Another year has closed and the start of a new one is officially off the ground.
I, for one, am glad to see the old year go. The last six months were rife with breaking things--cars, oven, house heater, windshields. And also new things--fix cars and heater, new windshields, oven, new cookware. I treated myself on Cyber Monday with a set of Calphalon cookware and I can honestly say it's the best cookware I've ever had.
Aside from all that, the last year was a hard one for me, creatively. I let all the awful things happening in the industry stifle my writing (Cocky Gate, book stuffing). I think I just got caught up in the drama, which is something I try never to do but I had a hard time looking away from that Cocky Gate thing. I stopped writing for a good six months when I got depressed over sales and everything happening in the industry and had a very "why bother?" attitude.
Towards the end of the summer, though, I got off Twitter and started thinking, seriously, about my future writing.
For 2019, I’ve decided I want to focus on the writing and publishing my backlist as well as some new material. After 60+ rejections, it makes you re-evaluate your writing life and make decisions about the career. Even though I have a day job, I do consider this a second career, so it was time to move forward instead of standing still. I’m throwing myself into indie publishing and looking forward to getting those stories told and in the hands of readers. My focus is all on the writing and the books and not so much on the marketing, though I do understand that plays a role as well.
I don’t want to get hung up on the money aspect of it like I have in the past. It’s a soul-crushing feeling sometimes to look at sales and see nothing for weeks or sometimes months. And I know that’s mostly my fault. I haven’t been producing like I should or want to. I haven’t been talking to my 3000+ newsletter subscribers. I hope to change that for 2019.
I haven’t given up on the dream that someday my books will be on the bookshelves or they’ll be turned into movies. I have very specific ideas about who should play my lead characters. Heck, I’d even settle for an HBO series. *grin*
There are other non-writing things I want to accomplish, too. Declutting is always high on my list. Getting the kid graduated and into college is another. Overall, though, I’m proclaiming 2019 Year of the Books.
How about you? What are you plans for the new year?
6 comments:
Hi Michelle,
2018 wasn't my finest year, either. I allowed a lot of things to get to me, as well, and it affected my writing to the point I only put out 2 books for the entire year. I had to take a long, hard look at my writing, too, and decided to make a lot of changes for 2019. I have two words that I'm carrying forward for 2019 -- determination and perseverance -- as my touchstone words, to keep me focused on what's important.
Good luck and happy writing, and here's to a prosperous and happy 2019. :-)
Same to you, Kathy! If you ever need some cheering, an ear, brainstorm, whatever, call/email/text me! :) We're in this together.
Glad you are getting back into writing, Michelle! If you ever want a brainstorming session, just holler. Those were always fun!
Happy New Year!
I cant wait to finish three projects. Ive had my share of house issues. Two have to have second visits. So on to 2019!
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