New Year's Writing Wishes

Okay, it is almost New Year's Day.
Have you met your goals for this year?
Do you have goals set for next year?

There is a New Year's superstition about work.

Make sure to do - and be successful at - something related to your work on the first day of the year. But limit your activity to a token amount, because to engage in a serious work project on that day is unlucky.

So get most of your writing and editing done today :o) Do a few touches to your story tomorrow, then rest and enjoy the day!

If you are interested in other New Year's superstitions, visit my other blog and read all about it.


What have you been up to lately?

I have been working very, very hard on my MG manuscript.

I so, so hope I will get somewhere with this story. But I have to do more than hope. It takes a lot of hard work, patience and perseverance. And I have to be willing to listen to comments and suggestions to improve my work.  I am trying to do that, but sometimes it is hard to see your words as other people see them.

Some people believe you write something once and that is it. Believe me, there is always room for improvement no matter how good you think it is. Let other eyes see it and get other people's opinions. But, others may not always be right. Unless more than one critiquer agrees that something is wrong, and you feel it is right, then I say stick to your guns and go with your gut.

Do not think that it is not your story if other people give you input?

Wrong. It will still be your idea, your words and your work! 

Do not let your pride get in the way of accepting help from others. And do not just get input from your friends and family. They may sometimes not want to hurt your feelings.

I do not know why I got on this little bandwagon about writing. I just wish and want the best for all of us in our writing endeavors. Sometimes only one word, one paragraph, one rhyme or one thought can make the difference in a story or poem.

Have you made any writing goals for this year?

Here is wishing you . . . and me a very Happy, and fullfilling, 'writing' New Year!

Posted by Janet F. Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch
 

 

Check Out This Contest

If you are a writer, go over to The Bookshelf Muse and check out her contest.

The drawing is on the 29th, so hurry.

The prizes are:
5 - 1st page critiques
2 - 1st chapter critiques

and a special drawing for:
a 3 month mentorship with her!

I don't know about you, but I would love to be one of the lucky winners. My work could always use a little free critique.

Those second set of eyes are helpful in finding things that you or I can miss.

I've Been Critiqued!

There is a wonderful writing sight called So You Wanna Be Published. I visit it on a daily basis.

It is Mary Demuth's sight and she has many helpful articles. One of her weekly postings is Free Critique Per Week and Pitch To Me section.

A few weeks ago I got brave and submitted the first paragraph of my middle grade historical fiction to be critiqued.

She critiqued it this morning. She was kind, but gave me some valuable suggestions.

If you have a first paragraph you want critiqued or just want to visit a very good writing sight go on over and visit. You won't be sorry.

Go down the page a little ways and you will see where she asked for paragraph submissions to be critiqued.