Inspirations:

  • It is said that good things come to those who wait. I believe that good things come to those who work. - Wilt Chamberlain
  • A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit. - Richard Bach
  • You don't find time to write. You make time. It's my job. - Nora Roberts
  • Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. - Buddha
  • Luck is when an opportunity comes along and you're prepared for it. - Denzel Washington
  • I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying. - Michael Jordan

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Bring it On!

Today is day one of 2011, the year I will officially become a published author, and I am anticipating lots of busy days ahead. You see, there's book 2 to write (BY MARCH 1st), my website to get up and running, and promo for When One Night Isn't Enough, my debut novel coming out in the U.S. in July 2011 for any newcomers. There are ads to place, postcards/bookmarks to order, and blogs to write for my debut blog tour. There's the author book signing my local library scheduled when they made me AUTHOR OF THE MONTH for July. (How exciting is that?) Then there's RWA national where I may be signing my new release, which quite honestly, scares the confident right out of me.

But getting published has been a goal of mine for a few years now so I say BRING IT ON!

In preparation for my new year, I spent part of last night cleaning out my office. I sorted through dozens of judge's score sheets from contests I didn't win, or even place in. In fact, I found results from one contest  where I finished second to last. (In 2008) And if I can go from a second to last place finish to published in three years, YOU CAN, TOO! If you take the time to learn from the the judge's suggestions, study books on the mechanics of writing, attend conference workshops and take online classes to hone your writing skills. (If Christine stops by, maybe she'll post the link to some upcoming online writing workshops she's coordinating.)

On some positive notes:
- My editor liked my chapters 1-3 and I am deep into chapter 4. It's 1,500 words a day or no downtime reading for the entire month of January! Then I'll have February for fine-tuning/final editing. (Don't tell anyone, but I purposely stuffed my muse with so many chocolates and cakes this holiday season, she'll be too weighed down to travel.) 
- My web designer, Diane, is amazing and as difficult as I've been because I can't seem to pinpoint exactly what I want, she has come back time and time again with new templates without complaint! (At least she doesn't complain to me.)
- My editor tells me that while she hasn't yet seen the cover for the 2in1 UK version of  When One Night Isn't Enough, she's heard very favorable reports. Apparently the art department gave it a very contemporary even chick-litty feel. I can't wait to see it!

For the month of January I plan to blog every Sunday. I hope you'll stop by to see what I'm up to, and keep me up to date with what's going on with you! I'll also be blogging on the Medical Authors Group Blog on the first thursday of every month, starting on January 6th. If you have time, I hope you'll visit me there. Here's the link: http://community.eharlequin.com/content/medical-authors-group-blog

So, what are you doing to get your new year off to the right start? What changes are you making to achieve the goals you've set for yourself?

14 comments:

  1. Yes indeedy 2011 is a busy year for you! I can't wait for the next update! I'm still whipping my goals into shape :)

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  2. Wendy, sitting here big grinning for you- that's an exciting year ahead!
    My goals are simple- write every day whether I feel like it or not; finish the story I'm writing right now; then revise my rejected SuperRomance.

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  3. Thanks for stopping by, Lacey! Once you figure out your goals post them in your office so you see them every day!

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  4. Hi Waitng for the Call (Jane?) and thanks for stopping by. Writing every day is key! (I'm still trying to manage it!) Good luck on achieving your goals!

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  5. Wendy, Glad to hear she liked the chapters. Keep those words coming

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  6. Hi Wendy-

    Am very excited to see the roll out for your website!! I know it will reflect your classical/classy contemporary writing style!

    Hey, by the way, you've stuffed me with chocolates and I can hardly move, I must be someone's muse!!

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  7. Thanks, Janet!

    Hi Dale!
    Thanks for the help with the web design stuff. Glad you enjoyed the Godivas!

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  8. Sounds like an exciting (and busy!) year ahead for you!

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  9. It sure does, Taryn. But I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. 2010 was a good writing year for you, Wendy, and I'm certain 2011 is going to be even better! Congrats on getting those chapters in.

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  11. Oh yay on getting the green light on book number two! Looking forward to seeing your new website, very best wishes for the year ahead!

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  12. Thanks, Joanne! To you, too! I hope you'll stop by the medical authors group blog on Thusday. Here's the link:
    http://community.eharlequin.com/content/medical-authors-group-blog. I'm going to be blogging there and I'm looking for some input from medical romance readers.

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  13. This is such an exciting year for you, which is always great when we prepare and work so hard for it. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed myself - sometimes I long to just concentrate on writing instead of the whirl of publicity and marketing we need to embark on to help sell the books. But, it is part of the business and much better to embrace than to fight!!!

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  14. I'm glad we're doing it together! It makes it so much more fun!

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