What makes me an Insecure Writer this month?
It’s the start of a new year, which also marks the beginning of my roller-coaster ride of becoming published.
Last year, my goals were to finish uploading my Hogwarts fanfiction to Wattpad, complete the first draft of my urban fantasy, and begin making contact (once a week) with other authors in the fantasy and science fiction genres.
As you might expect, the results were mixed—mostly due to events beyond my control.
Back in February, I was downsized by my company, causing major disruptions both to my family and my writing. The edits to my fanfiction ground to a halt, as did my plans to connect with other authors. Needless to say, searching for another job can be kind of time-consuming.
I'm happy to say things have finally settled down. The job market in my area is not good, at least in my area of expertise, but I eventually settled into tutoring chemistry online. It doesn’t pay nearly as well, but we have enough savings to keep us afloat, so all is good. And in a classic “lemons to lemonade” bit of self-delusion, I took all this as a sign that I should become more of a full-time writer.
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| Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay |
Hey, at least I finished the first draft of my WIP. Woohoo!
So, now it's time to get my butt into gear and buckle down for the real work of publishing my story. Editing the book, formatting it, uploading it to Amazon, and then marketing the darn thing isn’t going to happen by itself. So here are my 2020 goals.
- Publish my urban fantasy.
- Make significant headway on the sequel.
- Connect with other authors in my genre.
- Build an author website.
- Post on this blog (the one you’re reading now) on a regular schedule again.
The original goal of this blog was to chronicle my journey as a writer. Although that journey will never really end—there’s always more to learn—my focus has changed over the past few years. These days, I’m more interested in the marketing side of things. For this reason, this blog will now be concerned with chronicling my journey to becoming a published author. I’ll still have the occasional post on the craft of writing, but mostly it’ll be about the trials and tribulations of publishing.
I’ve done tons of research into topics like reader outreach, marketing, and publishing, but to be honest, these are just abstract concepts floating around my head. It’s figuring out what to do on a day-to-day process that I have to figure out now.
I’ll keep you updated.
ChemistKen
P.S. This month's question asks what started me on my writing journey. Just consider the name of this blog and you'll have the answer.
Look forward to the new direction. And you're right, a writer's journey never ends.
ReplyDeletePublishing and marketing are things I think we can only truly learn from experience. Research helps, but it can only take us so far.
ReplyDeleteYou're off on a new journey. And if you need help with any of those publishing steps, let me know.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your new journey. It's great you have managed to find some positives in such a difficult life change. I wish you all the best!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Excellent goals, very realistic. Good luck with it all!
ReplyDeleteAll the best with your goals! Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like 2020, will be your year. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Good luck as you move forward with your goals. Losing a job can have a major impact on your life. It did for me too. Like you, I'm figuring it out.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a clear plan and goals for the year ahead. I wish you all the best for 2020 and beyond.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all of these changes. Sometimes, life does force stuff on us that we wouldn't choose but works out for the best.
ReplyDeleteI lost track of how many were inspired by HP in today's posts. Good luck with your plans
ReplyDeleteHi Ken, best wishes for a smashing success with your goals in 2020! Rock and roll on that sequel!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the positive and goal-oriented work, Ken. I've enjoyed reading about your ups and downs and back ups again! Ah, the joys of writing stories.
ReplyDeleteHoping 2020 gives you and your family lots of happy surprises!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you've remained positive with all of the ups and downs. Good luck with everything this year, and feel free to poke me if you need shout-outs or anything!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best with all those excellent goals. Star Wars was my catalyst write, but admit Harry Potter rejuvenated it the desire along with LOTR, Immortal Instruments, Twilight books not movies a bit, Narnia and so forth. I am a little late making the rounds. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteThese sound like good goals, Ken! Hoping 2020 is a great year for you. :)
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate it when you set some great goals, and life steps in and crushes them? I know how you feel. So glad you're back on track! Good luck with publishing and writing in 2020!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about what you didn't accomplish. At least you've accomplished something. Just focus on that and good luck in the new year! :-D
ReplyDeleteMy Writing Journey: https://reneescattergood.com/iwsg-my-writing-journey-origin-story-amwriting/
You made it through a tough experience, Ken ~ definitely making lemonade out of lemons. It will be interesting and informative to follow your publishing journey. All the best to you in 2020!
ReplyDeleteHey Ken, 2019 was a disaster of a year for me as well. What I find inspiring is that you are keeping at it! I'm working on the first chapter of my first book ever, It's encouraging to know that, in spite of any difficulties you faced, you have accomplished a first draft. My goal is to finish my first draft this year. By the time I get there, I'm sure I will have learned a lesson or two from you. I'll be checking back in on you again.
ReplyDeleteI am completely new to ISWG. I am not at all sure I am following the process correctly, but I am already encouraged to find this resource online. I mirror your commitment to both write and to reach out to others this year. Thanks for sharing!