As probably 90% of Earth’s population, I was slightly panicking about the impending beginning of a new decade, thinking I’ve done nothing with my life so far, regretting imaginary and real decisions I respectively imagined and actually made; wondering, “what the fuck next?”

The truth is, the past ten years were fruitful, interesting, invigorating, and all I could do with what I knew and had.

I traveled, learned, discovered, acquired, and loved as deeply as I despised. There’s a couple of things I should have done earlier, but maybe I couldn’t. There’s an essential distinction in there, one that has to do with my “situational best.”

Going forward, I want to plan in terms of years, to keep things fresh, and plans flexible and fun.

MY PLANS (aka things I can control):

Writing-related

1. Delete 1k more words from my sci-fi book (from this week until the first two weeks of January).
2. Polish my query letter and query package (from this week until the first week of January).
3. Star querying that book (January).
4. Finish writing the first draft of my contemporary book (before February rolls in).
5. Finish writing the first draft of my fantasy book (before June rolls in).
6. Edit the contemporary book (easier bet).
7. Write a new first draft of the new book idea I just had, probably as I edit either the contemporary or the fantasy book.
8. Edit the fantasy book (we’ll hope).
9. Work on a graphic novel.
10. Participate in NaNoWriMo again (November).

Non-writing related

1. Start applying to new jobs.
2. Visit either Japan or Israel. Maybe again the USA.
3. Finish renovating my new house so that I can start decorating it.
4. Most importantly, create my “magic room,” that bizarre little space I plan to make my own, to write, read, listen to music, relax, etc. It’s small and adorable, and I’m ridiculously excited about it.

MY GOALS (aka things I wish to achieve through my plans):

Writing-related:

1. Land an agent for my sci-fi book.
2. Land a book deal for my sci-fi book.
3. Shop around either the fantasy or contemporary book, depending on which one I edit first.

Non-writing related:

1. Change jobs.

There it is, the 2020 agenda. I think most of it it’s doable, especially now that I’m using Scrivener (a much more stable and reliable software than Word, at least on iPad).

Anybody reading this who’d like to share their 2020 plans and goals? I’d love to read.