The 14 Week Novel Challenge!

So this year has been full of a lot of surprise health challenges for me, and I'm afraid I got off track from many of my writing goals. However, in September I attended an SCBWI writing conference where I received extremely encouraging feedback on my current science fantasy in progress, Agent Regalia. I want to harness my scattered creative energy before I waste a golden chance to write my best ink.

I have 12 pages of story so far and a fat note file on plot, chapter outlines and characters, but it is not nearly enough progress. I have decided to make a public pledge to myself, because I want to hold myself accountable to my dreams:

I'm going to write the complete draft of the novel in 14 weeks.

Why 14? Because I want to submit Agent Regalia to the A. Orr Fantasy Grant. The deadline is March 20th, 2020. I do not entertain delusions of grandeur about my story, but I do believe in trying my personal hardest!

I also got a lucky invite to submit to an awesome literary agent when I complete a polished draft of Agent Regalia, and I don't want to waste their time. I believe in my story. Now I have to believe in me again.

My mom once wrote in an email, "Don't be afraid of what lies ahead. Just love your dreams, and go for them. See what happens. You'll always regret it if you don't."

She was right! She also wrote: "Take care, and follow your dreams. They are the best part of you." 

I won't lie . . . there have been times in my life when I wished I could burn every last story from my head, expunge the horizons overlaying my waking eyes with alternate stars. I haven't felt my best in awhile now, physically or creatively. But I won't give up on the strong lines of the silhouette inside. Agent Regalia is waiting for me to ink her into being. 

So here is my challenge for this week: complete chapter 2 of Agent Regalia. I will report back next Sunday! 

Bonus: this was one of my mom's favorite pictures of me. As a teenager, I didn't find it very flattering; I was very self conscious and holding my glasses in my hand because I didn't like photos of me wearing them. But now all I see is a strong girl walking under the sun enjoying the day. I will be her again.