CONGRATULATIONS to Aileen, the winner of my Mistletoe Mischief Giveaway! I'll be contacting you regarding your prize.
As the new year starts off, everyone is asking that age old question: What are your resolutions? In past years I've laughed and said I have none, that there is little I feel I need to change about how I'm living my life.
Strangely this year I feel perhaps I do have some resolutions, or goals rather.
1) Getting back to the gym- never before has this been an issue. But it definitely is now.
2) Getting a short story published as an ebook. This has really become a focus for me within the last few months of 2011. I want to have my name out there, see it on a ebook shelf and be able to pat myself on the back after three years of doggedly pursuing bigger projects.
3) Getting my first regency manuscript in top shape for two editors who are interested in its revisions.
4) Studying the craft of writing.
It is perhaps this last goal that will require my diligence. I am not someone who buys a ton of "how to" books, but I do find that I want to read some on occasion, especially if its an area that I feel I need help on. I tend to steer clear of books that teach me how to make a hook or interest the reader from the first page. I've been told I don't need help with that, which is a relief. But there are smaller things I know are weaknesses. An agent told me that emotion is key, and my characters weren't quite there yet. This is the sort of subsection of craft I need to be studying.
So with this in mind, I plan to make 2012 all about my craft, learning it, honing it and polishing it so that 2012 becomes the year where dreams come true.
I hope everyone else out there has a great set of goals and the inspiration and time to follow through with them. It's important to know yourself and the goals you set in order to maximize your dreams. I wish everyone a fantastic new year.
Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you're hoping to achieve this year!
Great post. I can attest that you have great hooks. You'll get there.
ReplyDeleteI hoping to finish a trilogy that I've been working on longer than I would like. Does anyone have a clue about how to squeeze more hours out of the day?
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I don't do New Year's resolutions, but I do goals all the time. Well...writing goals, anyway. lol You are an awesome writer, so don't ever give up!!
ReplyDelete~Marie~
I think the best thing for every writer, or anyone, is knowing your strengths as well as your weaknesses, Lauren. And that's half the battle.
ReplyDeleteLast year I knew I was great with hooks and action scenes but emotion and love scenes were a downfall of mine. I set out last year to doggedly improve those two things in my writing. And I think I've definitely improved over the last year in my writing.
But I also think you're on the right track and have an excellent outlook on life. Good luck to you and your goals this year. I've always felt the human spirit will surprise us by what it can accomplish when we least expect it. It's amazing what we can do when we set our minds to it. Well done and good luck again.
I have found my greatest source of knowledge in writing comes from reading books in my genre. That shows me more what works than reading a bunch of rules from a 'how to' book. BTW, Ava, I just finished A Scandalous Charade, and loved it. And of course, Suzi is always on my tbr list.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, I won! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't like resolutions as such. I always have a list going of the things I need to incorporate into my life. I caught on that I don't enjoy walking 365 days a year, so I bought an elliptical machine and squeezed it into into my tiny room so I can exercise daily. And I need to get back in the habit of writing daily. And...and...the list just keeps growing!
Craft books are good but I don't rely on them as much as trial and error. Perhaps not the best course of action, but for now it works for me.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals, Lauren.
Happy New Year Lauren!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you for working towards your dreams! Setting manageable goals is half the battle. I have no doubt that you'll get there in no time!
And then of course, i'll want my copy personally autographed... :)
Miss you!!!
Congrats Aileen!
ReplyDeleteAs to NY Resolutions ... I have too many! One is definitely to make a dent in the writing world - another is to get back to the gym, and another is to pass the NY Bar! Wish me luck, right?
No worries, Smithy - we'll get you there! :)
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. I think the main goal for me is to keep learning, whether it's improving my craft, gaining self-awareness, or learning a completely new task. I think I become unhappy when I become stagnant.
Good luck on your goals this year
I was just reading a writing 'how to' book today! Plot and structure. Maybe it will help me to finish just one of my projects that I have half finished!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with yours!
What do I hope to achieve this year?
ReplyDelete1. Getting my degree. It's been in the making for far too long.
2. Being a better wife, because it's a never-ending process.
2. (No, not a typo.) Being a more considerate friend who keeps in touch. I tend to fall off the face of the earth from time to time. It's time to be a surface dweller again.
Good luck on your goals, my friend.