Goal Planning

One thing that has always helped me is setting a goal. A goal is anything you want to achieve. I will be discussing 2 of the goals I'm working on. A personal goal and a writing goal. I have no special training. This is what I do. I'm not as stressed so hopefully some of the tips I have will help you. Let's begin. I've been doing this since I was little for well over 20 years.

Step 1: Decide on one goal.

Choose only one goal. You can add more goals as you're working through goal planning, but do only one goal for now. Be specific on that goal. You need to be able to measure the goal.

Have you heard of the SMART goals?

S - is for Specific (Step 1)

M - is for Measurable (Step 1)

A - is for Achievable (Step 1) (and I'll add Accountability (Step 2))

R - is for Realistic (Step 2)

T - is for Timey (Step 2)

My writing goal is to edit book 3 in my book series, Superior Species. My other goal is to get a massive tree cut down in my yard. It is leaning and needs to go.

Here is the tree:

Step 2: Breakdown your goal.

Here is where we get specific and how you can achieve it? What is your action plan?

Some tips:

1. Be realistic. You can't write 50,000 words in a day.

2. What are the outside factors? Anything that you can't control.

3. Let life happen! This is a big one. Life gets in the way, let it. But don't let it take over. It might and you might have to let it. Acknowledge it and then get back to your goals when life is less hectic.

Okay to edit my Superior Species Book 3, I need to edit 2-3 chapters a day. I edit Monday to Friday 2 chapters and on the weekend 3 chapters. Book 3 has 31 chapters. So I need less than 2 weeks for this edit.

For the tree, I called and found out it will cost $1,000 to remove my tree. My outside factor is I have to set money aside so I need to budget.

Here is where we break everything down more and add in our action plan:

Start with the most important goal. The thing you need to get done first.

For example, with my book, I started editing it in December. My plan was to let life happen and be done by January 10th, 2023. I planned on skipping days I was busy. Life will happen. It will get in the way. Let it. But don't let it take over.

I also have to admit this was the easier edit. I had an editor for this book. You'll see my editing process later.

For the tree, I'm saving $100 a paycheck. I was able to save this amount for this goal by cutting out fast food and watching what I spend. For example for meals, I check what I own and then buy the remaining ingredients. Less food waste too!

How will you make your goal? What is your action plan?

This is where I plan my whole year for writing. I break everything down. I'm not specific. I do quarterly and then breakdown to monthly. YOU decide what you want to do. If you can only handle a daily goal, do daily. Only a monthly goal, do monthly. Only one goal at a time, do that one goal. You can tell your limits when you're getting stressed. Or if there is something you can't control. My SUV had to go to the shop. I had to pay that first and then start saving again.

Not sure if you want to know my writing plan for the year. Here it is:

January 2023 Edit Superior Species Book 3

February 2023 Release Superior Species Book 3 (edit Superior Species Prequel & Book 4)

March 2023 Write Superior Species Book 8

April 2023 Release Superior Species Prequel

May 2023 Finish editing Superior Book 4

June 2023 Release Superior Species Book 4

July 2023 Edit Superior Book 5

August 2023 Release Superior Species Book 5

September 2023 Edit Ava (short story)

October 2023 Release Ava (Short story)

November 2023 Write ??? (I don't know. I plan to write it in November 2023. That is K.A. in November problem. She has this.)

December 2023 Finish Nano book...and not sure. Start to edit Superior Species Book 6?

Step 3: Work on your goals.

You have your goal so start getting it done. For writing or editing what is your limit? Find out either by writing or editing. I have a 2,500 at a session limit. I can only edit 2 chapters on a weekday and 3 chapters on a weekend because I'm busy. I found this out by testing my limits. I knew my limits when I couldn't edit or write anymore.

For my tree, I can only save so much. My limitations are bills and other things get in the way. I do plan on saving more because of taxes, increase, or etc. I'm hoping $1,200 will cover it. So in 6 months (maybe less) I can take down the tree. (I might need encouragement to call them!)

Here are my goals. All the * are when I am releasing a book. The other months are the book I am promoting. I only do weekly promotions so the numbers like HKS3 (Holiday Killing Spree Book 3) needs 5 images for the month of January 2023.

So I take the first 3 months January-March and then break those down.

Here are the goals:

1. Edit Superior Species Book 3.

2. Format Superior Species Book 3.

3. Do the cover, wrap, blurb for Superior Species Book 3.

4. Do the cover, blurb, and chapter one for Superior Species Prequel (if there is a next book, I show the preview).

5. Order Superior Species Book 3 Proof.

6. Edit SSB3 final Proof? (I'm not sure if I'll get all of this done since the book came to me on January 17th and it is 31 chapters.)

7. Get 5 images done for HKS3 for January promo.

8. Get 4 images done for SSB3 for February promo.

9. Get 8 images done for my social media for promo in Jan-Feb.

10. Release Superior Species Book 3.

11. Do the Website SEO, banner, and update website for SSB3.

12. Post a blog on SSB3. Post first chapter for SSB3.

13. Edit Superior Species Prequel.

14. Get 4 images for A Town of Murderers 2 for March promo.

15. Post first chapter for ATOMs2.

16. Get 5 images done for my social media for March promo.

17. Edit Superior Species Book 4.

18. Remove overused words in Superior Species Book 4.

19. Listen to Superior Species Book 4.

20. Run Superior Species Book 4 through 2 software.

21. Send Superior Species Book 4 to editor.

22. Write Superior Species Book 8 (77,500 words).

I broke these goals down monthly. For January 2023 is 1-9. For February 2023 is 10-21. For March 2023 is just goal 21.

Step 4: Check in.

How are you doing on your goals? Check in with yourself or your friends. Write it in the comments here. The point is to hold yourself accountable. I do a weekly check in every Wednesday. Pick a day. Do daily if you need it. I gave myself stickers for the goals I get done.

Some tips:

1. Be positive. You might not get everything done.

2. Reflect on your goal(s). Did you achieve everything? Great! Did you not? Why not? Can you adjust your goals to achieve it? If not, that's okay.

What I don't get done for this quarter (or month), I try for the next. I don't put too much pressure on myself. I can change my release plan. If I do get behind, I adjust or scrap the plan depending on how far behind I get.

You got this,

K.A.

How Secure are Those Security Questions?

I've posted one of those "just for fun" lists not too long ago. I always think whenever I see them that hackers found a good way to get answers to your security questions without you knowing. This list comes from a BIG company and many companies use a similar list. This is part of the 2 step process for authentication. But is the security questions portion secure? Here is the first hint.

Why did I highlight these questions? Let's start with what gave me the idea. EVERY question I've seen on a "Just for Fun" list is highlighted in Tip #3 A. How secure can these questions be if we're answering them?

Answering these security questions isn't the only way. Your posts. Posts from your friends or family. No one means to give this information out. It's an innocent post. "I just got married!" "Congratulations! Where did you host your reception? I've been looking for a place." We should be able to post our happy moments and celebrate them. Here's what I mean.

I've seen these posts and might've posted some of them too. Unfortunately, I'm not done. You and your family might be giving out your information without you even realizing it. You list your family and clicking on them can get these answers.

What can you do about giving out this information? Be aware that you are. Some of my tips would be don't post these answers if you use these questions. Do a change to your answers. I am a huge fan of changing letters to numbers or symbols like Tad becomes T4d or T&d or T$d. If someone wants to know the wedding reception private message them.

How secure is this list? You be the judge.

-K.A.

How to Create a Book Trailer for FREE

Just like I told you in my post, How to Create a Teaser Image for FREE.

I’ll be showing you how to make a book trailer for free. This will be more of a step by step process.

Decide if you want to do a book teaser trailer or the book trailer.

Like a movie about to come out, having a teaser about your book might benefit you. A book teaser trailer is short. I heard the max is 30 seconds. I’m going to make mine at 15 seconds because studies have been done that people lose interest if it is too long. 30 seconds. Sometimes 15 seconds is too much.

You can make it before your book comes out like teasers do or you can make it about your book. This is open for you to decide. I’m doing before, and I’ll make the bigger one too at the same time.

First step, download Windows Movie Maker program (or app) to make sure you can make it.

I’m not sure if this will work on Apple, but it should for most Window computers. If it is an older version of Windows, it might not work. Windows 10 works fine. I have it. You should be able to find other movie makers programs if this one won’t work for you. Go for free.

Second step, decide what to put on your slides.

The first slide should be the introduction, the second to last slide can be your book cover, and the last slide the credits. I just helped you make 3 slides. I’ll say for the teaser trailer to skip these three. You don’t have a lot of time. Well, besides the book cover. Keep that one. Along with the credits. The places I have found for the free images and sound require it.

For the book teaser trailer make about 2-4 slides. If you don’t get two, you’re fine. The max should be 30 seconds. Teasers are short. Remember what they look like when a movie is about to come out six months or a year from now. The number of slides don’t matter.

For the book trailer make about 8-12 slides. If you don’t get eight, you’re fine. The number of slides don’t matter. The maximum you want to do for time is a one minute and ten seconds. If you can, keep it under a minute. This is for ONE book. Anthologies will be much longer, more people.

A big help to make these is the blurb. You can decide what to put on the slides. You can change them. Don’t stress out over it. Do what interests you. There is no right or wrong for this. If it doesn't work out or if it doesn't gain interest, make another one.

I’ll design mine first, and you can see how I do it. Mine is on my second book in my series, Superior Species. Titled Superior Species Book 2: Finding Karen.

Teaser Trailer (15 seconds)

1. Ivory Ames is back.

2. She is on a mission to save her friends from the monsters that run the town of Los Roshano.

3. But the monsters have other plans.

4. Coming soon Book cover.

Book Trailer

1. K. A. Meng Presents Superior Species Book 2: Finding Karen (Intro)

2. Ivory Ames has learned the truth about the town of Los Roshano.

3. What she learned isn’t what she expected.

4. Monsters are real.

5. They run the city in secret and kidnap freshmen to fill their ranks.

6. Ivory vows to keep her friends safe.

7. As soon as she makes that promise, her best friend, Karen Bakke, disappears.

8. Now Ivory must find Karen before she is killed or worse.

9. Book Cover with links

10. Credits

Write yours now.

Now decide what images you want.

I’ll break mine down for you to see what I want to do. The best advice I can give you is don’t overthink it. Find a few images that relate to a word in what you have made posted.

For the Teaser Trailer, my first image will be a blonde girl with her back turned. I hate faces just me. You can do whatever you want. My second image will either be the town or a monster. My third will be a group of people or monster. My fourth the book cover. Here’s the breakdown:

Teaser Trailer (15 seconds)

1. Ivory Ames is back. (Blonde girl)

2. She is on a mission to save her friends from the monsters that run Los Roshano. (Town or Monster)

3. But the monsters have other plans. (Group of friends or monsters.)

4. Coming soon Book cover. (Book cover)

For the book trailer, my first image will be a pretty scene. That’s how I start them out. You can decide what you want to do. Do the book cover if you want. My second image, town. My third image, town again (I’ll repeat it.). My fourth image, a monster. My fifth image, city or college or someone kidnapped. My sixth image, a blond girl without a face. My seventh image, a brown-haired girl. My eighth image, her gone. My ninth, Ivory again. My tenth, book cover. My eleventh, black screen ( this will be the credits). Here’s the breakdown:

Book Trailer

1. K. A. Meng Presents Superior Species Book 2: Finding Karen (pretty scene)

2. Ivory Ames has learned the truth about the town of Los Roshano. (town)

3. What she learned isn’t what she expected. (town)

4. Monsters are real. (monster)

5. They run the city in secret. They kidnap freshmen to fill their ranks. (city or college or someone kidnapped)

6. Ivory vows to keep her friends safe. (Blonde girl)

7. As soon as she makes that promise, her best friend, Karen Bakke, (brown-haired girl)

8. disappears. (brown-haired girl gone)

9. Now Ivory must find Karen before she is killed or worse. (same Blonde girl)

10. Book Cover with links (book cover)

11. Credits (nothing but a black screen)

Leave yourself options for the images. You’ll never know what you will decide to use. I’m going to keep images the same for the two trailers because this is the same book, but you don’t have to. There isn’t a rule. A lot of what I do are suggestions.

Find images for your trailer.

I won’t post them all here, but you’ll see the finished work when I am done with it.

There are plenty of websites with images out there for you to use and pay for. I've found a few websites which give use for free under complete Creative Commons CC0 license. You can do almost whatever you want with them. You can read about it more here.

If you know anymore, drop me an email, and I'll add to this tutorial.

https://stocksnap.io/

https://unsplash.com/

https://www.pexels.com/ - each picture will say if it is part of the CC0

https://pixabay.com/ - each picture will say if it is part of the CC0 (This website you must join.) I found a lot of good ones on this one.

https://www.ukwebhostreview.com/free-stock-photo-sites - a website that has several places to go for free pictures and rates them. Check it out!

Find a song for your trailer or voice record yourself.

I would love to have my trailers with voice recording. I’m working on how, but until then I’ll use music.

I recommend making sure the song you decide fits for what you are doing. Find your theme. Both of mine are a tense. Don’t stress over it. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Decide what kind you are looking for and go with it.

Purple Planet is great for this one.

http://freemusicarchive.org/ - this one read the guidelines.

http://www.purple-planet.com/ - this one read the guidelines.

http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/3 - this one read the guidelines.

A lot of these, you just need to give credit. Check them out though.

Making the trailer.

1. Open Move Maker.

2. Select on Add videos and photographs.

3. Select every image you need and open. You can add in the duplicates if you need to by adding in the images again.

4. After opening all the images, select on one at a time and move it to the correct location. You can grab it and drop it. There should be a line that tells you where it will be dropped after clicked on the image and dragged it.

5. After you are done, time to add in the captions.

6. Select the first slide and click caption.

7. Insert your text and play around with the format text area. You can change the color in the Font part with the A that’s higher than the others. Once you are done, move to the next slides by clicking caption until you are at the credits.

8. Now click on to add credits. Mine looks like this:

CREDITS

K.A. Meng Production

@KAMengAuthor

Photos: https://unsplash.com/ OR https://pixabay.com/

Music: http://www.purple-planet.com

THANK YOU for watching!

(Oops. I forgot the thank you.) It's not a necessary step but I think it is a good thing to do.

A few tips I can give you:

1. Don’t try and get fancy with the text. The important part is someone can read it. Don’t do a lot of animation with it either. The animation can get distracting. Depending on the length, three is the most.

2. Don’t get fancy with the slide transitions either. The important part is people need to read what’s going on. You can have a few but not too many. They get distracting. Keep it to three.

You can adjust the length of the slides and text tools for each slide by clicking on it and selecting edit or format for the text.

Have fun with it.

Now time to add in music.

1. Click add music and select the one you want.

2. You can adjust the slide lengths to time it better with the music. (To adjust the slide is under Video tab and edit.) Click on the slide, click edit for the video for the length. That’s what I did.

3. Make a slide or a few longer to time a certain change in the music.

The only tip I will give you for a slide is you need to read the slide within the time allowed.

Once you are done, click on File save movie for computer. Make sure the type is MPEG-4 (that is able to upload on youtube).

Here is mine teaser for you to see:

I hope this helps. I did edit a few of the pictures for my big trailer and my teaser trailer is actually 17 seconds but it had to be.

Later, K.A.

#WritingTips