Writing resolutions

Tis the season to make resolutions that may or may not last the entire year. I've learned very quickly that with writing, I can't predict the next day, much less the the next 365 days. A year ago I didn't know that I would self-publish a book, nor did I know that I would sell over 200 copies by the year's end. So, with that being said, all I can resolve to do in 2012 is to continue writing my next book with the goal of self-publishing it in October. I have other personal goals, but like my husband said last night, "I have the same goals I've had the last four years so I don't want to talk about them."

A tough time to write

December is turning out to be a tough month to write in. I haven't totalled my word count just yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll be short of my goal of 15,000 words. It seems that there is always something else to do, which is usually to go shopping and I don't even like to shop. After the holidays I plan to play some catch-up while also putting together a marketing plan for Missing Maggie. I have grand plans for 2012.

Happy Holidays, everyone! Keep reading!

Video blogging???

My husband came back from shopping (for wood, mind you) and thought he came up with a great, innovative idea to help me market my book: video blogging. I don't know much about it, but I can only assume it would be me sitting in front of a web cam speaking about the same things I write in this blog. Generally, I don't consider myself a public speaker. That's more his thing. But perhaps I could verbalize what I feel passionate about, which is writing and all of its elements. I don't know. It's something to consider I guess.

WSJ self-publishing articles

A few articles from the Wall Street Journal have been passed on to me by a friend, all pertaining to self-publishing and the success of some very talented writers. I find these articles interesting because they give details as to how a particular author came upon their success. I've learned which websites the author used to publish, which ones they used to gain reviews from, and how they, too, struggled to find an agent and/or publisher. I've taken some notes and plan to do some of the same things in hopes of mimicking their success.

Learning from the best

I watched a video interview with Sandra Brown on goodreads.com the other day. I had to watch it a second time to take notes. The interview covered the movie recently aired on TNT that was based on her novel, Ricochet. I haven't read that one yet, but that's not why I watched the video. I mostly watched it because she is an amazing author with over sixty best-sellers. She is obviously doing something right. Sandra and the host discussed various details concerning the movie, but she also gave some insight as to how she writes her novels. Here's what I learned:

1. Sandra begins each story idea by writing a 12-15 page synopsis.
2. She writes the first draft just to get the story down on paper.
3. The second draft is where she goes through the story scene by scene, developing the characters and the plot as best she can.
4. Pacing is the main focus of the third draft. If she gets bored reading it, more than likely so will her readers.
5. Finally, the fourth and final draft is when she polishes the story, assuring herself that everything is as it should be.

http://www.goodreads.com/videos/show/18975-goodreads-live-with-sandra-brown

November's word count

It was my goal to reach 15,000 words (500 per day) for the month of November. My total ended up being about 800 words shy of this goal, but considering this is the first time I've kept track of my writing, I'm pleased with the result. Next month is going to be even more challenging with Christmas and the kids being home for two weeks. I'll be forced to take a day or two and escape to the library or somewhere I can concentrate. That actually sounds pretty wonderful!