Thursday, November 18, 2010

Open Topic Thursday: Reevaluating Writing Goals

2010 is almost over and it's time to reevaluate my writing goals. Needless to say, I won't meet them all. I guess I could call some of them "stretch goals,"  a term I picked up reading Dilbert (Scott Adams).

Many of these objectives will carry over into 2011. Much of the decision is based on where I am now as a writer and where I want to be in a year or so. (Longer term goals are another story.)

One thing I know is I'm not actively looking for an agent. Does this mean I'll never try to obtain one? Of course not. My current reasoning is I haven't written anything that would fall into an agent's required word count (approximately 75k to 100k, give or take).

While I work toward that goal, I'll continue to write short novels and novellas. With more e-book publishers taking submissions in various genres and small presses filling the niche markets, there are opportunities to publish manuscripts that might otherwise be overlooked by the traditional NY publishing houses. (I'm on the proverbial fence about self-publishing.)

Are there flaws with this plan? Of course. Will it take time to implement? Definitely. I won't lie and say I don't want to make money from my writing, but I'm not about to fall victim to scams if I can help it. And there's nothing wrong with being published by the small presses.

Not that my track record is anything to brag about. Not yet anyway. :-)

2 comments:

nerinedorman said...

Heh, writing goals. I have to laugh at mine. I had THE BIG IDEA bite me on the arse a few days ago. I reckon I've got my break-out novel but I'm not allowed to start it until a) I've finished revisions on my two upcoming releases and b) I've completed a novella I'm submitting to my favourite editor.

But I've never once stopped the submissions mill once I've thought I had a novel that was worthwhile consideration. And I'm pleased to say I'm meeting an agent for coffee mid-December. Whether anything concrete comes from this it doesn't matter. I'm definitely going to take any advice I receive to heart.

I have found it's important to stick to goals of finishing projects, be it a first draft or a revision, before moving onto the next, but also allowing flexibility to pursue projects that may work out well.

PamelaTurner said...

Nerine,

I need to let go of the fear of submitting. Not that I'm afraid of rejection. It's more worrying the manuscript isn't good enough. Nothing like sabotaging myself.

Oh, well, I got over the fear of marketing & promoting my book. I can move beyond this hurdle. :-)

Congratulations on the meeting with the agent & good luck.