my writing + life goals for 2024

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

Happy New Year! 💫 I hope you're all well and can't wait to hear about your projects this year! p.s. thanks for your patience with my audio. I'm experimenting with a new lapel mic that, as it turns out, doesn't like being on lapels ☹️ I'll remember that next time.

[@pamelaoliver1285]

I LOVE your goals videos and I am so glad you made this! I also go into potato mode in late December. We go stay with in in-laws, and it's always cold outside, so we spend two weeks eating good food and watching movies and talking. I used to suffer from low motivation in early January. But, a few years ago, my college decided to move the semester start date back from January 2 to January 10. Faculty (myself included) were all required to check emails Jan. 2-10, but no classes or faculty meetings are scheduled for this time. This allows us a "slow start" to the semester, and I get to updated my courses without feeling immediate pressure to have everything perfect as I transition from vacation mode back to productivity mode. The trade-off was that our summer breaks are slightly shorter, but it was well worth it, in my opinion. I often wonder how many other organizations would benefit from this "slow start" to the year, where employees are technically plugged in, but are not forced into meetings that first week, and just spend it working on assignments/tasks that aren't due until that second week of January. What is your process for characterization mood boarding like? I love that one of your writing goals is reading books! Would you ever consider using a co-working space for reading? I have found that I often read more attentively in settings outside of my own home. I used to journal about traveling, but lately, I have not been healthy enough to travel due to some issues that are hopefully temporary. I shifted my journaling focus to be about movies and books that have impacted me. What elements of storytelling/craft made me enjoy them so much? I also include quotes I find powerful or interesting. Sometimes I just journal about the quotes. I am hoping to become a better writer through this process. Do you ever journal about books? Let me know if you would like to chat about creating a workout routine! I have never had the same teaching schedule for more 1 semester, so I am forced to create a new workout routine for myself every 4 months. It's something I enjoy doing. Please show us a peak of your new office after you re-decorate it! 🧡

[@AdamFishkin]

The "womp womp" at 9:37 is my new meme to describe self-doubt. Your town has a renaissance fair?! Count me envious!

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

I know, I really need to hit it this year!

[@aprilkayauthor]

Side note: your hair always looks gorgeous omg. This is making me feel so motivated and inspired to really think out my own goals this year--because as of now, I've just been operating like I'm still in 2023 lol. I totally feel you about how writing feels easier when you're regularly reading. It took me so long to find that correlation that when I was in a reading slump, my writing really suffered. I used to justify not reading like, 'Oh, I only have this amount of free time, I can ONLY dedicate it to writing,' but that does not work at all. Gotta make that time for reading too! I would love to see an office makeover! And if you get around to doing a Renn Fest, I would love a vlog about that too--I don't get to go as often as I'd like, but it's so fun. 😭

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

omg thank you April 🥲🧡 I totally relate to the feeling of "I have time to read or to write, but not both, so I gotta pick one." ugh. I definitely don't know if I have found the right balance either, but it's probably to do with allowing myself to write less, and being ok with that 😅

[@malintries]

ok 1/ your videos about your goals always motivate me to do the same haha and 2/ I've also NEVER been to a ren fare and would LOVE to go to one it just looks like so much fun! PLEASE vlog if you do!!

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

Ooh yes the ren faire is definitely getting vlogged! 😁😁 I’m mostly excited to have an opportunity to wear a beautiful outfit lol

[@angeljackson7485]

Happy New Year! I love hearing other writers playing D&D. It's part of what inspired me to pursue writing since I can't resist making characters and backstory and then seeing their journey. Morning routines are tough to stick to. I'm approaching 40 and I don't know if I'll ever get a solid sleep schedule lol. We have very similar goals this year. I've also always wanted to go to a RenFaire too. I love seeing Critical Role posts about it. The outfits, the stalls, the atmosphere: yes please!

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

Thank you, Angel!! I'm glad I'm not the only one! And that makes so much sense, D&D really just entertains my writer brain in amazing ways. Hope your 2024 is off to a great start 🌟

[@clairemartin2073]

Happy New Year!! 🎆 Congratulations on mapping out all these exciting creative ventures for 2024! I am so intrigued by the title "The Sound of the Wind" and can't wait to hear more about your journey into the gravitational center of that story. I also really appreciate your words at the beginning of the video about feeling the pressure to practically Become a new and better person on January 1st. For me, NYE often feels like a portal into my worst instincts of perfectionism. It warmed my heart to hear your reflection that it is both okay and healthy to take time with goal-setting and personal evaluation. We don't have to solve everything all at once!🌺I'll be carrying that energy into the rest of January for sure. Much love! xx

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

Thank you so much! 💕 I hope your new year is off to a great start 😊 we definitely have all the permission to take our time!

[@elandkay]

Updated office tour video? Would love to see your new space :)

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

Aye aye! 🌞🫡

[@MartaCanPixel]

I'm so glad you still made the time to make this video after the audio problems! I'm always so excited to watch your videos 🥰 I love how you made Skillshare one of your goals this year, cause I actually have a very similar goal which is to spent 24h a quarter on my new Schoolism subscription I finally allowed myself to invest in this year. Now that I've paid for it, I gotta use it, right? 😅 Also round 2 of beta readers? 👀👀👀

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

Thank you Marta!! ❤️❤️ What kind of classes are you taking on Schoolism? :) we can keep each other updated on our learning! ((And re: Betas, may I slide in your DMs once I have a good idea of when the next draft is wrapping up? 👀👀❤️))

[@MartaCanPixel]

@@AnnaRobbinsWrites Ooooh! I would love that! I'm currently taking 'Fundamentals of Drawing' mainly because I started it in Spain and it was one of the few classes that looked like I could do traditionally (since my drawing tablet was in England). My main goal is to get better at digital art this year though! What's your current Skillshare class? (And ooooh absolutely please do! 🥰💛)

[@MichaelButlerAuthor]

Good work! Let's work together! Let me know if you need any help.