Writing goals!
I always get very excited about this every January. Like a nerd. A whole year ahead of me. So much potential. What am I capable of? How much will I accomplish?
I have a history of setting unattainable goals. Especially when it comes to my writing. I dream big and then I work hard, usually knowing that I won't meet my goals. But I go into it with the mindset of shooting for the moon and landing among the stars, you know? So that way, when I do miss, I've still managed to make a lot of progress. (Hopefully)
That kind of thinking works for some people and doesn't for others. I can see how never reaching goals could be incredibly frustrating for some. Always set your own goals according to what motivates you.
But 2016 will be different. For the first time in a long time, the goals I am setting will be attainable. As in there's no reason why I shouldn't achieve most of them. At least the ones that are in my hands.
I'm pretty pumped about this, but that could just be the double-shot latte talking. Anyway, here they are.
2016 Writing Goals
Finish the final draft of After Ever - The final draft! The final draft! This is the final draft! I can't believe it. I've been working on this story for ages. It's undergone so many different transformations. So much so that this final draft barely resembles the first draft I wrote way back in 2008. I put it away for a while, and then picked it back up in 2013 with a more serious mindset. Since then there have been several full and partial drafts, but this is it. I'm shooting to finish this spring. Right now, I'm a little over a third of the way finished. If I'm done my the end of March, I will be very happy.
After Ever to Beta Readers - Beta Readers are an important part of the writing process. I already have my readers lined up, and they will be going over my manuscript and providing me with that all important feedback. My goal is to have it their hands sometime in April. Preferably around the first of the month. Once they are finished, I will begin the revision process, Which brings me to my next goal.
Revise - I want to start on editing/revising After Ever in May.
Atlanta Writer's Conference - This is one of the goals that's not really in my hands. I will be having sessions for After Ever with two editors at the Atlanta Writer's Conference in May. My goal is that both of them will ask to see the full manuscript. I attended the same conference in November and had two editors and two agents ask to see it. I'm hoping that generating that kind of interest will look good in my query letters. Which leads into my next goal.
Query Agents - This is something that I am both looking forward to and completely dreading. I've watched so many friends already go through this harrowing process. Rejection is never fun. Some writers wear it like a badge of honor, some get angry, others fall apart. The really well-adjusted ones just shrug it off and head back to the drawing board, tweaking and polishing until they get it just right. I don't know which kind of writer I am yet (hopefully the latter). I guess we'll see come summertime, which is when I want to start this process.
Start Book 2 - You gotta keep writing. So once I start the querying process, I plan on diving into book 2 of the After Ever series. I've gotten conflicting advice in this area, especially concerning a series. Some say to jump right on the sequel. Other say to wait and start on a different book. Maybe a standalone or the beginning of a separate series. I guess this is because publishers may want drastic changes made to the first book that can end up affecting the rest of your series, so why start on something you may just have to end up trashing? I see the logic behind their reasoning, but I'm planning on starting book 2 anyway.
So it looks like I've got my work cut out for me. But like I said, I think every one of those goals is attainable. Which is kind of terrifying in a way. After working on something for so long, the finish line is finally in sight.
Month-by-Month Breakdown for 2016
January-March - Finish Final Draft
April - Beta Readers
May - Revisions
June - Query Agents
Of course, revisions might take longer than one month. (Probably will). So that will push my querying goal into later this summer. My goals seem to really only cover the first half of the year, so I may do a second goal list in the summer. But in all probability, I will run behind on all of these goals and be lucky to finish by December.
Do you have any writing advice for me based on the goals I've listed? Let me know in the comments. And wish me luck!