September is the month where I dug deep and found some courage . . .
1) Complete final draft of Novel #2.
I am still in the middle of re-reading the edited draft of Novel #2. So far, I’m happy to find it’s a pretty clean draft.
2) Work on converting Novel #1 into first person.
Still on the shelf (and that’s okay).
3) Submit 5 pieces of writing.
I wish had a better excuse for completely ignoring this goal for the bulk of 2013, but my muse has been very stubborn and single-minded. Apparently, I am only allowed to work on Novel #2, it’s sequel, and lines of poetry!
4) Submit three query letters for Novel #2
This is the goal where my courage showed up in a big way. After such a positive experience with WriteOnCon, I decided it was time to send out my query letter. I made a list of five agents that might be interested in my work and personalized my query letter to their specific preferences. Then, I took a deep breath and sent three queries into the wild!
With this little surge of courage, I can proudly say I’ve achieved my goal of sending out three query letters!
Better still, I’ve already received a response for one of my query letters. While it was a rejection, it was still encouraging to receive a response! Anything is better than being totally ignored.
5) Continue building author platform
Work has been a little crazy, so I’ve been a bit absent for social media and even blogging. I apologize for my lack of participation on other blogs, but I will make up for it in October!
My Facebook Page has grown from 330 to 335
On Twitter, my followers have grown from 541 to 546
Thanks so much to all my followers on social networks and on this blog. Your support and encouragement means so much!
6) Read three books on the writing/publishing process.
Maisie Dobbs and an awesome history book are currently stealing my attention away from this goal! On the up side, I am one book shy of completing my 2013 Goodreads Reading Challenge.
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
C.B. Wentworth 
C. B. you are always a positive presence in my blog sphere. I do not make long term goals just feel the moment and respond. I do keep a list of inspirational ideas in case my memory gets invaded.
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I’ve always admired people who can function without a “to-do” list! 🙂
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My goals are completely terrible! But that’s okay. Sometimes life gets in the way and the things there are more important. You have impressive goals. 🙂
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So true. Goals are good things to have, but it’s also important to make sure they don’t rule our lives! 🙂
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These are some awesome goals! Plus it helped me find your facebook page 😉
I’ve just recently sent out 2 submissions and am freaked out – haha! We shall see… Looking at some more great places to submit, and am excited. BUT, not doing so well on the whole novel and essay front. Hmm.
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Thanks for stopping by my facebook page! 🙂
Good luck with your submissions! It’s a long process, but the end result will be worth it!
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Congratulations on receiving an official rejection letter! I love that you believe in yourself and your novel with the strength and courage needed to put yourself out there, and that you are getting those queries out. (That agent is going to have some serious regrets when you are published!) Keep it up C.B.!
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I’m going to frame that rejection! 🙂 I’m at the point now where there’s nothing left to do but try and try some more.
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This is just like showing up at the keyboard everyday to write. Just a different phase of the process. Keep plugging…the perfect agent for you is out there!
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I could watch the shimmer of light playing with water all day long! Beautiful photo and lovely words. 🙂
September is always a busy month for teachers (as well as many others), so I completely understand how difficult it can be to get anything done that’s not school-related. I am pleased, though, to see that you have been sending off your query letters. Way to go! Rejection letters are nothing new, but it does show that you are being read. One of those queries is bound to get a positive result. Best of luck finding that author/agent or author/publisher connection. 🙂
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PS. Somehow, when I was reading Ebb & Flow, the page changed over to here, so my comment is actually for both posts. Weird, isn’t it?
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That is weird!
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One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to watch the sun sparkle across the water. I have many distinctive memories of doing this and they always make me smile. 🙂
I’m in the middle of making lesson plans for a class in which I have no textbook. It is incredibly challenging and I have to keep reminding myself that it can’t take over my entire life.
I am treasuring that rejection letter! It’s a huge milestone for my novel! 🙂
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Unfortunately, my goals had been put on hold, but I was planning on getting back to them…and my life…soon. But now that you mention Maisie Dobbs, I think I will have to get back to her first. I like her.
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I love Maisie Dobbs – I’ve got the last book sitting on my shelf and I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
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