What are your 2013 writing goals?

2013 imageA happy 2013 to everyone! Here’s hoping that your new year is starting out well.

For writers, this is also a good time to reflect on writing goals for the new year … at least for those of us who might need an extra push, or those of us who don’t manage to get any writing done during the holiday season.

For me, I’m eager to start querying to get representation for my finished novel, In the Shadow of the Apennines, contemporary and historical women’s fiction following the lives of two women: one in modern-day Abruzzo and one back at the time of the devastating earthquake and Italy’s entry into World War I, in 1915.

In early 2013, I also hope to complete Italian Tales, my collection of short stories about Italian and expat women. Set in Italy, these are women’s stories about love, loss, motherhood, divorce, death, jealousy, regrets, friendship and hope. I’ve completed most of the stories, and those that I haven’t are mapped out in my mind, and ready to make the treacherous journey from jumbled brain cells to computer screen.

The last project I hope to complete in 2013 is another contemporary/historical novel, this one with a time-travelling element. Its called Dark Blue Waves and it is the story of Janet, a young American woman studying at a Jane Austen seminar in Bath, England. Following an accident, Janet wakes up in her own room … back in 1813. I’ve been having a lot of fun writing this one and have been getting tremendously helpful critiques and idea from my critique buddies over at Critique Circle. I’m about three-quarters through with the manuscript, and then hope to polish it until it shines.

So I have lots to keep me busy in the new year… and now I have sent my writing resolutions out into cyberspace, so I have to stick to them!

And you, writers? What are your writing goals for 2013? My best wishes for a happy and successful writing year to us all in 2013!

P.S. While we’re on the topic of writing goals, just thought I’d pat myself on the back, because this is my hundredth post! A good way to start off the new year…

100 sculpture

14 Comments

  1. Joshua Lisec on January 4, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Reblogged this on Joshua Lisec.

  2. Julia on January 5, 2013 at 4:36 am

    Congratulations on your 100th post, Kimberly! That’s awesome. I have to say I admire your boldness in telling the world what your goals are. I still don’t feel ready to say them openly. It is like a pregnancy in its very early stages in y case, but I will get there. I enjoyed reading about your goals and projects. I can’t wait to read all your books! They sound fascinating!

    • kimberlysullivan on January 5, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      Thanks, Julia! My writing has been very private, so it’s new for me, too. : ) But since I’m starting the querying process, I guess I’ll just have to get used to it. I’m hoping you have a collection of short stories in the works for 2013, too. I’d love to read them…

  3. Catherine on January 6, 2013 at 5:50 pm

    Congratulations on your hundredth post! It makes for a lot of work doesn’t it?

    As for writing goals I’d like to spend less time on book promotion and more on new material, but that’s going to be difficult as I have my short story collection coming out and a novel I need to revise for submission. Good luck with sticking to your guns and I’m looking forward to reading some of your stories. Ciao cat

    • kimberlysullivan on January 7, 2013 at 11:02 pm

      Thanks, Catherine. The blogging’s been a lot of fun. And I know 2013 will be an exciting year for you! I am really looking forward to your new collection… and highlighting it here, too. Consider yourself pre-booked. : ) Yes, I know publicity must take time away from your writing… but there are worse problems to have. : )

  4. Jacquline on January 7, 2013 at 3:02 am

    Happy hundredth post!

    My writing goals for this year are to complete my WIP and start querying while I begin another novel. Good luck with your goals, Kimberly!

    • kimberlysullivan on January 7, 2013 at 11:06 pm

      Thanks Jaquiline! Wishing you the best of luck in completing your WIP and starting with the querying! In general, I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but with writing goals, I think they can give us a useful kick in the pants. : ) Hoping 2013 will be a successful writing year for you.

  5. wordfoolery on January 15, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    Happy New Year, K! I was delaying replying in the hope that I’d have time to formulate exact goals but overall I’m going to finish submitting my first novel for publication, finish the critique phase of novel 2 (which you’re helping with!), attend a few writing retreats/festivals, write and submit more short fiction and of course, there’s my annual NaNoWriMo adventure in the autumn.

    I can’t wait to read the end of your Bath novel, so you better hurry up with that goal!

    • kimberlysullivan on January 16, 2013 at 7:36 pm

      Great writing goals, Grace! Sounds like 2013 will be a busy writing year for you, too. And I very much look forward to your finalization of novel number two – I’ve so enjoyed reading it! Keep me updated on the retreats and festivals you attend this year; it’s always interesting to learn what’s out there. Wishing you all the best this year…

  6. chris on January 18, 2013 at 6:50 am

    Sounds like you have a really busy year planned! I hope to wrap up the final edits for my collection of memoir/travel/life in Viet Nam essays and begin the querying process. Best of luck with achieving your goals.

    • kimberlysullivan on January 18, 2013 at 8:43 am

      Thanks, Chris! Can’t wait to read them. I spent over three weeks travelling through Viet Nam, quite a few years ago. Would love to ‘see’ it again through your stories! I’m pre-booking you for an author interview when it comes out. : ) Best of luck!

      • chris on January 18, 2013 at 11:29 am

        Awesome! 🙂 Some of them have been published or will be soon in various litmags and anthologies.You can find them under my ‘publications’ tab. They’ll give you a taste of what the book will be like.

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