Here is a list of things that you can do each week as we work on our novels (suggestions welcomed).
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Last Week's Goals
I didn't set goals for last week but I did have plans to begin seeking the next book idea while my wife read the first draft of my last novel. I some brainstorming this week and came up with several ideas for one novel idea. This is an idea I created recently. I have another fantasy novel I've had around for a LONG time, but I didn't want to do that one because I feel I need to practice my writing process from idea to draft.
My goals for next week:
I will continue to brainstorm some ideas for this (or other) book idea(s). I may also work to outline some scenes with the ideas I've come up with so far.
What did I learn this week?
Not much this week. Taking it easy on learning.
--William
On the Shelf:
THE SHAMAN'S CURSE
THE IGNORED PROPHECY
DREAMER'S ROSE: Continue to let it rest.
Easy goal.
MAGE STORM: Work on the query.
Very little.
SEVEN STARS: Let it rest.
Another easy goal.
BLOOD WILL TELL: Start working through the revisions.
Well, I've started. But it's going a lot slower than I'd like.
OTHER: Update my blog twice a week.
Yes.
Next Week's Goals:
On the Shelf:
THE SHAMAN'S CURSE
THE IGNORED PROPHECY
I'm jotting down ideas of how these two might be changed.
DREAMER'S ROSE:
I'm trying out different places where this story might start with another writers' group. Beyond that, I'm about to decide that this one needs to go up on that shelf for a while, too.
MAGE STORM:
Work on the query and synopsis some more.
SEVEN STARS:
Let it rest.
BLOOD WILL TELL: Keep working through the revisions. I'd like to make it through a chapter a day (with one day off for other things). So, since I'm currently in the middle of chapter 6 that'd take me to chapter 12.
OTHER:
Update my blog twice a week.
THE NULL PROPHET: Let it rest.
That was easy 
MINDWALKER: Continue pre-writing & filling in plot outline.
I was almost ready to start writing, but the story was feeling a little flat. Not as exciting as the idea that sparked it. So, I went back to brainstorming and went a different way at the 1/4 mark. I'm optimistic about this new direction, but now I'm back to worldbuilding to make sure I look at the whole range of possibilities for the new plot.
This week:
THE NULL PROPHET: Let it rest.
MINDWALKER: Continue worldbuilding, and work on the new plot outline.
I was wondering what to tackle next. I've been editing various stories and books for around six months now.
Frankly, I'm a little concerned I'll be able to write new stuff. Sounds silly, but it's been a long time since I've created.
Then it hit me. Merlin's Revenge is a book one. I have two more planned, so why not start on book two?!
I wouldn't have done such a thing in the past, figuring I'd submit book one to NY and wait forever and if no one wanted it, why write the sequels... But with e-publishing, I can do what I want. Thus, if I put up a three book series online then goody for me.
Onward!
Axe
I'm working through a revision on BLOOD WILL TELL It's an urban fantasy--but think much closer to Patricia Briggs (I only wish it was quite THAT good) than Jim Butcher. Hope to finish it up by the end of the month.
So, if you want to wait or if you want to start a chapter exchange, I wouldn't mind another reader on that one before I start sending it out again.
I understand your concern about seeking new ideas. I had a similar worry when as I worked on the book I call Project: Life (which I just finished). At that point I only had one other novel idea: a fantasy novel that was simply a variation of the book I finished 13 years ago. Not much of a stretch since I had much of the work done already despite changing the story a bit.
So, I didn't worry about it and just wrote on Project: Life. Well, I came up with two new ideas, one SF and one fantasy. I'm glad I came up with new book ideas because I really didn't want to work on the fantasy novel variant from 13 years ago. Not that I'm unenthusiastic about it, but because I know if I'm to make a career out of writing, I need to learn to take a new story from Idea to Draft. Working on a novel that I already have ideas for would not be a stretch for my skills. I need to start an idea from scratch. So, I'll be working on this new fantasy novel idea.
As far as working on the book two, that's fine if you don't have other ideas at the moment. If you continue to write, you'll generate ideas automatically. That's what I've found so far. However, if you do get another book idea, I suggest working on non-sequels just to build up the writing experience on something different. Now, this is just my opinion. I feel that may be the best way of stretching your writing skill. Each person is different so the only way to learn is for you to try different things.
@EmilyS
I know how you feel about a story feeling flat. I had a similar happen to the new fantasy novel I'm working on, which I mentioned above. I did not like the ending much so I set the brainstorming aside and let it rest for a bit. I like to go on walks because that helps me generate ideas. When I did that the next day, I came up with some new ideas I like quite a bit better. I've only done two days of brainstorming so far but I like what I'm getting right now.
Quarterly submission report:
THE SHAMAN'S CURSE
23 queries, no positive responses (thankfully). Now on the shelf waiting for a complete rewrite.
BLOOD WILL TELL
37 queries, two requests for partials that didn't pan out. Now in revision and then I'll start another round.
MAGE STORM
26 queries. One request for partial that didn't pan out. Seven queries still out. Currently on hold for revisions to the query and synopsis.
Short stories:
"Mage Storm"
7 submissions, 6 rejections, one withdrawn. Made the second round once (at DSF). Currently on hold as I might want to use it in marketing the novel--if I can just get that moving.
"The Bard's Gift"
7 submissions. 7 rejections. Currently held for revisions.
"Becoming Lioness"
11 submissions, 11 rejections, but one with positive feedback (from Heroic Fantasy Quarterly). Currently held for revisions.
"Heart of Oak"
5 submissions, 4 rejections, 1 still out. But personalized and partially favorable rejection from IGMS
[This message has been edited by Meredith (edited April 04, 2011).]
I wasn't going to start looking for readers for THE NULL PROPHET for another week or two, but I can probably spare some attention from my new project if you wanted to do an exchange.
Sounds good.
Send me as many pages as you'd like to receive and I can make it happen. My chapters are 4-5 pages each, so I can pretty much break them anywhere.
Looking forward to it!
Axe
New Arbor Day: Sporadic, but continuing a good line edit pace. In corporating changes suggested from the previous WCE round.
Evangeline: A little more consistant, finding it's coming together. I'm around 30 pages right now (very young), but the world is beginning to mesh seeing similarities and contrasts between characters.
This week:
I'm writing this more than halfway through the week so obviously, I'm behind. Business stuff getting in the way, having to do taxes and split my time on business proposals in between making sandwiches, but that's because business is improving and that's something I need.
New Arbor Day: Edit 45 pages.
Evangeline: 9 new pages.
Query letters: Working on my first one right now, get two out this week! (I imagine a second will be faster than the first).
Anyone have an opinion on how "polished" a manuscript should be before a query is sent out? Obviously completed and all major revisions, but you can always find more to edit (and then over-edit) so suppose you have edited more than once, but you're still making changes based on current readers?
Not as much as I should have on New Mage. My MC is finally on her way home from the attack, I still need to figure out where her attacker went. I think I originally had him attack a police officer as he stumbles out of the alley. But I don't know. He has to end up in a hospital somewhere with his injuries.
NA is getting angry at her friends on the way home and later she will be drawn to the cult leader as her only true friend. The leader sent a Trick her way to make her feel bad toward her friends and to feel like he is her friend. It didn't work though until she drink the witch's hazel which neutralized her energy levels.
Did some good writing on "Storm Born". My MC is has just noticed there's a werewolf in the same room he is and his 'wolf fighting equipment has been stolen. Well, the thief left two things behind, a small flashlight and some silver dust.
Worked just a little on the revision of "Bright Lights and Chaos" On chapter six of eleven chapters. But I will be splitting one or two more chapters.
[This message has been edited by LDWriter2 (edited April 09, 2011).]