I nehe beginning of the month is a time to set goals afresh. Even while teaching summer school, June was productive as I saw the completion of some goals. Now it’s time to start some new ones and continue some others.

At the top of my list is to write the new novel. I don’t want to say much more at the moment. I haven’t decided if this will be Christian or secular fiction. I’m leaning toward secular to seek a broader audience, but we will see as the story takes shape. Even though I’ve done some outlining and character sketching, I’m not the one in control of the story. The characters are in control, so we will see where they take me and what kinds of turns they take.

With two book in two separate genres (The Purity Pledge and Who I Am) in the final stages of production, I will start ramping up the marketing campaigns. I know there will be some overlap between the two campaigns, but I’d like to get some separation so as one is winding down, the other is ramping up.

I realize writing in two different genres can be confusing for readers who like to pigeon hole writers into one thing. I’m guilty of doing the same thing. Even on TikTok, I expect one type of content to come from a creator. If that person posts something different, then I’m confused. I’ve tried a pen name before, but that didn’t really work. It’s hard to promote a book that “I didn’t write.” Perhaps I’ll write a post about my experience with that.

Back to the issue of writing in multiple genres. I’ve always been multi-faceted and I think that can be seen in my writing. I’m a teacher, dramatist, fiction writer, nonfiction writer, poet, and encourager of the faith. God designed me this way. As long as He is willing, I will write the stories that come to me, whether they be a thriller, horror, romance, a poem or drama, a study on the book of the Bible or a collection of my journals. If that causes people to have a hard time figuring me out, then I know I’m not alone. I’ve been trying to figure myself out for 53 years.

I need to finish my travel memoir about Costa Rica. That was the goal for the weeks between summer school and regular school. This new novel that has formed may take over my writing time. I’ll have to wait and see if I can get my mind in two completely places to work on both at the same time.

I plan to post more travel articles. So that is another piece of writing that will be worked in with the other pieces.

I sometimes overextend myself when it comes to my writing goals. I have so far seen success in 2023. So I want to keep everything on track. As I work, I will keep Proverbs 19:21 in the front of my mind – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

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