Monday, January 2, 2017

Free Pass into Sun versus Snow 2017

I know this is a busy time of year so right to it!

Sun versus Snow is coming! As of right now we have close to twenty agents. (Agents announced in a few weeks.) You can see the rules here. My last couple of contests averaged three success stories from my picks alone. Free Pass winners have ended up with agents in past years.







This is an opportunity you don't want to miss. A free pass allows you to skip the slush and become an instant pick. You will get to work with a mentor to improve your query and first page. Your entry will be seen by our agents and any ninja agents. And you'll be the first member of Team Snow!

You must do two things to enter: leave a blog comment on this post and use the rafflecopter to record that you commented. If you aren't in the rafflecopter, it can't pick you as the winner. This ensures the winner is random and no bias slips in.

In the blog comment I want a short paragraph on your writing goals for 2017. Be creative. The goal can be big or small. It should be fun and imaginative. There's no need to post something long. Try and stay under 200 words.


For example: My short term goal is to finish a synopsis for a new epic fantasy series to pitch to my editor without going stark-raving bonkers. My longer term goal is be happy and feel no pressure as I complete my last Birth of Saints book to end the trilogy in a way that surprises and entertains my readers. In 2017 that last book will come out in the fall and I hope (and pray) to sell a new series. 
  
Use the rafflecopter for additional optional entries and to help spread the word. Please tweet about this mini contest and pass it along to your friends! The more the merrier!


The free pass will stay open until January 19th. Good luck and I hope to see you on Team Snow!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

138 comments:

  1. Hello, and thank you for this chance! Last year, I completed my MS, started working on the second in the series as well, and on New Year's Eve, I started another MS in a totally different genre! My goals for 2017: keep querying, don't give up, find an agent, finish my two incomplete MSs, and to keep pushing myself past the rejections while taking part in any amazing opportunity I can! Thank you!!

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  2. This is an awesome contest. Good luck to all entrants.

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  3. Thanks for this chance, Michelle! My writing goals for 2017 are to do and learn New Things--work with a professional editor, finish a new story in a new genre/age group, go to a new writing conference, and form a new local spec fic group. I'll keep growing my Old goals regardless!

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  4. Thank you for this awesome chance! My writing goals for 2017 are to write and publish 2-3 books, and 2 short story collections!

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  5. Thank you for this chance! For 2017, I want to finish editing my current WIP and find an agent for my two completed manuscripts. I'd like to attend a writing conference or two and continue to grow as a writer.

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  6. Thanks for this chance. My short term goal is to apply some advice I got from a critique to my first two finished mss. Then I want to finish the first draft of my third ms. Thanks again!

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  7. My 2017 goals are to find an agent for my completed MS, write another book and at least two short stories, and find my blog voice because blogging is scary, like thing-under-the-bed-scary. But really though, even if I only accomplish one or two of those goals, I'll be happy if I can find a way to keep my life balanced and my headspace in a good place. So, overall goal 2017: Good self-care.

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  8. My 2017 goals include attending a writing conference, finishing my current WIP, and selling my completed YA novel. Thank you for this opportunity.

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  9. 2016 threw me a bunch of curveballs; taking all of my words with them. In 2017, my goal is a fresh start--one that includes creating a space to write and the time in which to write.

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  10. My 2017 writing goals are to find an agent for my completed MS, finish the first draft of the sequel, attend a writing conference, and basically just keep pushing forward, pursuing my dream and working on my craft.

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  11. Looking forward to it again this year!

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  12. By January 1, 2018, I want to find the right home home for my manuscript. There are is another story clamoring for attention in my frontal lobe, and I need to do research into Sunset Park, Brooklyn in the nineteen sixties for it. I would also like to get one 24-hour period where I don't think about any of the completed MSs or WsIp. The last one is not happening, I know, but I can dream.

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  13. Thanks for this chance, Michelle! My 2017 writing goals are: finish the two space opera novels I have under contract to a new LGBTQ publisher, complete another revision on my high fantasy Orpheus riff, budget enough money to attend a professional SFF workshop next fall, and try to find an agent.

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  14. 3 simple goals: 1.) Finish my YA space opera. 2.) Make an agent fall in love with my completed MS. 3.) Begin work on my YA sci-fi retellings of fairy tales starring females of color. 2017 is gonna be epic.

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  15. Thanks for this!
    Goals are simple - write 6 days out of 7, even if it's 100 words.
    FINISH THINGS.
    Edit!
    Read more outside of my comfort zone to learn.

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  16. I wrote 4 books in 2016, so my immediate goal right now is to put those through CP rounds and revise like crazy. My goal to prepare for that is to read 7 books about craft in the month of January, taking notes on how to use advice for each specific manuscript. My long term goal is to spend at least an hour each day working on my writing, whether it be actual writing, or just improving my craft.

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  17. My 2017 writing goals include finishing another MS and getting it to beta readers/critique partners sooner rather than later. I want to better develop the sequel to my finished middle grade MS. I'll continue writing short stories and flash fiction, then submit to more magazines. I also want to explore getting a copy editing certificate! I enjoy reading and editing for my critique partners.

    Thank you for this opportunity!
    (@thisiscdwivedi on twitter)

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  18. Thank you for providing this opportunity. My 2017 writing goal is to continue editing my YA contemporary, as part of a wonderful critique group. I've learned so much from my fellow writers and feel like my writing has improved because of their help. Also, I started a new WIP, during NaNoWriMo 2016 and am excited to plunge into that story.

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  19. Getting my first memoir published and finish the second one. Being more active on social media.

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    1. Editing two short stories and participate in all pitches events. I am very new to tweeter, but in the past month I learned a lot about the publishing industry and agents. This is how I found out about this opportunity. I am old school Eastern European lady, but I am getting there.

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  20. My writing goals for 2017 are 1) To keep shining the manuscripts I have as I receive feedback from agents/editors/readers. 2) To complete 3rd manuscript in my romance series. 3) To acquire literary representation or to accumulate at least 100 rejections in the effort.

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  21. I have two writing goals for 2017: to finish a draft of my second novel, and to re-establish the writing habits that I neglected while revising my first novel last year. More specifically, I plan to write fiction 5 days a week, even if it is just 100 words per day, and I need to relearn how to silence my inner editor while I write a first draft.

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  22. My writing goals for 2017 are to continue to improve on my craft, find an agent, and to stay positive as I work diligently to achieve the success that I know is possible.

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  23. My writing goals for 2017 are to finish this fourth (and hopefully final) major revision of Ripped. After that, I am hoping to clean it up with the help of my crit buddies. I am hoping to write more consistently as well. I will also submit more short works to journals/mags, and hopefully put Ripped out to agents as well. - Marisa Urgo

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  24. My writing goal this year is to complete final edits on my first MS, complete the outline of my second MS, and complete the 2nd MS! Looking forward to a very productive year and making new writer friends.

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  25. Short term writing goal is to actually just query more. I get bored and discouraged with querying the same book...
    Long term goals include, finishing the two rewrites I'm working on, and then fleshing out and actually beginning another story that's been really pulling at me for a while now. (I should have never started two rewrites. They're far too hard....)

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  26. My writing goal this year is to rewrite my fantasy story that I thought was YA as MG, and cut it down to MG size. I have some practice with that, the first draft was over 200k, the revised version still 124k, and the basis for my rewrite is still 93k. I expect this to take most of this year. My other big goal is to keep querying my MG magical realism swim story. Or at least keep querying long enough to get a yes.

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  27. My writing goal this year is to update and revise a YA Sci-Fi I wrote several years ago and to finish another supernatural YA I started about five years ago.

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  28. My 2017 goals are to finally finish the edits on my MS and return to querying it. I'm getting sick of looking at is, so I imagine that means it's time to let it go! :) I would also like to start the first round of edits on one of my other completed projects (while I still have my editing eyes on!) and finish my Nano project. Of course, I have an idea for a fantasy project that just won't go away, so I'm sure that will push it's way to the forefront eventually... Oh, and I'm trying to work up the courage to pitch to an agent at a writing conference I'm attending this summer. The idea currently gives me heart palpitations :S

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  29. My 2017 goals are twofold. First, as I'm a diehard plotter, I want to get at least two book plots done and ready to write, possibly three if I can make it work. I do best when I have something fully plotted and then let it sit for a few months, so I'm trying to get this done in the first few months.

    Second, I'd like to write at least one book this year, maybe two if I can get enough plots ready. I tend to write fast, so having two plots done likely means I can get two books written. But this all depends on how that first part of my plans goes. >_<

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  30. Hello, thank you for this! My goals for this year are to become more organized and proactive in my pitching so I'm no longer a total frenzied maniac applying to things at the last minute. I also want to publish stories at two new outlets, and finish a dark romance novella that's still half-cooked (a first for me in that genre - I promise there are no vampire romances in it!).

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  31. Thanks, Michelle. My goals are to add some more poetry and short publications to my credits, to polish to perfection at least five more picture books, and to query my YA and MG. I want to do all that without becoming a mom in bear's clothing with my family.

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  32. I have just one goal this year: write every day. Even if it's just one sentence. Write. Every. Day.

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  33. The voices in my head are all clamoring to claim 2017 goals. The vampires are flashing their fangs and saying they want my attention. The cops, well, they are standing there with that look on their faces demanding my notice. The Regency miss, she’s got secrets that I want to discover. Since my cop series has me handcuffed to the laptop- who can ignore a heroine striving to join the rank and file-that’s what I’m hoping to focus on for this contest. I’m eager to bring this story to an agent. I need a query that’s kickass just like my heroine. By 2018, though, I hope to find homes for all my new stories and let readers “hear” the those voices in my head.

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  34. My goals for 2017 are to find an agent who gets my sense of humor and loves my YA MS as much as I do. I also need to start writing the companion story that won't get out of my head. With that in mind, I'm going to try and take off my pants and do this plotting thing for once. Wish me luck. Plotting is scarier to me than going to the dentist. And I hate going to the dentist.

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  35. My goals are fairly simple. One, stop being a chicken-shit (can I say that on here?) and put myself out there. Two, move forward, complete next MS and get it into and out of the hands of betareaders while querying other novel.

    Thanks for the opportunity!

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  36. 1. win this free pass
    2. publish completed novel
    3. find another agent
    4. finish one (or TWO!) WIP(s)
    5. eat, sit, and swear less; smile and sleep more

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  37. Hoping to complete a new novel that I just started, and *fingers crossed* find an agent. :) Happy New Year!

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  39. 2017 is going to be epic. I will finish the draft of my urban fantasy by January 31. I will submit to at least three agents a week for the month of February and reassess at the end of February on that front. I will begin my high fantasy on or before February 15. I will complete the high fantasy in 2017. I leave room for new projects to come in and morph the goal sheet!

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  40. This year I want to write 2 new books and read 40 books written by women. Finding an agent would also be awesome...but that's not something I control. :-)

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  42. I'm super excited about this year (writing-wise) because I'm just finishing up revisions on my first middle grade novel (which I plan to enter in Sun vs. Snow) and I also plan to finish my 2nd YA this year. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will be my year to snag an agent!

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  43. I have a LOT of ups and downs in my writing and, sadly, go through no-writing slumps pretty much every year. But, 2017 will be different!! My goal is to write EVERY single month. Even if it's just a few words. And I also want to self-publish a novel I've been working on for far too long. But, I love it and it's a fun story that should be shared, so - 2017! Watch out! The Glass Prince is coming for you! :) Thanks for this opportunity!

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  44. 2017 brings opportunities galore to advance my writing and snag an agent and with continuous hard work, a publisher. That being said, the journey to these outcomes will stem from a year of connecting with fellow writers and enjoying the journey of creating incredible kidlit for children of all diversities. My yearlong goal is to use my voice to advocate for children through my writing.

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  45. Hi! Thanks for the opportunity. My writing goal this year is to write more. I know, sounds basic, but I've been so busy with the day job that I'm so exhausted at the end of the day that I haven't put words on paper in quite a while. I miss that outlet. So I'm committing to getting the words in my head on to paper this year. Even if it's only 15 minutes a day, it will happen. ��

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  46. 2017 is (hopefully) going to be a big year for my writing career. If the small-press editor my first book is with presently passes, I'm self-publishing it, hopefully by summer's end. I'm hoping to get at least one short story accepted or short-listed in a magazine/contest, which means I'm endeavoring to send submissions out constantly. I've got a YA novel complete that needs eyes other than my own, two more YA manuscripts that need thousands more words written, and an A/WF idea that will literally not leave me alone. I've got an approximate goal of 1500 words/week, but I know myself enough to know that I'll hit that some weeks and then some, and other weeks I'll come up short.

    I'm so excited god SVS again this year! Thanks for such an awesome event.

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  47. In 2017, I plan to write everyday. It's a have to, not a maybe. Plan to polish, polish, polish my YA and start querying.

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  48. My goals for 2017 are first to start requerying my MS (I took a break because of the holidays.) I also need to really buckle down and edit my latest project until it shines. Then I can't wait to bring researching and writing my newest idea. Oh and I want to plot out my co-writing project. Honestly, not matter what happens, I just want to keep writing.

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  49. Another awesome sun vs snow contest! You guys are awesome! My goals is to keep writing -duh- but more than that, I need to find a way to get my books 'out there', hopefully through an agent!

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  50. Thanks Michelle! For 2017, I'd like to do one more revision pass of Book 1 before I continue querying, finish revising book 2, and then hopefully finish plotting a new WIP. I'm in a new crit group, and I'm really doing everything to make my writing a priority this year.

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  51. Let's be realistic. Finish 3 or 4 stories of the linked series I'm writing. Keep on querying. Review a couple of books. Get serious about my writing blog (my travel blog is going fine.) And quit playing so much solitaire while I "thing and plan" the next scene.

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  53. In 2017 I want to polish my latest MS before I begin to query again, but my priority is to grew as a writer. I want people to enjoy my writing as much as I enjoy writing it.

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    1. For some reason, my computer is not showing me a comment box, yet it is allowing me to reply to comments...so obv one of my goals is to learn how to use this magic wonderbox...
      As far as writing resolutions, I firmly resolve to do all the things I did last year, but better, and more often, and hopefully with better results. I spent most of 2016 submitting YA#1 with good initial responses, but ultimately, many rejections. So, I am going to pull that mss back, and have it reread, recritiqued, and revised. I also finished a rewrite of YA#2, which I plan to submit here, so I will be revising that and polishing all month. Finally, I'm completing the first draft of 2016's NaNovel (adult contemp romance) and plan to have it ready by October when I go to my favorite annual conference and pitch to an agent irl. After I recover from that, I will be ready to begin again with another story in November. Write, Revise, Rinse, Repeat. That's what I do, and every year it gets a little easier and my skin gets a little thicker.

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  55. Thank you, Michelle! I'm thrilled to have a completed manuscript at the right time(2017 writing goal number one - nailed it!). I felt pretty beaten down by 2016 to be honest, and this has informed my 2017 goals. I will put myself out into the writing community in a more active way, by offering support to my fellow writers via book reviews and forums because their creativity deserves our love and respect. I will attend at least two SCBWI conferences and give my local critique group, which has been dying a slow death over the last few months a firm kick in the pants (with love, of course!). I will query my completed MG and start the revision process on another only to be completely sidetracked by a new idea that demands my full attention like a tantruming two-year-old. Best of luck to all of us in 2017!

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  56. Neither sunburn nor snowstorm will keep me from reaching my short term goal of creating an agent’s eye-catching synopsis for my YA fantasy manuscript. I will allow Land, Moon, Wind, and Water to guide me as I plot my course to expand this story into a trilogy series that will have my readers eagerly pledging a pirate’s oath in the fight to secure the future of this waterfall city.

    I also plan to add to my historical fiction chapter book collection with true tales of a chocolate train wreck and a little known event occurring BEFORE the sailing of the Titanic which might have prevented the tragedy from happening.

    My long term goal is to uncover the treasure of working with an editorial agent to help sort out all the voices clamoring in my head and create a storm of polished writing to unleash on an unsuspecting world.

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  57. Goals for 2017 - Get an agent for my manuscript....and get a good start on manuscript #3. AND to make sure this community knows how much I appreciate their help!

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  58. Goals for 2017

    Get an agent, maybe two
    Do the things they tell me to
    to publish with an awesome house
    (or if not, to seldom grouse).

    Write my WIP and whip it good
    Make it say the things it should
    Send to betas, hear them out
    Never let them hear me shout.

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  59. My 2017 goals is to land an agent and get published. I would love to hire an editor, since I have two R&Rs for Venom (not the ms I'm entering this year's contest) from one agent and one small pub. I would also love to write more novels and finish old ones on my old backlist. I would love to win any pitch contest, Twitter and regular, too. Thanks Michelle!

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  60. Writing is like breathing so I can’t live without doing it. I write because, like breathing, I must.

    When I was six years old my teacher told me off for joining my o’s at the bottom instead of the top. From that moment on I wrote to please everyone apart from myself. I wrote stories for a perceived audience instead of writing from my heart.

    2017 is the year I write for myself.

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  61. My true self commented above (Julie C) but she doesn't have a Goodreads account...so i will take over from here.

    My goal is to get an agent for my second book, my first book, AVAILABLE TO CHAT, was published last year and I would love to build on that success!

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  62. oh now there's a working Add Comment button...*magic*...

    So instead of rewriting my original comment, hidden up yonder, I can add my purchase of Faithful :) https://smile.amazon.com/gp/digital/your-account/order-summary.html?ie=UTF8&orderID=D01-9087358-1248268&ref=dbs_t_r_d_ord&

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  63. My writing goal for 2017 is to make time as often as I can to write! I stay at home with my three year old and it has been difficult to write with him constantly demanding my attention. I am going to do my best to make time for myself and focus on my passion. Last year I lost my agent after my book didn't sell after five months on submission (a book that made the first round in QK, but not the agent round). I now have a different novel and hope to land a new agent! Hoping 2017 sees success!

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  64. My writing goals for 2017 is to write more, and not for publishing. At the same time, I want to focus on publishing my three novels more than ever, and am even looking into self-publishing now. I want this to be the year I go from being a 'writer' to an 'author' - seven has always been my lucky number, and with 201'7', who knows?

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  65. Thank you for offering this free pass. My writing goals for 2017 are firstly, to revise my query and synopsis for the YA novel I completed in 2016 and try to nab an agent. Secondly, to write two novels in 2017 - the sequel to my completed novel and a new YA novel I have just started developing. Good luck to everyone else with your 2017 writing goals!

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  66. My goal is to complete revisions of my YA novel by the end of February and send it out to beta readers. Hoping to query by the end of the semester. Thanks for this chance.

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  67. My 2017 writing goal is to keep working on my completed YA Contemporary novel and hopefully nab an agent. I also hope to revise and polish my YA Fantasy novel that I started in 2009! so that I can query that. I also have three other novels that I have started drafts of but have not completed and I'd like to knock out a full first draft of each one this year. I'd also love to try and really start a better writing habit of writing a little each day- even if it's just for thirty minutes a day or so - but I want to try and write between 250-500 words a day. Best wishes to everyone on their goals, just remember, don't give up!

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  68. Thank you so much for offering this free pass! :) My goal is to query my current ms more, and to finish its sequel by the end of the year. I'm determined to get it done! :D

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  69. Thanks so much for all your contests! So fun and helpful@

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  71. This is an exciting opportunity. Fingers crossed for the free pass. My short term goal is to submit my polished picture book manuscripts to agents and editors. My long term goal is to polish another 4 or 5 picture books and finish researching and writing two nonfiction picture books. :-)

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  72. Thanks for this opportunity! My writing goals for 2017 include: polish and begin querying my current mg, outline the sequel, revisit/rewrite/revise an mg novel that's been set aside, continue to engage with and support the children's writer community through critiquing, beta reading, and reviewing books on my review blog.

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  73. My goals are: finish editing the second novel in my Faire series and return it to my publisher (who has the patience of a saint), finish the contemporary romance I set aside to edit the aforementioned book, write the third book in the series (already mapped out), and continue to do research for an end of days trilogy that has been brewing for some years. And, somewhere in all that, I shall once again send out queries for my urban fantasy.

    Thank you for encouraging us so tirelessly!

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  74. I had my first child in May, so now I need some motivation to get back to writing; hoping this will be the push needed!
    Thanks for hosting!

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  75. My writing goals are to get my new MG submission ready and continue querying a PB or two. Thank you!

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  76. My 2017 goals is to begin the querying process of my latest project, and start the first draft of a new one. I'm attending a conference, along with pitching to agents, in May, so I want to hone my pitch and querying skills as sharply as possible. The future can only get brighter!

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  77. Thank you very much for this opportunity! I have four completed manuscripts I’ve worked on over the past couple years. My writing goals for 2017 are to work on revising and polishing three of them, and improving the query letter and synopsis for each. Of course, obtaining an agent is my ultimate goal. ;) I also have a new WIP I’ve started and am excited about that I would like to complete this year.

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  78. My writing goals for this year: One final polish then query for my current YA Fantasy (with wolves NOT werewolves). Finish the first draft of my girl power SciFi in my pajamas surrounded by caffeine and chocolate without getting distracted by the cats. It's harder than it sounds - they're more demanding than you would think!

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  79. My writing goals for this year! Finish polishing the current MS (YA Contemporary). Draft a YA Magical Realism, then an adult romance, then revise those two. We'll see what else happens!

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  80. My writing goals are to get some down on paper or recorder every day. Also, I want to finish several projects I've been working on that are still not quite ready for the light.

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  81. Writing goals for this year:

    Get through most of my query list for "What Happened at Kate's House"

    Finish at least the first draft of "Meaghan's Sway"

    Get to work on newer ideas "Shoolyard Rules" and "...Without You"

    Cause world peace and harmony with my written word and stories...

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  82. Writing goals for 2017: get an agent....
    I'm kidding.
    It's my hope to rewrite my MG space opera comedy and to start querying and stop revise my current YA WIP

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  83. Hmm, let's see, 2017. Well, I finished my last round of revisions for my YA manuscript at 11:50 pm New Year's Eve. Worked for 16 hours a day through Christmas to finish, the editor wanted the pages by January 1st. So, that's done. This year I want to start submitting to agents. I have 5 waiting patiently for those last revision, and in my fantasy world, I will land an agent and push this thing through to publication.Baring that, I will work on the four other projects lounging about on my laptop awaiting my attention. Oh, and I plan on bombarding the universe with so much positive energy, things will turn around and we'll stop destroying ourselves.

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  84. My 2017 writing goals are to begin querying my first book in my new series and start the next book. I recently joined a local chapter of RWA. My goal is to step outside my comfort zone and attend meetings and learn as much as I can from fellow writers. I would also like to participate in at least 4 contests this year. Thanks so much for this opportunity and all you do for the writing community.

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  85. My goal for 2017 is to be persistent. I've been querying a YA, and if the responses I'm waiting for are rejections or no responses, I'll revise the query and send it out some more. I'm also going to revisit a manuscript I've been letting rest and decide whether it's worth revising and submitting.

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  86. My goal for 2017 is to get back into the groove of writing. Life took over the last couple of years and I'm ready to jump back in. I've got an urban fantasy I want to polish and do everything I can to get it sold and a new dragon series I want to start. My long term goal for the year is to really focus on getting the stories done right and not trying to find the fast track.

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  87. Short term goal: Keep querying!
    Longer term goal: I have this magic realism story in mind, but it has a plot hiccup I need to resolve.

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  89. My writing goal for 2017 is to fine tune the synopsis for my middle grade novel. My goal this year is also to find representation or publisher who is is love with my main character and their story.

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  90. My goals for 2017 include deciding on which of two new projects I want to start, and then actually finish it. I want to try to write almost every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. My dream is to find representation for my current project.

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  91. I'd love to get one of my many manuscripts in shape for subbing in 2017. More than one would be even better.

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  92. Oh, I wish I had specific writing goals for 2017, but with my wedding and Masters degree this year, my goals aren't even on a month-by-month basis, but more of a when-I-have-the-chance basis (and, yes, I know they say it's possible to make time for writing, but my days are long and I like tv too much!). I would love to go through another round of edits on one of my novels, better even to get some active querying going. I'd also like to write something new in 2017, as I've been editing so much lately that I worry my writing itself is a bit rusty.

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  93. My goal is that 2017 will see ink for Pipeline, a ripped-from-the-headlines story of Geena O’Brien, the terrorist’s daughter. After her acquittal, Geena leaves New York seeking a normal life.But,unfortunately, she chooses to do it while working on the pipeline in Elko, Nevada, which has become the epicenter of a domestic terrorism plot. With her terrorism training, how could this resilient woman not struggle to protect her friends and her new life? My goal is to find a literary agent and a publisher who will fall in love with Geena’s story like I have.

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  94. My goal is to become famous though my newly discovered awesome skills with social media. Well, at least get a couple of followers. ;) Seriously, I want to master Twitter and stay active with my new website and blog.

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  96. My goal is to query agents this year with two of my manuscripts. Both are finally ready. My other goal is to complete my WIP by May 2017.

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  97. My writing goals for 2017 are to submit my current ms to agents and publishers and then work more on my YA fantasy romance series.

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  98. My writing goal for 2017 is to spend less time revising and thinking about writing and spend more time writing.

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  99. Thanks for this opportunity, you do so much for the writing community. My goals are to keep querying my first MS and write a first draft of my second one.

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  100. My primary goal is to finally get an agent! In terms of writing specifically, I am planning to start my next MS (YA Sci-Fi) as soon as I start querying my current one.

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  101. My goal is to query my YA book without eating way to much chocolate. I want to nurture my love of writing and grow. #2017 is the year for happiness!

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  102. I don't know why my name didnt post. Sorry! I'm Jocelyn Frentz

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  103. I've got two main 2017 writing goals - to finish the rewrites for a YA SF project, and to complete the first draft of a Contemporary novella! Since I'm due with my second soon, it'll be interesting to see how much I get accomplished with a newborn and toddler around, =)

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  104. Thank you for hosting this great contest! My goal for 2017 is to find an agent for two YA series I've started and to finish the second installment on both.

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  105. Thank you once again for hosting this contest.

    My goals for 2017 are to write at least 10k a month (should be an easy enough number to hit), finish drafting at least one other MS, and hopefully get an agent.

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  106. Thanks Michelle and crew! This is the year...it's the year, the month, the week. It always has to be to keep going. I've just finished my second novel this summer and have been editing for the past six months and it's DONE. I'm so thrilled and looking forward to getting this puppy out there. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to do that in a meaningful way. Happy New Year and here's a fabulous 2017 for everyone.

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  107. Thank you for hosting this!
    I'm working on my fourth novel, and I recently parted ways with my agent. I'm staring over. My first novel THE LAST ORDER was an indie published novel. I currently have 2 very different YA novels that are ready to query. Here's to 2017!

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  108. What a fun idea for a free pass!

    My goal this year is to edit my first chapter for the LAST TIME. I've changed it so much and, while it keeps improving, I'm tired of reworking it. I'd like to take one more hard look at it, edit, and then wrap it up with a bow!

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  109. Thank you so much for another great contest with results. The online writing community is so supportive and helpful to newbies like me.
    My 2017 goals are to put the final touches on my first and second MS. Finish writing the third, edit and polish. Then start my fourth.

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  110. My 2017 goals are to complete my fourth manuscript and rearrange the opening chapter on my third to garner more immediate attention in the opening.

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  111. In addition to hoping no more of my favorite celebrities die, my goals for 2017 include revising my contemporary middle grade, workshopping it at Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers, a fabulous writing conference held every June in Sandy, Utah (wifyr.com), and entering every writing contest I can find. Contests keep me motivated and are so much more fun that querying agents, although I will continue to do that, too.

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  112. My goals include getting a MG ready to submit to agents, finish the rough drafts and first rounds of edits of two more books (one MG and one YA), and write queries until I finally learn how to write them well. I will attend three conferences this year, and I also hope to get pregnant with my third child. Yes, I am a bit of a masochist, but I'm a determined girl (although my husband calls it stubbornness). :)

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  113. For 2017 I am going to attempt to write a better hook for my query letter. Hopefully, I can accomplish this without needing to buy a parrot and an eye patch. In the long term, I want to work on balancing writing and personal relationships or needs. I tend to go hermit writer which is not the healthiest.

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  114. My goal for 2017 is to find more time to finish the series I am working on now, focus on my writing, query agents and survive my day job without wanting to poke my eyes out.

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  115. My short term goal is to finish the most recent round of revisions to my ms titled Gavin Hunt: Renaissance Boy. After attending a novel writing retreat in March, I hope to have excellent feedback for revising my ms Camp Gaga. The long term goal is to match with an agent this year. Thanks for this contest and opportunity!

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  116. My goal for 2017 is to finish the first drafts of two separate novels by Independence Day, then figure out which one I'm going to revise. They won't be nearly ready by then, but having them on paper is important. Oh, and I'm just doing this because it looks fun -- obviously I'm not entering Sun vs Snow. I do, however, look forward to working with one or more of these great people in my role as a mentor.

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  117. My goal for 2017 is to continue to query my current manuscript and get more involved in great contest like Sun v. Snow. I also want to dust off an old WIP that I have a soft spot for and do a major over-haul. Thanks for all your hard work for authors!

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  118. I'm excited for the new year! My goals are to find a home for my finished manuscript and have two others drafted, critiqued, editied, and ready for submission. Winning the lottery is a goal too. And it could be considered a publishing goal since I'd donate sooooo much to the book world! *crosses fingers*

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  119. 2017 Already! Wow.
    Some of my writing goals for this year are:
    - Continue to believe myself and my writing
    - Win this rafflecopter, haha!
    - Find a rock star agent who's a perfect fit for me, while I am a perfect fit for them
    - Publish a debut YA novel
    - Experience the shock and awe of walking into a bookstore & seeing my work on a shelf. Then hand-selling it like a lunatic until either the store does an impromptu book-signing, or politely shows me the door. :D
    - Then keep writing until my keyboard smokes!

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  120. My writing goal for 2017 are all over the place! First, I want to edit both the stories I'm working on more and finish a first draft for book 2 in my series. I'd also like to create something new to read to my class before the school year ends. Last year I did a quirky tree-school story for them. This year's group is far more into sports though, so I'm trying to brainstorm something they would like for their end of the year read aloud. Also I hold onto the goal of finding an agent for my completed manuscript.

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  122. I am a plotter. In books, I like to know where my characters will end up. In life, I like my year to be organized. For 2017, I want to plot out a sequel, and finish two half-finished MS.

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  124. My 2017 long term writing goal is mainly surrounded around the dream of landing an agent that has fallen in love with my work almost as much as I have. This is something I'm sure most of us wish will happen in 2017, and who knows it might come true for some of us. My short term writing goals of 2017 include becoming more involved in the writer community, especially being more active on social media (sorry Twitter!), and to start developing my WIP which include ghosts. And historical stuff. Woo!

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  125. My writing goal for 2017 is to write. something. Anything. No, this comment doesn't count. So, yeah, write. ALL THE WORDS.

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  126. In 2017, I want to share more of my writing. I write for myself, of course, but I feel that my words are my best shot at changing the world -- even if that world belongs to just one person. Whether I land an agent and a six-figure publishing deal (I know, I'm hilarious), or make my family and friends smile with a small piece of flash fiction, I hope to make as much of a difference as I can.

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  127. My goals for writing are to continue. Through all the frustrations of daily life, It is easy to allow hiccups in the writing or publication process to discourage you. It is my goal to push through any adversity I may face and see my dreams through to the end.

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  128. I have 3 main goals for 2017. To find a dream agent for my YA Fantasy. To finish rewriting my Adult SciFi. And to compose at least 50K words on a new YA Fantasy that's been scratching and howling to get out of my head and onto a Word doc. Thank you for this opportunity, Michelle. :)

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  129. My goal for 2017 is to rewrite the magic realism novel to lose the framing narrator (critique group hated it). My wish for 2017 is to find an agent for the historical mystery.

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  130. Writing Goals for 2017
    - Find an agent, because this YA manuscript is ready and so am I!
    - Finish writing book 2 before all these ideas bust out of my head.
    - Attend three Writers' Conferences, because apparently one or two just isn't enough and I'm itching for more.
    - Finish reading and apply The Anatomy of Story by John Truby. Good intentions don't make a great novel. But this book does.
    - Read lots and lots of books. Happiness is finished deadlines, a quiet day and a new book to crack open.

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  131. 2017 Writing Goals:
    To bleed on the page more than I bleed in the query trenches. To find an agent that believes in my writing and my ability to maintain a successful writing career. To remind myself every day that as good as sleep feels, it can't compare to how phenomenal a polished manuscript sounds.

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  132. 2017 goals: Finish my current WIP, revise my YA sci-fi, start a new WIP and ofcourse find representation!

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  133. My goals? Jump back into the query trenches with my polished MS and complete a rough draft on my rewrite.

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  134. My goals for this year are- query book 1, edit book 2, and write a first draft of book 3 of my fantasy trilogy.

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  135. Thank you for the chance, Michelle!

    My writing goals for 2017:
    1) Polish my YA urban fantasy.
    2) Make my query letter gleam and sparkle.
    3) Find an agent who is on my side 100% and who will fight to see me go the distance.
    4) Sign a book deal with a publisher who believes in this story as much as I do.

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