January Goals

I have my yearly goals down, so I suppose it’s time to do this. Plus I usually just copy and paste my goals in and add my notes on them because, you know, that’s way easier, but for some reason pasting between Word documents is causing it to come out in a weird format I’ve never used in my life. Even removing the formatting didn’t really work because for some reason they’re in all uppercase so it looks like I’m shouting. So now I have to type them in by hand, like some sort of animal.
 
I know there are far more pressing things to worry about right now, but man. Frigging Word.
 
December Goals
1. Update etymology page. I’m still trying to get rid of those damn double spaces between the words.
I updated it, but I still have no idea how to get rid of those double spaces. No, going in and removing them by hand doesn’t work at all. What the hell is it with formatting issues this month?????
 
2. More beta reads. My book definitely needs more opinions.
Well, it’s underway!
 
3. Figure out what project I want to work on next.
Considering I’m more than halfway through a first draft, I think I’ve done this.
 
At least something has gone right last month. Now for this month…
 
January Goals
1. Finish the book I started writing (or at least get close, depending on how long it ends up).
 
2. Finish work on more beta notes.
 
3. Get my query ready (gulp).
 
Let’s see how these get derailed over the next few weeks. What are your hopes for January?

February Goals

January was a tough month. I felt like crap the entire time, for a variety of reasons, and had a hard time getting in any kind of creative mindset. I’d say I was glad it was gone, but February has a bunch of pain-in-the-ass problems of its own!

What was I even supposed to do this month?

January Goals

1. Write the short story I have planned, and edit one of my old ones.

I really thought I’d be able to knock this out easy, but it feels like every ounce of creativity has been drained from me. I only got about a thousand words down, maybe halfway done.

2. Keep working on my goals from last month.

I guess I did this. I spent most of my time focused on editing, so that’s something.

3. Work on daily goal planning for my writing.

This was easier. More than once I didn’t meet those goals, but I’m trying.

Okay, now let’s see what goals I’ll fail to meet this month.

February Goals

1. Do all the adult stuff I have to that gives me panic attacks.

2. Work on edits to my other WIP.

3. Keep working on the query, and hopefully get around to finishing that story.

Great, so now it’s February. And there’s even an extra day tacked on to the end of it! Like it’s not way too long as it is!

July Goals

Is it just me or do the months seem to be flying by? I wish I was a robot that could work 24/7. Then I’d feel like I was getting something done.

June Goals

1. Read aloud of Malice, including taking notes, and then fixing said notes. I’m fairly certain I can get this done, although reading the entire thing out loud might take longer than I expect.

Did this! It did take longer than I expected, but not by that much. I did start working on some of the notes, and even created a timeline (where I discovered even more problems to fix!), but honestly, right now I’m kind of burned out on MALICE. Maybe it’s looking at those 800+ notes I have to fix and all the rewrites it needs.

2. Sigh…do SOMETHING about my query. Obviously it’s going to need a complete and total rewrite. I may end up having to join some forum or other just to get some opinions, which I’m really not looking forward to. Did I say sigh yet?

Kind of? I did write another query, but I didn’t solicit any outside opinions. I know, there are all these great sites out there where you can post your queries for critiques, but I so hate doing things like that…I guess this one is a partial fail.

3. Two more apocalypse posts! I’ve kind of done zombies to death lately, so I’ll see if I can whip up something about one of the million other apocalypses waiting to take us out.

I got a little derailed by the whole computer thing, but I managed to get both in! Barely. I think I might need a month off from the apocalypse. (I can’t believe I said that!)

Now for this month. Wow, the year is half over…

July Goals

1. Do something about that query and then send out another set. Not that I’m expecting much…

2. Finally get to the read aloud of REMEMBER that I meant to do months ago and never did. If I’m not too distracted by something shiny.

3. Work on recreating some of the projects I lost when my computer crapped out on me. Most of them I could care less about, but there are a couple of things I really liked, even if they’re just for me.

Seriously, I’m so hella pissed that my computer crashed like that. You piece of crap! I gave you everything!

May Goals

May already! I don’t know if it was because of the A-to-Z Challenge or what but April sure went by fast. For those just tuning in, I like to post my goals on the first Tuesday of every month to shame motivate myself into getting them done. Sometimes it even works.

First, let’s look at my goals for last month…

April Goals

1. Get more feedback on COLLAPSE query, maybe even rewrite it again. If I get something I like, I want to send out ten more queries.

I did rewrite it again, although I haven’t gotten any feedback and I’m still not one hundred percent sure it will work. I just hope it’s not as big a dud as my last one.

2. Forty thousand more words written in MALICE.

Did this! Plus some extra! Yay me!

3. A-to-Z challenge!!! Wooo! I’m planning on visiting at least ten other A-to-Z-ers every day, in addition to all the people I normally visit who are participating.

Yep! Hi, new friends! And old ones! I don’t think I got to ten every day (I may have over committed myself there) but I didn’t do too bad.

And now for this month…

May Goals

1. Send out ten more queries for COLLAPSE. I hope I garner some interest this time…

2. Finish MALICE. I’m not sure how many words I still have to go, but I should definitely be able to get it done this month.

3. Update my blogs etymology pages. I have a feeling this is going to be more complicated than it looks (it sure was last time!).

Well, that’s what I’m up to this month. I’m also going to be busy doing a major cleanout, so I probably won’t get as much writing done as I’d like. Boo. Anyway, what are you doing this month?

April Goals

Yes, I’m really doing this before the end of the month :P, and on what should be Etymology Thursday to boot. Since I’m taking part in the A-to-Z challenge, I figured it was better to do it now than to double post. So here we go.

I thought February was bad, but this month was just uuuuugh. Nothing went right. For some reason, I felt more anxious than usual, so it was really hard for me to concentrate on all the things I was supposed to be doing. It didn’t help things that last month’s queries for COLLAPSE received zero interest. It was kind of a bummer.

March Goals

1. Send out 10 more queries for COLLAPSE (still AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!).

Did not do this, although that was because with all the rejections I got, I thought it was best to rework my query. It’s frustrating because I’m still not sure about it.

2. Write two more Apocalypse posts for (I hope) your entertainment.

I did this. At least I got something right.

3. Actually finish REMEMBER. And maybe, if I do, write the book that’s been rolling around in my head the past couple of weeks!

REMEMBER is still sketchy. I want to put it on hold for now, what with YA being oversaturated. It’s kind of a bummer, but the other book I’m working on, MALICE, is adult, so it might have a better chance. Plus I’m 30K into it and I’m really having fun.

March was a great big failure, except for the new book. Sigh…

April Goals

1. Get more feedback on COLLAPSE query, maybe even rewrite it again. If I get something I like, I want to send out ten more queries.

2. Forty thousand more words written in MALICE.

3. A-to-Z challenge!!! Wooo! I’m planning on visiting at least ten other A-to-Z-ers every day, in addition to all the people I normally visit who are participating.

I really hope I meet my April Goals. I think I will, although I’m nervous about number 1. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that April remains stress free. Please please please.

What are you guys up to this month?

Things I Hate About Querying

Besides, you know, everything.

1. Synopses.

I have to write about the book. Why is it so impossible? It took me more than a year to write the book and get it to the point that it was good enough to be seen. And I would do it all over again if I didn’t have to write a synopsis. Is it even possible to write one that doesn’t stink?

2. Getting rejected.

As of yesterday, I’ve sent out ten queries. I’ve only had two responses. Both within two days of the query. Both rejections. People can talk about “thick skin” and staying positive all they want. That doesn’t make it any less of a kick to the teeth.

3. No response at all.

Agents are busy, so I’m not against non-responding. But it’s still anxiety inducing.

4. Screwing up.

Oh, man, ten queries, and I forgot to paste in the sample pages TWICE. A twenty percent screw up rate is not good! I put “PASTE IN PAGES” at the end of my query (plus I highlighted it) so now I won’t forget. I hope.

5. Snail mail.

There are still agents who insist on being queried by snail mail. Heck, there are agencies without websites. Is this what it was like back in the before-time, the ancient era when there were those huge, clunky computers that could only type words (I’ve heard them called “type-writers”)? What a frightening time that must have been.

This post brought to you by: venting.

February Goals

Ugh, it’s February already? Well, at least none of us have to worry about our resolutions anymore.

January Goals

1. Write a query, one sentence pitch, plot summary, and synopsis for COLLAPSE. (Just thinking about it sets my anxiety levels spiking!)

Check, check, check, and check. The synopsis could use a bit more work, but I have the rest in order. And super thanks to Dianne for reading my query for me. Your opinion was invaluable : ).

2. Work on some of my ongoing projects (pretty much everything except REMEMBER).

I spent most of the month going over COLLAPSE, and seeing as it’s a different project, I think this is a win.

3. Find a way to post my goals and progress on my blog.

I did post my goals, but I haven’t found a good way to post my progress. Of course, it’s hard to gauge them anyway. Trying to write a query isn’t like meeting a word count goal. I did however post my goals on a sticky note on my desk top, so it’s always there for me to look at. I’d say this one is a “mostly”.

Surprisingly good. I guess because it was January, I have a lot of “New Year” energy. Anyway, for this month…

February Goals

1. Finish outline, read aloud, and notes for REMEMBER. This is going to be a big one…

2. Send out 10 queries for COLLAPSE (AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!) and revise query as needed.

3. Work on Apocalypse Blog.

And as a fourth goal, try not to freak out about querying. It’s going to be tough.

What are your goals for this month? Any big plans for February?

…Done?

Could it be? COLLAPSE has been outlined, edited for repetition/unnecessary words, read aloud and read by beta readers. I have got two different versions of a query, a synopsis, and I’ve edited them all twice. This is as good as it’s going to get. I think.

I always get nervous when I finish a book, because I know there is nothing left to do but query, and that makes me want to curl into a ball and rock back and forth murmuring nonsense. I believe in my book. I think it’s good. But as to whether it’s good enough…

Let’s just say self-confidence isn’t my strong suit.

I’ve submitted other books and, sadly, all have been rejected. But I felt equally as proud of them and believed in each one just as much as the last. I’d like to say this one is better because I worked a lot harder on editing, but…well, it’s that self-confidence thing again. What do I do if no one likes it? Do I write something else or keep editing? Is it my writing style or my story or my characters or the query or my everything?

Yes, I work myself up into a nice little panic. It never stops me from trying, though.

I better go edit my query again.

Do any of you have any good query stories and/or advice for querying? Want to beta read a query for me? What about you self-pub people? Any thoughts on going the Indie route?

January Goals

Man…my vacation is over. Now I have to get back to doing stuff. This sucks. All right, let’s check in on my goals.

1. Finish the rough draft of my previously mentioned paranormal apocalyptic story.

            Not completely, but it’s very close, with a few scenes still needing to be written in various places. Since there’s maybe six thousand words left, I’d call this a win.

2. Think about ways to make my blog more fun for my readers. I’m not good when it comes to things like this, so it will take some work.

            Nope, total fail. I’m terrible at thinking up fun things for my blog! Or, if I’m being honest, in general. Do not come to me for party ideas, is what I’m saying.

3. Screw it, it’s December, I’m taking the last week off. Yes, this is totally a goal. Even though I just took a week off in November. Ah, screw it.

            Heh, well, this was definitely completed.

Not bad. I did the major writing I wanted to and now my YA Paranormal/Apocalyptic has a beginning, middle and end. REMEMBER is going to take a rest this month while I go back to COLLAPSE.

January Goals

1. Write a query, one sentence pitch, plot summary, and synopsis for COLLAPSE. (Just thinking about it sets my anxiety levels spiking!)

2. Work on some of my ongoing projects (pretty much everything except REMEMBER).

3. Find a way to post my goals and progress on my blog.

So that’s what I’m up to this month. What about you guys? What do you do to make sure you’re on track?

Happy New Year! Hugs!

Resolutions 2014

I think this year, when I forget to write 2014 instead of 2013, it’s going to be because I’m still in denial about it.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Anyway, what should I accomplish this year?

1. Get my newest book, REMEMBER, to the point where it can be beta read.

            It’s still pretty rough right now (the first draft still isn’t done), so it will take a lot of work to get it there.

2. Start working on a (gulp) query for COLLAPSE.

            I have a few rough copies, but I doubt any would entice readers. Ooh, this is the most terrifying goal.

3. Try to find some way to post my progress on my goals, both yearly and monthly.

            I’d like to see how I’m doing and whether I need to work harder.

4. Read more dystopian/apocalyptic/paranormal YA.

            For, you know, research. This is probably going to be an easy goal.

5. Think of ways to make my blog posts more interesting.

            And implement them. That last “Informal Poll” thing was a huge bust. I have some other ideas in mind, but who knows if they’ll be successful.

6. Try to start a movement to simplify the English language.

            Seriously, is the letter C really necessary? And don’t say we need it for the “ch” sound. We can use Q for that and not for “kw”, which is weird anyway. Every other use of C can be replaced with K or S. I’m also not a fan of using G for the “juh” sound, but one thing at a time.

7. Get over my doubts about selling an apocalyptic story in a glutted YA market and just DO IT.

            I feel like this one is self-explanatory.

Well, it’s 2014. What are your goals?

Reflections 2012

Way at the beginning of the year I made a list of goals I hoped to reach by the end of the year. I…have a bad feeling about this.

1. Finish editing GLITCH.

            This includes working on all the notes I have, more beta reads, more critiques, checking word usage, finish making it make sense, making sure it all pops like firecrackers, another grammar check, and the final polish. There’s probably more but I’ve blocked it from my mind for sanity reasons.

            Sigh, I didn’t finish, although I did make a lot of headway. Overall, I’d put it at 90% done, but unfortunately without much input from beta readers (so it's probably a bit less than that in reality). That last one isn’t so much my fault as bad luck. I’m hoping this year I can find someone who doesn’t get sick, disappear, or absolutely hate my main character.

2. Write another book.

            Maybe two if I do NaNo again this year. I’m not quite sure what it is that I’ll write (one of the consequences of being a panster), but I had one of those magical sparks that might be Something Good. If it’s still in my head in a few months, I’ll see where it goes.

            Yep and yep. Like in 2010, the second book was much shorter only about 40K, but since the first one is close to 100K right now, I think it’s okay.

3. Start editing above book.

            I only say “start” because GLITCH has a lot more edits to go through and I want to really finish it. So…many…edits.

            Yes, I’ve started. Sadly, I’ve probably neglected GLITCH more than I should have, although it was more than laziness that made me do so.

4. Write a query letter for GLITCH.

            And it has to be good! This will have to be sent to be critiqued too.

            Through something out of my hands (a book with the same title and a similar plot point), I’ve decided not to query GLITCH right now.

5. Send out queries for GLITCH.

            I hope. If life gets in the way again, I may have to resort to death. Of myself, others, all life in the universe…whatever gets in my way the most.

            Same as above. I’m disappointed about that, but I don’t think it’s query ready anyway. Not being ready is a big failure on my part.

6. Make significant progress towards taking over the world. Do absolutely nothing that will elicit international scrutiny.

            You saw nothing.

            Heh heh heh.

7. Join in more blogfests.

            I think it will help make more blogging friends and that’s always fun.

            This was an utter failure. I didn’t join a single one after the Mini-Platform Building Campaign last February! I’d like to say it’s because I didn’t see any that interested me, but in truth I think it’s just because it’s hard for me to be social, even online. Sigh…resolution not achieved…

So overall, I completed about fifty percent of my goals. A failing grade, yes, but only if you don’t scale. Does life grade on a curve? I sure hope so.

Websites for Writers

Writer’s Digest is a source worthy of its own post. Today I’m just going to focus on a particular part of it. Chuck Sambuchino writes an excellent blog called the Guide to Literary Agentsand…are you checking it out yet?

He’s got a post on almost everything. One article has links to three of his Query Letters That Worked (a recurring feature). Another is a great source if you’re having troubles organizing your story ideas. And crafting a hook! I always need help with that.

There are also articles on new agents, by agents, and by authors on how they got agents. Hey, the blog is called Guide to Literary Agents. What did you expect? And if you want more advice, check out the blogroll. It’s really the best of the best there.

So what do you think? What are your favorite writing websites?

Websites for Writers

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but literary agent Rachelle Gardner, from WordServe Literary, has a new website.

Even if you aren’t looking representation, she’s an excellent source on the agenting/publishing industry. Besides tips on writing a query or a book proposal, she has a list of other agents who blog and websites for writers. Kind of makes what I do here look pitiful : ).

Finally, she has an archive of some of her most insightful posts. Definitely check these out. There’s one on what to do if an agent calls (ah, the dream!), another on what questions to ask…I advise adding the site to your blogroll right now because she’s always posting something useful.

 I know not everyone wants or needs an agent. That's fine. But it's still helpful to read about the industry from an insider's perspective, and you can't do any better than Rachelle Gardner. Needless to say, she's also on Twitter.

Rejectioner

Because of the whole Blogger snafu, this post got screwed up. You may have seen it on something like Google Reader, but no one could comment on it or visit the site. Boo! So here it is again. And I hope this time, nothing goes wrong.

 ...

One thing you must remember before querying: you will be rejected. Even if you have a great novel, you will be rejected, by an agent, an editor, a publisher, who feels your work is good, but they aren’t the best to represent it. As for the rest of us, we will have to deal with our writing not being “there” yet.

It’s hard. You may scream, pout, cry, curse the name of the fools who had the audacity to reject you. All that’s okay (as long as you don’t do it online!). Just don’t give up. Take a minute to feel bad, then start planning who to send it to next. Or think about what you can do to your query/synopsis/novel that might make it pop off the page. Or screen.

Forget hard. It’s painful! Take it from someone who made the mistake of querying with a novel so far from “there” that they live in different solar systems. But rejection isn’t an insult. It’s a sign that you have more work to do, either finding a more appropriate publisher, vamping up your MC or writing a query that brings people to their knees.

It is a lot of work. There’s no way around that. I haven’t even reached the next post in my journey yet. But when I do, when I have the fruits of years of hard work…

: D

Some emotions can only be expressed by emoticon.

File it Under “Whoops”

I made a lot of mistakes when I queried my first novel (you’ll notice that I never drew interest in it; there’s a reason). A lot of it was inexperience, along with a dash of ignorance. I didn’t know how to write a query well (okay, whether I can do it now is still up for debate), I didn’t understand what really went into a novel, and I thought my idea was AWESOME. Needless to say, it was not.

I wish I could find an old copy of that query to post on here as a warning. But I’ll have to settle with telling you of my journey from that to…wherever I am now (I’m honestly not quite sure : ).

When I first tried to write a query, I pretty much typed “query” in a search engine and looked at the result. I’m probably lucky that AgentQuery is so far up the search list. While its advice didn’t exactly leave me with an unputdownable letter, it did help. More importantly, it gave me a list of agents, many of whom were online with their own query advice.

But that was only the first step. I also learned a lot from all the bloggers I’ve met here. There have been query contests, query critiques, and nice people willing to tell me why my letter doesn’t work.

This is where I am now. Does that mean this is the end? Far from it! There’s still a long way to go, but thankfully, there are many other tools to get me there. There are conferences, critique sites, and many other people and places to learn from. The journey to that place where your query is accepted? It never ends.

Distraction Friday

I don’t know how many of you know Kate Hart, but she is entirely too awesome. She came up with this flowchart that should really be stapled to every would be writer’s laptop/monitor. 

Currently, I’m stuck above TIME TO QUERY. Sigh…someday...Probably after I get someone to hold my hand while s/he explains each and every little problem with my manuscript.

Well, I guess this is a short post! But check out the rest of Kate's website for more goodies. She has quite a lot, each more amusing than the last.