Hitting a novel home run in 2023 by making a difference

By Faran Fagen

Like you, I’ve got a full lineup of goals for 2023. The new year offers a time to look at what’s most important.

My most pressing concrete goals are a home run revision that grabs the reader (my writing world), and to meet my financial goals (personal world).

But my general goal is to make a difference on all fronts. If I tackle each goal with the idea of making a difference, thinking of others, good things tend to happen.

In that spirit, here’s my top 10 list of writing goals for 2023:

1. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page.
2. Give the reader just enough detail so they’re dying to know what comes next.
3. Choose a setting that adds to suspense and advances the story.
4. Immerse myself in the main character so the reader feels like they’re experiencing the story through their five senses (think “Avatar”)
5. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page.
6. Each scene has urgency for the characters to reach their goals (or not).
7. Conflict. Every scene filled with conflict. Conflict between characters. Inner conflict. Think all the “Rocky” movies.
8. Transformation. How do the characters change? What do they learn? How do we journey through their transformation?
9. In revision, know what to take out and what to leave in. I know this one’s easier said than done. A mentor once told me to defend each word like a lawyer defends each client.
10. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page.

In the end, it’s about writing a book that makes a difference. Didn’t I say that somewhere?

Here’s some goals from some of the children’s book writers/agents who’ve had a huge influence on me:

Author/illustrator Fred Koehler:

1. WORD COUNT:I’m keeping it simple without any sort of overall word count resolution–just a single manuscript to revise, however many words it takes. For 2023 it’s a middle grade treasure mystery where editors LOVED the first half but thought the ending was too over-the-top. Keep what they loved. Slash and burn the rest.
2. REJECTION:Rejection is a great measurement of how close you are to success. (Here’s my thesis on Rejection.) My resolution for 2023 is 50 rejections. Between a graphic novel already out on sub and several picture manuscripts at various stages, I should be able to achieve that no problem.
3. COMMUNITY:Through my work with fellow writers at Ready Chapter 1, various critique groups, and other awesome communities like this one, my resolution is to help create the ‘aha’ moment or make the connection for ONE writer to land their first book deal. This will be more meaningful to me than anything I achieve for myself.

Aurora Dominguez, award-winning teacher and aspiring YA novelist:

1. Finish the draft of my first YA novel
2. Write for fun more, not just for freelance journalism purposes! *more for fun
3. Take the time to write meaningful and purposeful, as well as uplifting messages, to loved ones and colleagues.

Jonathan Rosen, agent, The Seymour Agency:

1. Make time to write. Period.
2. Stretch outside my comfort zone to write in new genres
3. Write what I like and let it find an audience

Author Marjetta Geerling:

1. Finish writing book 1 of a new series.
2. Remember writing is fun!
3. Stop stressing about social media.

Joyce Sweeney, agent, The Seymour Agency:

1. Do not keep scheduling meetings on writing day!
   2. Remember that every client is an individual and needs individual strategy, attention and care
   3. Always be kind, especially to beginning authors who query.

Hope you reach your goals for 2023!!

Faran Fagen