It’s time to lock it in (my Q2 goals)

We’ve already survived a quarter of 2026, thank goodness. And I guess for the most part, life is about surviving until you simply don’t. But the first three months of the year were about surviving, and nothing more.

Especially the first two months. March was a month that mostly felt normal and lord did I need it. Knowing that the quarter was pretty much a wash, I turned my focus to quarter two early in March and started to think about I wanted, not just now but for the rest of the year.

One day last week, I took an insane amount of sticky notes, a monthly calendar planner and just laid down a ton of writing goals. When I want to start drafts, when I expect to have them done, the week I will plan out the rest of the And She Runs series (that name might change – but I got nothing else right now. And She Runs feels different from the Cassie Morgan Series, but that might be a post for another day).

But we’re taking it one step at a time,

I love reading blog posts about people’s goals – a little moment to share in their excitement and dreams on the internet, and I think that’s why I share mine. To share that excitement and then also hold myself accountable. If I don’t tell you what my goals are, then you won’t know what books are coming out next.

My Quarter Two Goals

Writing Goals

I have three main goals for this quarter, and these goals are going to keep me plenty busy. Starting today, I am writing a new draft of Lost in the Canyon. This is a book I’ve dabbled with off-and-on over the last few years, as almost a love letter to West Texas. Especially after traveling from Austin to Midland, there’s something that feels rough and rugged and almost magical to get past the city and see for miles and miles. And there is still an entire series to plan on top of that. After months of not being creative, I am ready to pedal to the medal and go.

• Write a full draft of Lost in the Canyon. My deadline for this is May 17th.
• Plan out the rest of the And She Runs series
• Start the first full draft of And She Hunts

The rest of the year will be spent alternating between these two books – Lost in the Canyon and And She Hunts. Ideally, in my brain at least, I want three drafts for a book. The first draft to get the story out of my brain and into words. The second draft is for the things I think of midway through the first draft and going back and tying them all together. The third draft is my polishing draft to make it all work just a little smoother.

So, while I don’t think either of these books come out in 2026, I think it’s possible there’s a two book release for 20207.

Marketing Goals

Being an indie author, marketing is as much a part of the game as writing is. And I have sucked at it. I’ve been slowly building this up – specifically on Instagram, because there is such a robust reading community there. But I can always do more.

• Focus on blog posts – goals, behind the scenes, writing updates, and even sneak peeks
• Focus on Trial Reels – which are Instagram Reels shown to people who do not follow you
• finish the updates to my website – my website has gone through a bit of a transformation, but there are two pages I still need to fix – the bio page and the FAQ

For someone who has an advertising degree, I’d like to also dabble in Instagram and Facebook ads at some point this year, or maybe next year and when And She Hunts come out.

Life Goals

Besides being an indie author, there are plenty of other things in my life that I have to take care of day to day. Looking for a job, reading, moving my body, all of these are important but don’t fall into my “author” hat.

• Continue to look for a new job
• Read 20 books
• Move my body, through walks, weights, and laps at the pool
• Travel – lots of traveling. Graduation parties, birthday parties, holidays, and my parents are moving for the first time in twenty-seven years, so we got some work cut out for us.

This quarter is going to be jammed pack, but again, that’s where I feel like I thrive. I need to work on a deadline, a short period of time. Except when it comes to my day job, but that’s my problem to deal with.

Let the fun begin.