Now that the distractions of summer are nearly over, I’m thinking about my writing plans for the fall. Mostly they involve finishing things.
I drive my husband nuts when I clean the kitchen, because I’ll do 90 per cent of the work (load the dishwasher, scrub the pots, put away the leftovers) and then leave the last 10 per cent (floor isn’t swept, counters aren’t wiped, dishcloth isn’t hung neatly to dry) because I figure 90 per cent is good enough.
I’ve made an effort, I’ve done most of the work, and it feels powerful to quit when *I* want to, not when the job is finished.
I’m at 90 per cent with my middle grade novel:
- The final revision is almost done.
- I drafted a query letter.
- I bought Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market.
- I have a request from an agent to see my full manuscript (cool, huh?).
- I have a referral from an author for another agent (double cool).
This fall is when I finally start the submission process. Because what kind of fool would run 90 per cent of the race and then quit when the finish line is finally in sight?
So here’s my strategy for finishing the last 10 per cent (borrowing heavily from Charlie Gilkey’s 5Cs of Completion):
Get clear on what I need to do
- Finish rewrites on the novel.
- Read the manuscript IN ITS ENTIRETY, IN HARD COPY, and OUT LOUD (thank you to writer Anne Mini for that one).
- Create a spreadsheet of agents to submit to.
- Polish my query letter.
- Submit.
Break down each goal into specific steps
To finish rewrites, I have a checklist that details each chapter and what needs work. The only ones remaining are 8, 10, 16, and 21.
I have another revision list to use when I read through the manuscript.
For my agent spreadsheet, I’m going to go through the listings in Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market.
(FYI, this is the point at which I considered quitting writing this blog post.)
Decide to finish
Now that I know what needs to be done, I need to commit to making it happen. I’m announcing it here, which is always quake-inducing, because what if I don’t make it?
Before I announce it, then, I’m making sure that what needs to be done is achievable. That list up there will take maybe 30 hours of work? And some courage to pull the trigger? I’ve got that.
So here’s the declaration: by September 30, 2010 I will have submitted my middle grade novel to five agents.
(I nearly didn’t include that sentence above because it sounds so dorky. But I think a clear commitment is in order. I’ll swallow my pride.)
Focus on doing the work
For me, focus means 1) setting aside time to do the work; 2) putting it in my planner so it’s on my radar; and 3) saying no to stuff that would put me off track.
I have my morning writing time to finish revisions this week. Maybe I’ll read the manuscript to my husband in the car this weekend. And I can work on my agent spreadsheet in the afternoons.
Party!
A few summers ago I bought a ticket to Wicked as a celebration for finishing a novel revision. I’m going to keep my eyes open for a kick-ass way to mark the completion and submission of my first book in ten years!
Do you have something to finish this fall? Tell me about it!
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