Monday, January 4, 2010

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN 2010? DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?

How To Get Published...

First, write.
Second, finish what you write.
Third, submit what you write.
Fourth, keep submitting until you sell it.





My 2010 writing goals include:

• Update business plan monthly
• Maintain my blog
• Submit at least one magazine article a month
• Finish EVERYONE DID THEIR PART
• Finish HELP WANTED
• Compile a list of potential agents
• Start querying agents
• Choose one writing event to attend
• Submit A TALE OF A TAIL
• Submit HOW THE SPIDER MONKEY GOT HIS TAIL


I revised my business plan today. At the beginning of each month, I will update my business plan. Three years ago, when I began my journey, my husband suggested I write a business plan. I was incredibly irritated with him. I was beginning a creative process and he wanted to add structure to it. I, reluctantly, wrote a plan. By the time I finished, I realized it was a great idea. I had some basic guidelines to help me remember what my goal was...publication.


DO YOU HAVE A BUISNESS PLAN? HOW DO YOU STAY FOCUSED ON REACHING YOUR GOAL?  (This doesn't just have to be for writers...)



***My year began with a bang. I won Karen's blog contest. Even though her contest is over, I hope you'll hop over and check her out. Bethany and Suzette are having an awesome contest! Their prize list includes: 2 Query Critiques, 2 First Five Page Critiques, and 1 Inscribed/Autographed The Dark Divine. Good luck to all.... (Me too).

15 comments:

  1. What a good plan! You're so organized! That's part of my plan this year--get organized! I actually can't wait until I'm in query hell again. Maybe I'm a gutton for punishment, but I really love the thrill of it.
    Thanks for your kind words about my blog and I'll be sending off your prize in a few days!

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  2. Don't forget... inbetween writing and subbing, edit-edit-edit! Thanks for such a lovely post!

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  3. See...us husbands are good for something.

    Good luck!

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  4. Karen--I decided last year that I enjoyed getting rejections. It meant I was one step closer to an acceptance. I am sure 2010 will be my book year...after all 10 is my lucky number. :)

    Bethany--I left out all the edit, revise, send to critique group, and revise again steps...I'm hoping everyone knows those are part of the steps. :)

    D.L.--Spoken like an Arkansas husband...just like mine is.

    Karen--Thanks. I printed off January's plan and am posting it on my new bulletin board. I'll do the same each month. Then I'll go back at the end of the month and highlight everything I did accomplish.

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  5. Oh, if only I could learn how to be more organized! My husband would be so pleased. I think I'm hopeless in that department. I wish... I wish... :-)

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  6. That's great to see your plan! I don't think it can be done without a plan ...

    I wish you all the best.

    Just one thing missing ... ruthless determination ... Oh ye, I almost forgot (and this is the publisher in me talking). There has to be a market for your writing (you have to understand your market) and it has to be good.

    Oh ... and (this makes it three things) ... if you have an affair with Barack Obama, YOUR PUBLISHED!!!

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  7. Shannon--I think it's clinically called OCD...You should see my filing system, both on paper and on the computer. :)

    Sharon--What about the whole write what you love thing? (I'm not talking about Obama either...I'm still in love with Clinton.) I'm writing a MG historical fiction, even though I know it will be a hard sell. I love the story, I know I'll find someone you loves it too. A friend of mine got an agent with her historical fiction mg, and sold it in the last few months. I hope my MG has a lovely voice likes hers. I'll try a romance next: HE AND ME: A Secret Love Affair in DC. (LOL)

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  8. Great plans, many of your goals this year are like mine! I'm finishing with revisions and researching agents then query time in the next few months.
    Good luck to you!
    (Your husband sounds like mine. I'm the creative one, he is the organized, business one!)

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  9. Kelly--When you look for an agent are you looking for one for a specific book or for one who works with all genres for children? I want to be like Jane Yolen...not worry about genre, write what I like and then have my agent (can't remember her name at Curtis Brown) find a home for it. :)

    Best wishes to you too.

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  10. It sounds as if you have some great ideas and plans lined up. Good things on the horizon for you in 2010, I'm sure of it :D

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  11. I love it. I think you are so right, and I'm sure that with such a list, things will eventually go the way you want them to go! For a great 2010..

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  12. Great plan! Thanks for sharing!

    And best of luck...can't wait to keep coming back and reading how your journey is progressing!

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  13. Whew! Seems like a lot of us have similar plans for 2010! LOL

    Sharon, your organization AMAZES me! I don't think I'd know where to begin in writing a business plan (but I guess I COULD do if pushed enough!) But seriously, my plans for this year include finishing revisions on my middle grade historical, revising my 2 picture books, entering my MG in a contest or two, and then querying the MG in a few months. Also, I'm hoping to try and attend at least one conference this year. I'm praying for GREAT THINGS to happen to all of us aspiring writers in 2010!

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  14. Tess--Thanks for the vote of confidence. :)

    Hermione--When I looked back over 2009's plan, I was able to highlight most of it. (I highlight what I got done.) I think checking and updating monthly will help me be more focused. I printed off my January plan and am posting it in my office.


    Kristi--Thanks for stopping in and I hope I have good news to report in the future. :)


    Crystal--It sounds like you have a good plan and are well on your way. My MG historical fiction is still in the first draft stage. I look forward to reading about your progress too. :)

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