Monday, January 7, 2013

Writing Goals

I love January, not only because it's the start of a new year, but also because it's my birthday month (that's right, in our family, we celebrate the whole month, like Christmas -- I'll put it away after Feb 2, which is Candlemas).

We've had a lovely visit with my in-laws, but I'm looking forward to our regular routine. My husband is back at work, the children at school, and my in-laws are flying back home. I'm getting reorganized and will finally crack open my manuscript again, which I regret I did not finish before Christmas. But there's always January!

January -- a month full of possibilities, goals, dreams. I can't believe how wonderful 2012 was for our whole family -- swimming, a change to an old-fashioned parish school, greater ease in singing Latin Mass, my first novel out on submission, consecration of our family to the Sacred Heart. Only two things can top 2012 -- baby news and book news. And so we pray. For both! Because I believe in miracles.

Here are my writing goals. Please feel free to add yours in the comments.
1. Finish revising and polishing YA historical
2. Write a couple of short stories that have been noodling around in my head\
3. Polish upcoming presentations on magazine and nonfiction writing
4. Start new novel (three are vying for attention -- pick the right one!)
5. Take on as much work-for-hire without sacrificing pet projects and family
6. Get the right agent who will sell my books (this is not wholly in my control but I'm listing it here anyway).

My friend (and editor extraordinaire), Paula Morrow, sent the Daily Routines of Writers to me. Of course I have to share. I hope you will be entertained and inspired. I'm sorry to say although I met my goals for 2012, sometimes my days went like this: A writer takes earnest measures to secure his solitude and then finds endless ways to squander it. ~ Don DeLillo

I wish you a happy writing year. May you write with joy and abandon. God bless you.



9 comments:

Faith E. Hough said...

I only make my goals through May...I'm still on the semester system. :) But I need to:
-Try out a new idea/revision for my historical, to see if it works
-Query several agents a week
-Enter a few contests
-Research, plot, and begin writing my next book
And throw in a couple short stories and a picture book, just to challenge myself.
Seeing it all written out like that, I think I might be crazy. :)
Best wishes for an amazing (and miraculous) 2013, Vijaya!!

Bish Denham said...

I loved reading about the daily routines of other writers.

My goal is simple... finish what I've started!

Mirka Breen said...

Happy Birthday, Vijaya-
*ALL MONTH LONG*!

Vijaya said...

Faith, that's funny because I tend to re-evaluate in the summer as well and change course if I need to. You've got a lot on your plate, but crazy is the way to go! Judging from the many things you've accomplished over the past couple of years, I'd say you will accomplish all this and perhaps even more. Amen to miracles! Thank you.

Bish -- oh, my -- finishing is HUGE! I'm so lucky I've gotten to read some of your finished works, so keep it up! You have no idea how many half baked projects I have in my filing cabinet.

Thank you Mirka!

Marcia said...

Revisions by March 1. Revisions after beta feedback by May 1. Followed by querying. Will then decide whether to plan new book or take break.

Ruth Schiffmann said...

Happy birthday month, Vijaya! Wishing you all the best with your goals.

Vijaya said...

Marcia, that's a great plan and you are so disciplined!

Ruth, thank you for your good wishes.

Molly/Cece said...

I'm not sure about my goals. This is what I will try:

I am for sure going to send out Profit.

I am going to write the synopsis for sequel and then let it go until I hear back on the queries.

I might write the first draft of that book. Or I might overhaul Fractals. Or I might get the Big Thicket going. Or I might just go in a whole new direction -- I promise to do something.

Vijaya said...

Molly, you have the best combination of specificity and vague -- you will write where your heart leads you. May the mews be with you :)