Some Writer Goals for 2018


This post was inspired by Top Ten Tuesday, a blogging linkup hosted by That Artsy Girl! (It used to be The Broke and The Bookish...)

*gasp*



Goal #1: Read 150 NEW books this year. 

     Last year, I tried to read 200 new books in a year. And I didn't quite make it...though I probably DID read 200 books, if you count re-reads...And I'll also be in college, so I don't know how much that'll set back my reading....So hopefully I'll be able to complete my goal this year






Goal #2: Write at least two BRAND NEW first drafts


I mean, come on. I did that last year. It should be a snap. I know that I will at least be working on my newest WIP, Twelve Golden Windows. But who knows what the second one will be...





Goal #3: Revise one of my old first drafts (which may means scrapping half of it and starting over) and make it a working first draft

Well, my nanowrimo project is 50k of random, plotless gibberish and In a Dream needs a lot of work plot wise...I certainly want Capes, Coffee Shops & Cake to be done before the next nanowrimo, but I'd rather work on In a Dream right now, so we'll see how that works...




Goal #4: DO CAMP NANOWRIMO!

Based on my current plan, (which is overly detailed and constantly changing) my Camp NaNo project will be the second draft of Twelve Golden Windows, but I might throw in a side project of some sort.



Goal #5: Do NaNoWriMo

I'm going to be writing the sequel to Capes, Coffee Shops & Cake this November and I am so excited. (Even though I can hardly stand to look at Capes, Coffee Shops and Cake right now...)

Goal #6: Complete at least one second draft

Which naturally is going to be Twelve Golden Windows in April, but my plan is to do at least two more...




Goal #7: Actually get one of my stories to the third draft stage.

I actually have never gotten one of my WIPs to the third draft stage. I don't know if I've mentioned it before on the blog, but my writing process is:

First Draft: The first time I write the whole story out on paper
Second Draft: Read through the first draft, make notes and re-write
Third Draft: EDITING BEGINS! In the first edit, I edit everything on the computer. Its easier to see mistakes when editing on paper or listening to it, but this way I can get the majority of it out of the way.
Fourth Draft: Print it out and scribble. all. over. it.
Fifth Draft: Read out loud or listen to it being read by some program. There are a lot of programs out there that will read your papers to you, since it is easier to hear mistakes that way.





Goal #8: Get one of my stories to my AMAZING ALPHA READERS!

My Alpha readers will get to read it the first time somewhere in between the second and third draft. I would prefer to give it to them AFTER I've had a chance to edit, but I also don't want to edit and then re-write pieces and make major changes so...

I think I'll give the story to two of my Alpha readers and make Lilah wait until I've edited. (Typos are her weakness.)




Goal #9: And maybe even Beta Readers?

Granted, I'll be pretty close to the end when I start asking for Beta readers, but maybe....maybe it will be this year.





Goal #10: Plot a bunch of new novels!

I have a bunch of stories to plot. And while some of them are still basically just plot bunnies, a few of them are ready to be plotted out. And by "a few" I mean more then 8.





Goal #11: Start writing query letters and researching agents.

Granted, my stories are no where near being ready for this...that doesn't mean I can't start looking into agents and finding some that would match my writing.

And I will be writing rough query letters from now on in the plotting stage




Well, we'll see how many I actually get done...
What are your plans for 2018?

-Mary Kate

Comments

  1. Those are some great goals! They sound very much like mine, but even loftier. I hope you are able to achieve each and every one of them!! Work hard. You'll get there!

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  2. AAHHH, YOUR GOALS ARE AWESOME AND I LOVE SEEING WHEN PEOPLE ARE SO CLOSE!! <3

    Keep going strong. I hope you reach all your goals!

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    1. AAHH, IVE THINKS MY GOALS ARE AWESOME! (And thanks!)

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    2. And you changed your profile pic again! I love this one! It's so pretty!

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  3. I love all the NANO options during the year now - it helps me to stay motivated and get excited when some of the writing and editing drags on... Good luck this year!

    Marissa
    Reading List

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    1. And its such a good way to meet other writers too! Especially for Camp NaNo and the cabins

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  4. I did two Nano Wrimo Camps last year and NaNoWriMo for the first time ever and it was a great experience. It does motivate you to write more. Good luck!

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  5. You have some awesome writing goals!! And I applaud you for trying to keep up the same reading habits while in College. I struggled to so so much course work and read.

    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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    1. Thank you! Since this will be my freshman year, I don't really know how it will affect my reading levels...But then again, I can always add to my goal if I achieve it early

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  6. Great goals! I hope you achieve them all.

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  7. Wow, I'm impressed that you read that much and wrote that much. I can't seem to do both. Good luck with all your resolutions. Sounds like you're amazing at accomplishing things!

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  8. *hiss* Typos!!!! Love your goals!!!!!

    Lilah
    lilahsmusicals.blogspot.com

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  9. I love your writer goals! I'm not a writer myself, but your goals sound both exciting and important : ) I hope that college doesn't mess too much with your reading goals. I majored in English, so while I did have to spend a little more time analyzing the books for school than I would a non assigned book, and that slowed me down a bit, overall I got the same amount of reading done in the year.

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    1. I'm so relived! Granted, I won't be majoring in English, but its a relief to know I should still have time to read :)

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