I technically started my writing journey at the very end of 2017. However, this was way before I knew about websites and blogs or the need for social media accounts. So ignoring the few days of 2017 when I binged watched the Creative Penn on YouTube, 2018 has been my first proper writing year.
This is what I’ve discovered
I’ve discovered that this book writing business is taking me longer than I thought. I’m writing much slower than I would like. I’m not completely giving in to writing the first draft and getting it done. This means I find myself going back and tinkering here and there, which takes time. Overthinking what I’m writing has become my nemesis. This is because I’m worried I might forget what it was that I wanted to say. Especially if I continue to the end of the book without fixing things.
There is so much to learn. It’s probably not the best idea to focus on everything at once. I fear I’m spreading myself too thinly. So I’ve paused posting on Instagram and Facebook. I will resume once I have a finished book ready to go.
Aims for 2019
I recently received Chris Fox’s – 5000 words per hour for Christmas, so crossing my fingers this will speed my writing process up. I also hope to change my writing habit from infrequent long slogs, which leave me feeling drained. Instead, I want to do daily writing sprints. With the hope that I’ll get more words written per week in more frequent short bursts. That is the plan anyway. Any tips or ideas would be appreciated. What do you find works for you?
The main aim for 2019 is publishing a book, I may settle for one but ideally, I will get two out into the world. One from each of the two series I’m working on. Which will then hopefully influence what I’ll write later on? When I start to get feedback I can focus my energy on the better-received project.
That will mean getting reviews and comments, which I’ve not dealt with so far and I’m quietly dreading. Yet that is the writing process and I know I’ll have to do it sometime. So if anyone fancies being a beta reader for some Urban Fantasy then give me a shout or point me in the right direction to find where they hide out on the interwebs.
Targets
- At least one book finished and out in the world
- Increase writing speed
- Increase writing sessions
- Improve writing craft
- Continue building a writing platform
2018 has been a struggle and I massively underestimated how long writing takes. Especially the all-important first novel. 2019 is almost upon us and it will be the year I become a published author.
What do you want to achieve in 2019? Do you have any plans on how you’ll do it? Let me know in the comments.
Jonny Clark