An Experiment in Social Media

Thanks to the opinions and advice of some writer-friends of mine, I now have an account on Steemit. I'm still exploring the potential of the site, but so far, it seems like a very unique way for creative types to get their content out there, especial poets, writers of fiction, and creative non-fiction.

Although I have plans to post new content too, I've started by re-posting an older story of mine entitled "Command Performance." The story is a weird western--a genre I really need to write more in--and originally appeared in 2007 in Science Fiction Trails, edited by David B. Riley. That makes it one of my earliest published stories. I've always envisioned Mr. Smith as being played by The Wild Wild West's Michael Dunn, and perhaps Bruce Campbell as Buck Reynolds.

I hope the fun I had in writing the story is clear, even though it's over a decade old. Let me know what you think. And look me up on Steemit! My handle is the same as I use on Twitter: @haikufictiondju.



Postscript: Mr. Riley apparently did well enough with the first series of sci-fi westerns that he went on to edit a number of further volumes. I had thought that the series had died out in 2014, but I made the delightful discovery tonight that it has been revived and is now taking submissions! I'm going to have to get something in. Mr. Riley is a great editor to work with, and I'd recommend any other writer submitting their best work to him as well.

Writing Goals for 2018

Well, 2017 is in the past, and it's time to set up some new writing goals.

If I get that time management thing licked, I think this is going to be a really good writing year for me. I have a lot of great ideas floating around in my head. I hope I get to share most of them with you before the year is over.

I'm going to group my goals as follows:

1) Novel(s?).
This is the year I'm finally going to finish and submit a novel. I have a few ideas I'm really excited about, including one in the Eldritch Earth setting and a comedic space opera. And there's always the novel set in The Veldt.

I just need to pick one and follow through on it.

2) Stories.
In years past, I've tried to use calls for submission as inspiration and wind up missing deadlines by a mile. This year I want to write more stories just for me and find a market for them later.

Trying for twelve stories.

3) Social Media.

I want to continue the friendships I worked on in 2017 and grow more Twitter followers. I'm at just under 1400 followers today. Can I reach 2500 by the end of the year?

I'm also toying with starting an e-mail list, if I can create enough content. Thoughts?

4) Blogging.
I'm going to get back into my blog. Shooting for one a week for now. More Trashling Tales, certainly. But I'm also planning on blogging more about what exactly haiku fiction is and how I practice it.


There you go. Some goals in black and white. I need your help to keep me accountable.

How about you? What are your writing goals for the new year?