New Year, Better Baby Steps

A year ago yesterday I finished my first draft of The Heart Witch of Speckled Hound Hollow. I began to send off query letters for the novel, but upon finishing my second novel (currently titled Black Kate) on January 5th, I have new revisions for Heart Witch.

I write by hand in spiral bound 1-subject notebooks covered in Halloween stickers

I've had no luck with getting an agent yet and have received seven rejections -- that's part of what has ignited a desire to improve Heart Witch. If no one's asked to see more, that means I need to think about my introduction. Right now I think I'll cut out the first few scenes and start later in the story.

I also wonder if I can take those 77,000 words and cut them down to, say 40,000 words (which is novella length...but that will likely not be possible, no matter how much I love novellas).

A year ago today, I took my very first clay class and learned how to make tiny hollow pumpkins (which I have made in large and better quality quantities since).

My First Sculpture: Tree of Life

My first instructor was Robin Power, and her mentorship and encouragement (along with her intolerance for any self-hate or perfectionism) created the perfect conditions for me to fall head-over-heels for clay. I've continued to study her since then along with other sculptors and handbuilders.

I even have my own (very tiny) kiln at home now!

The Olympic Doll/Test Kiln

After leaving the Ravenswood Atelier at the end of 2018, I really didn't know what I was going to do. I'm so glad I trusted that huge leap. I knew what was right for me, even if I didn't have a clear idea about where I was going.

This year I have a clear idea about where I'd like to go and what I'd like to do. 

1) In addition to making significant revisions to Heart Witch before I send more query letters out, I want to revise Black Kate and start that agent query process.

2) I mean to write a short story this year -- something I've never done (everything morphs into a novel with me) -- and send it out for publication. This is my next writing project.

3) Once that short story is done, I will start my next novel and just keep the ball rolling. (Rolling, rolling, rolling). Aside from moments my health makes living impossible, I keep a very regular routine with my writing now and expect to finish my next novel within a year.

4) I want to attend one to three arts shows with my sculptures this year! This means I need to increase my production and dare to try new designs and creatures that have sat very patiently in the back of my mind. 

5) I will have items to restock my Etsy shop on the 13th of every month. Now that I have a kiln at home, I hope to have more to offer people with every update. 

6) I want to get the uncontrolled and unruly health issues under some sort of control this year. That means more doctor appointments, therapies, drugs, and research, but if it means I'll have more use of my body, the upfront time and energy investment is going to be worthwhile. I'd love to create a more consistent practice and have a life where my body isn't constantly throwing me under the bus.