Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2024: February Update

 

(Image source)

The second month was successful with my reading goals. I made great progress on the publishing course, though I still have quite a bit to go. It has been lovely to think of how I want to reach my writing and publishing goals.

Here are my writing goals for 2024:

1. Write 50,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November).
2. Write at least one children's book.
3. Write at least one new short story.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
5. Write at least twelve poems.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
7. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
8. Take a course on publishing. (in progress)

1. Read 12 literary magazines. (0/12)
2. Read 12 novels. (24/12)
1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (read by Andy Serkis)
2. The Wolf of Oren-Yaro
3. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
4. Green Rider by Kristen Britain
5. The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake
6. Rival Demons by Sarra Cannon
7. Demons Forever by Sarra Cannon
8. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
9. Emerald Darkness by Sarra Cannon
3. Read 12 short story collections. (0/12)
4. Read 12 poetry collections. (0/12)
5. Read 12 graphic novels. (7/12)
1. Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
2. A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll
3. The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge
4. Everything is Teeth by Evie Wyld
5. Fables: Book Six by Bill Willingham
6. Read 12 children's books. (6/12)
1. The Adventures of Chad and the feelings of Glad, Mad and Sad by Dustin Wright
2. We're Different, We're the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates
3. Mulla Husayn: The Story of the Declaration of the Bab for Young Children by Alhan Rahimi
4. Naw-Ruz in My Family by Alhan Rahimi
5. Garden of Ridvan by Alhan Rahimi
7. Read lots of books (nonfiction, fiber, etc). (9/12)
1. Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky
2. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. 
1. On target to finish all of the badges!

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2024? How was February for you?

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2024: January Update

 

(Image source)

It's time to reflect on the first month of 2024! How did I do?

Here are my writing goals for 2024:

1. Write 50,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November).
2. Write at least one children's book.
3. Write at least one new short story.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
5. Write at least twelve poems.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
7. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
8. Take a course on publishing.
1. The 6 week course starts in February, and it will be exciting to think about writing and publishing in a new way. I am looking forward to learning so much.

Of course as a writer, I also need to read. I read 25 books in January. Only 225 to hit my goal, which is about 4.5 books a week.

1. Read 12 literary magazines. (0/12)
1. (selected one but haven't finished)
2. Read 12 novels. (15/12)
1. Inner Demons by Sarra Cannon
2. Popcorn and Poltergeists by Nancy Warren
3. Bitter Demons by Sarra Cannon
4. Shadow Demons by Sarra Cannon
5. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
6. Golden Son by Pierce Brown
7. Garters and Gargoyles by Nancy Warren
8. Morning Star by Pierce Brown
9. Diamonds and Daggers by Nancy Warren
10. Ribbing and Runes by Nancy Warren
11. Herringbones and Hexes by Nancy Warren
12. Mosaics and Magic by Nancy Warren
13. Tangles and Treason by Nancy Warren
14. Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
15. Cat's Paws and Curses by Nancy Warren
3. Read 12 short story collections. (0/12)
1. (selected one but haven't finished)
4. Read 12 poetry collections. (0/12)
1. (selected one but haven't finished)
5. Read 12 graphic novels. (2/12)
1. Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman
2. Heartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman
6. Read 12 children's books. (1/12)
1. The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
7. Read lots of books (nonfiction, fiber, etc). (7/12)
1. Weaving Big on a Little Loom by Fiona Daly
2. A Handbook of Weaves by Gustaf Hermann Oelsner
3. Pattern Weaving by Rabbit Goody
4. Polysecure by Jessica Fern
5. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
6. The Gift by Edith Eger
7. The Polysecure Workbook by Jessica Fern
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges.
1. I am on target with 8 achievements so far.  

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2024? How did January go for you?

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2024

 

(Image source)

Wow, I can't believe that January is halfway over already! I decided to do something a little different this year. In December 2023, I took the Heart Breathings HB90 Bootcamp by Sarra Cannon to break the year into quarters by making goals and planning projects each quarter. I've been trying for years (and years) to develop tools from others and discover my preferences with planners, tracking progress, making goals, and completing goals.

And with all those years of experimenting, I have had little success with follow through. I make all of these wonderful goals at the beginning of the year. I start off great, but then the Suzanna Train loses steam and screeches off the track. Sure, I've reached some of my goals, but I have been anything but consistent, except during NaNo. Somehow, I can do NaNo. I even made it to 100 K with my double NaNo goal in 2023. YAY!

While I am still experimenting with my planner system, I'm thrilled that I took the HB90 Bootcamp course. I can already feel a difference with the progress I've made so far on my goals. 

• I'm not beating myself up when I fail to meet my daily or weekly to do list.
• Each day is a fresh start. Today is a good day to have a good day.
• It is really hard to make habits, but progress is progress.
• Life will throw curveballs no matter how much I plan. Gotta get up.

So, I want to continue writing, reading, and making progress on my personal goals. Here goes the start of a new quarter.

Here are my writing goals for 2024:

1. Write 50,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November).
2. Write at least one children's book.
3. Write at least one new short story.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
5. Write at least twelve poems.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
7. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
8. Take a course on publishing.

Of course as a writer, I also need to read. Can I make it to 250 this year? I made it to 247 last year.

1. Read 12 literary magazines.
2. Read 12 novels.
3. Read 12 short story collections.
4. Read 12 poetry collections.
5. Read 12 graphic novels.
6. Read 12 children's books.
7. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. 

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2024?

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2023: October Update

  

(Image source)

It is that time of year where I update my goals and begin thinking about my goals for next year. 

Here are my writing goals for 2023:

1. Write 100,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November)
1. The plan is in motion. I have my word tracker and two projects planned so I can reach 100K.
2. Write at least one children's book in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.)  
1. Will move to 2024.
3. Write at least one new short story.
1. Been thinking about one. Need to find the first paragraphs of a draft.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
1. Still sorting papers.
5. Write at least one new poem each week.
1. I've written some poems but not where I'd like to be with this one.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
1. Still a dream at this stage.
7. Work on the draft for writing a nonfiction book about the day job.
1. One of my NaNo projects!
8. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
1. Second of my NaNo projects!

Of course as a writer, I also need to read.

1. Read at least 10 children's books in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.) and focus on one category each month and then rotate. (72 read of 60 children's books)
2. Read at least one book of short stories each month. (2 read of 12 short story collections)
3. Read at least one book of poetry each month. (5 read of 12 poetry books)
4. Read at least one literary magazine each month. (2 read of 12 literary magazines)
5. Read at least one nonfiction book regarding the day job each month. (15 read of 12 nonfiction books)
6. Read at least one graphic novel each month. (17 read of 12 graphic novels)
7. Read a total of 150 books in 2023. (203 read of 150 books)
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. (The hardest one for me is the perfect month where you read every day in the month.)
1. I have earned 100% of the achievements for all of the 3 completed challenges: the New Year Kindle Challenge (January to March), Kindle Spring Challenge (April to June), and Kindle Summer Challenge (July to September). I have 9 of 15 achievements for the Year End Kindle Challenge as of October 31.

Reflection so far on this year's goals. I'm shocked at how much I have read. I finally got bit by the audiobooks bug, so I have been invested in reading more than on Kindle or paper copies. Do you have a favorite audiobook?

I have, sadly, reached more of my reading goals this year than my writing goals. I'm still sorting my art studio space, and I'm hoping to organize my books and set aside what I'd like to read each month. Here's to hoping to a productive NaNo in November and some creative time in December.

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2023? What are you going to do with the last quarter of 2023? How are you preparing for NaNo?

Children's Books Explorations: Concept Books

What is a Concept Book?

A type of picture book made to explain or introduce an idea or activity. This includes the alphabet, counting, colors, times, and shapes.

(Quote Source) 

The Concept Books I read: 

1. Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
2. I Feel! A book of Emotions by Juana Medina
3. Mouse Magic by Ellen Stoll Walsh
4. Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly! by Mo Willems
5. What's Your Sound, Hound the Hound? by Mo Willems

What I learned: 

I have taken fine art courses at undergraduate programs, and I still struggle with the color wheel when it comes to tertiary colors. I was impressed by how Mouse Paint and Mouse Magic by Ellen Stoll Walsh introduced art concepts of colors. I even learned something! I'm rather sad that I did not read them as a child.

I Feel! A book of Emotions by Juana Medina showed a variety of emotions with facial expressions and colors. I thought the order of emotions was interesting. It was fascinating to see that there are several emotion wheels. I have certain emotions that I connect to specific colors, and I really like the shades used in the following wheel. Are there certain colors that you associate with emotions? Is anger only red? Is joy only yellow? 

(Image Source)

The work of Mo Willems was musical and lyrical. I can imagine how much fun it would be to read with a child. Friends was a concept in both Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly! and What's Your Sound, Hound the Hound?. It was neat to see how the characters moved on the page and interacted with each other.

Do you have a favorite Concept Book? And what colors do you associate with emotions? Comment below.

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2023: January Update

 

(Image source)

It is that time of year where I make some new goals and check in on my progress so I can adjust. Hooray! I absolutely love making goals.

Here are my writing goals for 2023 and progress update from January:

1. Write 100,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November)
1. Right now, this is in brainstorm mode as to what I want to write.
2. Write at least one children's book in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.)
1. I brainstormed but have not started a first draft yet.  
3. Write at least one new short story.
1. Did not write one word.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
1. I am looking for them in my paperwork piles. 
5. Write at least one new poem each week.
1. I wrote one poem. I am working on making this a weekly habit.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
1. I am looking for them in my paperwork piles to start editing and sorting.
7. Work on the draft for writing a nonfiction book about the day job.
1. I have not continued the draft, but I am collecting information to assist with this project.
8. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.
1. I am researching how others have created graphic novels, and creating a plan for how to accomplish a new draft.

Of course as a writer, I also need to read.

1. Read at least 10 children's books in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.) and focus on one category each month and then rotate. (8 read of 60 children's books)
2. Read at least one book of short stories each month. (0 read of 12 short story collections)
3. Read at least one book of poetry each month. (0 read of 12 poetry books)
4. Read at least one literary magazine each month. (0 read of 12 literary magazines)
5. Read at least one nonfiction book regarding the day job each month. (6 read of 12 nonfiction books)
6. Read at least one graphic novel each month. (0 read of 12 graphic novels)
7. Read a total of 150 books in 2023. (17 read of 150 books)
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. (I have earned 8 achievements so far and I am on track to get a perfect month this month.)

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2023? How did you do in January?

Suzanna's Writing and Reading Goals for 2023

(Image source)

It is that time of year where I make some new goals. Hooray! I absolutely love making writing goals.

While I did not quite finish unpacking all of the boxes from my move, I did make significant progress. I am hopeful that in the next two-ish months, I will not have a single box in sight because they will comfortably reside in the closet or the recycling center. I found a lot of surprising things (two booklets of stamps!) and stuff that I am embarrassed to share on the internet. Cough. Needless to say, not everything survived and might be in the landfill or recycling center.

Here are my writing goals for 2023:

1. Write 100,000 words in 30 days as part of a NaNo project (Camp in April, Camp in July, or NaNo in November)
2. Write at least one children's book in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.)  
3. Write at least one new short story.
4. Edit at least one short story from my undergrad days.
5. Write at least one new poem each week.
6. Put together a poetry collection.
7. Work on the draft for writing a nonfiction book about the day job.
8. Work on the draft of the graphic novel.

Of course as a writer, I also need to read.

1. Read at least 10 children's books in each category (board book, concept book, early reader, wordless, transition books, narrative nonfiction, etc.) and focus on one category each month and then rotate. 
2. Read at least one book of short stories each month. 
3. Read at least one book of poetry each month. 
4. Read at least one literary magazine each month. 
5. Read at least one nonfiction book regarding the day job each month.
6. Read at least one graphic novel each month. 
7. Read a total of 150 books in 2023. 
8. Participate in every Kindle Reading Challenge this year and get at least 90% of the badges. (The hardest one for me is the perfect month where you read every day in the month.)

What are some of your writing and reading goals for 2023?

That one writer you always return to

I do not remember exactly which book by Avi I read first. I know that I read several in a row as a kid, which is normally what I do when I like the author's work. I still do this as an adult, getting on kicks and reading marathons. Avi is one of the writers I have followed for decades.

(Image Source)

As a kid, I was very lucky to have a library that brought in authors for talks, signings, and visits. Avi was one of my favorites. He was funny with great writing tips and memorable jokes. 

With the advent of blogs, I subscribed to Avi's blog and have enjoyed reading his posts and books since. It is refreshing to know that even with writing so many books, Avi still writes multiple drafts and heavily edits in addition to reading his work out loud to his wife. This gives me hope for my own messy drafts.

Do you have an author that you always return to? With rereading their books or following them online? Let me know in the comments. 

Reading Goals for 2022

 

A writer must read, and a reader must write.

Well, sometimes.

I am inspired by what I read, and with the trackers on Goodreads, and the occasional Amazon Kindle Challenge, it is always interesting to see what I read over the course of a year. Themes usually emerge for me, sometimes a exploring handful of writers or even a particular genre. 

This year is no different.

While my Goodreads goal is 90 books, and I've finished 32, I am "3 books behind schedule." My Kindle book goal is 45 books, and I've finished 19. 

Maybe I need to go to the library and curl up with some books.

What are your reading goals? Do you have patterns of what you tend to read? What are you reading right now?

Kindle Challenge Update--January 2021

 

(Image source) 

It was a wonderful surprise to open my email from Amazon with a Kindle Challeng in January. My goal is to read 35 books in 2021 and track my progress on Goodreads. So far I have finished 9 electronic book and 10 physical books. Earning badges still reminded me of National Novel Writing Month. 

I earned 9 badges out of 12. I was not going to unregister my Kindle device and risk issues with syncing my account, and I missed reading two days, so I did not earn the Read 30 days in January badge. Since I missed two badges, I did not earn the badge Overachiever because I did not get all of the badges for the January Challenge. Oh well.

 

My Earned Badges are as follows:

(Earned) Bronze Reader: Read 7 days in January

(Earned) Silver Reader: Read 15 days in January

Gold Reader: Read 30 days in January

(Earned) Goal Setter: Create a reading goal for 2021

Easy on the Eyes: Register a Kindle E-reader device

(Earned) I’m a Fan!: Follow an author

(Earned) Book-in-Hand: Purchase any Kindle eBook from Amazon

(Earned) Kindle Unlimited Reader: Borrow any title from Kindle Unlimited

(Earned) Series Starter: Start reading any series title

(Earned) Quitters Day: Read on January 19^th, the day most people quit on their New Year’s resolutions

(Earned) Finisher: Complete any Kindle eBook in January

Overachiever: Earn all available badges in Kindle Challenge

 

I will keep reading regardless. 

What are your reading goals for February 2021? How are you doing with your overall reading goals for 2021? What are you currently reading?

 

 

 

How to Think about Fantasy Stories

 

(Image source)

I return to the best advice I have ever received about writing: Read 100 books of whatever you want to write. I have read well beyond 100 books in the fantasy genre, and it is always thrilling to find someone who does something new with the genre. But how do I write a fantasy novel that may be enjoyed by readers other than myself?

As a writer, I have spent years reading books, blogs, and interviews by published authors to figure out how they do it the actual writing, the editing, and then the publishing. While this is an ongoing education process, I am always amazed how I return to the journey and Campbell's description of the Hero's Journey. Not every story fits in this mold exactly, yet some kind of change occurs in every story. I enjoy imagining fantasy and science fiction worlds that I may pen someday. 

These are some resources that I have found useful in writing my National Novel Writing Month fantasy novels over the years.

Worldbuilding: Patricia C. Wrede Questions

Blogs: Mythcreants

Books: Save the Cat!; The Writer's Journey

Story Grid

Worldbuilding, Myths, and Magical Creatures

Global Genre

Obligatory Scenes and Conventions--Christmas Carol Example

How do you think about fantasy stories? What are some of your favorite fantasy stories?

Kindle Challenge

 

(Image source)

It was a wonderful surprise to open my email from Amazon with a Kindle Challenge. My goal is to read 35 books in 2021 and track my progress on Goodreads. So far I have finished one electronic book from the library. I am intrigued with the Kindle Challenge quests. It reminds me of earning badges during National Novel Writing Month.

 

My Badges are as follows:

Bronze Reader: Read 7 days in January

Silver Reader: Read 15 days in January

Gold Reader: Read 30 days in January

Goal Setter: Create a reading goal for 2021

Easy on the Eyes: Register a Kindle E-reader device

I’m a Fan!: Follow an author

Book-in-Hand: Purchase any Kindle eBook from Amazon

Kindle Unlimited Reader: Borrow any title from Kindle Unlimited

Series Starter: Start reading any series title

Quitters Day: Read on January 19^th, the day most people quit on their New Year’s resolutions

Finisher: Complete any Kindle eBook in January

Overachiever: Earn all available badges in Kindle Challenge

I shall give an update in February of my progress. What are your reading goals for January 2021?

 

 

Reading Goals for 2021

(Photo Source)

I am amazed at how much I read this year, over 100 books. I was not expecting to read very many books for fun because of my required reading for grad school. Since I have read many more books than I expected, I hope to finish the year strong with a couple more books before midnight on the 31st.

2020 Reading Highlights in no particular order:

• Several by Jason Reynolds (so many good ones, it's hard to pick one)
• Radical Compassion by Tara Brach
• The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
• Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
• Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley
• Sing for Your Life by Daniel Bergner
• The Long Way to A Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
• Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
• The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
• Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
• Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist
• The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
• Nothing Was the Same by Kay Redfield Jamison
• Trauma-Informed Treatment: The Restorative Approach by Patricia D. Wilcox
• The Wounded Healer by David Sedgwick

Books I intend to reread:

• How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
• Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary Frances Winters

I shall set my 2021 reading goals to include the books I want to reread, as well as another reading of The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. It is a book I have reread several times. 

What books do you intend to reread? What are your reading goals for 2021?

Q: What Are You Reading? A: Young Adult Fantasy

 

So you want to write Young Adult Fantasy? It’s time to read some! But what stories are considered Fantasy? According to StoryGrid, Fantasy should have the reader suspend disbelief when encountering an imaginative world has a protagonist negotiating a core event or controlling idea, particularly with combining fantasy with other genres like thriller or horror. Check StoryGrid for more information.

 

What stories are considered young adult? Some resources are available about the differences between adult fiction and young adult fiction. Check them out here, here, and here.

 

Some examples of Young Adult Fantasy are An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo, Sabriel by Garth Nix, and We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal. Check out a list of more Young Adult Fantasy titles here, here, and here. Personally, I love everything by Sabaa Tahir and Leigh Bardugo.

 

Upcoming Young Adult Fantasy titles can be found here, here, and here.

 

Check out OA’s recent blog posts on how you can support #WeNeedDiverseBooks

Authors and Videos of Support #WeNeedDiverseBooks 

Support Black Lives Matter

 

This blog post is part of a series called Q: What Are You Reading? by Suzanna Anderson on Operation Awesome. Please note that this book list is not comprehensive. This list is a starting point, an introduction to Young Adult Fantasy titles. Suzanna reads a book and usually finds at least ten more books to read. Use this list as inspiration to check out titles at your local library, support your local bookstores with purchases, or wherever you get your books. Please do read, share, and write reviews (if you want to). Comment below what you’ve read and what you’re excited to read next!

 

What are you reading?