I can’t believe its time again to reflect on my 2012 goals already! April slipped by so fast, I’m surprised I got anything accomplished. This month was full of revisions and editing, which is productive and worthwhile, but very quiet.
Sadly, I have to admit a failure, but I don’t see it as a bad thing. An unexpected development has forced me to push back a deadline, but I believe it will be for the best in the long run. Sometimes, it’s all about keeping my eye on the big picture.
1) Submit five pieces of writing to contests, journals, literary magazines, or the newspaper.
I just finished a short story for a small contest and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I’m letting it sit for a little while before I go in and do some final revisions, but I’ll have it submitted before the deadline, (June 10th). Yay!
2) Finish minor changes in my first novel.
April turned out to be great month for my first novel. I was able to go in adjust dialogue in three sections, which will help alleviate a problem all four of my beta readers spotted. In addition, I’m in the process of figuring out where to add a scene I took out during the last revision. I’ve debated where it should go for a long time and I now have it narrowed down to two places. I’m hoping to have some time today to make a final decision.
The first 30 pages of my manuscript have also been submitted for a full assessment thanks to the prize I won in the Fourth Writer’s Platform Building Campaign, (See Celebrating a Win). I’m looking forward to some honest feedback that will help me make further improvements.
3) Work on my second novel.
I didn’t get to work on this project in the traditional sense, but I’ve done a lot of scribbling in my novel notebook. I got stuck trying to create a transition between two sections and I finally figured out what was missing thanks to some late night brainstorming. However, I still managed to get a bit of a word count.
Starting word count: 50, 831
End word count: 51, 381
Total word count: 550
The story is always on my mind and in the last week, my characters have started to get chatty. I’m getting snippets of conversations between them and I love what I’m hearing.
4) Send out five query letters and be ready with a synopsis.
This is going to sting a little to write. In March, I set a deadline to have a query letter sent out by the end of April. Unfortunately, some unforeseen circumstances have prevented that from happening. The critique I won in the Writer’s Platform Building Campaign allowed me to send my query for an assessment as well. I haven’t received all the feedback yet, so I’m hesitant to do anything until I receive a full critique. Based on what I’ve received so far, I believe it will be incredibly helpful and will give me a much stronger chance of landing an agent.
On the bright side, I have plenty of time to participate in Pitchapalooza via the World Literary Café. The Book Doctors are accepting queries in a little contest all the way until May 15. The winner’s query will be put in the hands of an agent. Hence, my new deadline is May 15. I won’t miss this one!
On the synopsis front, I sent it to a beta reader who gave me some great advice. I’ve made a few changes and its already looking better!
5) Keep up with my blog.
Again, this hasn’t been a problem! I’ve slowed down a bit this month in order to maintain my sanity and create more time for other projects, but ultimately, posts have been steady. In April, I posted a total of 25 times and I appreciate everyone who stopped by to read and comment. Thank you so much for continuing to follow my journey!
6) Network more with other writers.
April has been another great month in terms of networking. The more I explore the World Literary Café, the more I love it. They offer so much in terms of classes, forums, and links. I’m still exploring and I’m sure I’ll find loads more! Thanks to WLC, I’ve been able to boost my network considerably.
My Facebook Page has grown from 41 to 110 Likes
On Twitter, my followers have grown from 156 to 211.
Thank you so much to everyone who has clicked those “Like” and “Follow” buttons! I appreciate all of you so much!
To follow me on either network, please visit my sidebar.
7) Inspire other writers to keep writing.
As always, I hope my presence is positive and inspiring.
– – –
c.b. 2012
It’s amazing how you find the time to be so wonderfully productive (and organized!), but it only shows to your readers that it can be done. Good luck with your pitches, revisions and contests, and look forward to reading about the good news 🙂
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Thanks so much! 🙂
My trademark personality trait (besides my laugh) is organization. To manage something as crazy as writing can be, I need a system. 🙂
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You are truly an inspiration to me. Good luck with all the pots you’re stirring. Something is bound to bubble over with goodness.
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As are you to me. 🙂
Hopefully, one of those pots won’t explode and stick to the ceiling.
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When I used to tell people how I spent my time, they were exhausted just listening to me! I’m so glad that you are having such success in all of this!! And, yes, it sounds a bit exhausting to me 🙂 Keep up the incredible work!!
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Ha ha! I am exhausted, hence my day off yesterday. 🙂 Thought I’m paying for it now with a very full e-mail box.
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Great! …and yes, your presence is positive and inspiring — makes me think of goals 😀
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Thank you – that’s good to know! 🙂
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Wow! You sound like you’ve been incredibly busy putting energy into every aspect of your writing career. I don’t see a single failure in that whole post: just some tactical readjustments. Keep it up and don’t stop keeping us posted on how you’re getting on!
M
xx
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I like that phrase “tactical readjustments.” I’d rather be prepared than hasty, especially with something this important. 🙂
I’m already planning out my game plan for May – it looks to be another crazy busy month!
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Despite the perceived shortness of the month (yes, it seemed to fly by for me, too!), you have managed to get an amazing amount done. Congratulations and good luck with your future projects! You do inspire me to get off my butt and start working on some goals of my own. Thanks for that! 🙂
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When I sat down to write this post, I thought it was going to be a lot shorter, because it didn’t feel like I’d really done anything. But then, the list kept growing . . . that’s a great feeling. 🙂
Stay inspired! 🙂
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Way to go. I am so interested to read about all of your goals, plans, and accomplishments. You are doing a great job.
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Thanks! 🙂 I hope next month goes just as well!
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Congratulations on staying on track! I wouldn’t say that not sending out the query letter is a failing, especially if it results in an agent in May! April really did fly by. Must be something in the air during this time of year.
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Between the end of the school year looming and the beautiful weather outside, the days just fly right by. 🙂
I sat down with my query letter yesterday and tinkered with it for hours. We’ll see what I think about it today. Lol!
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I think this is a fantastic report . . . anything your start out saying didn’t quite go right or wasn’t as you hoped was because you learned or discovered something that will make it all that much better. You are constantly growing and getting yourself and your work out there. Keep up the great, positive work Dear Friend.
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Will do. 🙂
I had several “learning moments” this month and I am very thankful for them. It’ll be interesting to see where they take in the future.
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Always happy and inspired to see your progress. You must have lots and lots of energy! Keep going. Onward!
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It goes with the territory of insomnia . . . I always have more energy than I know what to do with. 🙂
Onward we go!
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As much as I love your goal-focus, I wonder… does this please you, or does it add pressure and disappointment? I love how many comments you’re getting…perhaps my internal goal is making me disappointed in blogging altogether… I’m wishing you constantly well, though!-Lynn
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Thanks! 🙂
I learned a long time ago that I am a goal oriented person. I need to know what I’m shooting for or I’ll find other things to do. 😉 Even if I don’t reach the full goal, I like to be able to say, “I tried” and mean it.
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I’ve marveled before at the disciplined and organized way you fit your writing into your amazingly busy life. I envy that. I run on pure passion (much more danger of burning out, I fear, but that’s me!) xo Lynn
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I think waiting for the feedback on your query letter makes lots of sense. Why waste such a marvelous opportunity for input to make the letter better?
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Exactly. 🙂 I rewrote it yesterday, taking into account some of the questions she asked and already I can see the difference.
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Oh definitely!!!!! Your presence is always positive and inspiring 🙂
Keep going honey 🙂
Xx
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Yay! 🙂 Always good to hear.
You make me smile, too!
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Way to go! Seems for the most part you are on track. Oh… and yes you are indeed positive AND inspiring. 🙂
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Cool beans! 🙂
There was only a minor hiccup, but Plan B is in place. 🙂
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quite incredible progress truly. And the year is only one third over. Great moments await.
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Thanks! I hope so. 🙂
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Yup…you really are inspiring! You have quite a bit accomplished! Far more than me!
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🙂
I don’t know where the energy or the drive comes from, but I’m glad there seems to be an endless supply. 🙂
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I don’t know how you do it all. Your progress is success, even if you didn’t meet all your goals. 🙂
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That’s a good way to look at it. 🙂 I figure any month where I don’t let a day go by without a writing is a good one, but its nice to hit upon my goals in some way as well. Onward we go!
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There must be something in the water. I am catching up on blog emails and yours is about the 5th one talking about goals. Maybe it is Mother Nature telling me I need to set some.
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My writing group got me inspired to set goals each year, but I’ve never been so public or ambitious until January of this year. So far, it seems to be working . . . I’m much more motivated than I’ve ever been!
Its never too late to set a goal! 🙂
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I love how you are making daily progress on your goals. A little something every day makes amazing things happen! 🙂
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🙂 Baby steps will take you to the top of the mountain.
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