"I think that we're all mentally ill. Those of us outside the asylums only hide it a little better - and maybe not all that much better after all." -- Stephen King
The Loft
I Propose ...
01/30/2011 19:45 Filed in: Writing
Today I completed my first grant proposal. I’ve never applied for a grant from anywhere for anything. Another ‘new’ in my writing journey.
My Creativity Coach, Lori L. Lake, recommended I throw my hat in the ring for the 2011 Minnesota Emerging Writers’ Grant through The Loft Literary Center, in Minneapolis. I had no clue where to begin or how to format a grant proposal. Good grief. A good friend shared her grant proposal with me so at least I had an example for reference.
I bounced my fairly straightforward and non-original proposal off the contact person listed for this contest. His feedback was positive. My proposal was clear and feasible and ... ‘good luck.’ So, yeah.
What was my proposal? The project begins in June 2011 and ends June 2012. I will complete a final draft of my manuscript, work with a content editor, who also happens to be a good friend, and then present the final draft to my coach for critical review. After I pass muster with Coach Lori, I’ll pitch my manuscript to a few small presses.
How will I accomplish all this? Baby steps. I’ll attend the GCLS Conference in June 2011 and practice pitching my manuscript to a few publishers at the conference. I submitted my name for consideration for the novice writer mentoring during the conference. Experienced authors submit their names to be “mentors” for newbies. If selected, I provide one to five chapters of my manuscript to my mentor and she reads it and gives me feedback and advice. One to one mentoring would be such a help at the start of my project.
Next, I’ll tune up my current draft and send on to my buddy for some content editing. She’ll flip it back and rake me over the proverbial coals, kick my butt and I’ll go to work on the next revision. I predict this cycle will repeat several times.
After the conference I’ll work on more revisions over the summer and then in October I’m heading out to Oregon for a week-long writers’ retreat at Oregon Writers’ Colonyhouse, facilitated by Coach Lori. The retreat will be with four to six other writers. Monday - Friday workshops, personal writing time and reading to the group. Intense work and feedback to feed the writing soul (and hopefully build up a better manuscript.)
In the fall, I also plan on enrolling in Ellen Hart’s “An Introduction to Writing the Modern Mystery.” A class she’s taught at The Loft for the past thirteen years. Ellen’s an amazing writer and friend. I’m excited to be part of one of her classes (she only teaches one per year) and to have another venue to present parts of my manuscript. New eyes are always a good thing. New readers give fresh perspective.
After the class, and a bit more tweaking of my manuscript, I’ll send it on to Coach Lori for her final blessing. Once she’s whipped me into shape - I’ll make the leap of faith and put my work out there. I’ve already begun researching four or five small presses I’ll consider approaching when the time is right.
So, lots of work ahead. Receiving a grant would certainly help defray the costs of the conference, retreat, class and coaching fees. Fingers crossed. The road is long, but the trip should be fun!
Write on!
My Creativity Coach, Lori L. Lake, recommended I throw my hat in the ring for the 2011 Minnesota Emerging Writers’ Grant through The Loft Literary Center, in Minneapolis. I had no clue where to begin or how to format a grant proposal. Good grief. A good friend shared her grant proposal with me so at least I had an example for reference.
I bounced my fairly straightforward and non-original proposal off the contact person listed for this contest. His feedback was positive. My proposal was clear and feasible and ... ‘good luck.’ So, yeah.
What was my proposal? The project begins in June 2011 and ends June 2012. I will complete a final draft of my manuscript, work with a content editor, who also happens to be a good friend, and then present the final draft to my coach for critical review. After I pass muster with Coach Lori, I’ll pitch my manuscript to a few small presses.
How will I accomplish all this? Baby steps. I’ll attend the GCLS Conference in June 2011 and practice pitching my manuscript to a few publishers at the conference. I submitted my name for consideration for the novice writer mentoring during the conference. Experienced authors submit their names to be “mentors” for newbies. If selected, I provide one to five chapters of my manuscript to my mentor and she reads it and gives me feedback and advice. One to one mentoring would be such a help at the start of my project.
Next, I’ll tune up my current draft and send on to my buddy for some content editing. She’ll flip it back and rake me over the proverbial coals, kick my butt and I’ll go to work on the next revision. I predict this cycle will repeat several times.
After the conference I’ll work on more revisions over the summer and then in October I’m heading out to Oregon for a week-long writers’ retreat at Oregon Writers’ Colonyhouse, facilitated by Coach Lori. The retreat will be with four to six other writers. Monday - Friday workshops, personal writing time and reading to the group. Intense work and feedback to feed the writing soul (and hopefully build up a better manuscript.)
In the fall, I also plan on enrolling in Ellen Hart’s “An Introduction to Writing the Modern Mystery.” A class she’s taught at The Loft for the past thirteen years. Ellen’s an amazing writer and friend. I’m excited to be part of one of her classes (she only teaches one per year) and to have another venue to present parts of my manuscript. New eyes are always a good thing. New readers give fresh perspective.
After the class, and a bit more tweaking of my manuscript, I’ll send it on to Coach Lori for her final blessing. Once she’s whipped me into shape - I’ll make the leap of faith and put my work out there. I’ve already begun researching four or five small presses I’ll consider approaching when the time is right.
So, lots of work ahead. Receiving a grant would certainly help defray the costs of the conference, retreat, class and coaching fees. Fingers crossed. The road is long, but the trip should be fun!
Write on!