2006 Goals

[JenNipps]

I know I could post this on any number of other boards, but since we want to generate some traffic here, I thought I'd post it here.

What goals do you have for 2006? They can be mainstream/contemporary writing-related or writing in general.

[JAlpha]

Well, seeing how I didn't accomplish my goal of finishing my first novel by the end of 05, I have to default that goal to January of 06. I'm that close to finishing! Without the holiday interruptions, I'm certain I would have finished it.

Now I'm going to go at it with a vengeance to make up for the lost time http://photobucket.com/albums/c34/JAlpha/th_OFCOSUPEVnerdHL.gif (http://photobucket.com/albums/c34/JAlpha/?action=view&current=OFCOSUPEVnerdHL.gif)

[JenNipps]

If you're that close, I'm sure you'll make it. Need or want an accountability post mid-way? :)

Partly just kidding, but I'd do it if you wanted it.

Personally, I'm still solidifying my '06 goals, so I can't really post them yet, but I will soon.

[September skies]

Finish my novel
Submit two magazine queries a month
Write more newspaper articles
Blog a little more often

[JAlpha]

If you're that close, I'm sure you'll make it. Need or want an accountability post mid-way? http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

Partly just kidding, but I'd do it if you wanted it.

Personally, I'm still solidifying my '06 goals, so I can't really post them yet, but I will soon.

Thanks Jen, for the offer of a midway accountability post--but I'm certain I will stay on task with finishing the novel, because I got a good bit of "wind beneath my wings" back in November when the first 50 pages snagged 2nd place in Byline Magazine's Novel Beginnings Contest.

But, where I might need some serious accountability (*** kicking) is with getting my synopsis ready for submission. I can see myself getting way too bogged down with perfecting all my marketing materials i.e. stalling, because I don't have as much confidence with my synopsis writing skills as I do with my prose.

[JenNipps]

Finish my novel
Submit two magazine queries a month
Write more newspaper articles
Blog a little more often


With the exception of the newspaper stuff, my list is beginning to look similar to this. Though for me, it's novels. :lol

[JenNipps]

Thanks Jen, for the offer of a midway accountability post--but I'm certain I will stay on task with finishing the novel, because I got a good bit of "wind beneath my wings" back in November when the first 50 pages snagged 2nd place in Byline Magazine's Novel Beginnings Contest.

But, where I might need some serious accountability (*** kicking) is with getting my synopsis ready for submission. I can see myself getting way too bogged down with perfecting all my marketing materials i.e. stalling, because I don't have as much confidence with my synopsis writing skills as I do with my prose.

Wow! Congrats on the Byline win. :hooray:

I don't know how or why or anything about it, but apparently I do a decent synopsis since it won me 3rd place at a contest back in October. (Ya know... There's my big goal, I think. To finish Dragon Lands.)

[maestrowork]

Apart from getting my book well publicized, marketed and sold :) I would like to finally finish my second novel and start submitting it. I'd also like to get a few short stories published.

[awatkins]

Add a couple more 'regular' magazine gigs. Those monthly checks sure are helpful to the old budget!
Continue researching/working on my next parrot-related book--got a call from the acquisitions editor saying he liked my proposal/sample chapters and would pass it to the marketing department, so I'm cautiously hopeful.
Spend more time on my *gasp* fantasy novel. :)
Write, write, write!!!!!!
There are more but I won't bore you with those. Happy New Year, everyone, and much writing success to us all. :)

[pdr]

It would be perfect for writing (and everything else) if I could only stay in one place - permanently!

[JenNipps]

Finally! After not being able to post yesterday because of router/server/whatever issues, I can today.

Ray, when is your book coming out? Or did I miss something and it's out already?

I think we've all got a great bunch of goals. I'm going to be making more of an effort to do productive writing every day (instead of just playing around) and sending more things out. I would like to finish the piece I was working on for NaNoWriMo, so we'll see how that goes.

[maestrowork]

Jen, it's coming out next month! :) I am doing a lot of pre-release marketing and promotion activities. For example, I will be doing a radio interview in a few weeks, and I also have a book party/fund-raising in early February (a chain store is sponsoring the event!). And have to schedule a few signings.

Visit my website! :)

[JenNipps]

Jen, it's coming out next month! :)

Yay for you! :) That really is exciting, I think.

Visit my website! :)

I will. And I'll bookmark it so I can check back from time to time.

[pdr]

Are you all accomplishing your goals?

I will add that I have a novel to finish and just can't squeeze the time when I have to write articles and short stories to pay the bills.

In 2006 I will finish the novel. (Now I've done it!)

[JenNipps]

Are you all accomplishing your goals?

Slow & steady wins the race. :) I'm moving forward pretty regularly. OK, since it's still January and I'm up to 15 subs on various things, it's more than slow & steady.

I will add that I have a novel to finish and just can't squeeze the time when I have to write articles and short stories to pay the bills.

In 2006 I will finish the novel. (Now I've done it!)

You & me both, pdr. :) Good luck on it!

[Brandi]

It would be perfect for writing (and everything else) if I could only stay in one place - permanently!

You, too?

I just sat down with my husband and told him that we have to get settled down permanently. We're only 3 years out of graduate school, and we're still not permanent. It feels as if we're always living in transition mode, so it makes it hard to get anything done! (As an aide, we're researching for the permanent move. Does anyone have any thoughts on Atlanta or Research Triangle Park? They're leading the way right now, and we're planning to visit both this summer.)

As for the goals, I know that I'm coming late to the thread, but I've just found myself in the hopefully enviable position of being able to work on the writing that I want to do (not the stuff I have to do to pay the bills). It's week 2, and I'm gearing up to write full-time beginning next week. It's interesting reading other people's writing goals, and I'll return with my own soon.

Brandi

[pdr]

Hello, Brandi,
This is a good place to be for writers. Are you writing fiction? If so don't miss reading James D. MacDonald's thread about writing novels in the Novel Section. He'll get you motivated, organised and knowledgeable.

New Zealanders travel a lot to visit the big bad world and then go back home to paradise for R&R and sanity's sake. But work has been hard to find in NZ for the last fifteen years and after spending ten years moving up and down NZ chasing jobs, I'm now zooming around Asia on various short contracts. It's really frustrating isn't it trying to get your internet fixed up for three months and then having to do it all over again? And it is nice to have your reference books around you and not in storage elsewhere.

Go find your piece of paradise, get settled and let us know how many of your goals you achieve this year.

[JenNipps]

You, too?

I just sat down with my husband and told him that we have to get settled down permanently. We're only 3 years out of graduate school, and we're still not permanent. It feels as if we're always living in transition mode, so it makes it hard to get anything done! (As an aide, we're researching for the permanent move. Does anyone have any thoughts on Atlanta or Research Triangle Park? They're leading the way right now, and we're planning to visit both this summer.)

As for the goals, I know that I'm coming late to the thread, but I've just found myself in the hopefully enviable position of being able to work on the writing that I want to do (not the stuff I have to do to pay the bills). It's week 2, and I'm gearing up to write full-time beginning next week. It's interesting reading other people's writing goals, and I'll return with my own soon.

Brandi

Hello, Brandi.

No, you weren't too late at all. As far as I'm concerned, as long as it's 2006, you'll be on time. :)

I do apologize for taking so long to reply, though. Welcome to the Mainstream board.

[JenNipps]

How has January been for you all? I'm actually quite pleased with my progress.

I'm copying my continuation/next goals over from the Febuary 2006 Goals discussion started by Arisa in Goals & Accomplishments.

1. Write the next two chapters of Blue Jeans & Tennis Shoes.
2. Write the next chapter of Confessions of a Fat Chick.
3. Continue with researching article and book markets and agents.
4. Continue with sending out a minimum of two queries a week.

[pdr]

If I average them out I've managed five or six submissions a week but that's only because Dec/January (and June/July) are the times of the year when I spend a week seriously marketing my short stories on top of my usual article subs.

[JenNipps]

"but that's only..."

Why take the significance from it with those three little words? It may be the time of year you're working on short stories, but those subs are pretty darn significant, too. :)

[pdr]

Just wish it were novel submissions that's all!

[JenNipps]

I can certainly understand that. My only point was submissions are submissions and at least you're getting things sent out. :)

[pdr]

Goals becoming achievable?
I've two acceptances and four no thank yous so far with the short stories.

[JenNipps]

:PartySmil

Congratulations on the acceptances, pdr!

I would say, yes, your goals are achievable. :)

[DebbieOhi]

Some Goals for 2006:

- Finish my YA novel and submit it to my agent.

- Submit at least 50 poems.

- Finish at least two nonfiction book proposals.

- Start AND finish a second novel for young people.

I'll also be submitting magazine article queries, but the number will depend on whether either of the two nonfic book proposals are accepted or not.

Debbie

[JenNipps]

Good luck with it all! :)

I feel like I'm doing good with my overall goals for the year, but if I'm going to meet my goals for February, I need to get my rear in gear. :)

[JenNipps]

Heh, I came in to say that if I don't get my rear in gear, I won't make my goals for February. But, I've already said it.

In the middle of writing this, I realized it's already Feb. 20. So there's only 8 days left in the month. Oh, sure, I'll meet my goals. I don't need to sleep, eat, or watch the Olympics.

OK, OK. So maybe I don't really need to watch the Olympics, but I'm going to anyway. :)

[pdr]

Like you, Jen, I didn't get the goals I'd set myself completed. On the other hand I did complete the surprising amount of work that three editors dropped on me.

Haven't finished that novel chapter though. Going to see if I can before the 28th.

[JenNipps]

Haven't finished that novel chapter though. Going to see if I can before the 28th.

I think that's what I'm going to focus on. I had that as a goal and also doing two chapters of the nonfiction book I have going. I think one chapter of the fiction is more achievable at the moment.

[JenNipps]

Since I didn't do much at all on my February goals, they will carry over to March. I won't berate myself over not doing any of them. February has been a busy month. (Like March won't be? There'll be twins in our family before the end of the month!)

Anyway, to restate, here are my goals for March.

1. Write the next two chapters of Blue Jeans & Tennis Shoes.
2. Write the next chapter of Confessions of a Fat Chick.
3. Resume researching article and book markets and agents.
4. Resume sending out a minimum of two queries a week.

How did you all do on your February goals? Or are you not breaking them down by month?

[pdr]

Still I earned two unexpected fees for the ten articles I hadn't planned on writing.

The novel chapter is unfinished as I'm beginning again with a different POV. It's feeling much better and going quickly.

Must re-send those stories that didn't find a home. Sigh!

Must pay the bills with another woman's magazine story.

Have to fit this in around travelling, moving house, and finding another home.
March might be shot too!

[JenNipps]

We have a little over a week and a half left in March. How is it going for everyone?

I'm working more on my mainstream novel and working on an essay that came up and caught me by surprise, but I'm not going to go into that right now.

[chicagogal]

after a long hiatus after having a fairly successful career including wonderful editor contacts, book publishers interest and a good agent, what's hardest for me not is to connect again. I've had a couple of agents who hung onto my material without submitting for a couple of years, one who then shredded everything without giving me the courtesy of asking if I wanted it back, at my expense(would have said yes of course). I need the encouragement of an agent who gives more than lip service to nice words about my talent(that and a couple of bucks might buy a cup of coffee or tea(my drink of choice). oh me, I shall keep on trucking!!!

[JenNipps]

Keep on trucking is good advice. :)

I need to get back on track after these past couple weeks.

[Forbidden Snowflake]

Finish my two novels. I just have to manage for once, I've been putting it off forever. Now I'm determined.

[pdr]

March definitely shot, Jen!

Still, the novel is feeling right at last.
Several good articles sketched in after all the travel.

Three short stories developing.

In April I will get the novel rewritten back to chapter fourteen!

[JenNipps]

Finish my two novels. I just have to manage for once, I've been putting it off forever. Now I'm determined.

To sound cliche-ish, determination is a good thing. That's where I'm out with a couple things I have going, too. Good luck with it. :)

[JenNipps]

March definitely shot, Jen!

Still, the novel is feeling right at last.
Several good articles sketched in after all the travel.

Three short stories developing.

In April I will get the novel rewritten back to chapter fourteen!

The whole of March hasn't been too bad for me. Just the past couple weeks. So you might not have accomplished all you wanted to for the month (from the way it sounds), but it also sounds like you've done quite a bit with having articles sketched out and short stories in development.

I'd say that qualifies as a good month. :)

[JenNipps]

My oops. I forgot to post to this at the beginning of the month. Well.... Since we're about half-way through April, how is it going for everyone?

I'm making (slow) progress on my current WIP. I have an appointment with an agent at the conference in Oklahoma City in May and I've been spazzing myself out over that. And when I spaz, any writing progress is slow.

Getting the appointment doesn't mean anything, though. At the conference, anyone who requests an appointment gets one if there is a slot available.

[pdr]

Got your lift speech (elevator to you, Jen) ready for that agent? Good luck.

April has been pretty good, writingwise.
The novel is feeling good. Finished chapter five. Chapters 6 and 7 roughed out.
Two short stories off to comps.
Three articles off to inflight mags.
Women's mag story ideas taking shape.
Oh and one fat cheque arrived for that group of five articles for a writers' website. I can eat!

[JenNipps]

Got your lift speech (elevator to you, Jen) ready for that agent? Good luck.

Oh, I have a couple of those. :) One for the current WIP I really want to pitch and one for another one that's already finished but not as marketable (in my opinion).

I'll have a full 15-minute session with the agent, so that's both good and bad. Bad because it makes me anxious until I get there and sit down. *s*

April has been pretty good, writingwise.
The novel is feeling good. Finished chapter five. Chapters 6 and 7 roughed out.
Two short stories off to comps.
Three articles off to inflight mags.
Women's mag story ideas taking shape.
Oh and one fat cheque arrived for that group of five articles for a writers' website. I can eat!

It sounds like April has been very good to you!! Good luck with the rest of it and with May, too. :)

[JenNipps]

How are your goals going?

[Lee_OC]

I'm new to the boards, but here are my mini-goals for the month of May:

- Edit and finish 2 stories for a mini eBook
- Submi story for a fiction anthology
- Finish 2 book reviews

I started a novel, but I can't get past the first chapter and outline. (boooo!) I am planning to deconstruct that first chapter into a short story. I think I realized that short fiction is my niche...for now.

[pdr]

Goals. May.

How's your novel going Jen?

I'm hoping to finish Chapter 8.
But I've got 1 important-to-writing career short story comp to write for and enter by the end of the month. And I'm a slow writer!

Also have 6 book reviews to finish by the 4th of June. Lovely to have some books to read as it's hard to find English books here.

Article writing slowed right down and I promised three to an editor so must get cracking and write on my day off instead of tramping in the hills.

[JenNipps]

I'm new to the boards, but here are my mini-goals for the month of May:

- Edit and finish 2 stories for a mini eBook
- Submi story for a fiction anthology
- Finish 2 book reviews

How is a mini eBook opposed to a "regular" eBook? (I'm curious as this is the first that I recall seeing that term used.)

Good luck on your goals!

I started a novel, but I can't get past the first chapter and outline. (boooo!) I am planning to deconstruct that first chapter into a short story. I think I realized that short fiction is my niche...for now.

There's really nothing to "boo" about. I fully realize some people are made for novels while some aren't. It's kind of like you rarely see the same person running marathons and running sprints.

I think you're probably on the right track with reconstructing the chapter into a short story.

[JenNipps]

How's your novel going Jen?

Honestly, right now it's stalled. I have chapter 3 finished and notes started for chapter 4. I haven't written anything since I got back from the conference weekend before last. Instead, I've been trying to catch up on work, visiting friends in the hospital, and going to funerals. No fun.

I'm hoping to finish Chapter 8.
But I've got 1 important-to-writing career short story comp to write for and enter by the end of the month. And I'm a slow writer!

Also have 6 book reviews to finish by the 4th of June. Lovely to have some books to read as it's hard to find English books here.

Article writing slowed right down and I promised three to an editor so must get cracking and write on my day off instead of tramping in the hills.

I'd say you've got a lot going on there, pdr. Good luck with it all.

Day off? What's that?

Oh, yeah... I did actually have one on Saturday but I spent it getting caught up on the rest I hadn't been able to catch up on since the conference. This weekend is the writers' group meeting here, so maybe I can get something written or revised for that.

[Lee_OC]

How is a mini eBook opposed to a "regular" eBook? (I'm curious as this is the first that I recall seeing that term used.)


My eBook features two short [erotic] stories linked by a theme, so the entire eBook will be roughly 7,500 words. Too long to be just a short story but too short to be a novella.

[Lee_OC]

Since my writing falls under mainstream/contemporary, I thought I would add to this thread. :)

I have one goal for 2006 and that is to complete my current WIP and submit it to agents. That's it. Sounds simple, right? ;) I completed the (horribly) rough draft in April and am working on the second draft now. I work better with a deadline, so I signed up for a writer's conference in September and plan to have the manuscript ready to push while I'm there. My basic schedule is to re-work one scene per day, every day, with butt in chair and without excuses. I'll keep you posted.

I am fairly new to this site, but try to keep an eye on the Novel Writing forum and this forum. Thanks Jen for trying to keep current topics going here.

Kevin

Kevin, good luck with the novel! I keep telling myself to check out a writer's conference, but I haven't signed up for one yet. I hope you keep us posted on how it goes. Best wishes.

[JenNipps]

Since my writing falls under mainstream/contemporary, I thought I would add to this thread. :)

I have one goal for 2006 and that is to complete my current WIP and submit it to agents. That's it. Sounds simple, right? ;) I completed the (horribly) rough draft in April and am working on the second draft now. I work better with a deadline, so I signed up for a writer's conference in September and plan to have the manuscript ready to push while I'm there. My basic schedule is to re-work one scene per day, every day, with butt in chair and without excuses. I'll keep you posted.

I am fairly new to this site, but try to keep an eye on the Novel Writing forum and this forum. Thanks Jen for trying to keep current topics going here.

Kevin

Welcome to the Mainstream/Contemporary board, Kevin. Good luck with your writing.

Since you mentioned writers' conferences, I was going to suggest one that's on the smallish side (but it's a really good one, I think), then noticed you're in California. That's probably a bit far from Arkansas. *s*

Feel free to join in any other discussion going on, dig up old ones, or start your own. :)

[Lee_OC]

Kevin, I've heard of them. I entered a writing contest that awards a scholarship to that conference. Wish me luck, and maybe I'll see you there.

I've heard that area is really gorgeous, so it should be a fun trip.

[JenNipps]

Maintaining the status quo? How goes it for everyone?

I got the Oklahoma Writers' Federation newsletter in the mail today with my newest website review column in there.

Confessions of a Fat Chick is stalled. Why? I read a book recently with almost the exact same storyline. Yes, I realize that means it's a good idea (according to RL writing friends), but I don't want to write the same book that's already out there.

I've restarted a fantasy novel that I put aside a couple years ago because -- at the time -- I couldn't figure out what to do with it.

What's going on with you all?

[Lee_OC]

I did not win the East of Eden fellowship conference, so I will not be attending this year. Bummer...

This month I'm polishing a few short stories to enter contests. I'm interested in Zoetrope' (http://all-story.com/contests.cgi)s short fiction contest and Third Coast' (http://www.wmich.edu/%7Ethirdcst/Contests_homepage.htm)s short fiction contest.

In the meantime, I'm working on an erotica novella and tossing around ideas for a horror novel. I predict a busy summer, and that's a very good thing. :)

[JenNipps]

A busy summer is definitely a good thing. :)

I have a couple things I need to get ready to send off to the Ozark Creative Writers' contest. Then re-print a fantasy short story for the Writers of the Future contest.

I know there's more that I have planned, but my notebook with that type of stuff in it is in my Mom's car at the moment.

[Lee_OC]

Sorry to hear that Lee_OC. Well, I will let you know if it's worth it for next year.

Kevin

Cool. Let me know how your experience goes. :)

[wrinkles]

Hello Everyone. I haven't posted here before. But then I'm fairly new and haven't posted much anywhere. I'm 50,000 words into a novel. It isn't science fiction or fantasy and it takes place in the present here on earth, so I guess that makes it mainstream/contemporary. At least I hope it's mainstream. That sounds commercial to me.

I have a demanding full time job and a family, so I'm only able to write a few hours each week, almost never at the same time. So I really can't set any goals. I don't think I will finish the first draft of the novel this year, since I think I am only half-way there. But if I had to set a goal that would be it. So good luck everyone and keep in touch.

[JenNipps]

And now, approaching the end of July, how does everyone stand?

[wrinkles]

Thanks for the welcome Kevin. Good luck with getting your WIP finished. I’m envious that you are going to a writers’ conference. I’ve never been to one, even though there are several each year within driving distance of my home. Maybe someday.

As for my WIP, I am now 53,000 words into the first draft of my first novel: maybe halfway. I have written 3,000 words in the last two weeks. I am in the Middle. Not having any education or experience relating to writing a novel, I first heard about the Middle in the Uncle Jim thread. I wondered what all the fuss was about. Now I know.

I followed a link in one post that took me to a very insightful article on the Middle in which the writer compared it to a great swamp. There is a lot of truth in that, but I think of it more as a great ocean that I am attempting to row across. At first it was exciting to venture out into the unknown and still be able to see the land I had left. And I can imagine how exciting it will be when I first spot the shore that is my destination. But right now I am slowly and painfully stroking along with neither in sight.

It’s not that I don’t know where I’m going: I do. I didn’t write an outline, but I have one in my head. I know the ending and even have a final sentence, and I have most of the scenes between here and there envisioned. It’s just that it is so far away.

It doesn’t help that I can see that the novel is going to be much longer than the guidelines recommend for an unpublished author. That acts like a trailing anchor, sapping my energy when I realize how much cutting and revising work will have to be done after I make land. I used to make time to write, now I only write when I have time.

I’ve thought about taking a break from the novel and working on a short story that has just about written itself in my mind over the last few years. But I’m afraid that’s just an excuse for abandoning it.

Oh well, I’ll write again next weekend and let you know how I’m doing. In the meantime, in the words of my man Garrison Keillor: Be well; do good work; and keep in touch. And don’t let my lugubriousness get you down.

[JenNipps]

Hello, Wrinkles. Nice to see you on the Mainstream/Contemporary/Literary board.

I followed a link in one post that took me to a very insightful article on the Middle in which the writer compared it to a great swamp. There is a lot of truth in that, but I think of it more as a great ocean that I am attempting to row across. At first it was exciting to venture out into the unknown and still be able to see the land I had left. And I can imagine how exciting it will be when I first spot the shore that is my destination. But right now I am slowly and painfully stroking along with neither in sight.

I have a friend who calls the middle of the book "swimming through the porridge." I personally call mine "slogging through cement."

I’ve thought about taking a break from the novel and working on a short story that has just about written itself in my mind over the last few years. But I’m afraid that’s just an excuse for abandoning it.

It might not be "just an excuse." It might honestly give you the break and distance you might need.

[wrinkles]

Well, I've thought about it over the past week and I've decided to struggle on through the long Middle of my long novel until I finish a first draft. Then I'll work on the short story while the novel hibernates for a bit and I can get some distance from it.

I'm using the short story as an incentive to finish the first draft. I mentioned before that the story has written itself in my mind over the past several years, so I'm really looking forward to getting it down on paper.

That's my plan as of now. I hope everyone's work is going well.

[Sesselja]

We are more than half way through the year, but as I'm a newbie on this forum, I thought I'd share my 2006 goals anyway:

- Finish the revisions on my Nano2005 novel
- Practice the phase-method for outlining
- Do Nano again this year, ie attempting 50 000 words in November
- Finish the first draft on my next novel (whatever is left that I didn't manage to do in November)

[pdr]

Shot to pieces of course.

Novel plot hole finally filled in and am hoping to finish it by November!!! It's such a hard grind to finish, of course, as I am at the 'it's terrible, throw it away and write that lovely new one that's begging to start' stage!

2 Stories finished but ideas blooming and I'm writing several more, a whole linked series have sprung to mind and the first one is fine. This always happens when a novel needs finishing. Will someone please extend the day to 48 hours.

Articles nil except for the regular monthly ones.

August I'm with family and travelling but the new Alpha Neo has made writing a breeze away from the computer and I'm getting more done than I thought I might.

How's your novel, Jen?

[JenNipps]

Thank you for sharing your goals with us, Sesselja. Keep us posted about how it's going if you want to. :)

pdr, my novel, at the moment, is non-existent. I've been swamped with day-job work and family stuff, so it's been put on a back burner. After this week, it's looking like I'll actually have room to breathe and think, so it will be going full steam ahead again then.

In the meantime, I have another website review I really need to finish and get sent in.

[JenNipps]

Mid-month check in. (OK, so I'm a couple days late for mid-month, but we'll stick with that anyway.)

How is it going for you?

I submitted my 3rd website review, which will be published in September. Now to work on turning those into paying gigs. (I already have a couple queries out.)

Umm.. What else was there? I've got a bit much going on right now and can't remember what else I was going to put in.

Oh. I've sent in a few things for different categories of a contest associated with a conference I'm going to in October.

[JenNipps]

Good luck with your pitch sessions. I always get a nervous stomachache before mine but I'm fine once I go in.

I have all my entry materials printed and ready to go in the mail tomorrow.

[JenNipps]

There are a couple things.

1. When talking about it, in your intro, just call it a novel since "fiction novel" is considered a bit redundant in some circles.
2. Know your story well enough that you can summarize it in one sentence.

When I did my first one (pitching Dragon Lands), I had no idea on the second point. Then I was talking to someone else out in the halls and she asked about it. So I said, "It's a retelling of the story of David & Goliath where David is a blind man and Goliath is a band of renegade dragons." She said, "There's your logline. Remember that and use it."

[JenNipps]

S'ok. I'm honestly not a stickler for that. As long as you know what you're talking about and I know what you're talking about, it's ok. But some people get the proverbial bee in their bonnet over it.

Any time. Let us know how it goes? :)

[JenNipps]

Time to check in again. How's it going for you all?

I'm renewed/revived on a prior project, so that's good. I have an article to write and send in to Writers Journal that I would like to have done by the end of the month. We'll see how that goes.

[Popeyesays]

Time to check in again. How's it going for you all?

I'm renewed/revived on a prior project, so that's good. I have an article to write and send in to Writers Journal that I would like to have done by the end of the month. We'll see how that goes.

I've been working steadily on various projects, but the single most important piece of writing this month was my signature on a publication contract. Yay me!

I can't get tired of saying that, draw straws and see who gets to slap me up the side of the head for saying it too often.:e2hammer:

Regards,
Scott

[JenNipps]

I've been working steadily on various projects, but the single most important piece of writing this month was my signature on a publication contract. Yay me!

Most definitely yay you!! Did you post that somewhere here at AW and I just missed it? (That's entirely possible since I was gone about half of last week.)

[JenNipps]

OK, peeps, it's October. How do things stand with you?

I have my article technically finished. I need to proof it again and put it in the mail. I'm going to let it sit until about Wednesday to have a little bit of distance from it. It will be in the mail hopefully by Friday.

Currently, I don't have another article started yet. I have notes and a semi-outline, though. Next week I will be in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, for a conference, so I decided to wait on fully starting another one until after that.

My novel had truthfully stalled thanks to transcription and the article, but I'm starting back up on it, too.

[pdr]

Goals, Jen?

Um, way behind on the novel which creeps along so slowly. Chapter 18 only.

Short stories going well, sold a few more, five crying out to be written and the regular articles all done.

Hoping to start a blog but no time. Novel needs finishing by December!!!!

[JenNipps]

Good luck on finishing the novel, pdr. Sorry to take so long to reply to this. I've been buried with work so I can be gone for a week.

[triceretops]

I don't know how it is that I wrote three complete novels and one non-ficiton book in 2005, and this year I've tanked almost completely. I have managed to nearly finish another book that stands at 100,000 words right now but is not finished yet.

I had to reedit my first book with the agent, which took two months.

Made 10 revision passes over the second book, and sent it (now the third hardcopy full) back to agent. Sent, what I hope, is the final draft yesterday. This dickering back and forth, plus rewriting, took me almost five straight months just for that.

Also made over thirtly submissions to small presses, to serve as backup if one of the books isn't picked up by a major.

2006 has been an editing year for me and I feel totally unproductive about it. But I guess it was a neccessary evil.

Oh, yeah, and I was listed on Publishers Market Place, which was kind of nice.

Tri

[JenNipps]

Sounds like being listed in Publishers Marketplace is a bit more than "kinda" nice. :)

Congrats, Tri!

[triceretops]

Yeah, Jen, some agents that are members put up their author's work for perusal. It was an unexpected pleasure when I googled my name one day to find my bio and offering there.

Tri

[JenNipps]

Oooops!! I've been a bit lax and almost forgot about this.

How goes the goals? :)

[CaroGirl]

I'll chime in. I haven't been down to visit this forum much, although literary is my genre.

At the moment I have 6 (I think) stories circulating (awaiting rejections, just to be practical). And I'm working on the 2nd (possibly 3rd) draft of my novel. It continues to come in impossibly light at only 50,000 words, but one of my goals is to get it out to beta readers before Christmas. I need some feedback about where expansion is required. Something's missing here, I'm just too close to it to see what that might be.

Good luck to everyone with their goals for the rest of the year!

[pdr]

Goals, oh dear, Jen, shot again.

I did manage to sell two more short stories, and an editor wants rewrites on three others.

Three major comp story entries off.

Still haven't restarted the blog.

Chapter nineteen creeping along and I won't be finished by Christmas, darn it.

Monthly Articles all finished and off to their homes.

December going to be a wipe out as it's son's wedding in NZ which means University month's break spent in NZ organising wedding and then helping do up son's house. (Thank God for the Alpha Neo I wil get a little writing done.)

January a wipe out because it's exams, and cramming students and marking papers.

I need an extra three hours just for novel writing.
Happy writing everyone! If you get time!!!!

[JenNipps]

I'll chime in. I haven't been down to visit this forum much, although literary is my genre.

Hello, Caro. Thanks for joining us. :)

Think positive about the stories you have out. You never know for sure. *s*

[JenNipps]

Goals, oh dear, Jen, shot again.

Shot? Sounds like you've been doing pretty well to me. :)

I did manage to sell two more short stories, and an editor wants rewrites on three others.

Congrats!!

I hear you on needing more time, though. I could use an extra couple hours a day myself.