Wahoo! We are well into Round 2 of Row 80, and I am proud to be one of the sponsors helping out the lovely and talented Kait Nolan on her ambitious endeavor to keep writers writing.
Today, you can find me ranting about how to get started on a new work, or how to write your way out of writer’s block over at the Row 80 site. (Just scroll down after Kait’s Wednesday check-in to see my words of wisdom) Hop on over and give a look.
As for me? Where am I?
I am struggling to keep my head above water… that’s where I am. I was hoping to have a sports-free spring, but that didn’t work out. Why do parents suffer when kids want to do sports? My goodness… I want to support my kids, but what a time suck! Don’t these other parents have writing to do after their normal workday? Blogging? Publisher’s deadlines? Critiquing? Oh… I’m the only one who does that. Ergghhhh.
I am sticking with my one goal for 2012.
And guess what? If you haven’t heard… YES! I am getting published!
See that pretty little book cover to the right? Yep, that’s my name!
But signing the contract does not mean the work is done. I’m busy editing and reworking right now, and working through my marketing plan. It’s tons of work.
I’m also playing around with a new idea in my head. I need to get it outlined so I can start the fun of exploding things writing something new. I guess that is my short-term goal… get through the outline so I can get to the fun part.
How are things in your writing world?
Related articles
- 3 Ways to Head Off Writer’s Block Before You Get Halfway through Your Manuscript! (christinalibooks.wordpress.com)
- How to become a successful writer: Setting goals (ncpendergast.wordpress.com)
- To Outline or Not to Outline, That is the Question (thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com)
- It’s that time of the month to set up your writing goals. (writingthroughmyeyes.wordpress.com)
- Habits of highly effective freelance writers (clurradonald.com)
Jennifer M Eaton 
I did not know about this so thank you for educating me. Very worthwhile project and you will make a fantastic sponsor.
Thanks so much!
Congratulations, Jennifer! That first publication is a huge high, I remember it well. Enjoy!
Thanks so much, Ruth!
Congratulations on getting published and thank you for the tips.
Thanks Clowie! Woof!
Congrats on getting published!!!! My goal is to finish this rewrite so I too can submit.
Yay! Good luck with the re-write. Don’t forget your beta’s — worth their weight in gold!
You betcha!
🙂
Congratulations, Jennifer. This is wonderful!
Congrats on getting published – and hitting your goal of publication in 2012. Go you!
Well done being a Sponsor too, I’m amazed you have time with the book, and kids and everything else that seems to be going on for you. I’ll go over and check out your words of encouragement.
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, it’s a tough balance sometimes. I don’t get too much time for sleep.
That’s a fantastic goal for 2012! In order to have a dream come true you must first have a dream. I wish I could remember who said that, but I think it’s true..
My husband wanted me to take a writing class he’s taking a math class. We went to talk to a writing teacher to get advice on what class I should take after talking to me he said sounded to him that what I lacked was confidence and to spend time reading the book The Borzoi Handbook for Writers. I was thrilled because I really don’t want to go to school right now. Funny advice from a teacher. I think I can keep busy writing and studying grammar at least for now. :+)
Yes, absolutely. You should also get to know as many other writers as you can.
You know what else you can do? Start writing.
It doesn’t have to be anything Epic… even just some five minute flash fiction to get your juices flowing
I’m slogging through revisions, making progress, but not as quickly as I would like. Most of my characters and ideas have been on vacation for a while.
Slowly they’re coming home and things are moving—but at a slow, lazy summer pace. 🙂
Ha! And it’s not even summer yet. You should maybe try outlining so you can figure out where they are going before you sit down. It may help.
Love this post! I’m learning so much about the process from you, it’s a great lesson heard from your delightful posts!
Pink.
Thanks, Pink! Glad you found it helpful.
CONGRATULATIONS on getting published!!! The book looks gorgeous – such an accomplishment! 🙂
Thanks so much! I am very excited.
the opposite is worse, when your kids don’t want to do anything but sit on the couch and watch tv.
Yeah, I get a little of that too.
Congratulations. I didn’t know you were still doing the ROW 80.
It’s a little hit and miss. I don’t always post, but I do have a tight goal schedule, and I am a sponsor, which means I have a little job to do over there as well.
I feel your pain with the child sport thing. Though I’ve always been completely disinterested in sports, it would probably be a bit easier if my daughter was very good at soccer… >.> We’ll try cheerleading this fall…of course the big issue with my writing now is deciding whether or not we will be foreclosing on our house…there’s an emotional and time sinkhole if ever there was one to keep me from my writing. v.v;;
Omigosh! I didn’t know. I hope everything goes okay.
Congratulations! Love the cover. 🙂
Thank you so much, and thanks for stopping by!
I think I’m struggling with focus on the writing front. I have so many different writing projects on the go that I try and fit in around work and kids, and I keep dipping in and out of each one and therefore not giving proper attention to any one of them (the projects, not the kids!). Headless chicken, that’s me.
I think it’s important to focus on one. Other wise you won’t get anything done. I’ve given myself a tight schedule, and when my publisher started coming back with things to do, it threw me off. If you can help it, stick with one. Pick the project that resonates with you.
It’s amazing how we manage with only 24 hours in a day. I often think I need more and I don’t have kids. I cannot imagine trying to do this with that in the mix too. My hat’s off to you.
Things are going well in my writing world. Rocking Camp Nano-June Edition with a new trilogy. I love new work. It’s so free, no previous books to double-check details, wording, event sequences for. 🙂
Yay! I’m starting something new, too. Great fun!
You do it all! I can’t wait to read your book. I’m interested in reading about writer’s marketing plans. It is a lot of work — all of it! Thanks for sharing all this information!
Thanks so much for sticking with me!