“22 Goals for This Month That Will Lead You to Publication” by Joan Y. Edwards
Did you meet your goals for last month? What are your plans for this month?
A surefire way to get where you want to go, is to plan a way to get there. Even with a GPS (Global Positioning System), you have to tell it where you’re going before it can give you directions on how to get there. In your mind as a writer, you must have a goal. If your goal is to get a book published by a traditional publisher, here are 22 possible sub-goals to get you to publication. Choose the ones you’d like to set for a goal. On the first of next month, check to see how well you did. Make yourself accountable. It’s okay if you don’t reach your goals. However, keep them in mind and write them down. This will stop you from resisting and knock down the walls that stop you. Set a goal you know you can meet. Chances are you will surprise yourself and do more than you ever thought was possible.
- Read 3 best-selling books in your genre. Studying the pros gives you clues on improvement.
- Read 3 blog posts that teach skills or techniques. Take notes.
- Read 3 books about the craft of writing. Take notes.
- Take a class or teach a class online or in person. Take notes.
- Attend a workshop or conference, either online or in person. There are many free worthwhile online conferences.
- Watch a webinar. There are free ones to watch. Usually, if you want a copy, you can buy it.
- Create a new character. Make him memorable and enticing.
- Write a pitch for your new story. Make sure you have an emotional tug on the heart of the reader.
- Write your synopsis or summary of how you think the story will go. Have dilemmas with no good choices of what to do. Three dismal disasters on the road to what the character wants. Then he changes and either meets the goal or fails miserably in the end.
- Using your pitch as a guide, write the new story. November 1-30 is National Novel Writing Month: http://www.nanowrimo.org/ Write 50,000 words in a month. That’s about 1,666 words a day. If that sounds overwhelming, to 750 words a day: www.750words.com. There is also Picture Book Idea Month: http://taralazar.com/ You write 30 different picture book ideas during November.
- Revise a story. Each time you make a full revision of the story, name it Version 1, Version 2, etc. This way you can tell how many times you’ve revised it.
- Get your work critiqued by a critique group, a professional editor, or by a Beta Reader, a fancy name for someone who volunteers to read and critique your whole book before it’s published.
- Enter a contest. There are many that are free, without reading fees or entry fees.
- Study the market.
- Write your query letter or cover letter.
- Revise your story synopsis or summary.
- Write a short biography that is suitable for the back of your book or on Amazon.
- Study the guidelines for the editor or agent.
- Submit to an editor or agent.
- Spend at least 5 days in the month enjoying new experiences or favorite experiences: in other words focus on and CELEBRATE LIVING.
- Give thanks every day for what you have and for what you’ve written. Being thankful for what you have, gives you more of what you want.
- Help someone do something they can’t do for themselves. What goes around, comes around.
- You have the 4 Essential Steps for Submission of Manuscripts or Screenplays: Go for it. See this blog post for Step 1-4 details that are outlined below:Step 1 Get your work critiqued, edited, and proofed.
Step 2 Choose the publisher, editor, agent, or contest for this writing project.
Step 3 Write the pitch, query letter, cover letter, resume, bio, and/or proposal as required by the guidelines of the editor, agent, or contest you chose for submission this time.
Step 4 Time to Submit to publisher, agent, editor, or contest.
Joan,
You’re almost up to 100 followers! Way to go!
As for goal setting–I think I’ll plan out which manuscripts I want to revise in November and set timelines for each. I’ve designated it as my month to get changes made and pass them back to my critique group one at a time. I think I should be able to revise at least two, maybe three manuscripts. I need to plug deadlines on my calendar to make it a priority! Thanks for the pubsub encouragement! I’m sure it helps many others too.
Dear Linda,
Thanks for being excited about my number of followers getting close to 100. It’s exciting. I am very thankful for my followers. They are a great breed of people.
As for your goal setting, I’m glad you’ve seen where you can use November to revise at least one manuscript and maybe even three. Setting the dates on the calendar stating when each revision will be done is a good idea.
That’s a great idea.
Enjoy your revisions. Let me know when you reach your goal. You can do it. Go, Linda, go.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
You go, Joan! That’s the way to motivate us.
Maureen
Dear Maureen,
Thank you for cheering me on. I’m glad I motivate you!
Sing to the rooftops!
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
Good morning! Thanks for sharing the list of 22 goals to publication. Flip Flap Floodle is a great friend and encourager. I’m thankful we met at one of the Write to Ignite! programs.
Best regards,
Angela Scott
Dear Angela,
Good morning to you! You’re welcome for my sharing the 22 goals to publication. It was very thoughtful of you to call me and tell me how the little yellow duck, Flip Flap Floodle, made a difference in your life. I’m so glad the little duck I gave you has been a good friend and encourager for you. His story has been encouraging children and adults for 67 years. His book is now 8 years old. It was a pleasure to meet you at the Write to Ignite Revision workshop last year. You make me smile. I hope our paths cross again in person. Meeting here in a virtual blog is a happy experience, too.
Celebrate you and your spirit of compassion for others
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
Dear Joan, Thanks for all these great suggestions. I like how we don’t have to be overwhelmed, but can pick even a few; and following through with those will leave us better off than before we did anything. You are such an encouragement to me as I slog it out in home schooling. Just as you used time with your mom in a way that would encourage and strengthen and inform many, I hope to do the same one day from my home schooling. Thanks again! ::) a former word muncher
Dear Lara (Penelope Spinkbottle),
It’s so good to hear from you. I’m glad you liked all the suggestions. That’s true doing even one will leave you a little closer to publication compared with not doing anything. Each one adds 100% to the whole picture. Yes, you could write a great manual for homeschoolers. Just keep a diary and go for it. Thanks for saying that I used taking time to care for my mom as a way to encourage, strengthen, and inform them. You make me smile. You can come back to WordMuncher’s any time you want. We miss you. We critique 4 manuscripts a month. We put them out there on the 1st of the month and have all month to critique them. Good luck in all you do. You are a blessing to many.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards