Hello there!
Ms. Bennett is off taking care of a new little human
(CONGRATS MY DEAR!) and has asked a few of us to help her with the month of
September. So here I am.
Who am I? Kelley Lynn a Young Adult author who’s usual home
is my blog which you can find here.
I do like visiting places and making new friends though so I’m PUMPED J.A.
allowed me to come for a visit.
What should we talk about? How about… THE END.
J.A. Bennett has a fantastic blog, all about the Writer’s
Journey. As I fly around the blogosphere I realize every writer has a different
journey and a different goal.
Some of our friends are looking forward to typing ‘the end’
on a book, to look at those wonderful two words and say, “I did it! I finished
a book!” The idea that we determined we would write a book and followed it
through to completion puts a huge smile on our face.
Some of us need to see our work in print, whether hard copy
or ebook. Perhaps we don’t need an agent or a publisher’s approval. We know our
work is good and as long as others read it (anywhere from a few to many) that
is enough for us. Self-publishing it is!
Then there are those of us who need validation from another
source, maybe it’s a small publisher or an agent that says, “Yes, this book is
good. I/We can work with this.” We sift through rejection after rejection
waiting for just one person to utter these words, determined this is the only
way our book will see the shelves.
Each journey is unique. Each goal is beautiful. Not one of
them is better or worse, harder or easier. The goal can only be determined by
one person: ourselves.
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And the goal might change. This is what happened to me. My
original goal was to find an agent. That would be the confirmation my work was
good enough. But then I found a small publisher that got my work. That
wanted to put their name behind it and I was beyond thrilled. I adjusted my
goal, and am completely happy with the outcome.
So what is your goal?
What is at the end of your journey? Where will you be when you ride off into
the sunset knowing you accomplished what you set out to do?
34 comments:
Great post, Kelley!
My goal was simply for people to read my work, which is why I self-published.
My next goal is to possibly attempt submitting to a small publisher, and see how that goes!
Kelly, great question.
Recently, I typed, "The end." That was for ending the writing of my book. When I first started my book, I had envisioned a different end. I thought I would have an agent and a publisher working with me.
After "getting a reality check," my end is self-publishing and I am happy with my decision.
sweet guest post!
this journey never ends! as long as my idea file keeps growing and life stays interesting! it's all about the journey for me!
I'm a sad case of good never being good enough. I don't know when I will be able to say...goal accomplished.
My original goal was to get to "The End" and I completed that goal on two books. My new goal is to get through edits. The next goal is to query until there's no one left to query, and -if nothing comes of it- move on to another "The End."
Great post, Kelley!
What if I don't want it to end? Just put it on repeat! LOL. :)
I really want to see a book I wrote made into a movie. Not necessarily Hollywood (although that would be supah-cool), but I'd even pay some small indie someone to make it. I love movies and seeing my story and characters come to life in that medium would be a dream come true. :)
Look at you, Ms. Kelley. You're everywhere this week!
Where do I want to be? Writing. That's it. I always want to be writing and becoming a better writer.
Excellent post Kelly! I agree that each persons journey is unique and all worthwhile.
My basic goal is to learn and have fun. If it stops being fun, I'll stop. But so far, it's been a ball!
I LOVE this. Look at how many different goals and journeys we have. This is what makes the writing word so fantastic.
And I'm like Elizabeth. I'm not sure 'The End' will ever be good enough.
But we shall see!
Thanks everyone so much for your comments and thanks J.A. for having me! :)
I dream big, so I really don't know where my end is. I always try to celebrate each end, though, before I move on to the next beginning!
I just wanted to prove I could write a book. Finding a publisher and seeing my book in print was a bonus.
It'd be fun and probably satisfying to see some of my books in a real bookstore (How fun must signings be?) But an end? Writing is a part of me, and I hope my fantasy knows no end.
Congrats to Jennie! I love your point that everyone has a different journey, Kelley. Hopefully we can all enjoy and appreciate our own-- and everyone else's!
My goal right now is to find the motivation to begin work on my third book. It should be easier as I've plotted the whole thing out.
Nice job Kelley! I love that sunset. Want to ride into it with me. :0)
My goal is to write a story I'd enjoy reading. And then to try getting it out to other people, through whatever method.
Emily was right! You ARE everywhere this week! Holy social media queen :)
The end for me? Ha...probably when I get a few books published and realize that I could probably make more money becoming a professional golfer! :)
One of the joys that come with writing is that things aren't supposed to "end." There are always more stories to tell and more books to read- that's the way I see it. =)
I always have publishing in the traditional method on my mind. The journey never ends since I'm always writing, improving, and even switching genres.
Great guest post, Kelley!
Loved reading about your processes!
Nas
My goal is for either an agent or publisher to offer to represent me. Goal #2: to make enough as an author to make my family comfortable. Goal #3: to impress my husband with my writing. Yes, it will happen in that order. I'm married to a very hard to impress man.
My end goal is now to continue to grow and try new genres. I've stepped out of my science fiction world and I'm collaborating with another writer and working on a YA paranormal.
Gotta keep going outside our comfort zones!
Quite simply, my goal is to have a hardcover edition of my book. Must be a hardcover--I adore them so.
This is the second time this morning I wrote that answer. Another blog was talking about our writerly dreams.
Can I steal Ilima's goal? Is that considered plagiarism?
I don't know that I'll ever meet my goals, because I constantly change them.
I think it's so important to keep our own goals in mind and not let ourselves be led astray by other people's goals. We are all so different, and we should use our time pursuing those things that will bring us our own sense of fulfillment. We have no place judging others because their goals may not seem as lofty as our own. Thanks for this great thought.
My goal is to find contentment... will I ever do that? LOL. :D
I think it's great we're all so different... it's why none of us should ever judge... we're all on our own journey, doing our best, and I think that it's so neat we can support each other regardless of where we "are" in the writing game. ;)
Beautiful post, Kelley!
And oh my gosh, I didn't know baby Bennett has already made his appearance! Congrats, Jen!!! <3
Great post Kelley! My goals seem to change all the time. And congrats to JA! Very happy for you! Hope you're getting some sleep!
I came by to tell J.A thanks for her thoughts on my GUTGAA query and first 150 of MAYBE FOREVER, and she's not here! Maybe she'll see this later. But thanks! And awesome post, Kelley. I really enjoyed reading this. :)
My goal is writing THE END by Dec. 10, 2012... knowing how I roll, I bet I write it at 11:59 p.m. on the ninth :)
Hi Kelley! This is so true. We all have individual paths we have to figure out for ourselves. Congrats on your book!
And BIG CONGRATS to JA for her new bundle!!
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