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Our 2019 Goals...

12/31/2018

2 Comments

 
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Every year, the 24 Carrot Writing crew shares our yearly Writing and Craft goals.  We hope that in reading our plans for 2019, you may find a starting point for your own 2019 goal list.

​We also feel strongly that writing goals down and sharing them builds accountability and leads to accomplishment. We encourage you to share your 24 Carrot Writing Goals on our Facebook page (look for a pinned post about goals) or in the comments below, and use this goal tracking sheet. 

While the 24 Carrot Writing approach emphasizes setting Writing Goals and Craft Goals, you will notice that Amanda and Kelly have added sections. Amanda finds that adding Submit as a separate header allows her to track and achieve her submission goals. Kelly is focusing on connecting with the KidLit community in 2019 and has separated out Community as a header so she can be sure to focus on those goals. Start with the framework of setting Writing Goals and Craft Goals and then feel free to adjust your goal list so that it works for you. 

We hope you set your 2019 goals, use the 24 Carrot Writing method to hit your targets, and find inspiration and motivation in our blog throughout the year. And don't forget to reward yourself with a special carrot every  month to celebrate your progress.
​
Francine
Writing:
  • Show up. 
  • Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (or minimum of 20 min/day if life gets in way)
  • Complete rewrite of contemporary YA manuscript (May 15); submit to critique group (June 1)
  • Revise contemporary YA manuscript based on critique (September and October)
  • Draft historical YA novel (Fall/Winter 2019) 
  • Write monthly blog for 24 Carrot Writing
  • Attend one-day writing retreats with 24 Carrot Writing and critique group
  • Plan and attend one weekend writing retreat
 
Craft:
  • Manage social media, blogs and website 
  • Attend 2019 NESCBWI conference
  • Participate in monthly critique group
  • Read craft books and industry blogs (especially summer)
  • Organize office files and submission materials
  • Research agents and editors for YA contemporary novel
  • Develop submission plan for YA novel and submit Fall 2019 (use Kelly's Boomerang Method)
  • Take research trip for historical novel – Fall 2019
  • Read: 52 novels/non-fiction books (24 YA Fiction and 28 Adult Fiction/Non-fiction) plus 96 PB (8 per month)
  • Teach Five-Year Creative Planning Workshop at PVWW (plus other?)

Amanda
Be intentional
Write:
  • Write MG novel sequel (January  - April)
  • Revise MG novel sequel (May)
  • Write and revise at least 6 new PBs (June - December)
  • Draft a contemporary chapter book/ MG?

Submit:
  • Submit YA novel, using submissions plan
  • Submit MG novel
  • PBs: Boomerang submissions
  • After NESCBWI – draw up new submissions plan
 
Craft:
  • Launch personal website (Amanda Smith Writes)
  • Blogs and reviews for ASW
  • Blogs and reviews for 24 Carrot Writing
  • Attend local workshops
  • Attend NESCBWI Spring conference
  • Research agents and magazines
  • Attend one-day and annual writing retreats
  • Participate in Loft book group
  • Read for research and log books in Goodreads
  • Participate in C2C and Loft Critique groups

Annie
Writing:
  • Finish rough draft of MG novel by June
  • Finish 2nd draft of MG novel by December
  • Write 4 new PB drafts
  • Revise/edit 4 PB drafts based on critique feedback
  • Write for minimum of 2 hours per week
  • Submit to 5 agents/editors per month 
  • Write monthly blog/book pick

Craft:
  • Attend NESCBWI conference
  • Attend 3 PB/MG workshops 
  • Work on marketing for second PB due out in April & schedule at lease 6 events
  • Schedule at least 6 events for debut PB
  • Participate in monthly critique group
  • Read 10 PBs per month
  • Read at least one MG/YA per month​
  • Update/maintain my author website on regular basis
  • Attend at least 6 book launches/author events

Kelly
Writing:
  • Write 5 new PBs in 2019 (one every 2 months with July/Aug off)
  • Revise 12 PBs in 2019 (one a month)
  • Boomerang all Submission Ready MS (monthly task)
  • Commit to Writing Wednesdays

Community:
  • Attend 6 Book Launch/Author Events/Workshops
  • Blog Monthly for 24 Carrot Writing and/or Manage Guests on 24 Carrot Writing
  • Review a Book a Month online (Goodreads & Amazon)
  • Write Discussion Guides for Writers (minimum of 6)
  • Teach Story Squad Writing Class at HCA (min of 12 classes)
  • Develop and Work a Marketing Plan for PB Debut in 2020 (participate in Soaring 20s, seek out interviews, polish Author Website, build email list, target cross-marketing opportunities)

Craft:
  • Attend KidLit Book Group (minimum of 8x)
  • ReFoReMo (participate in challenge and commit to reading 300 kidlit books in 2019, track books in Goodreads)
  • Attend SCBWI & WPWR
  • Read Industry Blogs, Newsletters and Trade Journals
  • Participate in Critique Groups (submit to C2C minimum of 6x year & Loft Crit Group min of 6x year)  

​Add your own 2019 Goals in the comments section! 

2 Comments

Our 2018 Goals

1/17/2018

0 Comments

 
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Every year, the 24 Carrot Writing crew shares our yearly writing and craft goals.  We hope that in reading our plans for 2018, you may find a starting point for your own 2018 goal list.

Our 24 Carrot Writing blog goal is that you set your 2018 goals, use the 24 Carrot Writing method to hit your targets, and find inspiration and motivation in our blog throughout the year.

Kelly 

Writing:
  • Write  minimum of 8 new PBs in 2018
  • Revise 2 PBs every month 
  • Write or revise a query letter every month
  • Revise MG novel 
  • Write KidLit Book Group Discussion Guides for The Loft
  • All complete submission ready MS must be out on submission - practice boomerang method (blog coming in February 2018) 
Craft: 
  • Attend The Loft KidLit Book Group minimum of 8 times
  • Attend Whispering Pines Writing Retreat
  • Take/Attend 4 writing workshops/craft chats (The Writers' Loft and/or SCBWI)
  • Submit 10 new or revised manuscripts to Critique Groups
  • Read 100 PBs and 12 MG/YA books
  • Write 12 blog entries for 24 Carrot Writing
  • Attend minimum of 10 book launches and/or author events of fellow writers
  • Read industry blogs and newsletters

Annie

Writing:
  • Finish rough draft of MG novel (by July)
  • Work on 2nd draft of MG novel 
  • Write 4 new PB drafts
  • Revise/edit 4 PB drafts based on critique feedback
  • Write minimum of 20 minutes/day five days per week
  • Submit 3-4 different PB manuscripts to at least 10 agents each 
  • Submit completed MG novel to agents/editors
  • Write monthly blog
Craft:
  • Attend NESCBWI conference
  • Attend at least 3 PB/MG workshops or critique groups
  • Work on marketing for my PB debut in October
  • Participate in monthly critique group
  • Read 10 PBs per month
  • Read at least one MG per month
  • Update/maintain my author website on regular basis
  • Attend at least 6 book launches/author events


​Amanda
Writing:
  • Office hours: Tue, Thu, Fri (9 – 2)
Revise:
  • YA Novel
  • 4 PBs
  • MG
Submit:
  • Make a sub plan for YA and SUBMIT
  • PBs: Boomerang submissions of all submission ready PBs
  • After NESCBWI – draw up submissions plan to conference agents and editors
  • Submit MG when ready
Write:
  • Plot and write parts  II and III of MG trilogy
  • Figure out if 3 PBs want to be a CB
Craft:
  • Organize folders
  • Attend local workshops 
  • Attend NESCBWI Spring conference (Sunday?)
  • Volunteer for and attend Encore
  • Research agents and magazines
  • Attend annual Writing Retreat
  • Participate in Loft Book Group
  • Read for research and log books
  • Build author’s website (Summer)
  • Participate in monthly online critique group
  • Participate in Loft Critique groups

Francine
Writing:
  • Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (or minimum of 20 min/day if life gets in way)
  • Revise current contemporary YA manuscript
  • Complete Draft 1.5 of a new historical piece
  • If time permits and inspiration strikes, rewrite a contemporary YA manuscript that has been resting in a nearby drawer.
  • Write monthly blog
Craft:
  • Manage social media, blogs and website (weekly)
  • Read novels and research materials that support my projects (weekly)
  • Expand my workshop repertoire/develop new presentations (monthly)
  • Invest in workshops and talks that will fill my educational well (monthly)
  • Attend/present at NESCBWI conference
  • Participate in monthly critique group

0 Comments

Goals 2017

1/9/2017

0 Comments

 
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At it's core, 24 Carrot Writing is all about setting goals.

We are sharing our 2017 goals in the hopes that it will help you set your 24 Carrot Writing goals for the year.

Everyone's writing plan and work patterns will be different. We hope you find ideas and inspiration in the yearly goals we are sharing and can map out your own goals for the year. 


The possiblities are endless and the slate is clean. Set your goals.  Make your plan. Then jump out of bed every morning ready to put your plan into action.


Kelly
Writing:
  • Give my PB writing the WRQS! in 8 of 12 months this year (http://www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/give-your-writing-the-wrqs)
    • Write 8 new PBs
    • Revise 8 PBs
    • Write 8 PB Query Letters
    • Send 10 PB submissions a month
  • Revise 3rd draft of completed MG novel
  • Finish first draft of new MG novel
  • Write monthly blog entry for 24carrotwriting.com
Craft:
  • Read in the genres in which I write and catalog books in Goodreads/ write reviews of at least 6 books this year
  • Attend a craft class, chat or Writer’s Loft event every month
  • Participate in monthly PB critique group
  • Update my author webpage
  • Read agent, editor and writing blogs and industry publications

Francine
Writing:
  • Complete 3 drafts (with critiques in-between) for my historical YA novel "Untitled"
  • Complete 2 drafts (a complete rewrite and a solid revision) for my realistic contemporary YA fiction novel "Marcy Schroeder..."
  • Write monthly blogs for 24carrotwriting.com
  • Research/send 8 submissions per month for my realistic contemporary YA novel "Fractured" 
Craft:
  • Attend SCBWI Mid-Winter Conference in New York City  Feb. 9-12
  • Attend NESCBWI Spring Conference in Springfield, MA  Apr. 20-23
  • Plan/Coordinate 2017 NESCBWI Encore! II at MWCC in October
  • Plan/Coordinate four "meet and greet" gatherings for NESCBWI
  • Attend monthly critique group meetings
  • Attend Annual Writing Retreat
  • Finish designing and publish my updated author website; breathe new life into Facebook Author page​
  • Revise PowerPoint Presentation for 5-Year Planning Workshop
  • Develop PowerPoint Presentation for Journaling Workshop
  • Brainstorm/Outline/Develop PowerPoint Presentation for Bullet Journaling for Novels Workshop
  • Read! Craft, Genre, Pleasure!

Amanda
Writing:
  • Write at least 20 minutes every week day
  • Have one designated writing day (Writing Wednesday)
  • YA Novel
    • Critique group revision (February)
    • Synopsis and Query revisions (January and February)
    • Research 10 agents (January and February)
    • Query and Submit (February and March first batch)
  • Second Draft of MG "Claire Argent..."  by May
  • Revise 3 Picture Books
  • Write at least 2 Picture Books
  • Submit submission ready piture books, at least one a month.
  • Send novel queries out in batches of 10. (February, April, June, September, November)
  • Submit to magazines
Craft:
  • Attend local workshops
  • Attend NESCBWI Spring Conference
  • Attend annual Writing Retreat
  • Research agents and magazines
  • Participate in Loft book group
  • Read for research and log books
  • Build author’s website (Summer)
  • Participate in monthly critique group
 
Annie
Writing:
  • Finish 1st draft of MG novel (by March)
  • Finish 2nd draft of MG novel (by June)
  • Complete final draft/revisions of MG novel (by September)
  • Polish and submit MG novel (by end of November)
  • Begin outlining/drafting new MG (fall 2017)
  • Write 4 new PBs and revise based on critique group feedback 
  • Revise PBs written last year
  • Polish and submit 3 PB manuscripts
  • Write monthly blog entry for 24carrotwriting.com
Craft:
  • Read, read, read in the genres in which I write!
  • Participate in monthly PB critique group
  • Work on my craft through writing exercises  
  • Attend NESCBWI writing conference
  • Attend at least 3 PB/MG workshops/classes
  • Regularly review writing resources/workshop materials to hone writing skills
  • Annual writing retreat
  • Update/maintain my author website on regular basis

0 Comments

Goals for 2016

1/20/2016

0 Comments

 
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Here at 24 Carrot Writing we are strong believers in setting goals and working hard to achieve those goals. We decided to share our annual goals with you hoping to motivate you to set your own writing goals. We all set our goals very differently. Some of us have detailed goals with calendar dates and self-imposed deadlines. Others have a few thoughts scribbled on a sticky note. We all, however, took time to think about what we want to accomplish in our writing career this year. We would like to urge you to do the same.



​Amanda

Writing:
  • Write at least 20 minutes every week day
  • YA Novel
    • Finish revision
    • Beta Readers (February)
    • Final revisions
    • Research agents (February)
    • Query and Submit (April)
  • Outline and write Chapter Book by October
  • Revise 3 Picture Books
  • Write at least 2 Picture Books
  • Write 6 early reader stories
  • Get at least 50 rejections (4 submissions a month!)
  • Write 2 short stories for magazines
Craft:
  • Attend local workshops
  • Attend NESCBWI Spring conference
  • Log books I read
  • Research agents
  • Annual Writing Retreat
  • Take a break from all the Mo’s

Francine
​Writing:
  • Write 20 minutes a day minimum
  • Submit Contemporary YA Novel "Beneath..." (includes researching agents/editors and establishing/maintaining up-to-date tracking system); Revise when it sells!
  • Historical Fiction YA Novel - First draft Feb-May, Second draft Sep-Nov
  • Contemporary YA Novel "Marcy" - Rewrite Jun-Aug
  • Monthly blog for 24CarrotWriting.com

Craft:
  • Attend SCBWI Mid-Winter Conference in NYC
  • Present at/attend NESCBWI Spring Conference 
  • Attend NESCBWI Encore! 
  • Attend two local writing workshops 
  • Annual Writing Retreat
  • Plan/Coordinate four "meet and greet" gatherings for NESCBWI
  • Plan/Coordinate two workshops for NESCBWI (spring/fall)
  • Update personal website and breathe new life into Facebook Author page
  • Develop Powerpoint Presentation/Deliver 5-Year Planning Workshop
  • Develop Powerpoint Presentation for Journaling Workshop
  • Brainstorm/Outline "TBD" Workshop

Annie
Writing:
  • Finish 1st draft of MG novel (by June)
  • Finish 2nd draft of MG novel (by September)
  • Revise/polish and submit MG novel (by December)
  • Write one new PB per month 
  • Revise PBs written last year
  • Polish and submit 3-4 PB manuscripts
  • Write monthly blog entry for 24carrotwriting.com
Craft:
  • Read, read, read in the genres in which I write!
  • Participate in monthly PB critique group
  • Hone my craft at least twice a week thorugh writing exercises  
  • Attend NESCBWI writing conference
  • Attend at least 3 PB/MG workshops
  • Regularly review writing resources/workshop materials to hone writing skills
  • Annual writing retreat
  • Update/maintain my author website

Kelly
Writing:
  • Give my writing the WRQS! in 10 of 12 months this year (http://www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/give-your-writing-the-wrqs)
    •  Write 10 new Picture Books/Chapters in a New MG novel
    • Revise 10 PB/Chapters
    • Write 10 Query letters for existing manuscripts
    • Submit 10 manuscripts to agents/editors
  • Revise 2nd draft of MG novel
  • Use NaNoWriMo to draft a new MG novel
  • Write monthly blog entry for 24carrotwriting.com
Craft:
  • Read in the genres in which I write and catalog books read in Goodreads/ write reviews of at least 6 books read this year
  • Attend NESCBWI conference
  • Attend at least 4 PB/MG workshops
  • Participate in monthly PB critique group
  • Update my author webpage quarterly
  • Annual writing retreat (can we make it happen again - fingers crossed)
  • Read agent, editor and writing blogs and industry publications

0 Comments

GOALS FOR 2015

3/9/2015

5 Comments

 
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Here at 24 Carrot Writing we are strong believers in setting goals and working hard to achieve those goals. This year we decided to share our annual and monthly goals with you hoping to motivate you to set your own writing goals. We all set our goals very differently. Some of us have detailed goals with calendar dates and self-imposed deadlines. Others have a few thoughts scribbled on a sticky note. We all, however, took time to think about what we want to accomplish in our writing career this year. We would like to urge you to do the same.

Francine:
  • Continue the practice of writing at least 20 minutes per day.
  • Finish the most recent draft of my YA novel, research agents and editors, and begin sending it out in March
  • Complete the first and second drafts of new YA novel/project (First draft: June, Second draft: November)
  • Attend SCBWI Winter Conference (February), NESCBWI Spring Conference (April), and three-day writing retreat (November)
  • Attend one picture book or middle grade writing workshop

Annie:
Writing:
  • Finish 1st draft of MG novel (by July)
  • Finish 2nd draft of MG novel (by November)
  • Write 1 PB draft per month using ideas from PiBoIdMo 2014
  • Research PB agents and submit minimum of 2 PB manuscripts by end of December
Craft:
  • Attend NESCBWI conference
  • Attend at least 3 PB/MG workshops
  • Use reference resources to complete at least one writing exercise per week or review writing resources/workshop materials to hone writing skills
  • Read in the genres I write!

Kelly:
Writing:
  • Submit all active/ready PB manuscripts to at least 10 agents/editors each
  • Write 24 Carrot blogs and book pics
  • Write 6 new PB manuscripts
  • Revise 10 PB manuscripts
  • Finish MG novel
  • Start new MG novel
  • Document 12 new PB ideas

Craft:
  • Read weekly blogs and newsletters like KidLit 411, CBI, SCBWI
  • Participate in ReFoReMo and NaNoWriMo
  • Take 5 local and online classes. 
  • Attend NE SCBWI Encore

Amanda:
Writing:
  • Write at least 20 minutes a day on weekdays
  • Write 3 new PB manuscripts
  • Revise 8 PB manuscripts
  • Submit ready manuscripts to agents/editors 1x a month
  • Finish YA novel first draft by October then start revising

Craft:
  • Attend local craft workshops
  • Attend NE SCBWI 
  • Get to know SCBWI website  - use it as a resource
  • Learn how to use Goodreads as an effective resource
  • Participate in ReFoReMo and PiBoIdMo
  • Research agents

 Please share your annual writing goals with us in the comments.

5 Comments

Coming soon...

2/16/2015

0 Comments

 
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