Discussion: Your Summer To-Do List

It's official. The summer is upon us and as writers, I don't know about you, but I have LESS time to write in the summer than I do during the school year. You would think it'd be the other way around, wouldn't you?

Because I'm so very Type A, I like to-do lists. I love that bright red check mark next to my blue task. Ahhh. It's bliss.

(Did I just mutter that outloud?)

All the other Type A personalities out there are nodding and clasping their hands in reverent worship at the altar of to-do lists.

July hit me and I GASPED, realizing the ACFW Conference is going to be here before I know it and I have more things still to do than I want to think about.

Even if I weren't going to the conference, this list would be so important to me as I hit goals and keep my writing moving forward.

So pull on your hiking boots, we're going to tackle that summer to-do list. And for those that share at least a couple things from their list get their name in a drawing. ;-)

One Sheets.

I am so, so, so close to checking this task off. Just about one more edit. 

I tell you, creating a one sheet is one of the hardest things I can do in preparation for the conference. Fortunately, I've got great resources to pull from.

Pitch and Proposal

Have you see on the ACFW website where it tells you what the agents and editors are looking for in their appointments with you? Oh my goodness, if you haven't, get thee over there right now! This will save SO MUCH headache in guessing what to take and will make you stand out and look professional for having read the guidelines on the website.

However...a proposal has me shaking in my boots. Thus the fact that I haven't finished mine. Take the fear out of it and peruse these posts. Something I sorely need to do...

When it comes to the pitch I had a rough draft, then I read Mary Connealy's article in the ACFW Journal and realized I needed to completely re-write it. But the good news is, Mary does an EXCELLENT job of showing us how to craft a pitch. Check it out. Excellent exercise.

My Novel Edits

I have to set the timer and work on my book for an hour every day that I can. Which is reading to about 3-5 days a week right now. If you have a large project you're staring in the face and can't dredge up the motivation to work on it, set the timer. I tell you, giving myself the realization that I only have to do this an hour pushes me to work that much harder and see how MUCH I can get done in that allotted time. ;-)

FINISHED THE BOOK BUDDY!!

Can you tell this is hanging over me like the thorn in my side? Yes, I really, really, really need to finish The Book Buddy  for my latest story. What's stopping me? Nothing. Except the "excuse" I don't have the time. So my new goal? After I get back next week from a mini family reunion, to do at least one to two pages a day. It won't take me long to finish at that point and then I can start the WRITING!!

Enter the Novel Rocket Contest

This one very quickly will have a red check mark next to it as well since the deadline is FAST approaching! I need to get my patootie in gear and get my entry sent on it's way. Entering a contest is always an interesting conundrum, but I'm eager to enter this one since the organization is definitely geared towards teaching writers. It's my first time to enter. I'll let you know how it goes. 

Phew! Thankfully there are a couple things I don't have to mention completely here because I've already researched mold infections for my next story and wrote the hostess intro for the class I'm hosting at ACFW. ;-)

I love marking things off my list!

So  it's your turn to share! I'd love to know what you're doing this summer to take your writing to the next level or just finish a project that has been hanging over you for ever and ever...!

Take a minute to share...everyone who does will be entered to win After All by Deborah Raney 

(btw, I'm currently away from home and internet connection. I've asked the other gals to jump in for me today, but I'll be reading all your comments as I get the chance. Thanks for joining the conversation!!)

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Casey Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school. She lives in rural Eastern Oregon in a town more densely populated with cows than people.