- I will start/finish the damn book
- I will always have at least three stories on submission, while working on a fourth
- I will attend at least one writer's conference, and introduce myself to agents, editors, and other writers
- I will subscribe to the magazines I submit to
- I will join a critique group. If one doesn't exist, I will start one at the local bookstore or library
- I will finish every story I start
- I will listen to criticism
- I will create/update my website
- I will master the query process and find an agent
- I'll quit procrastinating in the form of research, outlines, synopses, taking classes, reading how-to books, talking about writing, and actually write something
- I will refuse to get discouraged, because I know JA Konrath wrote 9 novels, received almost 500 rejections, and penned over 1 million words before he sold a thing--and I'm a lot more talented than that guy
- I will keep my website updated
- I will start a blog
- I will schedule bookstore signings, and while at the bookstore I'll meet and greet the customers rather than sit dejected in the corner
- I will send out a newsletter, emphasizing what I have to offer rather than what I have for sale, and I won't send out more than four a year
- I will learn to speak in public, even if I think I already know how
- I will make selling my books my responsibility, not my publisher's
- I will stay in touch with my fans
- I will contact local libraries, and tell them I'm available for speaking engagements
- I will attend as many writing conferences as I can afford
- I will spend a large portion of my advance on self-promotion
- I will help out other writers
- I will not get jealous, will never compare myself to my peers, and will cleanse my soul of envy
- I will be accessible, amiable, and enthusiastic
- I will do one thing every day to self-promote
- I will always remember where I came from
Did I miss anything? Feel free to post your resolutions.
12 comments:
I forgot one, for both pros and newbies alike:
I will buy multiple copies of Whiskey Sour and Bloody Mary, and recommend them to everyone I know.
Happy New Year!
You're an inspiration. You seem to be one of the hardest working authors out there and that seems to be what it takes these days. A combination of self-promotion, savy marketing, publisher support, and good writing.(not in that order)
Your site and blog give good practicle advise. Also, it seems everyone I run into the business either knows you or has met you.
I was recently in a local bookstore, Kazoo Books, in Kalamazoo. I mentioned I was a struggling writer they said,"Have you met Joe Konrath?" I get that every where I go. Whatever you are doing must be working.
Keep up the good work and good luck with your new book. . .
I will go to Thrillerfest. There I will snag Joe and buy him with Whiskey Sours and Bloody Marys and tell him thanks for all the great advice. I will also make him sign my copies of his books.
I've decided to definitely stop procrastinating.
But I think I'll wait till 2007.
I will read Joe's blog everyday until I'm as successful as him.
Then I'll buy him a beer.
Joe,
Once again I'm going to print your blog and hang it on my bulletin board.
Those lists are pretty close to the ones I make every year, except I usually throw something in about losing weight, exercising and quitting smoking. Funny how I need to make the same list every year, huh? :)
I already bought Whiskey Sour and Bloody Mary, and I already recommend them to everyone I know, so I'll buy Rusty Nail and recommend that, too.
I'm rolling on that outline, Joe. I know you said, right on that list, to write instead of outlining, but my agent, who is also your agent, requires an outline for this effort...
Bottom line: It's rolling, and so am I. Thanks.
Adam
Oh, I'm definitely keeping this post. Oddly enough, I already had some of the newbie ones on my to-do list for 2006 already.
Thanks!
I love "I will subscribe to the magazines I submit to." If one doesn't think the magazine is worth buying, why submit to it?
Captain Anomalous - Procrastination is so the new black, it's actually the title of my blog. :)
Nine novels and 500 rejections...I just hope that I can display that much perseverance!
Joe,
I have one question. Do you really think a new writer should finish everything they start?
Sometimes I start something only to find out that it is truly garbage. I move on. I consider those pieces to be practice.
Am I wrong?
BTW, I did purchase Whiskey Sour for my mother and sister for christmas presents.
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