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May/June Goals
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Author:  Timotheus [ May 30th, 2011, 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  May/June Goals
I'm not going to be picky. You can talk about what happened last month and what you're looking forward to this month, or what happened last week and your plans for this week. Next week I'll post a June Goals: Week Two.

Last week was a success for me, getting 4 chapters edited and finishing my first draft of a novelette.

This week has presented a new challenge, an awesome opportunity, and an uplifting accomplishment. If you haven't met Grace Bridges, she is the leader of Splashdown Books. She introduced me to 50 people on Facebook, most of them from the Lost Genres Guild, a Christian writers group. One of these people was A.P. Fuchs, who is a Christian writer of monster and superhero fiction. I told him about the novelette I just finished and he asked for a brief synopsis and if I could bump it up from 11k to 20k words.

Today I wrote like a madman on brainstorming my magic system and the structure of the story to improve and enlarge. Then I wrote an outline (almost done). The uplifting part was how easy it was to write a scene outline. I'm a pantser when it comes to writing, so being able to think through an outline was an encouraging accomplishment - as well as mentally exhausting.

After outlining the rewrite of this story I'm not sure I've made it any longer, which is kind of a bummer because it won't work for AP's publishing opportunity, but it could work for someone else. I'm confident this work today made the story better, but I don't want to add words just to add, if I can tell the story in less. I will keep working tomorrow (today my brain just hit a wall, but then I got more work done and edited a chapter in my book). I will see if I can add a character or a subplot or two (we're talking doubling the current word count) without totally changing the story. I am building a series potential into this story, so I might just sell this one else where and figure out a longer story for AP.

So, my goals for this week are to work on this and edit another 3 chapters (did one today). Friday, Jay and I are interviewing Diane M. Graham from the New Authors Fellowship. Let me know if you have any questions for her, a homeschooling mother shopping her first fantasy novel.
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ May 30th, 2011, 11:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
I love reading the stories of your successes and triumphs, Tim! They're always encouraging. It's amazing to see God work... how He brings along amazing little opportunities.

Plus, it always seems like you're doing interesting stuff... interviews... and what have you... :shock:

Anyway. *deep breath* Good news. I landed a paid screenwriting job for a feature. The job officially runs 'til the end of July, but I expect the bulk of the work to be in June. Including, but not limited to, a synopsis, rough draft, and one pass at revisions. That's the producer's loose schedule. We think we can tighten that.

So, that means I will be insanely busy for June! In addition to the feature, I need to keep progressing with "Red Rain" in preparation for self-publishing at the beginning of September. I'd also like to keep making progress with both Alaidia (Peter's Angel) and "Faded," but especially Faded, as that one's more likely to get finished first. Additionally, I'm posting on my blog more often.

So. For this week, I want to finish the rough revisions of "Red Rain" and get that sent back to test readers. I want to publish on my blog a minimum of 3 posts. I want to make solid progress on the synopsis/beat sheet for the treatment and be close to the drafting stage. Plus there's a few other little things I need to stick in there.

All in all, I'm working on that "writing literally all day" thing...

God is good. :D
Author:  Timotheus [ May 31st, 2011, 5:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Thanks Phili, though I'd say your story is more exciting! That's great news. :) If you still want, I can help beta read what you're working on (can't remember which book you spoke about in your request).
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ May 31st, 2011, 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Timotheus wrote:
Thanks Phili, though I'd say your story is more exciting! That's great news :) If you still want, I can help beta read what you're working on (can't remember which book you spoke about in your request).


Thank you, Tim! Well, if you have the time, my sci-fi novella (35k at current) "Red Rain" will be ready for a second test-read today or tomorrow, Lord willing. It's had one round of test readers; I revised it, so now I'm looking for a few people to read it again. Would you be interested? Your opinion would be especially helpful.
Author:  Aragorn [ May 31st, 2011, 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
It sounds like exciting times for both of you. :D
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ May 31st, 2011, 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Jonathan Garner wrote:
It sounds like exciting times for both of you. :D


You should set a goal, too. :D *poke*
Author:  Aragorn [ May 31st, 2011, 11:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Philadelphia wrote:
Jonathan Garner wrote:
It sounds like exciting times for both of you. :D


You should set a goal, too. :D *poke*

I have one, actually. I want to finish editing my novel and, if I finish that before the end of the month, look into test readers.
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ June 1st, 2011, 11:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
YAY! 'Nough said. :D
Author:  Lady Elanor [ June 1st, 2011, 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
I really want to work more on my world! That's my main goal for June. I am having two weeks off, so hopefully will get lots done. :)
Author:  Leandra Falconwing [ June 2nd, 2011, 2:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
My biggest June goal is to finish editing my NaNo. I'm hoping to be done with that before the month is out, but I'm not sure what I'll make my big goal after that.
Author:  Timotheus [ June 6th, 2011, 9:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Ok, I'm going to try something new this month. Instead of doing weekly threads that people have to go and find, what if we just post on this thread whenever we want to make a goal for June? That way, if you don't remember till Wednesday, you can just come in and post what you'd like to get done between, say, Wednesday and Saturday.

So, for this week June 6-10

1. figure out and write new beginning of Crystal Vendetta (for those who haven't heard, it was rejected because the hook wasn't strong enough to keep the slush readers interested)

A little sidebar on rejection. It hurt, and all weekend I was less than motivated, but I know that I need to get back on the horse and I'm not giving up on writing just because of this one rejection. So, I started in earnest today on a new beginning, wrote 850 words, but have decided after writing a scene outline, that I need to go back to the drawing board - at least for the beginning, if not most or the whole of the story, sigh.

2. Read Legendary Space Pilgrims by Grace Bridges of Splashdown Books. I'm really enjoying it so far. We might interview her on Friday, so I'd like to have it read by then.

3. Edit four chapters of The General's Shadow. Did three today, so that won't be hard, but man after those first two, I should make my third, sleep. :pale:
Author:  Leandra Falconwing [ June 6th, 2011, 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Putting our goals here sounds like a good idea to me.

So, my goals for the week...actually sit down and write. I've had several times lately where I sit down to write, get bogged down quickly, and just give up. So this week I want to keep working through the block. I'm going to attempt to write a new ending for my NaNo, and I would love to have that done by the end of the week so I can go back to line edits.
Author:  Elly [ June 7th, 2011, 8:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
My June week 2 goals are as follows:

1. Write 2 chapters in my mystery.
I recently started this mystery yesterday. I have yet to figure out the plot and all of the characters, but I have written 1 paragraph and figured out who the MC was.

2. Edit one drabble. I have about seven completed drabbles, so I'm going to choose one and tackle the editing.

3. Write 1 drabble. I've been "fascinated" with drabbles for a week or two, and I want to write a new one with a totally new idea.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ June 7th, 2011, 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
*tentatively walks in *

Okay, I plan on getting the basic structure of my re-writes planned out this week. :)
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ June 7th, 2011, 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
*cheers* Go Airianna! :D

I think keeping it all in one thread is good, Tim. I'm sorry to hear about your rejection, but I'm glad the editors gave you something to go on so you can effectively revise.

Last week we made excellent progress on the paid job, and then over the weekend my producer decided to revise. I took part of Sunday off and now we're plugging away again. Yesterday was very successful; I got the first 3 Snowflake steps done, plus some miscellany notes. Today I'd like to get the entire synopsis written if possible; it not, at least half of it. I'm mostly setting daily goals for this so that I keep up a strong pace without worrying about "the next step." So far my producer has been very pleased with my work, so that's extremely encouraging!

This isn't an official goal, but if I find some spare time, I'd really like to dig up a fairy tale I wrote and start on revisions. I'd also like to do a little work in the Faded department - start a plot synopsis, maybe?
Author:  Timotheus [ June 14th, 2011, 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Well, it's another week, with more opportunities to do what is needed to improve your craft. How did your goals go last week, and what are you shooting for this week?

I have finished another rough draft of a short story, this one a 5k for an anthology, that is due June 30, so I've got some time to edit, and it's turning out well. I got my four chapters edited in my book, and have three already this week. I also reworked my intro to Crystal Vendetta and sent it back out to a different market. I read up to 97% on Legendary Space Pilgrims, so that was close enough. She didn't want to talk about it in the interview anyway, so I worked on other stuff.

My goals for this week are to get one chapter edited a day and work on my novelette editing so that it is ready to submit next week. I'm also doing 12% a day on my kindle reading of Winter by Keven Newsome, which is very good so far, and a high recommendation, especially to our women members as it is about a prophetess who goes to college, but is also goth and pretty funny.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ June 14th, 2011, 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
*gets excited * I managed to stick to my goal, and got the basic outline done. I also managed to write two of the scenes that I need to insert.

My goal this week is to get two more of my scenes written.
Author:  Leandra Falconwing [ June 14th, 2011, 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
My goals last week did not go well. :? I keep letting myself do other things instead of write. I did get some work done, but nowhere near enough. So my goal is to finish the writing by the end of this week, and we'll see how it goes.
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ June 15th, 2011, 10:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
*is excited and delighted for Tim* You're an inspiration, I say! :D

*hugs Airianna* YAY! :dieshappy: Keep it up!

Last week my producer and I got the feature script to the point of being ready to draft. I also did a lot of work in the blogosphere. Other than that, I can't remember what I did. :roll:

This week I am drafting the feature script in its entirety. Yesterday didn't go well, so I need to do about 21 beats a day to get it done on Friday. (A beat is supposed to be a page, but it doesn't always turn out that way.) In between times, I want to work on a synopsis for Faded. If I get the feature done and have a few days' respite, I want to make the last few revisions on Red Rain over the weekend. I got some more reader feedback, so I finally know what I need to revise. Thankfully, it isn't much; just a few tweaks, and then time for a lot of line-editing!
Author:  Elly [ June 15th, 2011, 11:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Okay. . . my goal is to get up to 5,000 pages of reading.

Yes. It will be tight. But I will make it!
Author:  Constable Jaynin Mimetes [ June 22nd, 2011, 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
*rediscovers this thread*

Well, I'm no longer on speaking terms with City of Lies, Lightning Ranger pretty much told me to leave it alone and let it grow, and Prince of Yen is just... not cooperating. So... I'm working now on my first scifi novel, The Third Earth.

So... goals for that would just be to keep working on it, I suppose. I've got complete revisions done up through chapter four.
Author:  Timotheus [ June 22nd, 2011, 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Thanks for rediscovering the thread Vanya. I've been contemplating my goals this week, and I guess it's Wednesday already...

I think I'm going to be shooting for 4 chapters of editing on my novel again. I've been working on polishing two of my short stories and they are ready for beta readers, so that's good. I'm also reading a lot, and plan to read much more in the next two days, including finishing Winter by Keven Newsome, which so far is awesome.

On a praise front, I got accepted into the Port Yonder Press writing groups/mentorship program, so my goals starting in July will add that to the agenda. I'm very excited and feel blessed beyond comprehension.

Vanya, I'm sorry to hear that your two projects are not agreeing with you, but I think you've got the right idea to work on something else in the meantime. I hope that goes well, and Third Earth is a great title, that has me interested already.
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ June 22nd, 2011, 10:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Tim, all of your posts are filled with excitement, praises, encouraging attitudes, and fun developments! It's great to hear all the things that are going on in your writing life.

I finished the paid feature script on Monday. I must do the first pass of revisions by Friday.

I'm also working on the book trailer script for Red Rain! :D
Author:  Timotheus [ June 22nd, 2011, 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Philadelphia wrote:
Tim, all of your posts are filled with excitement, praises, encouraging attitudes, and fun developments! It's great to hear all the things that are going on in your writing life.


This thread does offer me the opportunity to post facts about what God is doing in my life. Sometimes we forget to thank Him for all He does, and I'm thankful that this thread reminds me of those things. Now if only I were more patient...

Congrats, Phili, on finishing the draft of your paid script. I hope your edits go well, and the book trailer for your awesome novella!
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ June 23rd, 2011, 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Well, on the praise side of things, I not only accomplished my goals, but I got all my revisions done. The Lord allowed me to get stuck several times, but He always allowed me to break through when I devoted myself to work through it and not move on.

My new goal is to keep working on edits and smoothing stuff out while I wait for my test readers to keep sending in their edits and comments.
Author:  Elly [ June 23rd, 2011, 8:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Good job, Airi! God will always provide. :dieshappy:
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ June 23rd, 2011, 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Yep, even when I need Him to provide brain power. :D
Author:  Leandra Falconwing [ June 23rd, 2011, 2:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
I keep failing my goals. I guess trying to finish the re-writing of the ending of my NaNo is more ambitious than I was realizing or something (that, and I can't seem to stop myself from putting writing off...). Anyway, I'll just keep plugging away at that for now...
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ June 23rd, 2011, 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Hang in there, Leandra!
Author:  Timotheus [ July 2nd, 2011, 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Ask if you need help finishing your book, Leandra. Maybe we can offer advice that can get you over a hump. When I was finishing my last book, I would write a list of unresolved threads, and then brainstorm order of resolution and how I needed to get my characters from one place to another to make it all fit. I'm sure you've built up conflict that still isn't resolved, so just start brainstorming how to resolve it. If you don't, then take a minute to consider Ben Bova's advice not to solve any problem without creating two more.

I'll start the July Goals thread here in a bit, so go there to comment on your accomplishments or failures and how you aim to improve for July, as well as what your goals will be in that month.

The link to July Goals is (HERE)
Author:  Leandra Falconwing [ July 3rd, 2011, 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Last Tuesday I pushed myself and managed to finish the book. :D I'm planning to give it a rest and then maybe go back to it and work on editing it some more since I didn't really have time to do line edits for the last half if I was going to make the CreateSpace coupon deadline. I probably should have posted here to announce my victory, but I kind of forgot. :P
Author:  Timotheus [ July 3rd, 2011, 2:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
That's awesome, Leandra! Good job! Yeah, give it some shelf time now and work on something else.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ July 3rd, 2011, 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
That's awesome, Leandra! Cool. I'm sure it is a relief to have that behind you.
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ July 3rd, 2011, 5:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: May/June Goals
Shelf time is often a good thing. :D Go Leandra! Taking a break after an accomplishment is such a good feeling.
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