I normally call myself an old witchy crone, but ‘old witchy crone’s got goals’ doesn’t have the same ring to it. I may be on the older side of middle age, but there’s a lot of life in this ‘old girl.’ I don’t feel old. Sure, parts of my body don’t work as well as they used to, but I’m stubborn enough to make most things work.

It’s not just about me. I love watching people try new things, aim high, plan travel, and become passionate about projects. A friend of mine as a new author, a daughter planning work experience in Spain. If we look closely, we’ll find people challenging themselves. Setting goals.

If you know me, you know I’m a goal setter. A planner. With lots of spreadsheets and to-do-lists. It’s how I function. Take away my ability to plan and get things done, and you don’t want to see the result. My goals have changed over the years. They’re simpler now.

Heal relationships, travel, write stories. A little gardening and a little craft.

One of these goals is trickier than the others, but that’s never stopped me before.

Things I can control.

My writing.

Hence my challenge to myself to publish a book a month in 2026. I’ve kept on track so far, despite those things outside of my control. I’ve learnt a lot about my writing, and how to change and improve aspects of the plot, characters, setting etc.

There are lots of balls to juggle when publishing a book. It’s not all about the writing. Yet at the same time, a lot of it is about the writing.

It’s easy to get distracted, with social media, websites, newsletters, posts, reviews, author takeovers, author swag, markets, the list is endless.

I’m learning to use my time wisely. I don’t have to do it all, all at once. I can change my mind later. Test things out, see if they work. I’ve even played around with one of the AI sites. Not for words, writing, pictures or covers. I don’t agree with using AI, but I did want to see what it could do. I created some short videos. Most of which I wasn’t happy with. It’s a time waster. Maybe a little bit fun, but for me, more frustrating than enjoyable.

Back to my goals. Publish a book a month for 2026. May’s book will be book 3 in my Blackwood Women series. It’s fun writing it, and when I finished book 2, I wasn’t planning to get stuck into book 3 straight away. There are still a couple of other books I want to get out into the world.

My point is, this girl’s got goals. Books, craft, relationships, gardening, travel, and I’ll never stop learning. As a wise friend and mentor once told me, don’t try and do everything, all at once. Pick a task and do it well. Or the old adage, practise makes perfect. Focus, concentrate, pick a goal that’s not too difficult.

In my world it’s more distraction (oh look, a shiny thing). When young girl’s dreams meet old crone’s eclectic reality! I write my lists to remind myself what I was doing, so I keep on track – joking – not joking.

Happy reading,

Sarah x