Reflections and Resolutions

I didn't start this year with any resolutions other than getting healthy and trying to get my life back to normal. Well, as normal as possible with a little person. So I don't have a handy list of goals to look at and check off.  But I thought it might be nice to see what I have accomplished this year - writing-wise - so I can feel puffed up and happy about myself.  And create a list of goals to look back at this time next year.

Reflections...

1. I took the leap into contests with EX-DRAMA QUEEN, and started querying again. Lots of partial and full requests, and even an R&R.  I stopped querying for the holidays, but am going to jump in again soon.

2. I finished drafting and revising DON'T FALL DOWN. I have a query letter I'm happy with (or so I think, anyway), and I've started making a list of agents to query. I entered the Baker's Dozen contest with this manuscript, got in, and received bids. It also won an award at a conference I went to this past September. I feel really good about this book, and I'm excited to send it out into the world and see what happens.

3. I attempted NaNoWriMo for the *ahem*sixth*ahem* year. Key word is attempted. I never "win" - but I have 20,000ish words I didn't have before November on a new WIP. I enjoyed writing it, and I'm eager to finish the draft by spring.

4. Twitter! I re-found Twitter and jumped in feet first. It's the best thing I've done for my writing and my sanity since I don't even know when. I've met so many friendly, helpful, funny people - writers, agents, bloggers. I love you all! I also have some awesome new critique partners and beta readers, all from Twitter and the contests I found through Twitter.

5.  Conferences and such...I went to a plot workshop in April with the amazing Cheryl Klein, editor with Arthur Levine. She changed the way I revise. I feel SO much more organized with my revisions than I did before I went to her workshop. I also went to the SCBWI Midsouth Conference in September, where I reconnected with some amazing semi-local writers and won an award! Wins all around there.

6.  Morning writing. Through Twitter, I found a small group of writers who drag themselves out of bed at the godawful hour of 5 a.m. And I joined them (mostly. sometimes I'm lazy.).  I discovered I'm very productive first thing in the morning, and I loved having time specifically devoted to writing. #5amwritersclub - you guys are the best!

Resolutions...

1. Query, query, query my two finished manuscripts.

2. Enter DON'T FALL DOWN in more contests.

3. Have new WIP in shape for querying by fall (unless, you know, I don't have to send queries any more because I'm represented by an awesome agent).

4. Outline and research crazy new idea for a YA historical. (Brain: You write MG Contemporary - what are you thinking?? Romantic Writer's Heart: But it's a good idea...and there's kissing! Brain: You are insane. Heart: I know that...)

5. Go to two conferences and/or workshops.

6.  See my awesome critique partners and friends land agents and book deals. Oh wait - I don't have any control over that, do I?

7.  Keep writing!

I'm sure I could keep adding to this list, but I need to get Little E up from her nap or she'll never go to sleep later.

Happy New Year!!