Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Looking Ahead To 2015 - Writing Goals

Looking ahead to 2015, I'm making my biggest push!

SPIRIT QUEST
[  ] Complete manuscript polish (early Jan)
[  ] Submit queries to at least 5 agents (early Jan)
[  ] Create a detailed outline for my next SERT novel (February)


OTHER PROJECTS
[  ] Complete latest Back Issue! magazine assignment (end of Jan)
[  ] Learn writing techniques from the styles of at least 3 authors
[  ] Create a detailed outline for Legacy of Shadows

READING
[   ] Read 2 books/month

BLOGGING
[   ] Writing blog (twice a week)
[   ] Marvel 1980s blog/tumblr

WRITING GRANTS
[   ] Ontario Arts Council (Feb 18, Jun 16, Oct 15) 
[   ] Toronto Arts Council (June 15/2015)
[  ] Canada Arts Council (October 1/2015)

Piece of cake, right?

Monday, December 29, 2014

Looking back at 2014

As I sit down to compose my 2015 writing goals, I thought I'd look back and see how I did last year.

Here are my 2014 goals:

Prepare my submission package for Spirit Quest
[  X ] Revise synopsis
[  X ] Polish first 10,000 words

Longer term goals for 2014
[ X  ] Complete the Second Draft of Spirit Quest
[   ] Read 2 books/month

Continue Blogging
[   ] Writing blog (twice a week)
[ X  ] Marvel 1980s blog/tumblr
[ X ] DC 1980s blog

Continue to pursue writing grants
[ X  ] Ontario Arts Council - WRITERS' WORKS IN PROGRESS (February 18, 2014)
[ X  ] Toronto Arts Council (June 16/2014)
[ X ] Canada Arts Council (October 2014)

Not bad. In 2014, I got my novel, SPIRIT QUEST, in good shape. I not only polished the first 10k, but completed the 2nd draft pass on it and I'm currently about 70% through the 3rd draft stage. In addition, I completed its synopsis and worked on an agent pitch that I'm hoping to send out early in the new year.

One of the two big fails of the year was my writing blog... and I have no excuse. So, it'll go back onto the top of the list for this year. I've also dropped my DC in the 1980s blog as I've had to start cutting back. On the positive side, my Marvel Comics of the 1980s tumblr page is almost at 10,000 followers!
And the last of my big fails of the year was reading. While I did read 10 books this year, it fell short of the 24 I had wanted to reach. 

Unfortunately while I did apply for all of the writing grants, they didn't warm up to Canadian urban fantasy pitch.

Overall, some great progress and some clear goals for 2015.
Next up, my 2015 goals!