One of the most important things you can do as a writer is to finish your stories. So, where possible, protect and make finishing your stories a priority. Do not let anyone or anything stop you.

You will have obstacles along the way—self-doubt, other newer, sexier stories presenting themselves to you (note them down for later), imposter syndrome, story obstacles during the writing and/or planning process, other work and life distractions.

You must complete your stories despite the noise.

Remember, you can do so much more with a flawed but completed first draft than you can with a polished but incompleted first ten chapters.

So, finish your stories.

DADDY'S BOY PRAISE FROM DAVID MOODY

Speaking of finished stories, you will soon be able to purchase my finished story DADDY'S BOY, which you can add to your Goodreads now, pre-order the ebook via Amazon, and pre-order the physical book via This Is Horror.

David Moody had something kind to say about Daddy's Boy which you can see in the graphic below. Admire that wonderful cover art by Vincent Chong, too.

If you want to read or listen to other stories of mine then my books, The Girl in the Video, They're Watching, and House of Bad Memories are all available to buy (or grab them from your library) in paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

LOOKING BACK AT FEBRUARY'S GOALS

It might seem crazy to be writing about February's goals as we approach the end of March but this is the first newsletter I've sent this month—my month has been full of listening to the Daddy's Boy audiobook, diligently working away on my collaborative novel with John Crinan, talking to people on This Is Horror Podcast, and searching for a new day job after the contract for my present one expired (cheeky reminder, you can commission me to edit your novel, take out This Is Horror Podcast advertising or support the Michael David Wilson Fiction Patreon—just reply to this email about the former two or smash that link for the latter).

Here are the goals, how well I did, and new goals to achieve by the end of April.

Writing Goals

Yearly goal: Write two novels this year.
​Goal by the end of February: Chapter 15, novel 1
​Status: Completed.
​Current status: At the start of Chapter 21 now with the caveat being, my co-author and I have gone through the entire novel since I last checked in so in addition to the new chapters, the whole book thus far has had another draft.
Goal by the end of April: To reach Chapter 29.

Yearly goal: Find my 1,000 true fans.
​Goal by the end of February: Reach 100 patrons for Michael David Wilson Fiction Patreon.
​Current status: Incomplete. I did decide at the start of February that it may be a bad idea to set goals that were reliant on other people actively doing things rather than myself. It's a recipe for potential depression. However, I am still forging forward with Michael David Wilson Patreon goals as it's important to me.
Goal by the end of April: To reach 50 patrons for Michael David Wilson Fiction Patreon.
​Action I am taking to try and make that a reality: At least 3 posts on MDW Fiction Patreon every week.

Yearly goal: One book to reach 1,000 ratings on Goodreads.
​Goal by the end of February: 640 ratings for The Girl in the Video.
​Current status: Incomplete. I have decided not to set a new goal for this as another realisation I had was that focussing on too many things at once divides attention. Better to systematically concentrate on fewer goals simultaneously.

Podcasting Goals

Yearly goal: Release over 70 episodes of This Is Horror Podcast.
​Goal by the end of February: Release at least six This Is Horror Podcast episodes in February.
​Current status: Incomplete. I only released three episodes of This Is Horror Podcast in February but I have started March strong. Four episodes in March to date and I expect to release at least six by the end of the month.
Goal by the end of April: To release a minimum of six This Is Horror Podcast episodes in both March and April.

Yearly goal: Reach 150 Paid This Is Horror Podcast Patrons.
​Goal by the end of February: Reach 100 paid This Is Horror Podcast patrons​.​
​Current status: Completed. We currently have 101 paid patrons.
Goal by the end of April: 105 This Is Horror Podcast patrons.
​Action I am taking to try and make that a reality: At least 3 posts on TIH Patreon every week.

Fitness Goals

Yearly goal: Perform 30 strict-form push-ups as a personal best in one set.
​Goal by the end of February: 20 push-ups
​Current status: Incomplete. Despite my best efforts I couldn't get past 19 push-ups in February.
Goal by the end of April: 22 push-ups.

Yearly goal: Perform 30 strict-form chin-ups as a personal best in one set.
​Goal by the end of February: 12 chin-ups
​Current status: Completed. 12 chin-ups.
Goal by the end of April: 15 chin-ups

Japanese Language Learning Goals

Yearly goal: Reach Level 45 on kanji learning app, WaniKani
​Goal by the end of February: Level 19​
Current status: Incomplete. I was at Level 16 when I set this goal, I am now at level 17. Time to readjust and re-evaluate the speed in which I can do this.
Goal by the end of April: Level 19

Bonus Goals

By the end of February: Reach 900 subscribers to This Is Horror Podcast on YouTube​
​Current status: Complete. I promoted this goal more than any other as I realised it was attainable. We are currently at 922 subscribers.
Goal by the end of April: 1,000 subscribers. This is an ambitious goal but I'm hoping through putting out regular episodes and occasional reminders of this goal, we can do it!

Well, that's about all there's time for today.

Now, please check out those wonderful articles and podcasts on This Is Horror this week.

Michael David Wilson

P.S. If you like this newsletter and want to support my work and This Is Horror, please become a This Is Horror Podcast patron. It would make me happy but only do it if it will make you happy, too. ​​

P.P.S. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level with some professional editing or a writing consultation, you can find out about my rates here and reply to this email. ​

P.P.P.S. There are a limited amount of This Is Horror Podcast advertising slots available for April. Please reply to query.

P.P.P.P.S If you want to see other newsletters I recommend, you can follow this link.​

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