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Where am I going?

This month, Robert Lee Brewer has issued the April Platform Challenge for writers. The current thinking is; one of the most important tools for a writer in today’s media environment is a strong platform. Think of it as branding for social media. Now, I would’ve thought that actually finishing the novel would be important too, but whatdaIknow?

Anywho, today’s exercise is to set goals. Okay, I can see that. Goals are good things, they help to consistently point you in the desired direction. That presupposes the goals are consistent and coherent. That be asking a bit much from me, but lets give it a go. Short term goals are those that I believe I can accomplish before the end of the year; long term goals are more bucket list-quese.

Short term goals:

  • Keep on rockin’ at the day job. Papa’s got bills and retirement is over a decade away.
  • Complete the April Platform Challenge
  • Celebrate 20th anniversary with wife
  • Finish getting the house in shape for the open house
  • Get Thing1 to college this fall without crying (this may not happen, the without crying part, I mean)
  • Get to RavenCon, meet Glen Cook, try not to embarrass myself
  • Finish the initial draft of the Order of the Silver Rose
  • Start looking for an agent
Long term goals:

  • Keep growing as a father and husband (no, not in the waist, either)
  • Get Thing1 to complete college and shuffle Thing2 and SamIAm in and out of college, as well
  • Get that black belt (I’m already so close)
  • Get published (or a contract) before I’m 50. This should probably be a short term goal.
  • Pay off debt, live large.
  • Celebrate 50th anniversary with wife
  • Find an agent
  • Retire, or something simulating retirement that doesn’t involve being a greeter at Wal-Mart.

I’m not sure if these goals are supposed to be like resolutions (resolute) or promises or what. I believe I’ll treat like waypoints; not as an end, but more like sign posts along the way.

Long absent … but not dead

main_logoI’m afraid I’ve been infected with a case of the urgent overwhelming the important. My mundane job has been sucking up all my free time lately. Apologies for the long silence. I’d like to say that it won’t happen again. I’d like to say it, but I can’t. Like any habit, if your ignore it long enough you lose your edge; which makes it all the harder to recapture. So, what have I been up to?

It happens, I’ve gotten conformation that I’ll be appearing at the Baltimore Book Festival, Saturday, September 24th and 4:00PM. The Maryland Romance Writers have asked me to participate on their panel, Steampunk: Gear Up for Adventure!

I know, you may be saying, “Gee Paul, you don’t live in Baltimore or anywhere in Maryland. And, you’re not a Romance writer. How did you swing this gig?”

All true, however through the good folks over at writingsteampunk were gracious enough to invite me and I couldn’t accept fast enough. Thanks for the opportunity!

As you can well imagine, the topic will be centered around the writing genre of Steampunk. There are plenty of good articles online that give in-depth insight into this exploding niche. (Naturally I’ll be posting my on take on it shortly.)

There will be readings, including a bit of my WIP, The Order of the Silver Rose. I may even be dressed in appropriate attire. I’ll get pictures, it’ll be great!

Fellow panelists include Karen S. Garvin, Bill Gawne, Elektra Hammond, Lea Nolan and Laurel Wanrow.

If you live in the area, I hope to see you there!

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