"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Self-Evaluation for a Writer

The last six weeks have been insanely busy and the next few show no sign of slowing. Family birthday parties, holidays, end of school parties, dance recitals, and baseball playoffs have kept me so busy I’ve had little time to devote to writing. I’m not complaining, just evaluating. Family will always be my priority!

Today is the first day I’ve had without ANYTHING planned. I’m enjoying some time at home with my girls and reviewing May’s writing statistics.

Aside from this blog, I spent most of May on rewrites and edits.  I produced very little NEW work.

Submissions: 7
Rejections: 1
Acceptances: 1
Words Written: NO IDEA

Goals for June – find a balance of writing new material and editing. I tend to devote all attention only to one or the other. I also need to start submitting queries. I’m a total chicken about this. They say “Do the thing you fear most” so I better start querying and submitting novel manuscripts.
I’m off to write, rewrite, edit, submit…or maybe just enjoy some time with my angels.  What are you working on and achieving?

16 comments:

Li said...

I'm achieving very little; submitted a few, 1 or 2 published, nothing substantial. I came to the conclusion today (and posted it on my blog) that I really don't know what I'm doing! I don't know what direction I'm heading in as far as writing, but as long as I'm happy it doesn't really matter. And I agree, family first!

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

I've been scattered rather than focused most of this year, so haven't submitted much. I did just get a contract earlier this week on a story I submitted in April, but haven't sent anything new. Mostly editing. *sigh*

Kimmel Tippets said...

I definitely agree that family is first and i also liked li's comment about being happy. I have no idea where I'm headed at this point either.

For now, my writing time is dedicated to polishing my manuscript and developing future ideas, though none have actually been started yet. I suppose I should work on that.

Paula Martin said...

Up to 70,000 words of a projected 76-78,000 word novel, but the last 2 chapters seem to be taking me longer than all the other chapters put together!

Southpaw said...

I started a new project today. I tend to be all one thing at a time too. I'm hoping to be able to mix it up a bit. We'll see how that works out. ;)

Susan Kane said...

Goals for June: Get further along with rewrites, and then do something about them. Thanks for the nudge to commit to doing something.

anthony stemke said...

Please put your angels first, too soon they be grown and gone.
You busy and thats good. My BW sent a query 2 years ago, never got any reply; but guess what? she's got two children's books coming out soon. So if you fear queries it's normal, but keep this in mind: each rejection is one more step closer to acceptance.
Best of luck to you, I know you'll persevere.

Jenni Merritt said...

My goal is to finish my current MS. I am only one round away... and I keep dragging my feet. Next would be submitting that query. Everytime I think about it my stomach twists into crazy knots! But, it must be done ;)

Sylvia Ney said...

Li and Kimmel - happy is an important must. Write for yourself first!

Lisa - congrats on the contract!

Paula - I know how you feel. Congrats on the upcoming release of your new book!

Holly, Jenni and Susan - best of luck on your projects!

Anthony - please tell your wife congratulations on her book release. I'm looking forward to it.

Susan Kane said...

My computer and wireless were wacky for a few days, and I got sooo much writing caught up. Like you, I am a chicken. Not just a chicken, but blatantly chicken, when it comes to promoting my WIP. Your kids are the most important part of your life now, though. They will pass the stage of their lives but once...

KM Nalle said...

Good luck with tackling sending out your queries! I have a hard time balancing new work with the old as well. I keep trying though.

Elena Solodow said...

I've got to get back to the second draft of my WIP. Just returned from vacation, so it'll be good to return to writing!

Maple Seawright said...

Me=0 articles done. I need to get to working...

Kyra Lennon said...

May was a complicated month for me! I achieved a dream, and after that, everything else seemed....unimportant. It took me a few weeks to get back on track, so hopefully June will be better!

Rob-bear said...

Well, you've been one busy lady! And at least one item was accepted. Good for you. And good for not trying to write and edit at the same time; those are two different mental functions which should be separated.

Thanks, also, for dropping by the Bear's den.

Anonymous said...

Hello! Came across you via a connection with a Fun & Games blogfest. Great looking blog, and always nice to find another writer.

Sounds like you are on the right path. Congrats on the one acceptance.

Me? Still editing my second novel. Not even close to the query stage yet, but shooting for the end of the year. At the LATEST!

Best to you in your endeavors.