The Pledge is all about setting goals that we as writers have control over. So here are mine:
- Write three manuscripts in 2012. (I did this in 2011, so I know it's doable.)
- Read and review more current YA books. (My attempt to stay on top of my TBR pile)
- Write a novel that's completely outside my comfort zone. *This is the big one for me. I want to write a YA contemporary and I'm nervously excited!*
I'm keeping it to three since I want to make sure I achieve these goals. I'm holding myself accountable and now you can too because I've shared my goals with all of you.
Your turn. What goal or goals will you hold yourself accountable for this year?
Woo! I've got a mile long TBR pile too :) So nice to meet you on this hop
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you too, Sophia!
DeleteAll sound achievable. Congratulations, and good luck with that contemporary!
ReplyDeleteEllen, thanks! I'm trying to plan the contemporary now. Eek!
DeleteOooh I like your pledges. My TBR pile is like Mt. Everest..:D but what I'd like to achieve as well is complete 3 MS, read all the 12 novels in the Multicultural book challenge (featured on my blog) as well as probably write a YA contem (among those three MS)I find this one the most difficult. I tried and ended up adding a fantasy element to it..haha. We'll see. Good luck, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteCecilia, I usually end up with fantasy elements in my novels too. Okay, not usually. More like always. ;) I think we are writing twins or something.
DeleteGood luck, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annette!
DeleteFirst off, congrats on getting over 200 followers! Yay!
ReplyDeleteSecond, great goals, Kelly. I know you will write an AWESOME YA contemp.
My goals for this year are to finish editing my YA historical, and then begin sending to agents, and also to write a first draft of a new novel I've been thinking of (probably an adult book).
Good luck to all :)
Good luck with those goals, Katie. I have no doubt you'll achieve them. :)
DeleteYou're keeping it to three, and I kept it to one... LOL! No, these are awesome goals. I'm with you on #1. I've got to get back in the writing chair. No more resting on past accomplishments. Here's to achieving our goals! Best, Kelly~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, LTM. Hey it doesn't matter how many goals you have. Only that you stick to them. :)
DeleteCongrats, Kelly. My goals are to sub at least one piece to a magazine each month, my 12 in'12, and to finish my novel, and re-sub my PB.
ReplyDeleteRick, I love your 12 in 12 plan. Good luck!
DeleteGreat goals. I really like number three!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Sheri. I like to force myself out of my comfort zone every once in a while. I think it's good for you.
DeleteWell I posted my resolutions on my blog too. I am planning to follow more and more blogs and to complete the plot outline for my first MG novel.
ReplyDeleteSounds good, msdiamondhill. Good luck!
DeleteLike you, my goal is to write more. That translates to the completion (and publication) of book 2 for both my series (so that's two books), plus a third I plan to release on my own. Now, if you'll excuse me...I'd better go and write! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Anne. Get those books out. My mom keeps asking me when the next Muriel book is coming out. ;)
DeleteGoals - finish my current edit, get my MS off to my agent. Write 2-3 short stories. Continue reading, blogging, and learning about the craft. (Not as ambitious a list as yours, but I have a full time day job.)
ReplyDeleteCheering you on to achieve all of yours.
Beverly, your list sounds fine. I don't know how you write and have a full-time job. I don't know if I could handle. Hopefully I won't have to find out any time soon.
DeleteWrite a sequel.
ReplyDeletePolish my WIP and send to my agent.
Keep the waves of publicity rolling for my indie.
Good luck with your quest.
Good luck, Catherine!
DeleteWow, I like that third goal. I might even steal it.
ReplyDeleteI do happen to have an idea that's been lurking in the back of my mind, bothering me. I've even gone so far as to make notes and discuss it with my husband (over martinis during an anniversary dinner). It IS outside my comfort zone, but maybe 2012 is the year to tackle it!
Tackle it, Dianne! We can cheer each other on. I started jotting down notes for the contemporary YA last night! We can do it. :)
DeleteOh boy. I'm going to make myself reach out to other writers more. Last year was so crazy (partly because I wrote a novel outside my comfort zone, and it about drove me bonkers) and I ended up keeping to myself too much. I miss all you great writers out there! So I'm setting aside time each week to stop by and visit (so to speak) various folks. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat goal, Tabitha. You scared me a little though since writing outside my comfort zone is a goal of mine this year. Eek!
DeleteOooh! I like the writing outside your comfort zone. What a great way to stretch your writing muscles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. New follower, BTW.
Kelly, i don't know how you do it all! seriously!
ReplyDeleteJodi, LOL. I like to be busy. :)
DeleteI keep talking about February but as it starts to creep up on me I just don't want to talk about it. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals, Kelly. Mine are to promote Bogey's Ace in the Hole which comes out in February (promotion just sucks the life out of me), and to finish my current WIP.
ReplyDeleteMarja, yeah promotion can be killer. Good luck!
DeleteI can only do one, but I'm going to make this one, I promise! I'm going to finish the draft of my first novel.
ReplyDelete:)
Yay, Diane! Good luck with it. :)
DeleteI'm going to finish my current WIP, finish the edits on the manuscript I have contracted through Spencer Hill and two others through MuseItUp Publishing. And start the sequel to my current WIP (Hopefully finish it by the end of the year, too). And read, read, read!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
www.michelle-pickett.com
Sounds great, Michelle. :)
DeleteGreat goals. I love that you want to write a novel that is outside of your comfort zone. A lot of writer goals this year that I have seen have included being more fearless, and this is definitely in line with being more fearless. Good luck on all of your goals this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yelena. I'm trying to be brave. ;)
DeleteIf I can write three short stories I will already be out of my comfort zone. So I think that will be my goal in addition to some other writing and illustration goals. Best of luck with your three manuscripts. If anyone is equipped to meet such a goal, it's you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. And good luck with your short stories. :)
DeleteI love this, especially writing outside of your comfort zone. I started something like that about a month ago and while it's been challenging, I'm really enjoying using my writerly muscles in a new way. Other goals include finishing edits on two manuscripts, drafting query letters for each and actually sending them out. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAdrianne, good luck with those. I've been following your blog and you seem to be very productive so I know you'll achieve all these goals. :)
DeleteLove your highlighted goal - that's a great one to help stretch yourself as a writer. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kris!
DeleteGood luck with these goals, Kelly. You can do anything you put your mind to.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I guess we'll see if I can. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm actually tackling a few tough projects this year, so my goal is to write them and take enough time to really write them well.
ReplyDeleteGreat post :D
Also - when you need a reader for your contemp, I'm your girl, lol.
Thanks for the offer. I may take you up on that. :)
DeleteWow. Just the first one - write 3 manuscripts in one year would be tough for me because I'm an obsessed perfectionist! These are great goals.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I used to be the same way, but now that I fast draft, I leave the editing for revisions.
DeleteOutstanding goals, Kelly! I can see that you will meet them because they are so specific and measurable. WTG!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012!
Thanks, Sharon!
DeleteI love goals, because it keeps me on track. I joined a group called the Life List Club that works to support each other in our goals, and it is amazing how helpful it is to have others interested in your goal attainment. I'm impressed with writing three manuscripts in a year! Wow!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you found such a supportive group! It's always nice to have people supporting and cheering you on.
DeleteTo find an agent and to write the second novel. Nothing, too big.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, worry about the novel. You can't really control getting an agent, though I have no doubt you will. ;)
DeleteI think that highlighted goal is now MY favorite! I actually did that last year. I wrote a crime novel. And I'm publishing late this year! It was VERY hard, extremely far out of my comfort zone (okay, that phrase wasn't exactly grammatically correct), but it's one of my favorites so far! I love it! Good luck! I'm sure you will succeed (and I'm now a new follower of your - thank you for your comment and follow!)
ReplyDeleteApril, (the reply button wasn't working for some reason so I'm posting a new comment in reply), I'm glad writing out of your comfort zone worked so well for you. I'm hoping for similar success. I guess we'll see.
ReplyDeleteCool! Good luck. 2012 is going to be a busy year for me as well (but I like it that way).
ReplyDeleteMe too, Rena. :)
DeleteMaking it uncomfortable in my comfort zone is one of my goals as well! Good luck with yours!! :)
ReplyDeleteYour goals would scare me half to death! As far as my own, I will self-publish at least three short story collections this year. A novella or two are also in the works.
ReplyDeleteMy goals scare me sometimes, too. ;) Your goals sound pretty big too though. Good luck with them.
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