Wednesday, December 7, 2016

December #IWSG: It's beginning to look a lot like a novel

First Wed of Every Month
Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs of the writing process and post the first Wednesday of every month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html


I'm co-hosting today (a first for me!) Check out these other amazing December co-hosts:


Co-Hosts:
Jen Chandler
Nick Wilford
Juneta Key
JH Moncrieff
Diane Burton
MJ Fifield




I'm so excited to report that I finished NaNo strong. Not 50k strong, but almost 35k strong. A new, shiny plot is under way for another MG story, and it's starting to look like a book!


DECEMBER'S QUESTION: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?





My lofty five-year plan includes, well, doing what I'm currently doing: writing middle-grade fiction. Sure, it would be nice to be on a few lofty lists, like the NY Times Best Seller List. Hey, a girl can dream. 


How will I achieve my goals? I probably won't saddle up Dusty, aka Lil' Sebastian, anytime soon. However, I plan to use a rope, a grappling hook, an energy drink and a really fast car. Sounds like the MC in my new book trying to achieve his goals. He will do anything to cure himself of something that's ruining his life and will stop at nothing to change the course of seventh-grade history. 


Hitting the target, aka the goal, is never a straight shot down easy street. Most of us usually lose the keys first, get pulled over, hit a speed bump (or two), careen off the path and plunge headfirst into an icy river. Sounds like every Bourne movie ever. But how many of us actually have it made when it comes to writing and publishing? Not many.  



I hope the new year (and what's left of this one) brings you closer to your goals! My goal will always be to enjoy writing through ever stage. Merry Christmas and happy editing, fellow NaNo-ers!  

79 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for co-hosting this month! You're right that achieving your goal is never easy or straightforward. There are always bumps and surprises along the way. But that's what keeps it interesting. Cheers - Ellen

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    1. It's the same with writing a book. If the MCs journey is all smooth sailing, who would care or even read the thing?? Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Hope you're enjoying your first bash at co-hosting.
    You're right, it ain't easy, but then where would the fun be in that? ;)

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    1. I am! I'm all for fun. I must have tons of fun, er roadblocks.

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  3. You'll definitely need something with more horsepower.
    That's still a lot of words for NaNo - well done!
    And thanks for co-hosting today.

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    1. He was such a good little horse. Not that he died. Past tense. We visited him over Thanksgiving.
      And thanks! I think so too. On to adding more this month before the holiday crazy starts.

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  4. Congrats on NaNo. You won because you're so much further into your book than you were on Nov 1st. Loved your analogy. Thanks for being a co-host.

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you! I feel like a winner with an almost finished book. Just needs another 10k, editing, beta-readers. Sigh. It'll get there:)

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  5. Thanks for cohosting and for that great November word count. There are always setbacks when we're shooting for those goals. I'm determined to move past my most recent ones.

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    1. Got to keep pushing forward. If it wasn't for a writer friend of mine, I wouldn't have even started this new MG book.

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  6. Good for you on the Nano. 35 K ain't too shabby. I'd like to keep my writing going as well. Plenty of projects, I just need to settle in and do the work.

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    1. It's hard to focus sometimes with kids, kids, and more kids in the house. But they have to go to school sometime. You can do it!

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  7. Nice work on the Nano project. Keep on keepin' on is a great way to move forward to success. Thanks for co-hosting.

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    1. Thanks! I agree. You must keep moving, aka writing, or die. Just saying.

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  8. Awesome job with NaNo! Keep on pushing forward. Thank you for co-hosting today and have a happy holiday season. :)

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  9. Great goals. And, your books sound wonderful!
    Thanks for co-hosting this month!
    Mary at Play off the Page

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    1. Thanks! I try for a unique angle. In today's market, it's tough to stand out. But "stand out" you must, in order to be published.

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  10. Goals are dreams with deadlines - I'm sure all of yours will come true :-) All the best with your writing endeavours.

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    1. What a great inspirational quote! It's like the right brain and the left brain got together and made a quote.

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  11. I agree - enjoy writing through ever stage. The journey is most important!
    Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month!
    Writer In Transit

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  12. I'm a very goal-orientated person, and it does become easy to forget my love of writing when I'm chasing down goals the way dogs chase cars.

    Best of luck with your story. 35k words are awesome.

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  13. Oh, Bourne movies. My husband really likes those, but for some reason they've never really interested me. Merry Christmas to you too!

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    1. Hee hee. I've always been drawn to them. Haven't seen the latest one yet.

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  14. Lil Sebastian like on Parks and Rec? :)

    Congrats on such progress for NaNo. Glad you have a good start on your book. Thank you for co-hosting!

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    1. You guessed it! I wanted to rename Dusty, but the rest of the family was like, "Huh?"

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  15. Congrats on finishing strong! I also hope to make it on a few of those lofty lists. I hope we both make it. :)

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  16. Awesome job!!
    Your new story sounds very interesting and adventurous!
    Best of luck!
    Thank you for co-hosting!!!
    HMG

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  17. Good luck on all your goals! May the road not be too bumpy for you!

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    1. Thank you! As long as my youngest son isn't driving, I'll be fine and so will the rest of the world.

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  18. haha yeah the road can sure be bumpy as can be with a cold river thrown in. But have to keep on keeping on, only way to maybe make such a list.

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  19. Good luck with these goals. A few tweaks, I am right there with you!

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  20. Love your goal of enjoying writing at every stage! An excellent reminder. :)

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  21. Good luck with your plan! Sounds doable to me. And thanks for being a host this month.

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    1. Thanks!! It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.

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  22. Hooray for Lil Sebastian! :D

    A writer wiser than me talked about the elusive NYT bestseller goal so many of us dream about or joke about dreaming about it. She said, do you really want that? If so, it doesn't happen by accident. You can't control whether it happens, but you can create goals that get you close to that like submit/publish with traditional publishing, write a commercial book with wide enough appeal that it's likely to be pushed by publishers to gain traction to make those lists. But not every writer actually wants that. Some want to make a living at writing, and you can do that in ways that NYT list doesn't matter. Or you want to publish a story you want to share with the world on your terms, not publishers.

    Anyhoo... it's NYT list is a legit goal, or at least the steps around it are. Only the big Q is whether or not we want it. I've been thinking on this a lot lately and not sure yet of my own answer.

    Here's my December IWSG post on Stephanie Scott YA Author Blog

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    1. It's no joke. I've always dreamed of this. Yes, I want it! *Stomps foot* I'm hoping the last two stories I've written will have wide enough appeal. My finished WIP is attracting some agent love, and that is my first and foremost goal!!

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  23. Awesome on your goals! All the best!

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  24. Thanks for co-hosting, Jennifer. I like your goals. I hope all your dreams come true.

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  25. Wishing you all the best on your goals - enjoying every bit of the writing and publishing process is an awesome goal!
    Merry Christmas!

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  26. Ooooh, a grappling hook sounds like a good idea!

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  27. Congrats on Nano- 35K is nothing to sneeze at.
    Best of luck in the new year.
    Tweeted.

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  28. A girl can most certainly dream. And should.

    And I adore Lil' Sebastian!

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  29. Speedbumps, yes. I think I'm floundering in that icy river right now. But dreams are good, really good. (Cute picture!)

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  30. Speedbumps, nothing. I hit huge potholes! Bravo to you for your MG writing. I write YA short fiction and memoir. This is my first time here. I've joined your blog. Merry Christmas and happy publishing in 2017!

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  31. At least your technique sounds really fun! I hope your every wish and dream comes true!

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  32. I think it's the obstacles that make the journey worthwhile. May yours be not so major.

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  33. Congrats on your NaNo success. And if you're gonna dream, dream big! Sending powerful work vibes your way. Thanks for co-hosting!

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  34. Congrats on your NaNo success. And if you're gonna dream, dream big! Sending powerful work vibes your way. Thanks for co-hosting!

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  35. Your attitude is inspiring and down to earth at the same time. This is my first visit this month and I enjoyed the energy you shared in your writing. Thank you co-hositing IWSG this month.

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  36. Congratulations on finishing NaNo strong and creating a whole new plot in the process. you are well on your way to achieving your five year goal plan! Happy holidays and happy novel expanding!

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  37. Yay for finishing Nano strong! Hope you meet your writing goals. Thanks for co-hosting, and Happy Holidays!

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  38. There are many curves and wrong turns. But if we get our map with our destination in front of us, we'll eventually get there.

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  39. Yeah, writing is not a sprint along a straight path. It's a cross-country marathon with obstacles and setbacks every so often. And it is important to enjoy every step of the way. Otherwise, why do it? Good luck with your goals and thanks for co-hosting this month.

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  40. Getting of the path and careening into icy water seems to be a problem for several of us. Perhaps it is time for a writers GPS? Congrats on finishing NaMo. And NY Times Best Seller List? Totally doable. It is the season of Christmas Miracles!

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  41. Thanks for co-hosting! There’s nothing wrong with dreaming of ending up on the NY Times bestseller list. I like to also dream about my book being adapted into a movie. No matter the detours or speed bumps, here’s to a great writing year in 2017!

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  42. Congrats on completing NaNo!! Life's curve balls are inevitable. It's how we learn from those experiences and get through them that enriches us as people and feeds our creativity. Lovely post, thank you for co-hosting.

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  43. Congratulations on NaNo! Good luck with your writing goals. You're right that it's not a straight shot. There are tons of detours along the way.

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  44. Merry Christmas, and congrats on NaNo! I finished strong too (well, a strong limp to the finish line) but I still have about 20K to go.

    Thanks for co-hosting with me. It's been awesome.

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  45. Congratulations on Nano and good luck with your story.
    Dusty is cute, but probably a bit slow.
    Thanks for co-hosting this month.

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  46. Congratulations on completing NaNo. Here is to seeing you on the NY Times Best Seller List (Hugs to you for that lovely goal) Hope you make it soon. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month!

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  47. It's the journey that's most important. If you're enjoying the ride, that's all that counts.

    Thanks for co-hosting this month!

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  48. Best way to look at it! Writing through it all! Great job co-hosting!

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  49. That is what I'm learning too, to write through every stage. Happy Holidays,
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  50. Thanks for co-hosting this month, I'm sure you will have loads of fun. You're so right . . . always lots of pot-holes, blind alleys and wrong turns on the writing journey, but hopefully some of them at least help us grow a little along the way! Excellent news on the 35K. Happy holidays to you too.

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  51. Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG blog hop this month, and congratulations on 35K NaNo - That's about where I ended up too! Happy Holidays to you and your family :)

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  52. Congratulations on completing NANO and the plot for a new book. Here's to reaching your goals. Thank you for co-hosting this month. So nice to meet you. Great picture too.

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  53. It's good to dream big! Best wishes on your goals.

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  54. Congratulations on hitting 35k words last month! That's awesome. It's great to meet you and thanks for co-hosting this month's IWSG! Hugs. Eva

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  55. Jennifer 35K is great Congrats! on that. The most I've written was 25K. It's a lot of work but a great springboard to launch us forward. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2017.

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  56. Congrats on NaNo! 35k is a fine chunk of words. Sounds like you're ready to take on whatever comes your way!

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February #IWSG: Just Do It

                  Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs...