I ended 2017 by getting the stomach flu and eating nothing but 7-Up and white bread for three days, so we have nowhere to go from here but up!
My 2018 writing goals are pretty simple:
- Accrue 75 rejections for Alchemist’s Mirror
- Finish two revision passes on my 2017 NaNoWriMo novel
Of course, if I find an agent before I get to 75 rejections, so much the better! But general wisdom says you haven’t given your novel a real effort until you’ve queries at least 75 agents. General wisdom also says that the best thing to do while you’re in the “query trenches” is write the next book! (And, of course, keep improving the work you’re querying if you get actionable feedback.)
In fact, I’ve already secured my first rejection! Technically, it arrived Dec. 29, 2017, but it arrived after I made the goal, so I say it counts. It was a very nice, personalized rejection that complimented my talent—so while it didn’t have actionable feedback, that might just mean I’m on the right track. Here’s to your success in 2018, however you define it!