Monday, July 15, 2013

Why Do I Do This?



So remember how I said I was going to release A Shot in the Light serially? I proceeded to make myself a CALENDAR and some DEADLINES... and I started to research everything I need to do.

Man, this is HUGE!

But I will do it.

My first deadline is TODAY. I need to have the first book first draft READY. And by first draft, this is not really typical... this is the first draft of the BIGGER thing, but the original thing had a first draft last summer. So SOME chapters, this is a first draft... for 7 of 12 chapters, this is NEW (as of the road trip). For 2, I have changed PoV and added some, but taken from the original. And for three, I have just changed from first to third person.

It's invigorating to do.

The overwhelming part was looking into the TOTAL timeline. Because not only do I need to plot MY deadlines, I needed to build in appropriate time for the myriad fantasticos who are helping me. First readers, second readers, and my editor.

So each book has not ONE but SIX deadlines I marked on a calendar, and SOMETIMES, one deadline for one book is the same as a different deadline for a different book... BUT when I broke it into 4 calendars for the different tasks, it isn't quite so much to think about. Everyone but ME really only needs to be on top of their own tasks, after all.



SUSAN KAYE QUINN is a GODDESS

That just needed to be said. Because the OTHER thing I did last week was immerse myself in her very helpful and amazingly organized list of blogs to help self-publishers. Man, she has laid it ALL out there. I am currently in AWE. Though I still feel overwhelmed, I ALSO feel like I have a very good set of guidelines there. Anybody considering self-publishing should GO HERE and you can learn everything you need to know.

I spent MUCH of the day Friday there and I'm only through about half of what I am trying to learn.

13 comments:

Luanne G. Smith said...

I just got a stress headache reading your deadline schedule. :P

And thanks for the link to Susan's. That may be something I need to bookmark for future reference. :)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I wish you the best of luck. Take time to enjoy the moments on your journey - they won't come again. :-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Six deadlines times how many chapters? You can do it!

Sarah Ahiers said...

...I was really impressed with your calendars. And i got your email. I'll be able to respond later today

~Sia McKye~ said...

Wow! That's a lot of deadlines! But, it sounds like you're enjoying the process. :-)

Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

Hart Johnson said...

LG, definitely go read her stuff if you are going the SP route!

Roland, TIME!? What TIME?

Alex-10 BOOKS... about 100 pages each. The first book is 12 chapters (and 95 pages).

Hart Johnson said...

Sarah--GOTCHA! And no worries!

Sia-yes, many deadlines... but I am much better off this way than not breaking it down.

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

You are too sweet! And I love the ambition of tackling all those calendars and deadlines. Just remember to enjoy the ride along the way. :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Hart, you are too ornery to fail.

And I might teach classes on publishing, but there is always more to learn. I am constantly updating my seminars!

Southpaw said...

My head is sufficiently spinning now. Thank you.

Jan Morrison said...

okay ... inspired.
I decided I was going to do a beat sheet thingy for Bright Angel. Remember those? Yep. I'm through putting it all in the present and tackling other problems but I'm still missing something - a big something - so I'm going to step backwards. You've inspired me with your mega-plans. Please think of me for a read as that is a great carrot for me (work on own manuscript- stop and read yours)
good (p)luck!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Hart .. well done for being organised and planned out -good luck with it all - sounds very feasible, now you know your way ahead ..

I've sent Susan's link across to another English blogger ..

Cheers Hilary

CA Heaven said...

Selfpublishing is definitely what I will have to do (can't imagine any publisher accepting my stuff). I will check out the link to the Goddess >:)

Cold As Heaven