2013 Goals: June Status Report

Summer is in full swing and I’m taking advantage of all the extra time that comes with the absence of a day job. While I spend large chunks of my day working on writing related tasks, I’m also taking some time to relax and have a little fun.

1) Complete final draft of Novel #2.

Work continues on clean up edits and the overall completion of a polished third draft. During the month of June, I reached the halfway point (Chapter 15) and I plan on plowing through the rest over the next couple of weeks.

So far, I haven’t had to fix anything beyond grammar, spelling, and awkward phrasing. I take this as a good sign that I’ve got a solid story with strong characters in place. Normally at this phase in the writing process, I find myself doubting everything in the work, but this time around I feel nothing but confidence in what I have created. I’m so excited about this novel and I can’t wait for people to read it!

2) Work on converting Novel #1 into first person.

Still on the shelf (and that’s okay).

3) Submit 5 pieces of writing.

This goal is still technically on the shelf (to allow time for Novel #2), but I’ve been writing a lot of poetry lately. Some of my lines find their way to this blog, but others are still stashed in my journal. I’m going to keep following my inspiration and we’ll see what happens.

4) Submit three query letters for Novel #2

I finished the chapter outline for Novel #2, thereby completing one of my June mini goals. I’m now in the process of  translating that outline into both a short and long form synopsis. So far, I have two paragraphs completed and a basic outline sketched out for the rest.

My mini goal for July is to complete the short synopsis.

5) Continue building author platform

Work on Novel #2 pushes me into my little bubble more than I should allow, but I did play on Facebook quite a bit during June. Twitter, however, has definitely been a weak spot. I’m thinking of setting a goal to send out at least three tweets a day during the month of July, (and they can’t just be auto-tweets attached to my blog or goodreads).

My Facebook Page has grown from  301 to 312

On Twitter, my followers have grown from 534 to 536

Thanks so much to all my followers. Your support and encouragement means so much!

June also saw a big jump in the number of subscribers to my blog. Thank you so much to everyone who follows my muse and I as we travel a path of creativity.

6)  Read three books on the writing/publishing process.

If could just stop reading Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series, this goal would be so much easier! However, I have books 4, 5, and 6 stacked up on my nightstand.

7) Inspire others to keep writing.

As always, I can only hope I am a positive presence!

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How are you doing on your 2013 goals?

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c.b.w. 2013