August turned out to be a pretty amazing month in terms of my writing goals!
1) Complete final draft of Novel #2.
Done!
I downloaded the final draft to my Kindle Fire to do another quick read through. Furthermore, another beta reader has the most recent draft. ย So far, the response has been very positive. Yay!
2) Work on converting Novel #1 into first person.
Still on the shelf (and thatโs okay).
3) Submit 5 pieces of writing.
This goal is still technically on the shelf, however, my muse is still going crazy with poetry. I am writing A LOT of lines! Some are good and some are bad, but I’m finding the journey interesting. I’ve noticed my voice is changing as I explore different themes.
4) Submit three query letters for Novel #2
Thanks to WriteOnCon, I found the courage to Twitter pitch my book, (see WriteOnCon Rocked!) The experience was nerve-wracking and terrifying, but the end result made me realize its better to do something scary than nothing at all.
I got the attention of an editor and received a request for a query letter. I’ve since sent my query and now I’m in the waiting stage. It will probably be a while before I hear anything back, but whether anything happens is beside the point. I’m proud of myself for finding the courage to put my book out there. Better yet, I can say I’m one query down on my three query goal!
The WriteOnCon experience has given me the confidence to push even further. Between posting my query letter in the critique forums (where I got great advice and positive responses for my story concept) and learning about how to navigate the YA publishing industry, I feel a little more prepared to pitch my book.
I’ve already got a list of five agents that will be receiving query letters from me in the near future. All I’ve got to do now is finish that darn synopsis!
5) Continue building author platform
I redact everything I said about Twitter last month. Ever since going back to work, I’ve been spending more time scrolling through my Twitter feed. As a result, I’m discovering more connections and have a new appreciation for the platform. ย I’m sure finding success via a Twitter pitch had nothing to do with my new attitude, (hee hee).
Myย Facebook Pageย has grown from ย 322 to 330
Onย Twitter, my followers have grown from 531 to 541
Thanks so much to all my followers on social networks and on this blog. Your support and encouragement means so much!
6) ย Read three books on the writing/publishing process.
Maisie Dobbs continues to be my main source of reading pleasure. The last two books arrived this weekend and I will be reading them before I jump back into this goal!
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
I think you are going great guns on getting your novel out there. identifying editors to send queries to is a big step. I hope that you will not be kept in suspense about the Twitter pitch for too long.
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Something I learned from reading “How I Got Published” is that it’s best not to dwell on waiting for a response. Just keep trying and keep writing!
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That works for music too!
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You’re a real dynamo, C.B.! If passion and hard work have anything to do with making your dreams come true, you are on your way.
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If I’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s how hard you have to work for what you want. ๐
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You are so amazing! I can’t say how proud, happy, inspired I am of/with you. Is okay if I share one of these posts on my blog?
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Sure, share whatever you’d like! ๐
p.s. None of this would be happening without you or WIG! ๐
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Thank you.
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Badly.
But at least I am managing to add something to my novel No.3 manuscript every day, even if the addition is a deletion, if you see what I mean.
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Work is work! Sometimes it’s tangible and sometimes its enough to know it was done.
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Congratulations on a very productive month
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Thanks! ๐
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You go, girl! I’m so excited that your goals are going so well, and I can’t wait to hear about the query letters. I think that’s the part that always terrifies/excites me the most.
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It’s kinda weird, I’m not nearly as terrified as I was when I first started to think about sending query letters. I’m at the point where I’ve realized there is really nothing to lose by sending them out. The worst that can happen is a “no.” I can handle a “no.” Doing nothing, however, is something I can’t handle. ๐
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as always, glad to see your progress!
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I’m working hard! ๐
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I can see you have been working hard! Good luck on your queries. ๐
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Thanks! Hopefully, I’ll find that needle in the haystack!
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