I've been telling people about her for so long it would be good to let readers see for themselves. I hope to have decided before the end of this month,

Reply
Norah Colvin
5/2/2020 11:45:08 am

I'm excited for Matilda's news. We have been waiting for a long time. At least we've got Somebody's Daughter to occupy us for a short while before then. :)

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25/2/2020 08:13:10 am

Printing is an art and not everyone gets it, but I think it would be better if consider printing more of designing platform rather than just marketing tool, there are many forms of printing, that has been helping small and medium sized business to promotion and brand awarenesss.

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