Well, it's the last day of the month. November has been completely crazy, but I loved it! I can't wait for next year. In fact, I'll probably have my own little NaNoWriMo events a few times next year before November. I will definately do the summer one, where I will set a more ambitious goal for myself.
One thing I really learned during NaNo was that it is possible to write almost every day. In fact, a strange thing happened as the month went on. I actually found myself wanting to sit down and write, and when it was time to stop each night, I wanted to keep going. I really got to know my story and my characters, so much that they seemed like real people to me before the middle of the month. By the end, I was so attached to them that I wasn't really sure I wanted to end their story! So it really showed me that I can be a writer, that I have the ability to really force myself to be creative even when I don't feel like it. (which actually wasn't that often, when I think about it!)
So here's the plan. I'm going to edit and flesh out the story in December and then send a query letter to my publisher of choice. Then in January, while I'm waiting for a response, I'm going to polish the story. I really, really, really hope I get a response!
But in December, I also want to start back on the first Deadlines book. That story wants to get out of my head too. It was last year's NaNo (that I never finished.) It's a good idea, but it needs a lot of work. I have to go back and outline it first because it's a murder/mystery and I didn't outline it before I started, so I have absolutely no idea who the killer is! lol
So anyway, there are exciting projects ahead. I have about five ideas I really want to develop, but I really feel the need to finish the ones I've started first, so I'm going to dive into them and see what happens. I can't wait to write some more! In fact, I'm going to go do it now!
May I make a couple of suggestions? Polish the piece BEFORE you query. It is vital, unless you have an established publishing record, to have a completed piece before the query. It always takes longer than you think. And, if you're not ready when you get a request for a partial, you've blown the contact with that publisher/agent. They don't want it in three weeks -- they expect you to send it out the day you get the response.
ReplyDeleteAlso, send out queries in batches of ten, unless you're aboslutely convinced that your single choice will be a yes. It sometimes takes awhile for a response -- it's always better to have multiple queries out there and expand your contact pool.
Keep writing -- and please, keep in touch over the year, so we can cheer each other on.
Thanks for the advice, Devon. I can use all the help I can get! This is brand new territory for me, after all, and I am navigating it without any help, so your suggestions are not only welcome, they are valued.
ReplyDeleteI'm taking a class called "Storming the Walls of the Publishing Industry" starting in January. It's goal is to teach writers the best way to get a first project published. I'm looking forward to seeing what all they say about it.
I will absolutely keep in touch throughout the year, and will enjoy cheering you on and receiving your encouragement as well. I can't tell you how much you've helped me this month, with all your advice and encouragement.