I suppose I need to put together a "goals" post or else I won't have anything upon which to reflect at the end of the year. Make sense?
Just like last year, there are things I want out of 2010. Some I can control; some I can't.
What I can do:
1. Always have at least one story in front of a pro paying market.
2. Finish my final pass of Loathsome, Dark, and Deep and have it ready to query/submit in February. (Get on this one, eh?)
3. Write my fifth novel*--a ghost/suspense/YA thing with no title but one hell of a first line:
When I was younger, I imagined numerous ways to kill my sister just to see if she'd come back and haunt me.
4. Write at least one high quality story a month (or 12/year). I've gotten better at letting my stories "age" before editing. I'll do even better this year.
5. Buy something from the small press every month. And read it. And review it for Skull Salad. More than one would be sweet.
I would like the following to happen as well, but these items require outside "assistance":
1. Land an agent/sell a book.
2. Sell another story to a pro paying market.
Speaking of that pro-rate sale, my first such sale is to Blood Lite 2, an anthology of humorous horror from the HWA edited by Kevin J. Anderson. The story: "The Unfortunate Persistence of Harold Francis Beamish". Why I'm stoked: exposure. Pocket Books is the publisher which means Blood Lite 2 will find its way to many bookshelves in genuine brick-and-mortar stores. I'm glad I took the chance and subbed.
Oh, and things are coming along with The House Eaters. My editor sent a "head's up" email that she was about halfway through. All smiles here.
Enjoy your week...and ignore the post-holiday blahs.
*good God...fifth novel?
18 comments:
In terms of first lines, that one is a DOOZY! Well done.
Can't wait for the House Eaters!!!
Congrats on that pro sale. Barry is right, that first line is a doozy. Good luck in 2010.
Thanks, Barry. The story has been brewing for a long, long time.
Jamie - Thanks. Good luck to us all.
Woot, awesome pro sale! And I love that first line.
I like how you split your list into things you can control directly and things you can't. Might have to try that.
Oh, and the ghost/suspense/YA thing has me cracking up. But then again, I have a weird sense of humor.
Awesome news about the BLOOD LITE 2 sale. That's great!
Thanks, KC.
Carrie - It kind of cracks me up, too. There has to be a little humor, at least sarcasm, or it's dead. Literally.
Robert - Thanks.
Excellent goals! I'll send good vibes into the universe for the ones you can't control.
And congrats on getting something pubbed that will be in brick-and-mortar stores! That's a major goal of mine that I have no control over. :)
I love that first line of you 'fifth' novel! I'd buy a book that started like that. :)
Elana - I appreciate any vibes I can get, and gladly send them back out.
Akasha - Me too. I guess that's the goal: write a book I'd like to read.
HUGE congrats on the sale to Blood Lite 2! And good luck with your targets.
"Beamish" is a great last name : )
Aaron, hopefully we'll all do that agent thing this year. :-D
Congrats on the pro-sale, Aaron - that’s awesome news!
Congratulations on an awesome sale. :D
Thanks, Michael.
Natalie - I've toured the Beamish Brewery. I understand if you are in awe. ;)
Tyhitia - I won't hold my breath, but it'd be nice.
LR - Thanks!
Cate - You're my inspiration for awesomeness. Thanks!
What a bad ass sale, Aaron-- I'm so excited to see it! I think your goals are both admirable and reachable, even the ones that require a little luck and assistance in the bargain. I have no doubt about them.
Thanks, Katey. I'm pretty stoked. The story was a helluva lot of fun to write...a little Lansdale-esque.
Post a Comment