Friday, September 25, 2009

I'm Hanging Up My Shoes! Day 5

This is the last day of my week of partially unplugging. It's been fantastic. I've gotten a great deal of revision done. Thanks for putting up with the lack of new shoe pictures and short posts. Today's question is: What goal are you currently working toward in your writing? What's your ultimate goal? (I know, that's two questions again.) Currently, I'm trying to improve my writing skills. I've learned a great deal over the last several months, and I'm trying to incorporate that into my writing. Ultimately, I hope to be published, but I also never want to lose my love of writing. And, since it's Friday, I'm doing more than just a question today. I couldn't let a Friday go by without giving the Silver Shoe of Sincerity Award to someone. To learn more see this post. This week's recipient is Katie Salidas (a.k.a. quixotic) at Step 1: Write, edit, and revise. She was my very first follower, and her blog interaction is honest and of the highest level of sincerity. If you haven't already, go check out her blog. Have a great weekend!

36 comments:

Heather Sunseri said...

Hi, Susan! Hope you've had an awesome partial-unplug week. I believe unplugging helped me tremendously. But I'm back into the swing of things!

The goal I'm currently working on is FINISHING my first draft of a manuscript. And my ultimate goal is to publish this story and write another.

Happy Friday!

Anonymous said...

My current goal is to finish my MS and get it ready to query by February while building my freelance career.

My ultimate goal is to make enough money writing for it to be a good supplimental income (I've enjoyed freelancing more than I thought I would), as well as writing novels (hopefully they'll get published!).

Anonymous said...

I'm working toward finishing a novel. My overall goal is to be published and in a bookstore. Everything else is turkey gravy.

Oh, and my 7 month old wrote a guest blog post for me today. You should check that out.

Karen M. Peterson said...

My current goal is to finish the current draft of my novel. If I could finish this draft, it would be so much easier to revise it and get it to query-ready. I just keep hitting snags and distractions. What do I do about that??

L. T. Host said...

My goal is to have my first draft done of my new WIP in the next few weeks. It may sound crazy, but at the rate I'm going (12,000 words in the last four days) I think I can make it if I can keep it up.

It's finally a benefit that I can type fast and imagine things really clearly.

Angie Muresan said...

First of all, L.T.... WOW!!!! It takes me an entire month to be so productive!

Susan, I write because I have something to say, and to be published, of course. But I also write because I love words. I've completed my novel, yet haven't edited to my satisfaction. When that happens we'll see where this journey takes me.

By the way, I have a coffee table book giveaway on my blog... Perfect holiday gift!

Natalie said...

My goal is always to write stories that don't stink. Sometimes it's a challenge.

MG Higgins said...

Today's goal is revising. Turning my limp draft into something thick and yummy.

Stephanie McGee said...

Today's goal is finishing the character bios I neglected to do before I launched headfirst into writing.

That and trying to come up with some decent subplots.

Corey Schwartz said...

My ultimate goal is to write a PB that becomes a classic. One that is on bookshelves long after I am gone.

L. T. Host said...

Thanks Angie... we'll see if I slow down, or get stuck, or if it's all crap in the end though :)

Nancy said...

My ultimate goal is just to be faithful with the gift I've been given Wherever that takes me, that's my goal. It doesn't lead me right now, but the Lord is leading me. I find the blog so satisfying, in the creative sense, that it is both my work and my fun.

Jill Kemerer said...

I'm so glad this week worked for you! My goal with my current wip is to make sure the characters are sympathetic enough. I'm also layering in more description in the first draft. Have a great weekend!

Tamika: said...

Hi Susan!

Great post!

My current goal is to complete the first draft of my first WIP. The sooner the better. Now that I have incorporated blogging into my life, I feel more energized and connected to a sphere of people reaching for the same stars. I feels good to be surrounding in the sky with beautiful, shinig lights.

Blessings to you...

Beth Mann said...

Glad to hear your time was productive! My goal is just to FINISH my first draft - chugging away!!! Glad you're back - you were shoely, oops, I mean surely missed! :)

Faith said...

I'd love to learn more about revision, and become efficient at self-editing. That's goal #1. Goal #2 is to be a more effective planner in terms of subplotting and supporting character development -- something I'll really be exploring as I get ready for NaNoWriMo this year. You're right, publication is the ultimate goal -- but it's important not to lose that love and passion for writing in the process.

Kelsey (Dominique) Ridge said...

My current goal is to type up my By Hand draft into Draft 1. It'll take a bit, as I'm also making some changes as I go.

Deb said...

My priority goal is to finish my first draft of wip#2 by Oct 6th--25% to go. After that I plan to revise #1 and then #2.

Congrats on your revision progress LW, yay!

And congrats to Katie! :)

Laura Martone said...

Hi, Susan. Sorry for being a non-commenter this week. I've been keeping up with your posts, but this particular week has gotten away from me somehow. The hubby and I had to watch a lot of films this week for our upcoming film fest - we make final decisions re: the line-up today - so blogging has had to take a back-burner.

Anyhoo... I wanted to make sure to check in, especially today, as I've been thinking a lot about my goals lately. As far as writing, my current goal is twofold - to revise my first novel and build my travel writing career. I've finally decided that it's okay to work toward both at the same time.

As for my ultimate goal re: fiction, well, naturally, I want to be published. But, like you, I want my writing to show improvement. So, it's more important to me that I take the four critiques that I've recently received from beta readers, apply their suggestions to my book, and make the best book that I can... even if it never sees the light of day.

Incidentally, I'm glad you got a lot of work done this week. You certainly deserved a break from blogging (not that you really took one - wink, wink).

Nicolette said...

Write now I'm working on NOT straying from the plot in my story. It's so easy to get sidetracked when working on a novel, and start to include back stories and things that don't matter to the actual plot. So, that's what I'm doing.

Ultimate goal? Well...I love writing, and I would love to be published, but really, my ultimate goal is to just do what I love because I love it, and maybe just have a few people read my books and like them. :) That is all.

And thanks for the thumbs up on my music. haha. I love classic rock a lot. Journey and Foreigner are two of my favorites!

storyqueen said...

My goal is to finish the stuff I start, the stuff I believe in before I lose the inspirational fire.

It's hard, with work and all....


Shelley

K. M. Walton said...

My goal is to do everything in my power to land an agent. I refuse to give up.

Anonymous said...

I want to be published and get into film so that I can use my gift to help others in the world. This is something that I am realizing... words really do heal and help. These blogs and followers can really make my day at times. Lots of times. I want to do the same thing for others. That is the mission. That is the goal! I am glad that you got lot's done.

I have extended the invite for you to come with me to Italy this weekend. I know last week you said that you wanted to come on my getaway, so I got you a ticket! It should be lots of fun! ;o) Yay!!!

AiringMyLaundry said...

My goal is to finish my dang novel and send it to agents.

Jessica Nelson said...

Congrats to Katie! I agree, she's really sweet and sincere. And congrats to you for getting the award. :)

Stacey J. Warner said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stacey J. Warner said...

Susan, I'm loving your blog and congrats to Katie. Today I'm going to work on a personal essay, my intention is to just have fun with it. I find writing posts for my blog so easy and fun but when I sit down to do a more "serious" work, I get too serious. I'm going to play today.

Kathy said...

Yes, I want to go back to having fun with writing. Lately it hasn't been much fun.

I'm working on some humorous greeting cards.

Nevine Sultan said...

My ultimate goal is to reach a place with my writing where I feel comfortable enough to write exactly what's in my head, at all times, without the fear of how it will be interpreted or perceived. I'm still working on that one, and it's quite a challenge.

Susan, thank you so much for the link to Katie's blog. It's a treasure trove for those of us who like to write. Also, thank you for stopping by my blog and posting a comment. That's very much appreciated!

Stephanie said...

Hi Susan-
I love your blog!
Me too...I am working on honing my skills. Over the course of the last 6 mos my life has changed to so much as I embark on the journey of writing and publishing.
My goal: Get my prologue locked up, my TOC outlined and annotated and three chapter written. I do have an editor who is helping me but am thinking of taking some courses on memoir writing, in my free time :-)
That's my goal, oh and laundry and cooking and seeing clients fit in there somewhere but that's not a writing goal just a living one, which some days is hard to balance!
:-) Stephanie

Stephanie Faris said...

Get an agent. Or a publisher. I try both...heck, I'll take a publisher and then worry about the agent if it works out that way!

Angie Ledbetter said...

Trying to carve out time to finish revisions on my women's fic manuscript, working toward the ultimate goal of getting an agent and then a publishing deal. Also working to get the fall issue of Rose & Thorn Journal out next month and our new site and newsletter completed. Whew!

Unknown said...

Ran across your blog today and think it is precious!

Anna C. Morrison said...

My current goal is to find more adjunct positions so I can quit the day job and have more time to write. Right now, I am just plain too tired to do anything creative.

#167 Dad said...

My goal? I guess I want to keep telling stories. And hopefully, I'm getting better at this storytelling business with every story I tell.

David F. Weisman said...

I'd like to sell the short story I'm submitting now, and successfully rewrite the first draft of my novel.

I hope to work towards getting my novel represented by an agent, sold to a major publisher, and selling enough that they will be looking for my next novel.