All right! We're already a few weeks into 2013, so time to get going on these 2013 goals!
2013 GOALS
1. Pretty clear what this means. Revise the shit out of it. It needs it, too. I really hope I can get the word count down. BUT I'm also worried the word count is going to grow...
2. Just what it says. When it's ready, start querying. (unless of course I snag an agent with Break Free, which is still a possibility, since I'm not even halfway through my query list yet (things were delayed due to revisions))
3. I had a discussion with a writing pal recently (*cough* Lola *cough*). And I explained to her that I feel like I put in a lot of time and effort and hard work into writing. And even though I truly believe all things happen when they're supposed to, I'm also constantly worried that maybe my "trying hard" isn't quite good enough. I feel like I need to grow as a writer and though I did have some growth this year (Break Free was a HUGE step in the right direction for me) I still feel like maybe I didn't grow quite enough. SO! That means writing classes. At least one. Maybe more. I'm going to skip some conferences this year and put that money towards classes. I've already signed up for one, which starts at the end of Feb. I'm super excited!
4. I always like to have something going when I'm querying, so when I start querying ATR, I'll need to start a new novel to keep my mind off it. And, if for whatever reason I don't start querying it this year, there's always NaNo.
5. Same old goal. Already down a few pounds (probably just Christmas fat)
6. I hit my goal of 60 books last year so I moved it up a bit more. If I succeed, next year I'll up it again.
7. I got a free edit from an editor a few weeks ago (due to QT connections) and I got the notes back. The majority is just little line edity stuff, and since I agree with most of it, I'll be digging in zazzing it up once more. But it won't be anything huge, so I don't have to worry about the existing fulls already out.
8. Yep. Hamline University, which is a local university here in the Twin Cities (of which my good pal Teebore is an alumni) has an MFA in Fiction Writing for Children's and Young Adults. Which I knew about, BUT I just recently realized it was low residency. Which means I can keep my job AND work on the MFA at the same time. And since it's just down the street (pretty much) the twice a year on campus residencies is as easy as getting in my car and driving a few miles. I have some serious decisions to make, regarding this, as well as submission materials and all that jack to get in a row (not to mention financial stuff, which I am not great at figuring out) so I don't want to force myself to make a decision. BUT I do want to force myself to have a sit down, crunch some numbers, get things aligned before I decide one way or another.
So there you go! Nothing too crazy or out there, and I see 2013 being successful.
How about you? What are some of your new goals or resolutions?
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| It seems IE is the problem with my inability to upload pics. I switched to something else and Voila! |
2013 GOALS
- Revise All That Remains
- Query All That Remains
- Take at least one writing class before querying ATR
- Start another novel
- Lose weight
- Read 62 books
- Revise Break Free (again)
- Seriously consider getting my MFA
1. Pretty clear what this means. Revise the shit out of it. It needs it, too. I really hope I can get the word count down. BUT I'm also worried the word count is going to grow...
2. Just what it says. When it's ready, start querying. (unless of course I snag an agent with Break Free, which is still a possibility, since I'm not even halfway through my query list yet (things were delayed due to revisions))
3. I had a discussion with a writing pal recently (*cough* Lola *cough*). And I explained to her that I feel like I put in a lot of time and effort and hard work into writing. And even though I truly believe all things happen when they're supposed to, I'm also constantly worried that maybe my "trying hard" isn't quite good enough. I feel like I need to grow as a writer and though I did have some growth this year (Break Free was a HUGE step in the right direction for me) I still feel like maybe I didn't grow quite enough. SO! That means writing classes. At least one. Maybe more. I'm going to skip some conferences this year and put that money towards classes. I've already signed up for one, which starts at the end of Feb. I'm super excited!
4. I always like to have something going when I'm querying, so when I start querying ATR, I'll need to start a new novel to keep my mind off it. And, if for whatever reason I don't start querying it this year, there's always NaNo.
5. Same old goal. Already down a few pounds (probably just Christmas fat)
6. I hit my goal of 60 books last year so I moved it up a bit more. If I succeed, next year I'll up it again.
7. I got a free edit from an editor a few weeks ago (due to QT connections) and I got the notes back. The majority is just little line edity stuff, and since I agree with most of it, I'll be digging in zazzing it up once more. But it won't be anything huge, so I don't have to worry about the existing fulls already out.
8. Yep. Hamline University, which is a local university here in the Twin Cities (of which my good pal Teebore is an alumni) has an MFA in Fiction Writing for Children's and Young Adults. Which I knew about, BUT I just recently realized it was low residency. Which means I can keep my job AND work on the MFA at the same time. And since it's just down the street (pretty much) the twice a year on campus residencies is as easy as getting in my car and driving a few miles. I have some serious decisions to make, regarding this, as well as submission materials and all that jack to get in a row (not to mention financial stuff, which I am not great at figuring out) so I don't want to force myself to make a decision. BUT I do want to force myself to have a sit down, crunch some numbers, get things aligned before I decide one way or another.
So there you go! Nothing too crazy or out there, and I see 2013 being successful.
How about you? What are some of your new goals or resolutions?
18 comments:
You can do it! Cool that you're dedicated enough to go back to school.
And over sixty books? That's more than one a week. If I did nothing else, I could do that.
The MFA sounds like a sweet deal, especially since it's just down the road from you.
Oh, to go back for my MFA. With 12 colleges within 20 miles of me you'd think one of them would offer it. But no. I'd love to do a low residency program, like I did with my BA, but with Monster being so young, I'd have to go traditional. Duke is my first choice, but it's 4 hours away. I don't think I could handle the commute. Maybe another decade.
Sounds like a busy 2013 for you Sarah. I admire your 62--no way, I'll get in that ball park.
All that AND 62 books? Impressive.
You and your crazy time bending...
I've been thinking about taking a class too - maybe not even a writing class, but some kind of English class. Something to stimulate that part of my brain again. I've been keeping my eye on the Loft's classes, but haven't found anything I think would be helpful enough for me to be worth the time/money.
#4 reminds me of just how crazy you are...
Have fun exploring your options with Hamline. I looked into their MFA program a few years ago as well, as did my brother. If you do end up going, I can show you the cool places to hang out (ie the best places to park...).
So many great goals! I am 100% with you about having another project to work on when querying. I just finished mine, so my next big goal is to begin work on the next project.
Oh fantastic! I love and loathe thinking about more school work, but I've always wanted to get a "real" degree in the arts. Good luck whichever way you jump, I'm sure you can do it.
I might take that online class we were talking about earlier. I wish I could take the Feb class with you, but it's a lot of money to justify. And the closer it gets, the harder it seems to justify. Maybe once I get my tax returns back, I'll rethink it. I just hope they still have an opening.
As far as learning, you know about my Coursera classes.
Well you can start on all that with a brand new $50 Amazon Gift Certificate. Shoot me an email and I'll send it to you today. Congratulations dearie!
I've spent so much of my life in and around Hamline. Crazy.
Those are some great goals! I need to sit down and do this. Make a list, and just follow it. One of my mental goals is to write every day. No matter what. Hamline University sounds pretty awesome. I seriously need to make my own list, so thanks for this! And best of luck with your writing goals :)
Ninja Girl
I have dozens of goals all vying for my time, but each is superseded by my son. And I couldn't be happier. (Okay, I could, but novels and home improvements don't finish themselves...)
Anyway, I wish you the best of luck with your goals. May your words flow effortlessly from your pen onto the screen, and may your screen be easily cleaned. Or something like that.
I have confidence in you! Go for it girl!! :)
i love how the lose weight goal is just "squeezed" in there.!! hahaha
Go forth and accomplish. We'll handle the cheering part.
Admirable goals :) My main ones are:
Get fit
Actually write something that can be submitted (novel, short story, limerick, whatever)
Expand my blog and make it better for all
That's pretty much it :)
Good luck!
Jamie
I keep it simple, or try to. I just want to make 2013 a better year than 2012.
So whatever I do, I try to do a little better.
- Eric
Digging With the Worms
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