2014 Resolution Round-Up

I’m going to make this quick. This year I did not succumb to writing New Year’s resolutions, I did not make a pot of black-eyed peas, and I did not demand that the first person through the front door of my home be a man (family superstitions die hard). But I did spend an inordinate amount of time reading resolutions and advice aimed at writers, many of which appeared in my Aspiring Author Daily publication.

I thought you might appreciate a round-up of sorts. They are in no particular order, as I’m not out to sway your opinion – or your resolutions for the year. Some of them aren’t resolutions, but more resources to revitalize your writing life. So, here’s to life as a writer, setting goals and resolving to be better. Enjoy! And, Happy New Year!

Always,

Athena

~Shout-outs to all the bloggers featured in 

the round-up for sharing their insights~

Helping Writers Become Authors

10 Easy Writing Resolutions for 2014

Storyfix

Novelists: Hatch a Stronger Story Idea in 2014

WOW-WomenOnWriting

The Writer’s Resolution Conundrum

New Year’s Resolutions: Writer Your Dream in 2014

Three Ways to Take Your Children’s (or any) Writing Career Seriously in the New Year

Brian Klems’ the Writer’s Dig

62 of the Top Writing Articles from 2013 (That Can Help You in 2014)

Guide to Literary Agents

Make A New Year’s Power Grab

HuffPost Books

The Geek’s Guide to the Writing Life: A Challenge for 2014

Set Goals, Not Resolutions: First Year in Print

How To Over Come Stumbling Blocks for Writers and Keep that New Year’s Resolution to Write Your Novel

Find Your Writer’s Voice in 2014

Julie Hedlund

2014 Anti-Resolution Revolution

Writer’s Edit

New Year’s Resolutions for Writers

Writers Write

New Year, Same Ole Me – My 10 Writing Resolutions for 2014

Write By Night

2014 Writing & Reading Resolutions

Terrible Minds

Writing Resolutions: 2014 and Beyond

The Walden University Writing Center

Writing Resolutions for the New Year

The Alliance of Independent Authors

New Year Resolutions for Self-Published Writers

All Things Writing

2014 All Things Writing Resolutions

Bookmasters

Resolutions for Better Writing in 2014

Flogging the Quill

2014 Writing Resolutions? Writing Plans?

Not Another New Year’s Resolution Blog Post

In mid-December, pop icon Beyoncé Knowles sent ripples through the music industry and her fandom when she released a self-titled album produced in secret, and complete with videos for every track. Just one month prior to Beyoncé’s devilishly released album, I, the aspiring author, shocked family, friends, and colleagues when I resigned from my high-profile communications position in search of a new professional challenge -- and some dedicated time to creative writing.

What Beyoncé accomplished should be taught in PR courses across the country; what I did should be possible for anyone who desires to devote himself or herself to a dream (even if it doesn’t work out as planned).

Now that I’ve crawled out on this limb, I’m going to go a step further with the re-launch of my blog…starting with this post. The blog isn’t new—its renewed—and it is not -- I repeat, is not -- my New Year’s resolution. Going back to square one with the blog now is just about timing and leveraging a moment.

Keeping with my commitment to share resources and my personal experiences on the road to becoming a published author, I am expanding the reach and depth of the content by inviting guest posts by published authors, editors, publishers, bloggers, agents, publicists, university professors, and other professional voices that can offer aspirational advice to writers.

There’s no specific schedule here, but new blog posts will be teased in advance. Comments are always welcome and encouraged, and I whole-heartedly invite suggestions for topics. I am but one voice in a tribe of aspiring authors, and we know that writing is such a solitary endeavor. It is my desire to build a platform where a community of writers can share and learn from each other. I know it’s not innovative, but it is sincere.

I recently began soliciting for guest posts through Twitter; that will continue. If you’d like to write a guest post, suggest a guest, or a topic, email me at athena@athenahernandez.com.

Also new for me, I just completed my first guest post on Scribbleweed. Please check it out—Kelley is amazing.

Maybe this will be a year of “firsts” for me. Stay connected and let’s see what happens! Happy New Year!

Always,

Athena

Athena's West Coast Wonderland

In 12 days I'll be on a plane destined to Monterey, California, the recipient of arguably the best gift I've given myself in my journey to becoming a published children's book author. When I started down this path about 18 months ago, I couldn't even comfortably call myself a novice. I was, in fact, simply aspiring.

On September 22, 2010, I posted on this blog about my adventures in Wonderland, comparing my foray into children's book writing and publishing with the enduring popularity of Alice's adventures. I was prompted to craft the Wonderland post by my discovery of an editor. See, as an aspiring author, every step in the process...every discovery...every stumble...every class...every work in progress is wondrous, and can at times feel preposterous. Yet, my sense of wonder has not diminished and continues to burn brilliantly bright with each word that I commit to paper.

In 2011, I discovered a workshop that promised "a hands-on intensive weekend designed to ready [writer's] manuscripts for publication." I was intrigued, but skeptical. Not that anything created in the spirit of Henry Miller could disappoint -- but I was fearful that my work would be an utter disappointment to the cadre of published authors, editors, and agents assembled to guide the work of new writers. That my talent lived only in my imagination and would crumble under scrutiny. So, I watched from the sidelines. I attended the SCBWI annual conference. I took a picture book writing class. I wrote another manuscript and began revisions with an editor. I even wrote a novel (now two). And as I scuttled between adventures in my wonderland, I kept an eye on the Big Sur Writing Workshop.

The decision to submit my work was not easy. Though I've learned a lot in the year since I first discovered Big Sur, there still exists doubt. First, I made money my excuse for not attending. Then I decided that my work in progress needed more revisions and wasn't ready for the light of day. And as the deadline crept closer and closer, my excuses began to fade. I did have the money, if I prioritized. And my work in progress was just that -- a work in progress that might be made better once examined by professionals whose one goal is to help aspiring authors become published. 

My excuses vanished and I took the plunge. I paid my fees, submitted my sample chapter and query letter on February 10 (the last day to register)...and then I waited...

I checked my personal email account every hour. I re-read my submission countless times. I conjured up scenarios of why my work would be denied. I imagined receiving an email thanking me, denying me, and encouraging me to keep trying. I thought the biggest hurdle was the submission; I discovered that the waiting was far worse.

If you're reading this, then you might be wondering what the big deal is with Big Sur, and why I wanted it so badly. Here's just a few reasons why.

1. Writing is a solitary endeavor that can be equally rewarding and punishing to your spirit. Until your work leaves the confines of your solitary world, you wonder if it's good enough and if it can survive. The best options for learning comes from your peers and those in the industry (writers, editors, and agents). At the Big Sur Writing Workshop, I will have access to some of the most well-respected professionals in the industry:

Agents from the Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Editors from Chronicle Books, Disney-Hyperion, and Viking, and
Authors, as well as special guest, literary manager and producer Brandy Rivers

2. I love the conference format. When it comes to my writing, I can be an introvert and hesitant about sharing (yes, I want to be published but am afraid to let anyone read my work--I know it sounds crazy, but it's true). Usually, I prefer bigger conferences where I can gather information and settle into obscurity. But at Big Sur, I will meet and work with three faculty members throughout the workshop. With a ratio of faculty to writers of five-to-one, the level of attention I will receive is better than any of the many classes I've taken in my more than two decades of education.

3. The schedule includes critique groups, lectures, and rewriting time. I can devote the entire time to my craft under the guidance of a faculty of authors, agents, and editors. Pinch me, I must be dreaming!

4. And lastly, what could be better than writing in Monterey, California! While I will not be able to take advantage of all that Monterey has to offer, it's not lost on me how geography can impact the muse. Traveling cross-country to write and be critiqued might not be appealing to many; but for me, it's the stuff dreams are made of.

As it turned out, I was not forced to wait and wonder. On the same day that I submitted my sample chapter, I was accepted as a participant in the March 2-4, 2012, Big Sur Writer's Workshop. I count my acceptance as a triumph and an extension of my wonderland to include the West Coast. What awaits me on this next adventure remains to be seen. But like Alice, I am up for the challenge and can't wait to meet my West Coast cast of characters. Armed with my Greta Garbo fountain pen, my faithful MacBook Air, my brand new portable printer, and a full copy of my young adult novel -- Taketh Away -- I will not slip down this new rabbit hole unprepared. See you on the other side!