Twitter had a hashtag going around lately: #litresolutions. Yes, I made a public resolve. I wrote: “#litresolution : Finish and polish Undercurrents, my YA MS. Find an agent. Attend @romancewriters and RT conferences. Write another YA.” With only 140 characters available, there really wasn’t enough room to illustrate what those few resolutions truly involved. Here’s the complete list, with description:
1. Finish Undercurrents. ‘Nuf said.
2. Get daughter to beta read Undercurrents. If, that is, said daughter would cease and desist wasting said writer’s time by repeating the question, “Aren’t you done yet?”
3. Get awesome young friend to beta read Undercurrents. Don’t worry about the fact that said teen is most likely a better writer than self.
4. Get critique partners to critique Undercurrents. Refuse to flinch when gigantic holes in document are pointed out.
5. Revise Undercurrents based on the plethora of changes received after critiques and beta readings are complete.
5. Research YA agents. But research is fun! Right? Right???
6. Attend RWA and RT conventions. Which means begging father of children to babysit the anxiety-ridden dog so she doesn’t destroy more of the house. Like the remaining floor and door moulding. And the walls. And the electrical system.
7. Pitch Undercurrents to a YA agent at the RWA conference. Don’t drip sweat. Don’t stammer. Don’t forget character’s names. Don’t forget plot. Don’t forget title of book. Don’t forget own name.
8. Submit Undercurrents to YA agents. Hold breath. Or not, if living seems preferable.
9. While waiting to hear if Undercurrents will earn representation, outline new YA story. The mystery with romance? The dystopian with romance? The adventure with a hint of romance? The romantic comedy? The . . . oh, crud. Brain is suffering from storyline overload.
10. On December 31, 2011, take a deep breath, then write list of goals all over again, using a different title in place of Undercurrents. Maybe next book should be titled Resolution.
What are your resolutions for 2011?
LOL, sounds like you have a plan, Rochelle.
Wishing you the best of luck!
~D~
Thanks, Darynda – I’m on Day 2 and so far things are looking up!
GREAT resolutions, Rochelle!
I hope to see you at some local chapter meetings. I’m speaking as part of a panel in Feb. about “Contests, Critiques, and Caveats.” I think you’ll find the info fun and useful.
AC
Loucinda – I’d better add another Resolution: get to my local meeting! Would love to see your talk, since I definitely need help in that area. Contests aren’t my forte – I’ll share with you my Brenda Novak contest fiasco sometime
Great goals for this year, Rochelle!
Thanks, Stina!
ROFLOL on #7. I flew back from Florida last month and chatted with the guy next to me about my YA book. He actually seemed interested and finally asked me what it was titled. Umm, okay I know this…I do…I mean, I wrote it, didn’t I? It’s called, uh….
My advice? Get a full night’s rest before you pitch. Apparently, some brains don’t work as well after few hours sleep and many hours traveling via plane. And, my YA book is called SHAKEN. I didn’t even have to look it up this time.
Susan – you crack me up! Glad I’m not the only one to blank on a title. Usually I blank on character’s names — often I switch them during various permutations of the MS.