And so, we come to the close of the first month of the year. To you, dear reader, I give my hopes that January has proven everything you desired.
My beta readers have given me further feedback on A BOY FROM NORRU, and I’ve made some final touch-ups. I’ve also read a few books on literary agents and writing query letters, so I’m coming to the query process with a more solid foundation than ever before. I’ve drafted query letter after query letter, and I finally have a clean template that pops. As for my synopsis, I’m coming close to a final draft, but it still needs some touching up.
Aside from working on queries and continuing my reading in the middle grade space, I’ve also been doing copywriting work. I’m learning a lot from practicing this form and from studying an extraordinarily useful copywriting textbook. The skills I’ve gained here have also helped in writing queries. But most importantly, I find the work quite fulfilling. Like writing novels, there’s a satisfying puzzle-solving aspect to it.
What’s more, I’m exploring the world of grant writing, in case that is a route I want to pursue. The course I’m taking is somewhat lackluster, but I hope to have a broad knowledge of the field by the time I finish. My main goal is to know whether or not I’d be happy doing this kind of work, and to have a decent idea of where to start. I think this course will at least provide me that.
And I’m pursuing a couple of other job opportunities in the meanwhile. We shall see if anything comes of those.
Overall, I’m doing a lot. And I’m taking all the right steps for me right now. Sometimes, it’s difficult to see the fruit of my burdens. But I am committed to inching closer to my goals and making progress one day at a time.
– AJG
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