I’ve started back on my novel again. After six months of letting it collect dust, working on my website, and writing and editing a new short story, I’ve finally picked the ole novel back up again and have begun to read through it. This will be the fourth revision in the process. As part of this revision, I’m going to have a few people (five at the most) read through at give me feedback. Points of focus in this revision include: fine tuning characters, medieval historical details/accuracy, structure and organization of the story, chapter breaks, plot points, character perspectives, rhythm and pacing, a title, etc. Things of that nature. The goal is to have all reader feedback to me within six months, and then work for the next three months on refining it to perfection, or as close to perfection as possible. The last quarter of the year will be spent trying to find an agent that will best represent my novel. Such is my New Year’s resolution, and now that I’ve written it down, my own words will hold me accountable.
What are you writing goals for 2009?
Great to hear that you are back in business!
At the moment my writing goals for 2009 are fairly sparse. Currently I am still in the “learning stage” I suppose, so I am attempting to finish reading The Middle Ages by Morris Bishop and The Art of War of the Middle Ages
Yeah, I felt like I had taken enough time off from writing my novel, and it was time to take a look at it again. Both of those are good books you mentioned. I own Art of War in the Middle Ages, and I’ve read a few chapters out of The Middle Ages by Morris Bishop when I worked in a bookstore years back.
I’ve done something similar, hoping that by putting it down on my blog it will give me something to work towards and create a little accountability, too.
Anyway, here are my goals for 2009:
http://www.scottmarlowe.com/post/Writing-Reading-and-Other-Goals-for-the-New-Year.aspx
Scott, I used to not write down my goals, but I’ve found over the years that it actually does help. Having goals in your head is nice, but for some reason having them in front of you, on paper, holds you more accountable.