Why am I an insecure writer this month?
Because I look back at all the goals I set last January and see how few of them I actually met. Even worse, last January’s IWSG post was all about how I’d failed to meet my 2019 goals. Hmmm… I’m beginning to see a trend here.
But dang it all, I’m putting all that behind me this year. This year I'm going to meet my goals. I’m feverishly working my way through the edits sent to me by my editor, and while some of them will take a bit of work to solve, they’re not insurmountable. I will finish them and my manuscript will be ready to publish this year.
Except that I need a cover first. And a final proofread. And for the manuscript to be properly formatted for both electronic and print versions. Oh, did I mention that I don’t plan on releasing this story until I have the sequel all ready to publish too? Hmmm…. No wonder I’m feeling insecure.
Then there’s setting up my author website, collecting an email list, starting a newsletter, and all the other little things that need to be done in the meantime. In other words, all the goals I’ve failed at the past couple of years.
Hopefully, with my manuscript ready for publication, I’ll find the drive to get all that other stuff done too. I can't put them off much longer.
Here’s wishing that all your New Year’s resolutions work out too.
January's question: What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?
My only regret is that I didn’t begin writing earlier in my life, and that I waited so long before truly taking writing seriously. I'm not sure it's possible for me to overcome those actions, because I'll never get the time back that I frittered away. Unless one of you science fiction writers come up with a time machine or something.
This month’s co-hosts are Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, and Sarah Foster! Be sure to stop by their blogs and wish them a Happy New Year!
Take care everyone, and stay safe!
ChemistKen
Make a list of what you need to do. That will make it easier. Then reach out to those who can advise or help you on the best way to do it. Seems like a lot when you look at all of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
But the main thing is that you did start writing, and that is something to be thankful about. Yes, you've got lots to do, but what Alex has said makes sense. Make a list and maybe put some dates on the things you want to do and with whom you want to work with and just maybe it will take pressure off of you.
ReplyDeleteYou can do this. I've been around IWSG enough to know that you can. So hang in there.
All the best and thanks for co-hosting.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Time machines are tricksy things, never giving what you think you want out of them...
ReplyDeleteI never make resolutions. They always fail. I prefer to make goals that are realistic and small, then add to them as they are finished. Good luck with getting everything ready for your book. It's a big list - but you can do it!
Thank you for co-hosting :)
Here's to 2022 being productive and sticking to goals! I never get everything checked off my morphing lists. I've learned to see lists as a moving target to aim for; and try not to get down when I don't hit the mark. Happy New Years, and thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteBest,
A
Even if you didn't meet your yearly goals, you're doing great by finishing your manuscript and moving to get it published. Thanks for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing your book! How exciting to know you are facing lots of decisions. Don't be overwhelmed. It's like eating an elephant--one bit at a time. Wishing you all the best. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteWith age comes wisdom! Thing of how much better your mature writings are. My goals are always the same and are always that carrot just out of reach and just what I need to encourage to continue. Go for the carrot, Ken! And thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! And I hope you consider me as a beta reader when it comes to the sequel. I'm really looking forward to your books Ken, and I excited for the next one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Go, go, go! We set goals without even knowing what's coming. I have no doubt that when your books come out, they will be well done.
ReplyDeleteI think about that, too - not starting earlier - but then I wonder if I would have been good at it before I matured with life's experiences. (I was a very late bloomer.)
ReplyDeleteI'm having the same trouble with reaching goals the last few years, as life has thrown me quite a few curves. I'm finally settled into my new forever home and my new until-I-retire job. I'm determined to make time to write and market my books.
I find making lists helps. It's sort of silly in a way, but a list keeps me on task, and marking items off gives me a sense of accomplishment that makes me want to do more.
Thanks for co-hosting.
Glad you're working through the edits! Sounds like you're starting out 2022 on the right foot. :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your manuscript loads of luck. Great start to 2022.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex: make a list.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add, make the goal (aka list) measurable and include a deadline.
Next, make a list of baby steps to reach the major goal. The baby steps are an easy to make the juices flow. It works. I have solid proof. Let me know if you like the list.
I'm in the middle of developing my Website. During the process, I've experienced success and enough failure parallelized my determination. I reached out and regained enough confidence to continue.
Thanks for co-hosting this month. And remember, the best is yet to come.
I agree with the list-making, but I also suggest tackling just one area a month, or week, depending on how you handle those things. I separated out what I wanted to do via 12 months, 12 tasks for this year. I'm not sure I'll get to all of them, but I hope to - and that's just for the "business" side of writing.
ReplyDeleteLet's just do our best, right?
Don't be so hard on yourself, Ken. I'm sure that while you were focused on reaching your writing goals, you were accomplishing a lot of other things in your life. And as to starting late...I surely did, and while I would like to have more years to do this well, I'm not sure I was ready to write for publication much earlier. I like having all that experience tucked inside.
ReplyDeleteHave a great 2022 and thanks for co-hosting today!
Right about all of those tasks, Ken. Gotta be done. We writers are an amazing group, aren't we!
ReplyDeleteVery early in my writer's journey, someone told me that everything will take at least twice as long as you expect it to. Progress may be slow, but you are making progress. That's the important thing.
ReplyDeleteKen, you and I have the same regrets. LOL I knew we were kindred spirits. Forget the past resolutions. This is a new year, a new outlook. Good luck on your edits. I'm looking forward to reading your story. Thanks for cohosting this month.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Ken! Thanks for co-hosting this month's IWSG question.
ReplyDeleteI love your posts because I'm right there with you in trying to gather my email list and newsletters and getting my website together. Trying to get that final draft ready and the formats correct. Yikes!! Do you have any help? Please share where you go for assistance with formats or how you learned. I certainly need help.
I wish you every success in 2022! You can do this, Ken! Now, if only I can do it...
Your truth is the truth of many in 2021 - after all we still had COVID cramping our style! You are thoughtful and thorough. You WILL surmount the bad times and conquer all your tasks!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I have a cover artist that I adore, if I may suggest...
Happy New Year, Ken. Yeah, indie publishing comes with so many chores! Sounds like you've got a good handle on what needs to be done. I wish you a goal-smashing 2022!
ReplyDeleteYou're probably not doing all that bad. I'm still trying to achieve goals I set 50 years ago for myself. I might never meet any of them, but it's good to at least have dreams to keep us going. I wish you well in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Happy New Year! You've got this. We're here to cheer you on. I wish I got over my fear of people reading my stories and started publishing earlier too. I'll be 50 this year, and I still feel like I'm in the beginning stages of my writing life! Let me know when you get a hold of a time machine. ;)
ReplyDeleteI like what Alex said. Make a few large goals with several small ones with dates or time lengths associated with the smaller ones. It will feel great to check off the smaller ones as you go.
ReplyDeleteDon't let the whole overwhelm you. Attend to small groups of tasks first. When you're ready for formatting and cover art, let me know and I can help.
ReplyDeleteSo much to do, so little time. But you'll hack away at it, a piece at a time. I've frittered a lot of time away, as well, so if you get that time machine, count me in!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today.
Sounds like you're doing great. Maybe prioritize that list. In the mean time, it's a New Year. Don't spend too much time fretting about the past.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Ooh, wow! Those are some serious goals! I wish you the best.
ReplyDelete♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥
Big plans and big dreams. I hope all of them come true.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
I think you'll find that drive to get all of those things done now that the manuscript is so close to publication. I like the idea of making a list--just take things one step at a time!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think we start when we're ready and able. I'm with you on making goals and having a positive year. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThe Warrior Muse
Best of luck with your goals! They'll be easier to accomplish if you focus on one thing at a time.
ReplyDeleteYou started on the edits! Good for you! I hope the momentum keeps snowballing and you end up sitting in a pile of met goals at the bottom of this hill :) Thank you for co-hosting this month!
ReplyDeleteI've seen a theme in a lot of posts today and wishing you'd gotten started earlier. I'm in that boat myself. But at least we're sailing now! @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
I second Shannon Lawrence. We start when we are ready. I also started writing late in life. Why? Because I wasn't ready before. No regrets. I'm glad I started when I did.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you mention that you need a cover for your new book. I dabble in making pre-made book covers, but I recently made a customized cover for a writing friend, and her book is on Amazon now. I can take a stab at your cover, if you still need it.
Wow! I believe we have posted almost the exact same thing. Why did I wait so long before starting to get serious about writing. But, as an author or a writer, I keep telling myself, age doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting!
It must feel good to have an editor and to be on the brink of making the required edits. I say this because I don't even think I'm ready for an editor yet. But maybe I am.
ReplyDeleteI relate to your regret, but you're on a roll now.
Happy New Year and thank you for co-hosting.
Happy New Year, Ken!
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting the IWSG blog hop this month!
Sounds like you've made major progress with the manuscript.
Good luck with finding a cover and also completing the final proofreading and eventually formatting the book!
If anyone finds that time machine, I'm in for a piece of it :)
ReplyDeleteHappy new year & thanks for co-hosting.
Wishing you all the best with your goals this year. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWith all your goals in sight, all you have to do is aim that positive attitude of yours and go!
ReplyDeleteVery best wishes and thanks for co-hosting!
First, pat yourself on the back (if you can reach) for completing a novel and getting it into the hands of someone interested in publishing it. Second, you have edits to make which means your story is awesome and viable - it just needs some tweaking. The website and email list will come, in time. You've focused on the importance of writing a solid piece. And, you have a sequel in the works - that deserves a second pat on the back. You have much to celebrate. Have a bit of bubbly, a nice piece of chocolate and then, get back to work! Congratulations and thank you for hosting this month! https://dianeweidenbenner.com/iwsg-whats-the-one-thing-about-your-writing-career-you-regret-the-most/
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your manuscript and plunging into another. There's never a loss of things to do when you're a writer is there?;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting and have a productive, fun year.
Congratulations on finishing your project. Sounds like you already know what else needs to be done, so yay for that too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hostning!
Hey, if anyone brings you a time machine, I want first dibs. It's hard not to regret missed opportunities.
ReplyDeleteThere's always so much to do!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you get to the newsletter stuff, check out the Newsletter Ninja book. I wish I'd read it earlier on in the process. Very helpful!
My answer was the same as yours, Ken. It sounds like you know what you need to do. I think there are lots of us who didn't hit their goals the last few years.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid those patterns are all too common! It is a lot ahead of you but you are certainly not alone! Best of luck on the goals!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about your New Year's Resolutions! That reminds me I haven't set mine up exactly for 2022, and so far, I haven't looked back! What a nice long to-do list. And your regrets. Ah, what company we keep. May you achieve at least 50% of your writing goals for 2022.
ReplyDeleteHaving just come from Sarah's post - take things one at a time and you'll be fine. Doing them in the right order also helps. Keep everything in digestible chunks, and tick them off so you know you're making progress! And I think doing the sequel before you publish the first is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month.
My writing regret is exactly the same. I'm still not finding much time for writing now, and that frustrates me. At least you are cracking on with the writing and editing. That's the most important part. I did the opposite and set up my website, newsletter etc. first but then I barely did any writing last year. I think you have your priorities straight and once your edits are finished you can tick all the other things off one-by-one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting and good luck with your goals this year.
Thanks for co-hosting this month. Each year is a new opportunity. You have a long list to check off but that's okay. You have a plan and we are all routing for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month. You're right that this is a new year and we should just move forward and not worry about what we have or haven't done before. You have a reasonable checklist of things to do, but just tick them off one at a time and you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I have come to realize that everything happens for a reason and it's all good. Starting writing late is a good thing, Ken. I hope you know that.
ReplyDelete