writing goals

Last Quarter of 2020

October 1, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

Wow!

Can you believe that we’re already entering the last three months of 2020? I still have soooo much I want to accomplish this year. What about you?

My top goals for this month include publishing 2 Spells Too Many at the end of the month and finishing Cursed Chicks 3.

I’m also in desperate need of some “unplugged” time so that’s a priority for this last quarter. This whole combination of pandemic and election season has been stressing me out, so I’ve been throwing myself into my work, but I need a break.

As for the rest of the quarter, I want to write Hitwoman 25 (OMG TWENTY-FIVE!!!!) and finish my passion project…and at least start Psychic Consignment 4. (Is it any wonder I need a break?!?!)

New month!

September 1, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

Happy September!

Can you believe we’re two-thirds of the way through 2020 already. As is my practice, I was just reviewing my accomplishments for last month and getting clear on my goals for this month.

Last month’s big work accomplishment was publishing The Hitwoman Plays Games.

My personal accomplishment was getting through a more difficult step workout. (Yes, I know that doing step workouts sounds like I’ve stepped back in time, but they’re the only cardio workout that doesn’t cause my terribly bad knees pain so I’m sticking with them.)

I tend to set very big goals for myself, so I rarely (if ever, lol) accomplish everything I set out to do, but I do tend to get a lot done.

Right now my big writing goals are to finish the second Cursed Chicks manuscript and to work on the third book in the series.

I’m also working on my passion project…though that’s a back-burner project that I’m hoping to finish by the end of the year.

Do you have any goals for September?

The Magic Formula?

July 14, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

I was talking to an acquaintance the the other day who asked me what the magic formula for writing is.

After exerting ALL my self-control to not roll my eyes or scoff at her (in times of pandemic, I’m thinking scoffing is crueler than usual) I managed to tell her that the “magic formula” is work. Usually hard work that no one can even see that you’re doing until your “magical” success when you finish a manuscript, publish a book, or hit a list.

There’s no magical formula, but there IS some writing advice I give to everyone who asks.

Years ago I saw this advice from author Bob Mayer (or I heard him say it at a workshop…either way he gets the credit): I would do anything to succeed at _______, just don’t ask me to _________.

Most people can fill in both blanks pretty easily.

“I would do anything to succeed at skydiving, just don’t ask me to jump out of a plane.”

“I would do anything to be covered in great tattoos, just don’t ask me to face a needle.”

Those might seem like extreme and/or silly examples, but we’re not always the most logical of beings.

For writers they might look like:

I would do anything to succeed at writing a book, just don’t ask me to give up playing video games to make the time to actually write.

I would do anything to succeed at landing my dream agent, just don’t ask to face the rejections that result as part of the querying process.

Right now my personal statement is: I would do anything to finish this latest Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman book, just don’t ask me to be funny in the midst of all this worldwide suffering and turmoil. (If you haven’t read the books, “funny” is a prerequisite and I’ve been struggling mightily with this manuscript.)

What about you? What are you dreaming of? What are your goals?

Take a second to fill in those blanks for yourself.

I would do anything to succeed at ____________, just don’t ask me to _________.

If you can force yourself to actually do whatever the second blank is, you’ve got a decent chance of creating your own magic.

Six Chapters Available to Read!

April 18, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

Have you been keeping busy? I have!

I’ve been writing and posting chapters for

Make sure to head over to the CURSED CHICKS CLUB to read the first six chapters (more available soon) of ONE FLEW OVER THE RAVEN’S NEST.

You may think your mother-in-law is a witch, but RV’s really was.

And now there’s a very real chance she’ll be haunted by Mildred Bloodworth for eternity.

The only way to free herself from the curse that binds them, is for RV to make amends for Millie’s misdeeds.

Accompanied by a possessed Siamese cat, RV embarks, in her mother-in-law’s pink camper van, on a journey to right wrongs. But plans, like spells, can backfire.

RV drives right into a crime scene and quickly becomes the chief suspect in a mysterious murder.

Determined to prove her innocence, RV investigates with the help of a lucky penny, a wise owl, a reclusive turtle, and a magician whose agenda is unknown.

I’ve also been keeping busy with finishing up the story edits for Hitwoman 23! I’ll share the cover and blurb for that soon!

Plus, I just finished taking a great class, Unlock Your Five Star Future, for creative entrepreneurs with Mel Jolly.

Make sure to sign up for her newsletter to know when registration opens again. (HINT: it’s going to be very soon.) Even if you’re not interested in the class, you should know that the tips she shares in her newsletter make it a “must read” for me every week.

As you know, I’m always chasing down goals. Next post, I’ll show you how my crafting is coming along. (Prepare to chuckle!)

Writing Talismans

February 8, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

Do you believe in talismans?

Here’s the definition according to Merriam-Webster:

I love calling the objects I use “talismans” not because I believe they’re magical, but because they connect me to the magic of writing. They serve as a constant reminder of what I’m trying to achieve.

So what are my writing talismans?

For the first few years my talisman for my CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN series was a lizard necklace. Now it’s this guy, given to me by an amazing friend to celebrate the sale (or maybe it was the release? Can’t remember it was a long time ago, lol) of the first book in the series. Godzilla hangs in my kitchen so that I see him every day.

For the Psychic Consignment Mystery series, I wore these crystal bracelets (that represent items that figure heavily in the books) and this little fella who is the inspiration for one of the characters was my constant writing companion.

I had to search for quite a while to find the perfect talisman for the upcoming spinoff series of the Hitwoman books. It’s too early to show you that, I don’t want to jinx it, lol.

I believe that a physical reminder of what you’re trying to achieve (it doesn’t have to be writing related!!!) can be a potent tool for achieving your goals.

Do you use talismans?

Week 4 of 2020 recap

February 5, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

I had a cold and have been battling the lingering cough and I forgot to post a Week 3 progress report, but I’m back on track.

I played Florida tourist and went to see manatees. It was the perfect time for us to go…the water was cool so there were HUNDREDS of manatees, but the day was gorgeous.

Do you do “tourist” stuff where you live?

The big shadows are manatees…the little guy to the right is a shark

I’ve completed the copy edits for GENTLY USED, STILL WORKS. The second installment of the Psychic Consignment Mysteries is available for preorder and will out on February 27th. If you’re not signed up for my newsletter and want to see a sneak peek of one of my favorite scenes next week, sign up now.

I’m working on the story edits of the third book in the series.

I’m working on Hitwoman 23.

I’m rolling along on my passion project. Chances are it will never see the light of day, but I’m having fun with it.

Also…I’m developing my brand new series. (It’s a spinoff of the Hitwoman series and I am soooo excited about it. I’ve got the preliminary blurb done and I’ve had the first cover made. And I’ve got my talisman which I’m ridiculously thrilled about. (I’ll explain more about the importance of writing talisman’s in a future blog post.)

I didn’t like the recipe I tried, so I’m not sharing that. And so far my craft project is a dud.

So I’m making progress on some goals, not so much on others. But I’ll keep trying!

Word of the Year

January 12, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

That’s the word I’ve chosen to focus on in 2020. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you already have an idea of some of the things I’m hoping to accomplish.

Today, most of my creative energy has been spent working on Gently Used, Still Works which is available for pre-order. I’m so excited that everyone will be reading the Concordia sisters’ next adventure in the Psychic Consignment Mystery series in February!

What about YOU have you chosen a word for the year?