Goals and Milestones, Oh My! by Paty Jager

As I start the new year, I have already set my writing goals. My hubby believes I'll be a mental case by the end of 2018, but I believe, because I am excited about all of the series I'm writing and will start, that I will be having a blast, rather than fretting. But time will tell!

Barring any huge family crisis, I believe I have factored in a doable daily word count to make my goals achievable. If I write 3,000-5,000 words 6 days a week and I've factored in a week a month not writing, I should be able to easily write 3 Shandra Higheagle Mysteries, 1 Silver Dollar Saloon, 3 Tumbling Creek Ranch novellas, AND get 2 books written for the new mystery series I'll roll out in 2019.

Remember I said the excitement factor? I LOVE writing the Shandra books and "spoiler alert" the books this year are leading up to Ryan and Shandra wedding -which may or may not happen. ;) I know I've been torturing my readers, but it keeps them coming back for more mysteries.

I am having a lot of fun writing the Tumbling Creek Ranch contemporary western series that has been premiering in box sets. These 45,000 word stories are fun because I don't have to do as much research as I have lived a similar lifestyle (horses, dogs, cattle) so it is fun to put myself in my character's shoes on a dude ranch. 

The Silver Dollar Saloon books require some historical research, but I LOVE the setting and the ongoing characters I set up in this series. Lottie Mae, the next book coming out in May, will be a fun read. 

And last.... I am sooooo excited to start another mystery series with Game Warden Gabriel Hawke. I have been slowly discovering the character and the realm of his work and his heritage. He had a Nez Perce father and a Walla Walla mother. He grew up in Lapwai and finsihed school in Pendleton, Oregon. He later went on to become a State Police Trooper and finally the Game Warden in his family's homeland of the Wallowas.

Those are my goals for the coming year.

Milestones!
I now have over 30 books published!! 31 to be exact.
I have 4 audio books out. Starting on #5 in January.
I have 6 novellas and I a dozen short stories published.

I am beyond humbled that people who read my books like them enough to go out and purchase another one. Thank you all and have a healthy and happy New Year!

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 32 novels, 6 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery, western romance, and action adventure. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. This is what Mysteries Etc says about her Shandra Higheagle mystery series: “Mystery, romance, small town, and Native American heritage combine to make a compelling read.”



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