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One Life Dream: To bring 1 Million Books to Gambia (I'm lucky to have such a supportive husband!) |
I was all set to *finally* post my goals for 2012, when Kristi Holl posted her latest thoughts.
Dream bigger, she pushed.
And I realized, looking at my totally "do-able" list of words to write or submissions per month, etc., that these weren't really my dreams for my writing career. They were things I planned to do to get closer to achieving them. Things entirely in my control (which I'll still do, but they're not all that I want).
So, today on my blog you get to see me spill all, even though I risk ridicule (or you thinking I'm full of myself in dreaming so big). But if I only told you the practical things I planned to do for 2012, I wouldn't be telling the whole truth. There's a lot more to me than word count or blog followers. And there's a lot in publishing that isn't solely dependent on me - that's why goals are great and dreams are necessary.
So, here's to you, Kristi. Happy New Year!
Dreams
(things I can't always control, but will passionately work towards!)
(things I can't always control, but will passionately work towards!)
1) To be able to say I
2) To snag the elusive picture book agent. There are three of you I'm stalking.
3) To land my first traditional picture book contract. Then many more. (Don't get me wrong, I love educational publishers and the work-for-hire projects I do. But there's a big difference).
4) To hold my very first hardcover, traditionally-published picture book in my hand. To smell it. To run my fingers over the amazing illustrations crafted by the perfect artist. Like Kadir Nelson.
5) To win an SCBWI or ALA award. A Newbery would be nice someday.
6) To see 1 Million Books for Gambia complete its mission in my lifetime.
7) To finally consider myself fluent in Mandinka, Wolof, and Creole. At least one of the three anyway.
8) To win THE AMAZING RACE. (Ok, so that's not a writing dream but it's always on my mind!)
Goals
(things I can do - in the hopes of achieving my dreams!)
(things I can do - in the hopes of achieving my dreams!)
1) To finish my WIP (YA novel) - at least the first complete draft - by March 30, 2012.
2) To continue my agent research and attend my first national convention in 2012 as well as attend state and local SCBWI ones. Since I already have a (small) list of agents I'd love to be repped by, I will simply stalk them until I know how they take their coffee and which toothpaste they prefer. I will make notes on every agent on my list by August 2012 to see if we're compatible. And submit to the ones I like before the end of 2012. And I will not cry when someone tells me that the Agent Fairy isn't real again.
3) Since I write, write, write, and revise, revise, revise - I guess it's finally time to submit. The feedback at conferences and current contest winnings, etc. have given my the confidence in my work. I will submit at least two picture books each month to the 'right' publishers (assuming there's an open house accepting unsolicited mss).
3a) I've also decided to join 12 x 12 in 2012. Those of you who know me are probably rolling your eyes (how many MORE picture book manuscripts could she possibly write...doesn't she have, like, a hundred already?). The point is, participating will get me to move on to new picture books and actively seek homes for the ones that are complete and have gotten great feedback from authors, editors, critique groups - and most importantly - MYSELF.
4) I'm going to read every book by Kadir Nelson. In the hopes that one day he'll illustrate something I've written. No, I don't know him. Not yet, anyway :) Just a huge fan. And all books by my mentor, Lisa Moser. Once I finish reading their books, however, I'm going to try and read the same number of books I did this year (at least 100). Reading = better writing. No ifs about that.
5) I will take the first two weeks of February to review the list of all awards for children's books in my 2012 Children's Market and online at the ALA and SCBWI sites. If there are any that my WIPs are eligible for, I will apply.
6) To hold at least 2 book collection events in 2012. And to recruit at least one other person to travel with me to Gambia (not for this year's trip, but in 2013 or 2014).
7) To speak as much Wolof as I can during Feb-Mar while back in Africa. To print out and keep with me, my language guides. To stop reverting to English because I hate sounding like a child.
8) To convince my husband to finally make that video application for THE AMAZING RACE before I leave for Africa in February.
Longwinded, yes. Sorry. What are your goals and dreams for 2012? Comments are open below!