2013 is going to be my year.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Every December, my head swells with grandiose visions of a new life filled with broccoli, elliptical trainers and an impossibly organized house. The same unfulfilled resolutions, year after year.
I have a special feeling about this year, though. Not that those extra pounds are going to magically melt away, or that the boxes piled in the garage will finally make it to the top of my priority list. No, what makes 2013 different is that after spending several years studying the craft of writing, outlining plot ideas and working on a “practice” novel, I’m ready to write my first “real” novel. One I’m eager to share with the world.
I’ve already made solid progress on this project–the plot is fully outlined and I’ve completed several chapters of reasonably polished prose. With most middle grade novels coming in under 50,000 words, I may very well complete my first draft by the end of January.
How amazing is that?
Some writers reach this milestone in a matter of months. For me, it’s the culmination of more than twenty years of growth and preparation. A dream that always seemed too far out of reach to ever become real.
Until now.
When next December rolls around, no doubt I’ll still need to lose weight, to organize my house and to search for an agent, but I will have completed my first novel.
And that will make 2013 something special.
S. D. Keeling 
Reasonably polished prose? Hah! IT ROCKS!!!
You go, girl! And yes, 2013 is your year!!!
Um, autocorrect is now calling me Cecile?
What, you didn’t want to change your name again? 😉 For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, watch for Cecily in the upcoming anthology, “Love Stinks.”
No, you rock! Seriously, that means a lot coming from someone as blindingly brilliant as you.
I’m with you all the way, Sharon. You can do it! I can’t wait for Evan and Garrett to be shared with the world. Great site — way to go!
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. You’re awesome!
Love your design here, it’s beautiful. And all your writer friends will help and encourage you in the coming year!
I hope so! I’ve met so many fantastic writers in this area. Thanks, Allison!
Oh, and thanks for the compliment on the design. I took photos from my honeymoon in Egypt and played around in Photoshop.
Great blog. You’re on your way to achieving all your goals. And even if you don’t, who cares? What’s important is that YOU are happy with your progress.
So true, Shirley. Thanks for the encouragement!
Great blog, Sharon! I haven’t read any of this story, I don’t think, but if Cecily says it rocks, it does 🙂 Good luck on achieving your goal. Determining to do it is the first step!
Thanks, Barb! I brought a chapter to the last ORA meeting–where Ethan finds the amulet in his pocket and then accidentally imagines himself back in time during a tour of the Great Hypostyle Hall in Karnak.
Your story sounds right up my son’s and my alley. I look forward to reading it when it’s finished.
Vera,
When I have a coherent draft finished, I’d love some fresh feedback from both adults and my target audience. Let me know if you’re up for it!
Sharon
We’re up for it!
I wish you the best for the coming year. Me? I HAVE to get off 50 lbs. in the next few months so I can get my knees replaced. Terrible to have to do it so you can have an operation…but I don’t want to be an invalid. I am looking forward to our write in in January with ORA so I too can get some writing done.
Ooh, no fun. Good motivation, though.
Good luck with your new novel. I will be glad to join in with ORA members to work on mine on January 7th.
Good luck on your new novel. Will you be at the ORA write in?
I’m planning to be there, but I have to attend my son’s basketball game and set up my display for the bridal show the next day first, so I’m not sure what time I’ll be able to make it.
Sounds like a great start to me! Go, Girl! Go!
Thanks, Lisa!
Congrats, Sharon! This is your year to shine. 🙂
Thank you! I’m bowled over by all the encouragement!
Love the new blog. Good luck with your writing goals. Sounds like those who have read your stuff think you rock, so I’m sure you do because I value their opinions.
Thanks, Lisa! I seem to have stumbled into a really supportive group of writers.
Hi Sharon!
It was nice to see your interactions today in TKA’s twitter chat, and I wanted to say I read your post and I’m glad to hear that you made progress with your middle grade novel, and I wish you all the best in 2013 and much success! 🙂
Sincerely,
Anita
Thanks, Anita! It was great “meeting” you during the TKA chat today. I took a peek at your blog, and I look forward to reading more. It looks like it’s full of great posts!
Sharon
Thanks for taking a peek! I’m planning on some new posts soon, and thanks for liking my FB author page, too 🙂
When I set up a FB author page you can return the favor. 😉 Hopefully I’ll have a new post up soon here, as well. I’ve been working to push through my first draft, but I may be about ready to come up for air.
I wish you all the best with your goals for 2013 and good luck with the novel!
Thank you so much, Siobhan. And good luck shopping “The Only One.”
Sharon, you’ll get there!! If we Time Travel novelists have the ability to shove our characters through flippin TIME, the least that we mere mortals should be able to accomplish is writing a few words on a piece of paper right? Right?? ACK! would that it were that easy. 🙂 But it sounds like you have a solid plan. I’m happy we met on twitter- and we must stay in contact! TT for ever! 🙂
Pfft. Easy. Yeah, right. I’m getting there, though! And I’m glad we met too, Janet. We seem to have a lot in common, so I hope we stay in touch and get to know each other better.
I love your optimism in this post!
Thanks, Amanda! I haven’t lost that optimism yet. I didn’t finish my first draft in January, but I’m 20K words closer to my goal. Sort of, anyway. I also revised my estimate for how long this book is going to end up, which moved the goal line about 15K words farther away. Still, it’s good!
Hi there, just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for the Liebster Award, check it out here, http://marilyndavies.wordpress.com/ happy blogging :0)
Thank you so much, Marilyn. I really appreciate that!
Sounds like you were on target.
Pretty close! Including the pounds I still need to lose. 😉
Last year when I replied to this blog, it was pretty generic. Now, I know you and I’ve read your stuff. OMG – next December 9th, you’ll be talking about the year you got the Big Contract.
I hope so. That would be amazing!
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I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and
visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your
theme? Exceptional work!
Thank you! I did the design myself using Photoshop and photos I took while I was in Egypt. I often do simple graphic design work as part of my photography business.
Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in
Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you
a quick heads up! Other then that, very good blog!
Hi, just wanted to tell you, I liked this blog post. It was helpful.
Keep on posting!
Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me
of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this.
I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a
good read. Many thanks for sharing!