At the Commonwealth Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), they sometimes call for BHAGs – Big Hairy Audacious Goals that researchers are keen to aim for.
Put simply, if the Powers That Be think a big, multi-discipline research proposal has merit and it aligns with the organisations research goals, it gets funding. There’s a hint of criteria (well, a whole lot actually, not to mention reams of red tape), but the point is, the organisation is encouraging Big Ideas – and supporting them.
Which got me thinking about my own BHAG. In fact, I didn’t even realise I had one until I gave it some thought.
So here it is: It’s intertwining most of my novel ideas into a huge overarching story – about 12 novels all up; some standalone, others part of a 4-part saga – all linked in some way.
I figure that if I can get one published and it does well, I’ve got a dozen more books with a ready market.
If it doesn’t do well, then I’ve got a dozen other books that don’t need the first one to work. Win-win.
I guess it’s hardly World Domination, but it’ll do as a first step.
What’s your Big Hairy Audacious Goal? I’m keen to hear!