Skip to main content

setting goals



I wrote my first Paranormal Romance Novel over a year ago. It just flowed out of me as if someone stood behind me whispering the words into my ear as I transcribed them onto the page. I finished the first draft in less than three months.

Unfortunately, I've been editing and rewriting it ever since and can't seem to get to a point where I feel it's ready for submission. I've worked on it to the point of hating it. 

With the help of a word processor I'm no longer forced to write six or seven drafts of a manuscript. I just edit and revise in my program adding, subtracting, and substituting words until I am happy with the sounds they make together. I'd say I'm at the equivalent of about the twentieth draft by now. 

The book is over 70,000 words. The story is all there. But I'm still not satisfied. 

I've worked it to death. 

So I've set a deadline to quit working on it. If it's not any good by the end of the deadline that's okay, I'm done with it, until it's rejected or the publisher tells me how the hell to fix it. 

I set a goal of 31 days to finish –starting yesterday. My goal is to finish editing and polishing as much as I can –at least one chapter and hopefully several chapters a day. At the end of the day I'm going to print out the chapters I've finished and go on to the next chapter the following day. I'm hoping to complete this cycle before the end of my allotted time.  

When I've printed the entire book I'm handing it over to my beta readers. As soon as I get their feedback I'll make any minor adjustments needed and then it's off to the publisher. 

In the meantime I'll be posting updates on my progress and asking all my loyal followers to nag me if I'm not staying on schedule.  

Day 1, yesterday, I worked on the outline, did a final edit of chapter ONE, and printed part of the outline, the coversheet, and the first chapter. It's a short chapter. Truth is most of my chapters are short. But I conquered my goal for day ONE.  
  
Let's see if I can do the same today. 

Wish me luck, and be prepared to kick my butt, every day for the next 30 days.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

So Proud of My Son

           On September 30, 2022, my son, Ian Kennedy, opened his business, Naughty Axes Playhouse , at 4407 SE 29 th Street, in Del City, Ok. I'm so proud of him. The place looks great. Especially when it was all decked out for Halloween. He and his partners built all the targets, lanes, and remolded the interior of the building themselves. They did a great job. I didn't even realize my son knew how to use a hammer for anything other than demolition. I had such a great time during their Grand Opening. Throwing sharp objects at stationary targets is really a fantastic way to relieve stress. It's great exercise. Especially for tightening up those flabby underarms. I am bound and determined to become efficient enough to enter a tournament. Wonder if they have a Senior's division in pro axe throwing competitions? Not only is he starting his own axe throwing business, he's also starting his career as a comedian. He's already performed at the B...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hugo, No Go

There has been a lot of backlash, bitching, and bulling over the 2015 Hugo Award Nominations.  I am so sad over this whole Sad Puppy shit.  Frankly, my dears, I don't give a damn about an author's politics. If I am offended by their writing, I will not continue to purchase said writing. No one forces anyone to read anything that offends them.  No author should encourage censorship.  I don't know if the nominations were fair, on the up and up, or deserve a big boo from the peanut gallery. I do know they got a couple of the nominations right.  Congratulations to a few fellows I know personally, like profoundly, and admire professionally:   Jim Butcher, Lou Antonelli, Mike Resnick, Jim Minz, and Brad W. Foster.  Y'all rock! Good luck! My favorite nominations for the 2015 Hugo Awards: Best Novel: Skin Game , Jim Butcher (Orbit UK/Roc Books) Best Short Story: “On A Spiritual Plain” , Lou Antonelli ( Sci Phi J...
Post a Comment
Read more

Achievable writing goals

I believe in setting achievable writing goals. That doesn't mean I settle for less. It means I am usually fully aware of my present abilities; therefore I am usually fully aware of which goals are actually within my reach, and which ones are beyond reach from my current position. With each achievement I set the bar a little higher for the next project.  For years I was a closet writer. Most of what I wrote sucked and I wouldn't let anyone else read what I had written –because it sucked. Like learning to play a musical instrument, I got better with practice and finally allowed a few trusted friends to read and critique my stories.  Eventually I joined a writing group, took a couple of classes, and attended workshops and conferences. As I learned writing technique and honed my skills I started entering contest. Then I started winning contest.  Finally I got secure enough in my skills as a writer to submit my work to publishers. I've had a few short stor...
Post a Comment
Read more