Happy new year! It’s a great time for goal setting. Today, I’ll discuss my writing goals. Next month, I’ll resume my series on how to write flying scenes. (See here for an intro to writing flying scenes and how to write flying culture well.)

But if you’re curious about what keeps us creative types focused (can you say “space squirrels”?)—here are four of my writing goals for 2024:

1. Connect with people.

Strange, I know. Isn’t writing a solitary endeavor? Getting stories onto the page certainly involves hours alone (although my characters join me for the ride). But I believe anything of lasting value involves connecting with people.

A book without readers is simply personal therapy—not necessarily a bad thing, but there are more efficient ways of doing that. (Seriously—would you rather write 100,000 words, or spend a few hours with a therapist? The struggle of the former could drive you to the latter…)

I write to serve readers.

So I invite you—yes, you!—to shoot me a note via the Contact page.

It can be a simple “Hi” or something more profound. You can argue why Star Wars is better than Star Trek (or the reverse—if you dare! 😉). Or ask me about writing or flying or ballroom dancing (Hint: my skills are limited to 2 out of 3). Make me smarter about something that interests you. Tell me about the latest cool book you’ve read, or the shows you watch religiously, or the religious podcast you listen to.

It may take me a few days, but I’ll write back. I’ll honor your courage to reach out.

In short, let’s connect.

Oh, and if you’re another author-in-progress, rewrite that last sentence in ALL CAPS.

Like those odd but good-hearted little hobbitses, we writers survive best in fellowship.

So don’t just stare at your screens or your generous hobbit feet—connect!

Attend a conference. Email me (that’s way cheaper than a conference…). Or bravely join a critique group – I’m part of Word Weavers (here’s a shout-out to my awesome writers’ group friends! 😊)

2. Write like the wind!

That phrase holds a double meaning for me.

One is obvious: get in the chair and write. Don’t make excuses (like the distracting new puppy wrestling with our older dog beside me).

Last year, I finished Book 1 of a sci-fi trilogy, plus an origin story prequel. I’m drafting Book 2 now and aim to finish Book 3 by the end of 2024.

That’s just plain hard work!

Which leads to my second application of write like the wind.

I want to honor God as I write, which means inviting divine presence into the process.

Am I adding some new scripture? Hardly. But listening for God’s guidance—which can feel like a nudge from a holy breeze—keeps me humble as a little-C creator. It also gives me courage to write about dark places without getting lost there.

3. Make good stories great.

No movie director splices all their footage together and calls it done.

It’s all about editing. Stories can fail or shine on that basis.

Excellent editing is like dark matter: a reader might not notice its presence, but without it, the universe falls apart.

I’ll invest my time—and partner with experts—to make sure every finished product gets the edits it deserves.

So, if you’re wondering why I don’t have a novel on Amazon yet—even as I’m writing my 5^th one!—much of that is out of respect for the editing process…and the readers who will benefit.

4. Plan for rest.

Any healthy field needs to lie fallow once in a while.

Amidst all the connecting and writing and editing, I’ll need time for replenishment this year.

A family vacation is already on the calendar (we’ll see how restful that is… 😉)

I’ll enjoy walking the dogs, hiking in the mountains, reading the Sunday comics.

I’ll listen to jazz, watch a sunset, go out for sushi, get through Lord of the Rings (extended edition) once more.

Heck, maybe I’ll actually read the books!

And I’ll end each day with gratitude. Because, despite all my writing goals and plans and hopes for the year, I only live in today.

So do you.

Best wishes for 2024! Let’s make every day count!

Dan