Hi Reader,
As the year winds down, so many of us are called to reflect on the year.
What did we accomplish? Where did we fall short?
For me and my family, dear reader, it’s been a year. Some enormous, unexpected road-bumps and hardships...but plenty of bright moments too.
And, perhaps best of all, lots of growth.
Career growth. Personal growth. Familial growth. Spiritual growth. You name it, it’s been part of my year.
As our characters teach us, struggle creates growth. We cannot grow without struggle. And for that reason, I’m grateful for the struggle that this year has been.
The other big, brilliant, bright spot of this year: I wrote a book. A whole dang first draft. This book just poured out of me from April through November, and even though it’s extremely rough, full of oodles of imperfections and flaws that will probably have me wanting to rip my hair out as I revise over the next few months…I’m really proud of this one. It’s deeply personal, fun (I think!), and meaningful.
I’m also going out on a limb and saying that this will be the first book I query to agents—and my goal is to do it in 2025. (Eeek!) That’s right, even though I’ve worked as an agent, I’ve never been on the other side, deep in the querying trenches. So I’m sure you’ll hear more about that journey as it comes. (I’m announcing this now to help keep me accountable 😅.)
But first…revision.
Since most writers query before they are actually ready, my goal is to avoid making that common mistake. I want my manuscript to be rock-solid, moving, and polished, so that it not only has the best chance of getting published, but has the best chance landing in readers’ hearts.
If that’s your goal, too, in 2025, I invite you to join me in revising your manuscript!
Starting in the New Year I’m cooking up a couple of things:
First up, a 3-day mini workshop all about creating a solid revision plan. Because if you’re like me, and you have this giant mess of a first draft, you could be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. If so, wouldn’t it be nice to have a clear-cut, easy-to-follow plan that will help you stay on-track and help you make sure your story’s foundation is rock-solid? I’m still working on details, but my goal is to have you walk away from the workshop with a custom revision plan for you to follow that will help your book be query-ready. Keep your eyes out for more information.
Also, in case you missed it, I’m giving away three mini pitch package critiques. Be entered to win one when you fill out my end-of-the-year survey here.
And, of course, you’re invited to join me in my upcoming small-group revision workshop, Revision Confidence. It’s a 12-week program in which I help you revise your full manuscript for querying or publication. You can read all about it here.
I can’t wait to revise together!
Wishing you the happiest holidays and even happier writing,
Karyn
P.S. Loving these emails? Buy me a cup of tea to say thanks. Or you can book a free 30-min story strategy chat here if you're interested in getting specific help with your book.
Granite Bay, CA
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