Dear Me (my goals for 2009)

Dear Me,

Thank you for enrolling in the 2009 Writing Boot Camp. Please note that there will be zero tolerance for complaining, procrastinating, and making excuses. You are expected to report to me monthly, with your progress journal in hand, for evaluation.

After thorough review of your dreams and skills, I have come up with ten goals for you – three major goals and seven minor ones – all related to writing, in one way or the other. You can do this. In fact, I am convinced you will gain experience and satisfaction in building your path towards being a published writer.

Let's start with your three major goals:

Goal # 1 – Keep submitting your chapter book for publication
Please keep in mind that a manuscript’s chances of being published increases dramatically when in the hands of a potential publisher. Send it out! I will evaluate you not on whether or not it gets published, but on how much efforts you put in towards that goal. Research potential publishers, read books they published, send out your manuscript with confidence. Your manuscript shouldn’t sit on a shelf (like it does now) more than a week, before being sent out again.

Goal # 2 – Submit one short story per month to a magazine for children
Get sample magazines, study what they publish, and jump right in! The worst that can happen is that your story doesn’t get published. You can always send it to a different magazine, or post in on writing.com for reviews. At least try! It’s like buying a lottery ticket: “Hey, you never know!” You could use the extra income, and, most of all, the credentials.

Goal # 3 – Write one story per month through Book-in-a-Week.com
Your monthly goal is to write ten pages (2500 words) within a week. You can develop ideas you already have, or think of new ones. You may also write several short stories totaling ten pages. It’s up to you. A rough first draft is perfectly acceptable. You have the rest of the month to finalize it, if it turns out to be a publishable piece. The most important is: write something!

These three goals should be your main focus for 2009.

Now for the minor goals:

Goal # 4 – Read the dictionary, A to Z
I can already hear you complaining internally, which I find unacceptable. I’m not asking you to memorize the unabridged Merriam Webster’s. All you have to do is carry a pocket dictionary in your bag, read a few pages now and then, and check mark the words you’re familiar with. Simple, isn’t it? It won’t take you more than a few minutes a day. You may be surprised to see how many interesting words are in there that you wouldn’t even think of using. You want to be a good writer? Build your vocabulary!

Goal # 5 – Write in your blog once a week
A blog is a great way to keep you writing, and to reveal more of who you are to your fellow writers. You’re already doing it; just keep up the good work! Keep it short and sweet, though. Don’t let your blog distract you from your three major goals.

Goal # 6 – Write non fiction items once a month
“But I’m a fiction writer!” you will say. True, but you also need to know how to present yourself in a query letter, how to review other people’s writing, and how to write a critique of a book you read. All of these are non fiction examples. Think about it; you’re already doing it! Once a month, write a detailed review of any item on writing.com, post a comment in your blog about a book or a movie you liked, or just e-mail an author you admire. Anything non fiction will do, as long as it totals 500 words or more. You can do this in one evening!

Goal # 7 – Take a class
You’re already enrolled in the Writer’s Academy. I expect you to get an A. Anything below A is unacceptable. … Okay, B+.

Goal # 8 – “Be out there, in the mix!”
Meet people, network, participate. Put your name and your work out there. I know, I know, you’d rather be alone with a pad and a pen writing stories all the time, but you need other people in order to succeed. How did you get your current job? Through a friend. And how did you get your previous job? Through another friend. Get the point? Network! Offer your skills freely to help people, and ask for help when you need it. I expect you to double your current network by the end of 2009. You’re on the right track! I saw your list of favorite authors growing consistently since you joined writing.com. Attending your local writer’s meeting once in a while would also be a good thing.

Goal # 9 – Keep reading classic novels
Now, don’t go and read twenty novels like in 2008; there is no time for that. Four novels and a handful of short stories should be enough. Reading is a great way to learn to write well from the experts. However, don’t start reading nonstop and forget all about writing… like last year. You can get carried away, sometimes.

Goal # 10 – Get organized
Develop a system to track your submissions, create business cards (in case you meet a publisher out of the blue), use the planner you just bought. In other words, stay on top of things.

Now, go write something!

Best regards,

Your Conscience

P.S. Don’t forget about your husband and your children! They need you more than any publisher needs your stories. Keep that in mind, always.