Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year! . . . Now Back to Work!

Happy New Year to one and all! And what a year it has been. Last year at this point I didn't have an agent, I certainly didn't have an editor, and the dream of a big book contract was a memory I was quickly accepting was simply unrealistic.

There are two things this year has taught me. One is that dreams do come true. The other is that it is a heck of a lot of work!

I have worked harder on writing in the last year than I have ever worked before. And that is only slightly more than I worked the year before and--if others' experiences are like mine--slightly less than I will work this year.:)

There's a line in a song from the musical My Fair Lady in which the lazy father of the heroine says, "With a little bit of luck someone else'll do the blinkin' work."

Well, honey, that's not how publishing works . . . or doesn't work, as the case may be.:) (Hehe, I think I'm funny.:)) I have told my husband many times over the last month and a half, "I have the best job in the word!" and I do. But I sense a lot of work in my future. And that's okay.

I'm also looking forward to many exciting firsts next year. My first ed letter, my first pass pages, my first galleys, my first cover art, and possibly my first ARCs (although that might not be till early in 2009.) How cool is that? Other firsts I'm going to have to deal with? My first deadlines, my first book that I have to write under contract. But there are lots of friends and other things to help me out. Like my first writers conference at which I get to meet Pat for the first time.

So I guess it's time to roll out my writing resolutions!

First and foremost, I resolve to meet every deadline I'm given this year. No exceptions.

Second, I resolve to get the first draft of my books two and three finished by the end of December next year. Not polished or anything, just first draft.

Third, I resolve to be a good author. To gracefully accept edits and look for their potential. To let my agent handle the business end of things and my editor, the creative. To pick my battles and hang on only to things that are absolutely crucial and trust the rest to the professionals. I really want to have a reputation of being a professional, easy to work with author.

Hmmm, I guess that's about it for this year. I have lost of resolutions for 2009, but I'd better wait till the end of 2008 to list them. I guess that could be number four: live in the future and enjoy this part of the ride. I'll never get to do it for the first time again.

How about you? Did you have a good year? Are you resolved to have a better year next year? What are your goals?

Ciao!

11 comments:

Holly Kennedy said...

You have had a stellar year, haven't you? How wonderful! Congrats over and over, and enjoy the ride. It's a good one to be on.

I rarely make resolutions. However, as I told ORION, I'm reshaping 2008, charging into the new year with one thought in mind: Same behavior, same results.

Want different results?
Must change what I'm doing!

moonrat said...

good resolutions. you make my little editorial heart tremble with affection.

ORION said...

This is so cool to see lightening strike twice so to speak...You might want to pick up a few LOTTERY tickets for the New Year LOL!

Tyhitia Green said...

Congratulations on everything, Aprilynne. I am going to finish my rewrite in February and get an agent and (hopefully) a book deal this year! ;*)

leslie mae said...

Congrats April! That's so great! I hope that this year is as wonderful as you anticipate!

you'll have to check out our blog for our 2007/2008 goods.

Oh, I wanted to thank you for all the info you have posted on your blog. Travis has been working on a few children's books and he's finding this info very helpful. Though some of it he really doesn't understand yet. Any pointers or go to places for him to check out?

Good luck!!!

David L. McAfee said...

Ooooh, your first writer's conference....

Granted, that may not be the MOST exciting thing you have coming up, but it sure sounds like it would be fun. And you get to meet Pat. How cool is that?

Too cool for words, that's how cool it is. :)

I have my own list of writing resolutions, to be posted tomorrow.

Karissa Chen said...

how very cool! those are all firsts that are so exciting to have! and awesome resolutions. my resolution is to get a first draft of my novel done. possibly start on the second. if only i could find time. congrats on a wonderful 2007, and may 2008 be even better.

by the way, i don't know much about your book but i told my little sister about them and told her to tell her little friends. hopefully you'll gain a little following out there in asia (these are international kids who regularly go back to the US and bring books back with them. my sister is so cool that now she tells ME which YA books *I* should be reading. haha).

good luck!

Aprilynne Pike said...

Wow! Thanks Angelle!

Karissa Chen said...

hehe. of course! it makes me feel happy to see a fellow blogger "make it". plus, your book is right up my sister's alley. she loves ya fantasy/supernatural stuff, and when i sent her the blurb on your book, she got all excited. =D though, once your books hit the shelves, i may bashfully request autographed copies on her behalf. hee hee. how excited are your kids that their MOM is going to be a published author!!!???!!!

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