April GDR Review

Fiction
* Begin writing sequel to Hunting Jack (G1,G2,G3) – Still in planning stage, but about to kick off. Working title: Love Hurts.
* Complete final draft of Slick if reader feedback complete (G1,G2,D1,D2) – Got crits back, edits made, and decisions on larger issues considered. Full character sheets prepared. Final edits in progress but due to nature of some of the changes this is taking longer than first envisaged.
* Write up Slick synopsis, query letter, and blurb (G1,G2,D1,D2) – not started. Procrastinated somewhat on this but really want all the edits done first so will start once they are complete.
* Write two new short stories that are planned out (G2,G5) – not done; still pending.

Freelance/Non-Fiction
Writing:
* Query freelance gigs 25/mth (3/25 pitched – Total=34) (G7,G9) – only 3, but not short of work!
* Write weekly SDR articles (G5,G7,G9) – Wrote articles for most slots.
* Start developing ideas for Scotland’s Treasure column for SDR Summer edition (Jul) (G5,G7,G9) – No ideas yet.
* Write at least four new weekly articles for DWT (6/4) (G5,G7,G9) – Completed six; 4 subbed, 2 banked, another 6 IP.
* Keep on top of article assignments from TLB (G5,G7,G9) – New editor assigned. Contracts signed and sent back. No article assignments in yet though new project idea forwarded.
* Keep chasing work from non-advertised and networked sources (G5,G7,G9) – Not done as much on this as should have, though did get a couple of new jobs through existing clients.
* See if non-fiction submission tracker needs used/updated – never did this because almost all article writing done has been contracted, not queried.

Business:
* Finish re-branding of CG Freelance to Compass Freelance (website and advertising) (G5,G7,G9) – not done
* Prepare cuttings and print off as PDF (G7,G9) – not done
* Create PDF file with skills and examples (G7,G9) – not done
* Create SOR contract (G7,G9) – not done
* Evaluate Quicken as a suitable small accounts package – not done
* Printers – Check out wireless/photo quality/fast (G7,G9) – not done
* Keep accounts up to date – done
* April invoices to TLB and DWT – done

Web:
* Make progress with client (1 interactive, 1 simple catering) (G5,G7,G9) – no progress as project has stalled at their end. Payments pending for work completed to date.
* Develop and build website for Creatively 4U Photography business. (G5,G7,G9) – Site completed.

Poetry
* Develop concept and start writing Poems for Pints (G4,G5,G8) – Not much progress made; concentrated on Silly Poems 2 more.
* Complete and submit Silly Poems for Wee People Vol.2 (PSH FFA E-book) (G4,G5) – Made good progress on the writing of this (7 of 16 poems drafted) but never got enough done for PSH FFA.

Playwriting
* Nothing new was planned
* Hopefully receive initial feedback from FUSE (Playwright Scotland) (G2) – received. Given good, critical advice on development and structure of play, but not sure if I want to follow it up just now or not. Play may still be considered by partners for development within their own production. Very worthwhile exercise.

Editing
* Stay on top of RR submissions (G6) – caught right up. Issue 3 full, 4 50%, 5 10%. Contracts sent out for first time. Considering closing to subs until later in the year for 2009 issues.
* Complete layout of RR issue 3 (G6) – now in progress.
* Continue laying out RR issues 4 and 5 (G6) – not started.

Marketing and Promotion
* Publish April newsletter (G5) – done
* Prepare May newsletter (G5) – IP
* Keep website(s) up to date (G5,G8,G9) – lot of work done on the look and structure: new font, re-laid some pages, fixed links, new front splash
* Create RR website on Facebook, Bebo (all others like MySpace) (G5,G6) – not done
* Create personal website on Facebook, Bebo (all others like MySpace) (G5) – not done
* Promote RR online every 7 days on MySpace/Facebook/Bebo/BBS (G6) – not done except for one weekend. * Promote link exchanges for RR (G6) – not done

Reading and Research
* Continue reading, absorbing, and applying The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman (G7,G9) – IP
* Complete Novel Writing – 16 Steps to Success by Evan Marshall (G1,G2,G3,D1,D2) – complete
* Start The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster (G2,D1,D2) – IP
* Started reading Hunting Jack as part of Love Hurts preparation, so that character sheets and plot ideas can be prepared.

Non-Writing
* Continue diet (16/28lbs lost as at 19/4/08) (R1) – going well
* Finish the garden tidy – complete
* Begin Stage 1 Italian Lessons – not started
* Start Galbraith Family Tree project – not started

Things That Turned Up
* Redrafted all outstanding short stories and submitted to new markets (1 acceptance for May)
* Decided to do a feature on local writer/artist for RR issue 3
* New chapbook idea: bus stop banter
* New chapbook idea: Amsterdam – Jekyll & Hyde concept
* Edited e-book for existing client
* Published RBS 2009 fixtures on Six Nations Rugby Spotlight blog
* Networked with Edinburgh writer who approached me about book marketing/publicity. Did a book swap too.
* Took a lot of notes and photocopies about editing for large projects and novels

Submissions Made
Regrets to Cause & Effect 2/4
On a Monday Morning to Static Movement 2/4
The English Teacher to Slow Trains 2/4
Amanda and Joe to The Saint Ann’s Review 2/4
Citizen’s Arrest to Eclectica 2/4
Whisky Snatching to Loch Raven Review 3/4

Successes
On a Monday Morning accepted for May issue of Static Movement 5/4

Failures
Never got anything ready for PSH FFA

Statistics
Fiction – 360
Non-Fiction – 23,800
Poetry – 400

Outstanding Submissions
Fiction:
The Quill 1
Cause and Effect 1
Slow Trains 1
Wheelhouse Mag 1
Drunken Boat 1
Saint Ann’s Review 1
Sniplits 1
1097 1
Eclectica 1
Loch Raven Review 1

GDR Monthly Health Summary

How did I move outside my comfort zone this month?
I never. I had too much work on with editing Slick to completion, planning the sequel to HJ2 (Love Hurts), developing four chapbook ideas, freelance commitments, and two website projects. Never even had time to put as much into my own promotion as I would have liked.

How did I think big/challenge myself?
I never. See above.

What did I do to minimise costs?
Question being removed as it adds nothing of value to this exercise.

What did I do to maximise output?
Question being removed as it adds nothing of value to this exercise.

What did I do to maximise visibility?
Question being removed as it adds nothing of value to this exercise.

NEW QUESTION: Do I feel this was a good month towards meeting my 2008 GDR Plan?
As far as ticking off as many boxes as possible on my monthly list, no. But as far as making steady progress towards achieving the major goals I set out at the start of the year, yes.