My heart is full. So full, it has burst at the seams. I cannot thank you all enough for coming to my new author website opening on Monday. It was so wonderful to see all your shining faces in the comments. I wish, how I wish, we could have all met in person. What fun it would have been.
I wanted to say, because people have asked, what my schedule is for the new blog. Truth to tell, I have no idea. I'd like to say once a week on Monday, but even that is tentative at this point. I have this blog too, which I will keep up on M-W-F.
I'm diving back into THE DUKE'S DIVORCE today. I got a great piece of advice from Mr. Bailey, and so have to incorporate that into what I've already written. (I swear that man is Hemingway reincarnated!) I'd like to get that out and published before Christmas. And I'm also trying to reformat REMEMBERING YOU for publication, hopefully before Thanksgiving. And then there is THE LADY'S MASQUERADE that's been waiting for my attention since last April. And my latest SECRETS ON THE BEACH which hit me upside the head the other morning at 4am.
I have a lot on my plate, I know. But isn't that what we, as writers, are supposed to do. Have a writing plan? Know what we are supposed to be writing, revising, drafting every year. Of course, barring any unforseen circumstances.
Truth to tell, I had a writing plan when I was still searching for an agent. But that went out the window with this whole self-publishing thing. I guess I should write another one. Probably be a good idea. Keep me on track and all that.
Tell me -- Do you have a writing plan? Do you know where you want to be next year in your writing career, five years from now, ten? How many books will you have written? Will you still be searching for an agent? Will you self-publish?
25 comments:
Yes! It's nice to be busy with plans as it should be. :) When thinking about self publishing, plans have to change because all of a sudden we have control over everything. That's pretty cool. I'm still taking my time. :)
Laura -- Sometimes I take too much time in revisions, I get blown off track, which puts the whole "plan" out of whack. But revisions are important.
I had a plan, but it changes as new book ideas hit. I'm still looking at going the traditionally published route (because I sooooo enjoy the rejections), but that could always change. I think that's why I'm not planning so far ahead, other than knowing I'm going to focus on YA novels (as opposed to shorts stories in several genres and a novel or two here and there, like one of my friends).
Umm, umm - no, no plan and that's where I'm going wrong!!
I'm finishing up book 2 while book 1 is in production. When book 2 goes into production, I'll start book 3...and hope like heck my agent can sell it, too. *grin*
I always like to have work in progress to focus on, because there is so darn much waiting involved in the whole publication process. Staying busy keeps me from going crazy.
Stina -- Ah, yes, the rejections. Arent' they fun? But it sounds like a plan to me.
Jabblog -- Well, write one down. You don't really have to stick to it, just as long as you can look at it from time to time.
Linda -- WiP are always good to have. I find they do keep me from getting crazy. And at least I always know I have something else to write.
For some time I haven't had a writing plan and was just working whenever I felt like it. But I've officially declared that my current WIP will be done in 8 months. It feels good to have that deadline!
Right now my writing plan is to just write. Everyday. My goal is to finish my current WIP by the end of the year. Then what? Start another, of course, until I'm ready to start editing (usually a month or two). Don't know if it's a good plan, but it seems to work for me. I have a hard time NOT having something to work on (whether writing a first draft or editing).
Domey -- Good for you. Deadlines are awesome when you can stick to them. I have lots of trouble.
Stacy -- Sometimes simplest is best. Writing every day is an admirable goal. As long as it works for you, then go for it.
Oh, I wish I had a plan. Here is the extent of mine. I'm at 42K+ and I'd like to be at 50K in my current project BEFORE November 1. At that point, so many writers I admire are going to sign off for a month to do NANO, which I am not going to do...but if I'm at 50K already, I can be proud of myself, right?
Liza -- 50K, no matter how you get there is an accomplishment to be proud of. Tell you what, I'm at 37K on The Duke's Divorce, so if you want a writing buddy for a few weeks, I'll try and get up to 50K with you.
My plan: Finish the wip, edit it. Write another novel, edit it. Rinse and repeat :-)
Funny you should mention a writing plan! Just today I discovered my 2011 Writing Plan, and, though I've switched some things around, I'm very much on schedule (maybe about 2 weeks off, which isn't bad at all). Surprise, surprise! :)
I just want an idea so I can make a plan!
My plan was to have my current manuscript edited and to my agent by the end of November, but I'm so sick of it, I'm actually polishing another manuscript for a novel competition. So much for planning. :)
My writing plan is to write. I've been in such a slump lately....
You do have a lot on your plate!
My plan? I don't have any plan. I should write something or edit something. Query more. I have a bunch of ideas swirling in my head but school is taking priority now.
Good luck with everything you're doing!
My writing plan at this moment is to just keep writing. Yeah, I know. Not much of a plan, is it?
The topic of this post has really been weighing heavily with me. I do not have a plan and I need to devise one before going any further. I just finished my first novel, a legal thriller. I erroneously thought my next step was to begin the query process. I am just chomping at the bit, but blogging & the friends I have met here have shown me that my next step is a critique partner & beta readers.
I have not abandoned my ideal choice of landing an agent & going the trad route, but that could change as the rejections roll in.
I have taken off work until Jan 2012 to get my novels polished and query letters out. Thanks to you I will now now come up with a realistic plan and some self imposed deadlines.
Great post. Thank you
This is so fun to watch you move through these exciting steps. As for a plan, I do have plans for each day, and longer term plans too. Are they always accurate? Um, no!
Sarah -- Sounds like a good one. Keep at it.
Melody -- Congratulations to you for sticking with it. And only two weeks off kilter, that's amazing!!
Alex -- It'll come, don't worry. When you least expect it.
VR -- Thanks for admitting you're sick of your ms. I get that way too toward the end. I wish I could love it as much at the end as I do in the beginning.
Bish -- We all get that way. Don't worry, when the urge strikes, there'll be no stopping you. I have faith.
Theresa -- School is very important so your priorities are changed around right now. Don't worry, you'll be at soon enough I know. Nothing will keep you away for long.
Angela -- It is a plan, a simple one, and sometimes those are the best. No stress.
Melissa -- I'm sorry it's weighing heavily on you. I didn't mean to impose that feeling.
But you're right, you can't just go off willy-nilly. You need beta readers and a few critters who will help you shine that ms. to gleaming perfection. Believe me in the long run you won't regret it.
Just write down the plan in baby steps, like an outline. You can change or tweak as things get done. Much success to you.
Julie -- That's the best part about plans, they often change. I thought I was going to get an agent last year. That was the plan. Now I'm self-published. Who'd'a thought.
Yeah, I have a pretty good schedule these days for my career. I know for sure that I am doing 5 books with Rhemalda Publishing in 5 years. I have 3 contracted so far, and one more planned to write. So just one more to figure out to write and then that will be the 5. Hopefully they'll want those other 2. :)
Being with a publisher now, it has been a little easier for me to plan ahead. Before I didn't feel that pinch enough, I guess. You have SO much going on, and I thin that's awesome!
Oh gosh, I'm overwhelmed with my writing plan. I'm always learning about new things to do (and some things to undo:)
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