In the meantime, I have some goals this month:
-Write the last chapter of my novel, Rising. This book has been revised, edited, polished, put through betas, ripped apart, and put back together, and is completely ready to go--except that it's missing the last chapter. The reason for this is that I have to write the sequel, and I knew that whatever happened in the last chapter would be the precursor to starting the second book. The good news is that because everything else has been edited/revised/polished/put through betas, it will make final editing a breeze: I'll only have one chapter to tackle!
-Start Rising Book 2.
-Keep up the regular blogging.
-Keep reading. About a month ago, I took a break from writing to do some hardcore reading, because I desperately needed to step back from writing for a few weeks. I knew that when I was ready to write again, I would be chomping at the bit, and I'm about at that point, but I want to keep reading while I'm doing it. I still have about ten books in my TBR pile.
There are other things that are not goals, but things that will happen, like spending time with my family and finishing most of my kids' homeschooling (some of it may carry into June). But this is my list of writerly things. (Shh, writerly is a word. >_>)
What are you doing this month?
So glad to hear writerly is a word because I've used it. You know, I see no reason why writers shouldn't make up words. Years ago I was a secretary/receptionist at a psychiatric hospital. After doing dictation work for some of the docs I can guarantee they make up words all the time. =D
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic that you will be finishing a book and starting the sequel!
ReplyDeleteI'm so behind on my reading right now! I did read THE OTHER LIFE by Ellen Meister two weeks ago (excellent) but I'm in a slump right now. :) Waiting for BEASTLY from the library.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about May. When you are finished your book I would love to read it. Where did you find beta readers? Did you use friends and family? Or did you use people on the net? I need to know, because I will have a novel ready to be read very soon!
ReplyDeleteDonna-LOL, I make them up all the time, too. Once, I wrote a made-up word into my dictionary just because I could. ;) (Yes, I am a little weird.)
ReplyDeleteTonja-Thanks! I've never had so much trouble finishing a book before--usually the endings are easy. I'll be so glad when this one is done.
Kristine-Ooh, I haven't read either of those. I'll have to look them up and see what they're about.
Rebecca-My beta readers are family/friends, but most of my friends who read it are fellow writers that I've met online over the years. I get to know some people very well and I trust that they'll tell me what they think of my books and help me make them better. I think one of the most valuable thing a writer can have are beta readers/critiquers who you trust to know what they're talking about, and to be able to pull your book apart so you can put it back together again.
Most of my May is going to be spent traveling! In between, though, I hope to finally finish the research I've been doing preparatory to writing my Renaissance fantasy. And also to write more in the 1920s adventure-fantasy, because even though I started it just for fun (as a break from all the research I was doing!), it has turned into something really neat.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I'm trying to breathe. Also, I am querying, writing, taking classes at the university, and hopefully catching up good books and TV. Your picture is cute too btw :)
ReplyDeleteLaura, I read that for Awakenings you wanted to write a fantasy book with Christian inspirational tones. I was so excited to read that! I feel the exact same way. I want the things I write to plant seeds (and be based on Biblical truths). The book I'm working on does just that.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck finishing "Rising" and getting started on Book 2.
Blessings.
The Write Soil
e-mail address is rebeccadupree@live.com. Original, huh? I don't really know what "services" beta readers offer. I'm totally new to this writing community thing.
ReplyDeleteWriterly is totally a word LOL! I use it all the time:) So, great goals for May - and I love the title of your WIP. . . Uprising sounds cool.
ReplyDeleteReading is so important! Unfortunately, I only remember that when I've skipped out on it for a few months, sitting solely in my own imagined world. My words start spinning, I stare at one sentence for hours. Then I read a book and...viola! I know how to fix my own story.
ReplyDeleteAND I'm looking forward to your series on world-building. I've been thinking TONS about that lately, and was going to do a post on it in the next few weeks.
Nice to "meet" you!
Elouise-Oooh, where are you traveling? And you're writing renaissance fantasy and adventure fantasy! How COOL!
ReplyDeleteNiaRaie-I hear you on trying to breathe. Good luck with all of the things you're working on this month!
Dawn-Thank you! And yes, the whole series is inspirational fantasy. :) It's been such a blessing to write the stories. What genre is the inspirational book are you working on?
Lindsay-LOL, glad I'm not the only one! :D
Barbara-I know what you mean! It had been SO long since I sat down to just read books--I had such a hard time shutting off my editing brain. I'm so glad I did, though, because I needed it badly. Ooh, I'll be on the lookout for your posts on world-building. Everyone approaches it in different ways and it's so neat to see how other writers build their worlds. I started my series yesterday and thinking about all the world-building is helpful for me. I really have to break down the how and why of my world-building. Nice to meet you, too!