I was checking my writing submissions log, as I do every year at this time, hoping to tie up loose ends before I start the next year’s submission log.  I was startled to note that I currently only have three outstanding submissions.  Three! That is the lowest number of submissions I’ve had out at one time in… I don’t know how long.  Years. 

I think it is a combination of factors that has made it very possible to close out my 2007 submissions log without carrying anything over into 2008.  Mainly, I have been submitting less in the past few months.  The teaching gig was more time consuming initially than I expected, then I was playing around with other projects (longer projects that will be carried over into 2008), including the novella.  There also seem to be fewer erotica markets recently-- or fewer that I’m interested in pursuing.  I have my favorite editors to whom I am intensely loyal, but other than that… something really has to catch my eye to make me want to write and submit. 

It’s not that I know longer want to write erotica, far from it, but I am trying to expand my horizons with new writing projects (some that include erotica, some that don’t).  Longer projects are satisfying to write, but aren’t as quick to make it onto the submissions log.  So, while I’m puttering away at two different novels and one novella and some painful-to-write nonfiction, my submissions log is dwindling down to nothing-- and that makes me panic.  I feel like I need to get some stuff out there-- write some stories for markets I may not be in love with, just so I can say I have twelve stories making the rounds (my usual goal-- twelve submissions out at a time).  I know that is not the best way to manage a writing career, but sometimes we all need instant gratification.

This feels like a transition year for my writing.  There have been some changes in the publishing industry, some markets have dried up, one of my favorite editors to write for is no longer in the business, and all of this has forced me to re-evaluate where I’m going with my writing.  It will be interesting to see what 2008 brings and how my writing (and writing sales) have changed by this time next year.  I’m contemplating taking a screenwriting class in the spring-- a new horizon that has long been on my to-do list.  We’ll see what comes of it.

It’s a little early for the end-of-the-year wrap up, but I feel like my writing year is more or less over and I’m now beginning to think about 2008.  It’s never too soon to plan ahead, right?

Posted by Kristina in Writing at 09:01 PM Permalink Leave a comment