2019 - A breakthrough year

After I put up my report card for the year that’s closed, I always do a blog of what I expect for the new year. Last year I also wrote a mantra that though I didn’t repeat it every day, I did put it into practice. 

For this year, I have a new mantra:

“I believe in me. 

I believe in my work.

I am successful. 

I am grateful for every lesson.

I am paying attention. 

I am growing every day.

More and more people join me on my Writer Journey every day.

Forward is the way to go.

Now enjoy the ride.”

For some reason, I’ve always found it tricky to accept I am successful. It's always sounded kinda douchey and conceited in a way, but the reality is that success is defined by the individual and progress means there is some sort of success. So I may not be a NYT Best Seller… but for the first time I feel comfortable adding the word yet to that sentence above. As time passes and different types of people read my work, I realize I’m not half bad… and if people who kinda suck can be successful, then there’s no reason why I can’t breakthrough… and I honestly think this year will mean I have several types of breakthroughs… 

The plan shall be more concentrated this year as well and you’ll see with my goals below. Last year I nailed several goals even when circumstances weren’t ideal. It was a good reminder that sometimes you just need to stop paying attention to the ideal conditions you'd like to have and just do the thing. So here are my goals for 2019: 

PUBLISHING GOALS

1.Book 3 of the Human Cycle. Top of the list. Front and center. And get ready… it’s going to be intense. 

2. Collaboration with UK author Cate Evans– Cate is a good friend who has offered support a lot throughout the last several years. We hit upon a concept we thought could be fun to write and we got to writing a novel. It’s a dark comedy and a delight to write. 

3. Daydreams Vol 2. – I’ve mucked about this one for long enough. 2019 is the year.

4. Blanc Comics in book form– I am tweaking and adjusting this, but it is progressing and a project I believe in a lot. 

5. Philosophy coffee table book – text is written. Now I just need the artist to get his neurons ignited ;)

WRITING GOALS

1. Poetry. Continue working on my collections. Several in the works and enjoying the process. No due date. Only goal is for these to grow… and last I checked it’s 5 collections running at the same time, because that’s how I write. 

2. More consistent blog writing. I do enjoy blogging and it’s part of my efforts to have a positive impact with what I do, so why not more of what makes me happy? 

3. Story arc for 3 series. I do enjoy doing research and there are 3 series I will be working in the future and want to work on world building for each of them. No specific goals, just want progress for all three.

4. Historical paranormal fantasy story. I had originally wanted this for Wattpad, but I will be tweaking this concept to do something different with it. This will include plotting, organization, character development, and world building. 

5. Concepts for Spanish fantasy middle grade books. I have been meaning to write more in Spanish and have 3 ideas in the works. Will begin organizing these as well. 

6. Contemporary comedy set within the advertising industry. Continue jotting down ideas and finalize the story arc. 

7. A special project with mom. Still pending but still in my mind.

8. My Noir Novel. Begin it.

9. Greek mythology project. Begin it.

10. More songs. Already have 2 new songs plus a couple of older ones I haven’t gotten to recording. 

11. Book Events. Have sent emails to participate in 3 events: Jordan Con, Atlanta Comic Con, and Puerto Rico Comic Con. Emailed Barnes and Noble to see if I can do an event. Will email 3 bookstores to get events. Wish me luck.

OTHER Goals

- Get more reviews. I REALLY need your help here. Be it good or bad, please leave a review. It promotes sales, gives visibility, and helps out immensely. 

- Website… progress will be made. 

- Be on the best of year list of at least 10 people. ANY suggestion to get on this list is welcome.

- Get nominated for somethinglol. Any help will also be accepted for this one. :D 

- Estrada Crates. Sell 12 Estrada Crates in the year. That’s one per month. 

- Humans 4 Humans. Organize my #Humans4Humans efforts more to have less activities and a more focused impact.

- Release electronic music EP. Already have the first version of the tracks. Will tinker more with them soon… and a cover.

- Record and release music. I have a pretty good bank of songs… wouldn’t mind recording and releasing, because why not? 

- Social Media. Organize myself more to be more organized and also schedule social media breaks.  

So there you go, fellow humans. What do you think of these goals? Which are you looking forward to the most? What are YOUR goals? What do you think of the mantra? Any and all thoughts welcome. Wishing you a cracking 2019 with health, happiness, and success… because why not? 

Peace, love, and maki rolls.

2018 Report Card

So another year down and another report card coming up. I had mentioned in my 2018 goals post that this would be a year of focus and that was the intention, but intention and results rarely stay on the same page. Coming after Hurricane Maria, life threw me plenty of challenges. The lesser one was a change in my day job. Better pay, but more responsibilities and plenty of changes that brought forth a lot of challenges to stay focused and find time for what matters to me. It’s not that I neglected them, but finding time was ever more challenging, that’s for sure. The big challenge came in the form of Mom being diagnosed with cancer again. It was a hellishly rough year for her, but she gave such an amazing example of perseverance and of maintaining a bright attitude regardless of what life threw at her. 

(I’d like to give a shoutout to everyone who helped me keep Mom in the positive with #CheersMamaEstrada efforts where we toasted to her good health. This was an idea from an amazing friend and also a very talented writer, Larysia Woropay. She has always been a stellar friend and offered me and my loved ones constant support and I’m happy to return the favor for all of her writing goals and life in general.)

On so many occasions people offered great support and I was able to push through for many of my goals. If you know me, you’ll know I’ll say I could have done more and I honestly think that’s always the case. I had a mantra I started the year repeating daily but I dropped this habit and I’d like to stick to it for this year. 

My 2018 mantra was: “I practice discipline and focus to always pursue relentlessly that which matters to me. I smile at my path and walk it grateful of the journey, the lessons, and the progress I make daily.” 

Even if I did stick to it, I think I could have read it more often and it could have served as a reminder at times to stay on the path. Also, I do these posts in part for motivation and in part to maintain accountability and see what I did from the things I said I would do. I’m not a fan of talking much and instead doing… so let’s see how I did. 

PUBLISHING GOALS

1. For Writing Out Loud – Done. I will be doing For Writing Out Loud books every 4 years curating, editing, and formatting entries from my blog to make a non-fiction book. My non-fiction work is focused on making a positive impact and I know this book helped out at least one person this year, my very good friend Christie Stratos (click here for her review of the book). 

2. Given to Fly – Getting the right cover was an adventure in and of itself but GTF got the cover it deserves. Raphael Tanghal did a brilliant job and I was also able to enjoy getting some invaluable feedback from beta readers. It has been a very gratifying experience and possibly my most successful book release yet. I did videos, podcast interviews, guest blog posts, teasers, a playlist on Spotify, and more. 5 reviews in its first month might not seem like a lot to many people, but that’s a truckload for an indie author, so my thanks to everyone who has let their thoughts known on my 13^thbook. 

3. Peace, Love, and Maki Rolls – My second non-fiction book release also did pretty well and has also connected with a couple of people. It was the second of three books I released and I designed the cover myself from scratch. 

4. Method to Madness – I was not able to work much on Method to Madness because of other challenges and goals I was meeting but I was able to contribute to two non-fiction releases that will be forthcoming this year from friends in the UK and Australia. I still have to give this more structure to feel I have something worthy to share. 

5. Daydreams Vol 2. – another project I wasn’t able to finish but I suspect 2019 might be the year. Will talk more about this when there’s more to tell :) 

6. Natural Intelligence– I halted work on this project because two people whose opinion I value had some issues with where the manuscript was and BOTH recommended I read the Martian by Andy Weir. Will be reading that book and revisiting this project later in the year. 

WRITING GOALS

1. Write 3 new poetry collections beginning in January. I honestly do think I set goals a bit too high and ambitious because I was taking into account how my job normally was. That changed drastically and poetry didn’t came uniform but I have grown two of those collections a lot and do believe more progress shall be done. The new challenge is to ensure 100+ pages to have a spine for future collections, because why not? 

2. Organize, write, edit, and publish a book with writing tips and techniques. Will be organizing this a lot more to get it to where it has to get before release. 

3. Bilingual poetry collection. Worked a lot on a Puerto Rican collection and a bit on this one. It’s been an interesting process and since I have several collections out, I think I’ll focus on really dialing into these collections and editing poetry for a different challenge and approach.  

4. Puerto Rican Haiku collection. Didn’t get one haiku done, but do have the titles so that’s something lol. 

5. Make a print version of my Blanc Comicsto push this project to the next level. Working on this and still tweaking. We’ll see the end result sooner rather than later I hope. :D

6. Begin work on a historical paranormal fantasy story exclusive for my Wattpad page. Again, ambition got the best of me and didn’t even make a dent on this goal. Hell, I didn't even open Wattpad last year I think lol.

7. Write a Spanish fantasy middle grade novel set in Puerto Rico. Something I’m still mulling over in my head and until I have the right idea, I won’t dive head first. 

8. Begin work on a contemporary comedy set within the advertising industry. Have actually jotted down a LOT of ideas for this project. Let’s call it inspiration courtesy of life. :D

9. A special project with mom. Still pending but still in my mind. 

10. My Noir Novel. Still no progress… grrr.  

11. Greek mythology project. Still no progress… grrr Pt 2.  

12. Begin work on Book 3 of the Human Cycle. Did manage to get some work done on Book 3… expect more news and calls for beta readers soon :D 

13. More songs. Didn’t do a ton of songs but did enough to feel happy about. Have more songs to do so shall continue doing this. 

14. More interviews. I was in a bunch of  interviews and panels, did new appearances on YouTube shows (Beautiful Bookish Geeks podcast, Spilling Ink, guest video on Lily Bloom’s BookTube channel). I also did a LOT of interviews and am happy with how those turned out. 

15. Book Events. I was very determined to change this drastically… I only managed one appearance in a panel on Dragon Con but that’s a start. Pity coverage was negligible; I think we had a fantastic discussion.  

16. Puerto Rico Comic Con. Didn’t go last year as reported… but we’ll see what replies I get for 2019…….. stay tuned for my goals post. 

OTHER Goals

- Get more reviews. I did get a couple of more reviews, but this continues to be a huge hurdle. We’ll see how we can tackle this. All ideas welcome :D

- Website… it wasn’t finished…….. but progress :) 

- Be on the best of year list of at least 10 people. I have NO idea if I was on anyone’s best of 2018 list… we’ll see if that changes :D

- Get nominated for something lol. Still clueless AF when it comes to this. Oh well.  

I compared my year to a boxing match and it definitely did feel that way. I got tagged a couple of times by life and did hit the canvas, but I always got the hell up and kept pushing. That’s what it’s all about for me. Always forwards. Have to give it all for an inch of progress? Then so be it. I got a couple of inches in last year and I’ll take that to the bank. 

So I scored myself B- for 2017. Some people said I was too harsh with my judgment and maybe they’re right, but in the end, you have to feel comfortable with your progress and I wasn’t comfortable with mine for 2017 because I didn’t believe I’d maximized opportunities and my results weren’t what I wanted anywhere. Didn't publish what I wanted, sales were low, Puerto Rico Comic Con I broke even, no book events stateside, and honestly felt as if I didn't make the most of what I could have. 

2018 was a different beast altogether and it packed one hell of a punch. It brought the fire to so many people I care about and along the way, we lost some people, some were afflicted with some sort of illness or injury, relationships years deep went the wayside, and overall, I think most of the important people in my life faced a deep challenge or another. That said, I’m proud of so many people with how they’ve pushed on and if 2018 was a year of focus, I think it showed that although we didn’t win that marathon of a year, we finished it. We pushed through. We persevered and damn it, that’s a huge victory. Throughout the year I also did a LOT of efforts to do my part to promoting my #Humans4Humans effort and I think it was a great first year for that and a lot of my energy did go into that. The support throughout was amazing and I am humbled by every person that helped me help other causes, be they localized like getting school supplies to kids in Yabucoa, to supporting EB Awareness as my thanks to Eddie Vedder and the Pearl Jam family for a lifetime of inspiration, to helping friends get enough money to pay the rent or pay for medical treatment and keep pushing. I am a big believer that if you can help and even a bit of you wants to help, you such indulge in that feeling. 

For this year, I shall be contacting several people to do less but more concentrated efforts to help people. But off the bat, thank you for helping others and helping me help others. These are crazy and tough times and I think it’s an invitation to offer the best we can and show that we have more that brings us together than what divides us. I know the times we live in but I refuse to believe kindness is beyond our reach. 

So all in all, I think I got a B+ for 2018. 

If you’re wondering what it takes to get an A… then let’s see what we can do this new year. I don’t believe I deserve an A for last year but I do think I did way better than circumstances invited, and that’s a win for me. A big win. 

Thank you for the support, the inspiration, the light, the kindness, the generosity, and for so many of you offering such a beautiful example of going for it, of perseverance, and of sharing the better things humanity has to offer.

Peace, love, and maki rolls.

2016 Report Card

In a year that was full of challenges, where we lost so many people who formed part of our lives, where fear was often rampant, as well as intolerance, it was still a year I want to consider a good year. For me, it was a year of many lessons, where I asked many questions of myself and was luckily able to come up with answers I can consider to be good. Where I took so many risks, where I said let’s do this and did it for the most part.

At the beginning of last year, I did a post of what I would do in the year… and this is my report card. It is where I give weight to what I wrote and adopt a sense of accountability for what I said I would do. I chose this forum not to make a fuss about it but to put my money where my mouth is although this year wasn’t about money, it was about risk and reward. About going for it. About accepting my fear and still going for it. I made a huge list, and here it is –reprinted from last year with what my results.

1. Publish Book 2 of the Human Cycle. Shadowof a Human was published in May of last year and it is a book I’m proud because as a literary and narrative work, I do think I was able to raise the bar and to further the story along intensely. the Human Cycle is a deeply personal work and this second installment is a much tighter and darker read. Now let's do book 3. 

2. Daydreams on the Sherbet Shore, Volume 2. This goal I did NOT do and it was more of a question of doubting the project or how it was perceived or understood (misunderstood?). It is a project I’m still very fond of but I had some questions and I got some answers. I was happy to convince a lovely book club to read me and give me their honest thoughts and it did offer much food for thought I’ll be integrating into the last two stories of Volume 2 and the entire format of Volume 3.

3. Ensueños de Mermelada. The Spanish version of the daydreams were put on hold as well as most Spanish projects in favor of other projects and to study what I want to do and apply the lessons learned in the Daydreams. I'll also be reading much more in Spanish which will no doubt feed my desire to write in my native tongue.

4. Philosophy project. I need to rendezvous with my dear friend and collaborator to bring this project to life this year. Last year was a year of changes, of shift, of learning, this year the goal is clearer and I am in a more stable environment so this will be one of three collaborations I shall continue and possibly finish within the year.

5. Spanish poetry collection. I was able to publish Pensando en Metáforas and although I’m happy with how it came out, I honestly have no idea what people think. No ratings, no reviews, no reactions. All this could dissuade other people, but to me it makes me want to get answers and to push my writing harder, so that’s what I will do.

6. Bilingual Collection. Another completed work published which I am very proud of. Although not much of a reaction yet, I have heard great things from a couple of people. I can hope and wish for reviews and further feedback, but this is something I shall continue to pursue. I am very proud of Twenty Veinte and it is a milestone I know I’ll look back on.

7. Love poetry collection & 8. Heartbreak collection. I decided to postpone these projects in favor of others. I shall be releasing either these two simultaneously or with a third work. They have grown and shall continue to grow, but until they’re ready, I’ll keep working on them.

9. Bukowski inspired collection. I was able to finish this collection and it shall be released within the first two months of 2017. I pushed hard for a different lyrical approach and I really enjoyed pushing into new territory. I hope you do too.

10. Haiku book. Finished the text but still tinkering with the design. When it’s ready, I shall release it. Not one moment before.

11. Sci-fi novella. I promised I’d finish this work last year and I didn’t, but I did work on it and I shall continue to work on it until I finish. Expect this ready for the 2017 Puerto Rico Comic Con.

12. Young adult novel. I was going to submit this to competition and thought better of it. I chose instead to work on it for me and to take my time with it. I finished the manuscript in December and will be releasing it early in the year.

13. Blog collection. Still working on the proper format for this book to not just copy and paste it. I believe the words within need some fine tuning and am looking fwd to tackling it in the second half of the year.

14. Method to Madness. I decided to push this project back until I have more content for it. I could push for it to be done this year, but I’d rather take my time with it rather than force it.

15. Noir novel. I need to finish this project before the 2016 PRCC, so expect me to push hard. Didn’t touch it last year but for good reason. My notes are still on the Island.

16. Greek mythology project. The notes are still in PR as well and it was going to be the project I worked on for NaNoWrimo but will instead be doing that THIS year.

17. Sólo Humano. This is a hell of a project and I will desist from giving any sort of ETA. It’s an intense work and I want to focus on doing the best Spanish adaptation instead of meeting any deadline.

18. 5 Non-fiction projects. I began work on 3 of 4 titles I want to work on. Scrapped one of the Non-fictions because while studying and analyzing, wasn’t loving where it was going and I shall never force anything.

19. Teactionary. I shall continue working on my Teactionary posts but only when I feel there’s sufficient substance will I pursue a book adaptation.

20. Visual Typos. I had a lot of fun with this project last year and shall continue to do so. Stay tuned for my social media platforms to see what else this brain can come up with :)

21. More videos. I ended the year with well over 100 videos and you can expect 100 more this year. I also more than double my existing subscribers but still at only 146. Let's see what new things we can come up with for the channel but if you haven't subscribed or checked it out, by all means, click here. 

22. More songs. I posted many songs and FINALLY got around to writing lyrics for them. I shall continue this in the New Year and who knows if anything else. I was thrilled to be able to record in a studio and if another opportunity presents itself or if I can create one, I will.

23. More interviews. I did plenty of interviews last year and shall continue to do so in the pursuit of picking at the brains of more indie authors and creative minded people exploring their passions.

24. Collaboration Nation. I did a couple of these and you can expect more during the year.

25. Book events. Did 2 new book events last year and although I enjoyed them, I will be revising the way I do business with stores in general. 

26. Puerto Rico Comic Con. The 2016 Puerto Rico Comic Con was a complete success for me. I did great in book numbers, sold out of 2 of the Blanc Comics (8 total titles), sold out of copies of Only Human and all of my books did well. It was a lovely experience to see that all my books did well and that different people enjoyed different things.

27. Estrada goes abroad. I am still researching places to do events but expect stateside events since I am now stateside. If you work in a bookstore or a library and would like me over, contact me to see what we can do.

28. Social Media. I was extremely active on social media and all my numbers went up. Thank you for everyone who has subscribed, shared, commented, and supported. It means the world and if there’s anything you’d like to see, by all means, let me know.

29. For Writing Out Loud. Didn’t get to 150 but did crack 100. I think my top number can be 120 so let’s see how I do.

30. Twist. Twist did some appearances but not as much as I think he could have because I pursued other projects.

All in all, I think I did pretty well and would score myself at B+ or A-. Regardless, I feel the need to give thanks to everyone for all the support. It was a year with challenges but plenty of reasons to be thankful and I am very thankful for new readers, new frands, and new projects. Let's make 2017 even better. 

Peace, love, and maki rolls.

Ps.: How about you? how did you do in the year? Will you be putting up any goals for the year? Does that work for you?