March Goals

Well, it’s March. I suppose that’s something. What was I supposed to be doing this past month?

February Goals

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

Yes, I did all this, and I hope I never have to do it again ever.

2. Work on edits to my other WIP.

Hey, I actually did this. I did pretty okay, although I still think I could’ve done more.

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

I did work on the query a bit, but I never did get around to the story. I feel no inspiration for first draft writing, so I’ve been sticking to editing.

So I guess it wasn’t a total failure. I’m really hoping March is easier to deal with. Maybe I’d find more time to write.

March Goals

1. Get the query to 100% shape. No idea how I’ll do this, though.

2. Work on substantial edits for my other WIP.

3. If I have time, get back to edits on the sequel to first WIP.

Fingers crossed that there aren’t any catastrophes this month. What are you hoping to do? Are you as happy about the change in seasons as I am?

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!

June Goals

June is here. 2014 is already half over. We march ever onward towards death.

Sorry. That got kind of dark there. So what was I up to last month?

May Goals

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

Yeah, I did it, and I haven’t gotten even a glance. It’s weird how a win can feel so much like a loss. Boo…

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.

Yep, done. At least this one feels like a win. Draft one is done and ready to be ripped to shreds and put together as something readable. Maybe.

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

Did it! Did you see? Well, it’s kind of hard to notice since there’s like a million words there (that might be exaggerated a tad, but whatevs), but I updated it. If I’ve etymologized it, it’s up there.

And now for June…

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.

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?

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.

Okay, so that’s what my June looks like. What about you guys? You up to anything this month? Any writing goals you want to share?

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.

…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!