I use a lot of prompts in my writing classes.
Today’s in-class writing prompt was this:
Write about a goal you are trying to achieve. This can be a personal goal, an educational goal, or a professional goal. No more than 350 words.
I decided to write along with my class this morning, as I am going to try something new this time. Feel free to join in the fun and write or blog along with us.
Here’s my prompt.
***
Over the last few months, I’ve decided that after self-publishing four independent works of fiction, I am going to write a fifth novel that I will attempt to send out to an agent or publisher. This decision comes after years of struggling with self-promotion as an independent author. While I have enjoyed every aspect of self-publishing, especially all the control that comes with it, I think it may be time to move on and venture outside of my comfort zone. I am constantly telling my students to step outside of their own backyards, and this time, it’s time for me to take my own advice.
This will not be an easy exercise for me, as someone who has control issues. Soliciting for publication takes a whole lot of perseverance and confidence. Getting rejection letters can certainly damage the creative spirit. However, I’ve come to believe that my work is good enough for consideration, at the very least.
The current book I’m writing, another novel which came from the inspiration of a short story I wrote (which incidentally came from a writing prompt), is something that feels magical to me. It’s a story of a woman who goes through a divorce and then decides to leave London, where she lives, and live with her grandmother in the country. It’s the story of friendship among women, of embracing change, and of appreciating the love of a family.
Last night, I checked my word count. I’m closing in on 10,000 words of that novel, and I know exactly where it’s going and what is going to happen to the main character. I’m having to search for British words and slang, as my main character has a British mom and an American dad.
Inspired by so many things I’ve read over the summer, I’m putting all my egg in this basket. It’s a basket I’ve enjoyed pulling together, and for the time being, I’m tabling another work of fiction, the sequel to Inn Significant, while I power through this new idea.
I hope it’s a novel a publisher will love.
