Writing Goals #IWSG

The thing about writing goals is that they can change over time. Mine have. Originally my big dream was to get traditionally published by one of the big houses and become a household name.

Notice I called it a dream rather than a goal?

This is because I had no clue what it would take to make the dream a reality. Once that reality reared its slightly-quirky head, I formed more realistic, achievable goals--goals that were far more in keeping with what I actually wanted.

So what did I actually want?

I wanted to write my own stuff, my own way, at my own pace. I didn't want to be told no. And, because life is too short for nonsense and faffing, I wanted a faster process from finished manuscript to publication (without being silly about it, of course). Oddly enough, this means I'm going to have to wait just a bit longer before I'm ready to reveal to the world my debut young adult fantasy adventure novel.

There are decisions to be made, books two and three to be written, titles to decide and covers to be designed. I may even use a pen name.

So whatever your goals might be, it's ok to change them. I'm so much happier with my new goals now. I feel revived and enthusiastic, and I'm loving writing again.

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month the members of our group post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG, then please go HERE

And don't forget, the next #IWSGPit is Thursday July 19th 8:00am - 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Over a thousand agents and publishers have been invited to tune in that day. Polish your story and your Twitter pitch and be ready!

Winners and Schedulers #IWSG

Welcome to another year. Say cheese as it flashes by.

Time to announce the winners of the third annual IWSG Anthology Contest!

Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime.

Top honors go to Gwen Gardner for her story, A Stitch in Crime.

The other winning stories:
Gussy Saint and the Case of the Missing Coed - C.D. Gallant-King
Three O’Clock Execution - S. R. Betler
Until Release - Jemi Fraiser
Reset – Tara Tyler
Center Lane - Christine Clemetson
One More Minute – Mary Aalgaard
The Little Girl in the Bayou - J. R. Ferguson
The Tide Waits – Rebecca M. Douglas
Cypress, Like the Tree - Yolanda Renée
Special Mention: Heartless – C. Lee McKenzie


Thanks again to our official judges - Elizabeth S. Craig, Anne Hawkins, Candace Havens, Ion Newcombe, Patricia (Pat) Stoltey, and Mason Canyon.

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Don’t forget our next IWSG Twitter Pitch Party – Thursday, January 18th

The IWSG is now on Instagram! 

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This month’s question: What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

My pathetic answer: Nope. No steps have been taken as of yet... Nada. None. I do have hopes and dreams and they are currently an amorphous jellyfish. One day at a time is pretty much all I can do at the moment. If I manage to squeeze out 50 words in a day, it's a victory. I have by no means given up. I will hunt down my focus soon... but not yet.

How about you? What are your writing plans for this year?
 

Reworking Old Stories #IWSG

IWSG Question of the month: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out? I have. No it didn't work out. It was too easy to stick with what was already there and reshape that, rather than completely pull it apart to bring it back together again. I may try again another time, but the characters need a major overhaul, which in turn will change the story dramatically.

Big announcement: The IWSG Twitter Pitch Party!

 Hashtag #IWSGPit

July 27, 2017, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time

All writers and authors are invited to participate in our very first Twitter Pitch. Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On July 27, Tweet your pitch. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query. Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch - it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents.

We invite all of you to join us that day! Authors with a publisher or agent, please ask if they would like to participate or pass along their contact information to the IWSG. We intend for this to be a twice yearly event, July and January, giving our members a great opportunity for publication. Help us spread the word!

Also: We have two new items on the IWSG swag page, including a cool eraser. Check them out and support the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

And lastly, I'd like to leave you with a pic of a sunrise I caught one morning.

Happy writing everyone!