In January 2020, I created a list of writing goals. As we approach the halfway mark of this unexpectedly chaotic year, I thought it a good time to take stock of my progress and, perhaps, reset some of my expectations.
Sign agent – I am actively seeking an agent for my first novel, The Hidden Chain. I have queried 70 agents open to fantasy submissions, with 28 rejections and 1 manuscript request. I consider the unanswered queries spanning October 2019 through February 2020 as addition rejections, at this point. I have also not heard back from the February manuscript request. My goal with this novel was to write a thriller set in a magical world. I continue to revise the early chapters, to cut fluff and improve the pacing. I want to continue sending queries, but am having difficulty finding reliable agent and agency listings. I am beginning to wonder if self-publication is the way to go.
Write 1st draft of new WIP – Unlike my first novel, my second WIP is a contemporary sci-fi adventure involving a group of researchers facing the global ramifications of time travel. Sounds heavy, but it’s meant to be an exciting summer-at-the beach read. I completed an 85 page Draft 0, which what I call gathering all my notes and thoughts into chapter format to determine flow of logic and POV. I started the first draft, and am committing to finishing it by the July 4th weekend. I have rough plotting laid out for the second and third books.
Outline YA WIP – This WIP grew from two others. I had devised a sci-fi influenced, alternate history Earth, but was stuck on the characters and story to tell. At the same time, I was plotting a YA zombie horror novel about two friends on a roadtrip gone wrong, but it was feeling stale in light of zombie over saturation. Both projects just sat until one day I wondered, what if I dropped my two characters into my new world? It was a natural fit. I’m excited about the potential for this one. I think I have four, maybe five, novels lined up.
Post 1st animation – Okay. This is a grand, but not impossible goal. The challenge is learning animation, recording vocals, and editing it all together in a way that’s entertaining. My Seeing Empire: The Manager Strikes Back article is actually the basis of the first video. Most of the nearly two dozen ideas are 80 memoir stories. Considering my formidable writing plans, this may not make it this year. This would be unfortunate because my sons have been pushing me to get it out there since 2017.
Post 1st webcomic – I am in the planning stages of a comics series, and two potential serial titles, if those go well. Once again, I need to commit time to the writing and drawing. This may be a third to forth quarter deliverable.
Post regular Deep In The Keep content – I plotted twelve articles so far for June. However, if I want to make serious headway on my novels, this will be scaled back. I do not want to revisit the previous gaps of content I have left on this site. Writing articles has been enjoyable and educational. They keep my creativity and fingers active when I hit a brick wall in my novel writing. They are my mental cross-training.
That’s it.
I am sure I am not the only one to feel like the world’s been flipped upside down, and probably let that be an excuse to play too much Animal Crossing: New Horizon instead putting focus and effort into their writing. Now that summer is upon us, with its invigorating warmth and sunlight, I am committed to reversing the trend.
Today marked me getting my butt out of bed 30 minutes earlier and going for a morning run. After all, a healthy body walks hand-in-hand with a healthy mind (plus my doctor wants me to lose weight, for my blood pressure).
This evening also marked a return to scheduled writing time. I will be spending 60 to 90 minutes writing a night, plus a dedicated three hours on Wednesday nights. I obviously have a variety of projects to work on, but first priority will be the first draft.
No great revelations or accomplishments. Just acknowledging there is a lot of work to be done, but if it brings peace and serenity, and, hopefully, a book deal, it will be well worth it. I spent too much of my life on what I thought I was supposed to be doing instead of what I wanted to do. One thing I have learned is, as long as your heart beats strong, it’s never too late to chart your own course. This list is my course. I will see it to the end.
Thank you for dropping in Deep In The Keep. Mind your head on the steps going out.
Discover more from Deep In The Keep
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Wow so many projects going on at one time. Pretty mean schedule to have. All the best on your road to publication. As they say, the difference between a published author and an unpublished on is that the former just never gave up.
I think I experienced a touch of creative madness.