Goals: Progress Since March 2019

Here is an infographic of the goals set for this year showing whether I have achieved them yet or not:

Social Media

Consistently Post: Post twice a week to my blog, post three photos/videos a week to IG, share content to Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook. Brainstorm how to use my FB page more.

I am really pleased with how I have done here. I have managed to keep up with my blog schedule. I have also posted daily to IG. In addition, I have been networking a lot on Twitter this past month and my connections have boomed.

YouTube: Start making YouTube videos.

This hasn’t happened. I am no longer scared, I just want to do it but it is actually really hard for me to get the right conditions to create a video. I often have kids around or it is late and I am tired.

Online Events: Take part in Twitter and Instagram events

Woah! I only just finished editing Jewel of the Sea in time for the June #PitMad Twitter Event. This deadline gave me the kick I needed to cross the finish line.

This month I am doing the #authorschallenge2019 on Instagram. Last month I did the one week #StorySnippetsChallenge which was so popular it had now become a Saturday event called #StorySnippetsSaturday.

In April, I took part in the Camp Nano. More about that later.

I am planning to take part in PB Pitch on 20 June 2019.

Writing

Jewel of the sea (formerly Drift)

Edit: Finish work on Act 2 and start Act 3

I smashed this goal. I have not only finished Act 2 and 3 but also Act 4. That’s right, Jewel of the Sea is finished. You can read it on Wattpad for a limited time.

Diamond in the sky (formerly Glide)

Finishe & edit: Diamond in the Sky has been on hold but work on this is possible to start in July or August but I plan to give myself a little break.

Scarlet House

First Quarter: Start novel #NewYearNewNovel

This was my Camp NaNo project. I used Save the Cat to write an outline for the first few chapters and set myself a goal of 15k. I am please to say I achieved it!

View this post on Instagram
Yay! I did it. Achieved my Camp NaNo goal of 15k! There were a lot of personally challenges that at times I though I wouldn’t win. Aria is now in her own room and I am so pleased with the memories I made with my children during the Easter holidays. As always, NaNo goes to show with perseverance you can achieve your goals. I’m afraid there won’t be much of a break for me as I’ve been feeling anxious about not working on Jewel of the Sea. So, starting tomorrow night I’ll be back on with my editing. #campnanowinner2019 #campnano2019 #campnanowrimo #campnanoapril #writersofinstagram #writing #writingcommunity #write #amwriting #wordcount #goaldigger #goalsetting #goalsetter #achieve #achievement #winner #hustlingwriterscommunity #hustlingwriterscabin #fellowcreativeminds #paranormalromance #newadultfiction #vampirestory #newyearnewnovel #novelgoals #redheadwriter #discoverunder2k
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on Apr 28, 2019 at 2:06pm PDT

Tinsel Tiger (picture book)

EXTRA: I needed a picture book to enter a competition. I decided to edit a poem I had written into a picture book format and submitted it. I also pitched it during #PitMad.

Article Writing

All year: Submit to Little Mum Mag & to Ginger Parrot

I still don’t have time for this at the moment.

Writing Course

Second Quarter: Take advantage of free opportunities to learn

An advert came up on Facebook to join a group to work on pitches ready for #PitMad. It was a week long course, each day we were set a challenge to help us develop our pitch.

The course was brilliant and I really like my pitches. Here are my favourite two for each book.

#PITMAD #YA #PR #ContemporaryFantasy
TEEN WOLF but mermaids in the UK.

Love struck, misfit, redhead discovers she's a mermaid.
Being in the middle of a love triangle awakens Mariah’s dormant weather powers and gives a dangerous new meaning to the status ”It’s complicated!”
— Ally Aldridge (@Fae7) June 6, 2019

#PITMAD #YA #PR #ContemporaryFantasy

TEEN WOLF but mermaids in the UK.

Love struck, misfit, redhead discovers she’s a mermaid.

Being in the middle of a love triangle awakens Mariah’s dormant weather powers and gives a dangerous new meaning to the status ”It’s complicated!”

#PitMad #PB
VELVETEEN RABBIT for Christmas decorations.
A tiger made of tinsel comes to life and has all sorts of fun. A story told in rhyme to inspire the imagination of children.
— Ally Aldridge (@Fae7) June 6, 2019

#PITMAD #PB

VELVETEEN RABBIT for Christmas decorations.

A tiger made of tinsel comes to life and has all sorts of fun. A story told in rhyme to inspire the imagination of children.

Personal

Second Quarter: Flexible work request

I had to put in a request to change my hours and attend a meeting with HR to persuade them to agree to the change. The meeting was a success. When I return in the autumn I will have the hours I want. I’m very happy with the outcome.

All year: Crafts

I am ashamed to admit I have not found time for crochet. I hope to finish Aria’s blanket by her birthday. I still haven’t done even one scrapbook page. think I need to set a night aside for crafts.

On a positive note I tried something new and created my first pocket letter for a friend. I wish to do another and write a blog post about it.

All year: Journal/Planner

I bought a Carpe Diem planner and find it very therapeutic to see my monthly and weekly plan. The stickers are aesthetically pleasing. I do find the layouts restrict me from doing what I want. I’ve searched for someone selling dotted paper but nobody does for this planner.

Read a book every two months

I’ve finished Red Queen and posted my review. I have completed Save The Cat (review to come) which is a theory book.

I’m currently struggling go get into a book at the moment as I’m so focused on finishing up my novel and have limited time but I am making slow progress.

Development

Working together course (be able to effectively support my son’s school)

I had my first volunteer session and it went really well. I still get nervous when I go in to help but each time I go it gets easier. The children are wonderful and so enthusiastic about technology.

PitMad Challenge (Facebook Group)

This was a private group that you had to request to join. It involved a 7 day challenge during the week leading up to PitMad where Kathy Ver Eecke helped authors to develop their pitches with daily lessons. It was incredibly good. I cannot fault the woman and I am so thankful for everything I learnt on this course.