Monday, January 4, 2010

My Writing Resolutions

I know it's past January 1st, but I still want to write down and keep track of my writing goals for 2010. At the end of the year, I'll dig up this list and hopefully, I'll be able to say that I completed every single one of them.

1. I want to sign with an agent for my fantasy YA novel, The Land of Imagining.

I've already started querying agents the end of November and have had two partial requests and several rejections to start this long, drawn-out process.

2. I want to start on the sequel to the aforementioned novel.

I see this series being a three book series, with The Land of Imagining being the middle book, with a sequel and a prequel. So why did I write the middle book first? Because the main character is an ordinary girl (who learns she isn't quite so ordinary after all) and has to journey to a strange, new world. I want the readers first glimpse into the All-Knowers' Land of Imagining to be seen through her eyes, through the eyes of someone who has never seen it before. The sequel is set mostly on Earth, and the prequel is set mostly in the Land of Imagining. So it works best for the middle book to be read first. And it really isn't as strange as it seems. After all, the Chronicles of Narnia were published in a vastly different order than chronological.

3. Write the last book in the Kingdom of Arnhem series.

I still trying to come up with a name for this one. I'm thinking Warrior of Courage. I would like to keep the trend going, Woman of Honor, Knight of Glory....

Hero, Warrior, Mage, Champion....
Courage, Virtue, Hope, Justice....

Still playing around. Any ideas? Suggestions?

4. Start and hopefully finish another fantasy YA novel or my suspense novel.

This fantasy novel shows the plight of four teens as their world is turned upside down when magic sudden appears and chaos results.

The suspense novel is about a woman who accidentally kills a young child during a game of hide and seek, and her resulting descent into madness and guilt.

5. Sell some short stories to magazine(s).

I have a backlog of short stories that are collecting rejection letters from magazines. I would like to work on them, shine them, and start circulating them again. If I can't find a paying market for them (so far I've only tried the pro markets), I may end up making some available on my website for you all to enjoy.


Well, those are my goals. Lofty ones, especially the agent one. And writing so much considering that I'm 10 weeks pregnant and will soon be taking care of not one but two wonderful babies. But I really want to make something of myself as an author and I know I can do it.

4 comments:

Sarah Simas said...

HI Nicole!

I like your goals! Very attainable and very exciting! Agents asking for materials? How cool?!

I went to listen to an author talk at my local library. One of the things I loved about her speech was her rejection board. She collaged and displayed the hordes of rejection letters from either agents or publishers. I thought it was kind of neat she used that board as motivation. I plan on doing something similar when I get to that point.

Congrats on 10weeks! The day will be here before you know it! Believe me- lol- mine two kids are only 17 months apart. Fun, but man does it get cr-a-zy around my house!

Nicole Zoltack said...

Thanks, Sarah! I'm very excited about all this year has to offer and I know that my goals are attainable, even if they will require a lot of work and dedication.

A rejection board? That does sound like a good idea. Something to motivate so that you can stick your tongue at all the people who told you 'no' when someone else finally says 'yes'.

Only 17 months apart? Wow, that's really close! Nicholas and baby #2 will be about 22 months apart. I can't wait to see his reaction to his new baby brother or sister!

Michelle Gregory said...

nice to find another fantasy writer. i'll peruse later when i have more time. (eyelids drooping. time for bed.)

Diane Craver said...

Nicole,
Great resolutions! I'm sure you'll get good news and get an agent!