*File for French citizenship
*Find a job
*Finish writing and revising my current wip in time to start something new for nanowrimo
*And find an agent
Just to show how much some things can change in a month’s time, I decided to revisit this sad little list.
Filing for Citizenship. I’m getting closer to this goal every day. I completed the prerequisite French proficiency exam in Paris at the end of September and scored two levels higher than what was needed to pass (yay me!), which meant I could finally move on with the process. I’ve since sent out for all the necessary documents from back home and I’m really hoping to get the whole thing in before Christmas.
Finding a Job. This goal, however, has been left to the backburner for the moment. Not a lot of employers are looking to hire someone who’s visibly pregnant. And, after working part-time for the last four years, I can’t imagine diving into a full-time position only a few months before baby arrives. As long as I’m still covered financially by unemployment, I am accepting the title of domestic consultant and grounds keeper (otherwise known as a stay-at-home-mom:). And, of course, a full-time writer. Once my citizenship is squared away, I plan on enrolling in a teaching certification program and passing the exams to become a full-time English teacher here in France. (you have to be a member of the European Union to acquire teaching certification here. Which is why I need to get my citizenship done first.)
Finish writing and revising my current wip in time to start something new for nanowrimo. Yet another goal left to the backburner. But with good reason. I’m currently working on revisions on an older manuscript for ‘zee agent’. And while I have no idea if this will lead to representation, I’m actually enjoying the process (gasp!). In the last two weeks, I’ve added nearly 10k of new material and will soon be ready to attack the overhaul of the last half of the book, bringing in a new plot string and changing the ending.
Finding an Agent. Well, I guess you could stay I’m one step closer to this, even though there are no guarantees. I continue to send out queries for FOSSERIM and KISSING FOR COFFEE whenever I happen upon an agent who looks like they might correspond.
What are some of your goals for this school year? Have any of you come any closer to reaching them in the last month and a half?
14 comments:
Awesome Katie. It sounds like you're moving along and that's what's important. Sometimes our idea of when we'll finish our goal doesn't match up to real life.
I'm finishing my revisions and then will work on my query and list of agents to query for next year. And I'll go back to the draft of my second book and pray I can write a bit faster with that.
I'm totally stealing the title of domestic consultant and grounds keeper. *looks around house* Or maybe not. I flunked grounds keeper 101.
Good luck with your revisions and querying. I've gotten so involved with my two new projects, I keep forgetting to send out queries. It happens every time. :P
You are doing awesome and taking everything in stride. I believe in timing, and I'm sure great things are coming your way!
Congrats on passing the French proficiency exam!!
Yay on the revisions--the fact that you're enjoying it and it's going well is probably a great sign.
And you're about to have Baby too! Yay!!
Enjoy your nano-ing!!
I feel totally goal-less now compared to your list!
Take care
x
Hi, Katie! CONGRATS on completing the French proficiency test! I'll gladly exchange the title of housewife for domestic consultant, but I'll leave the title of grounds keeper to my hubby and son. : )
Number one goal is to have Secondhand Shoes on the market for everyone's reading pleasure. Get my SCI FI short in an upcoming book of anthologies. Finish writing my current WIP and prepare it for editing and revisions. Figure out how I'm really going to start my novel Combat Boots.
And maintain my sanity with everything else.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Good luck with your goals.
GOOD LUCK!
I think it's good that you set goals for yourself and that you have plans for each one. I think it would be interesting to be a teacher in France; I bet it would be different from teaching students in the U.S.
My goal is to make progress on my dissertation, so that I can finish it next year and FINALLY be free of graduate school.
Forget the job - you'll be busy enough real soon.
My goal was to write one more darned book. Mission accomplished.
And had to laugh at your comment on my blog - thanks for the vote of no-confidence on my ability to write good!
Oh gosh - I've rather run out of goals this month because I've achieved it! I've got a book deal - even though I still can't quite believe it! And if I can do it, Katie, then so can you!
Um . . . I'm not sure I remember what my goals were a few months ago. I had my son and I'm still winging this whole parenthood thing and trying to get caught up on sleep or get my brain back, whichever comes first.
My goal was to get my first (and so far only) book indie published but because I'm doing it myself - it's taking forever. I want to be one of those DIY indie publishers but I'm really horrible at it. I'm not the most patient person in the world. :)
Yay on passing the proficiency exam!! *throws confetti*
And I am equally tickled that you are enjoying your revisions. I always thought of revisions as a way to spend more time with my character friends. I'm glad yours are progressing nicely.
I've completed my goals for this fall -- sent my WIP off to my agent and my short story off to the editor who requested it. Now, I'm in a holding pattern, reading some good books, dreaming up future manuscripts, and jumping out of my skin whenever I see Inbox (1) because I am in Submission Purgatory.
Congratulations on your test. Its great you're focusing on writing. Good luck with the agent search. :)
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