Writing reflections 2023

[ScintillaMyntan]

How did your writing go in 2023, and what are your goals for 2024?

Last year's thread, which some of you participated in, for reference

---

My goal for 2023 was to consistently find writing fun again. Did I do that? I sometimes have fun, but I still see it as hard work instead of a fun hobby. I procrastinate on it instead of doing it to procrastinate. I guess that's still in progress.

Most notably, I achieved NaNo, which truly surprised me. I guess that says a lot about attaining discipline and learning good working habits. I kind of gave up on the poetry collection idea. Maybe I'll try to write a few for journals, but it's the NaNo story that really interests me at this point. This novel is something I feel I'm the only person who can write. Of course my goal for 2024 is to rewrite this novel as something actually worth reading and maybe think about publishing if I get that far.

Skills-wise, along with having more fun, I want to exercise divergent thinking. Am I just not creative in the same way anymore? These days I rarely sit down and imagine how an event plays out; I seem to think of writing as solving problems instead of coming up with possibilities. Next year, I'm going to try to think more in terms of what could happen, not just what needs to happen.

[saintofm]

I got some reliable betta readers that have share their thoughts so that was a grand acheivment

[RAVENEYE]

Hey, hey! Looks like I achieved one of three goals I set for myself for 2023. I completed the ugly draft of my historical WIP, a couple months later than I aimed for, but no complaints. And got to editing the yuck.

I didn't do so well on the networking goal, nor the "telling people no" goal. And despite submitting lots of stories and poems didn't land a single acceptance this year. Sooo disappointing. But! There's always 2024.

I hear you on that procrastination bit, ScintillaMyntan . So my goal for 2024 is to stop putting off the inevitable and finish editing this draft. I have found myself stalling on the editing because I'm scared to death that editing won't make a difference -- meaning that I'm wasting my time editing ugly crap into prettier crap. I get down into the editing weeds without addressing the overarching issues which linger. And linger. But no point going into that here. (some of that "what has to happen" versus "possibilities" thing going on)

Goals for 2024:
* finish editing stage of WIP, aiming for March.
* attend Nebula Con
* get SOMETHING published
* practice query/pitch writing (if I end up with a draft I'm happy with; otherwise, it's back to slogging through another round of drafting)

Wishful thinking goals of 2024:
* Revise and expand Book 1 of my Falcon Kings series (the only book of the series that I despise) and publish the whole series outside of Amazon.

[Alatariel]

Peeks cautiously at my 2023 goals while closing one eye and squinting...

Oh, okay, yea. Those.

I'm the Queen of Waffling, apparently. And look, I have a pattern! Every time I get past a certain point in a novel draft, I wonder is this worth the effort? And start looking at my other partially finished projects and think maybe those are worth it more? WHHHHY do I do this? I don't want to waste my energy and time on something that's going to be a pointless endeavor. But how do I know what's pointless? I'm making assumptions. You only get one debut novel. If I want to traditionally publish (still unsure about that), then I need something that's marketable and fresh and interesting and strong. I'm intimidated by the amazing debuts I've read this year. However, I've also read novels by authors who have been previously published but this fifth book is The One that got on the bestseller's list.

I guess what it all boils down to is...STOP GETTING DISTRACTED BY OTHER PROJECTS AND FINISH SOMETHING YOU COTTON-HEADED NINNY-MUGGINS!

Goals for 2024:

- Finish first draft AND at least one round of edits of Mercury Bonded because THAT'S the project you're working on now so FINISH IT.    (me glaring at myself)
- MAYBE revise a short story for publication??? (Any suggestions as to which one?? If anyone remembers any of my contest entries from the past, those are the best contenders.)

Wishful Thinking Goal:

- Finish ANOTHER first draft of one of my other half-done projects.  

Not a Goal but A Thing:
- Read for pleasure, not for homework (I tried doing the monthly reading wrap-up on social media and rate the books 1-5 stars and it got really homework-y, I just wanna read without any kind of social media involved this year.)

ALSO, random thing- I got stuck on my plot a bit, wondering what I could do to trigger my character's suspicion of another character and I had a dream that solved it for me. The whole "why are they locking the gates?" asks one character and the other naive one replies, "To keep us safe, it's dangerous out there for people like us right now." Because the answer is definitely not "because we're prisoners". Ahem. Off to write a bit! Even though I moved my finishing date goal to mid-February to give myself some semblance of a Christmas holiday, I can still write if I want to so....there.

[Sundrinker]

Did I write anything substantial this year?

Looking back, I did submit two entries to contests and even placed. Woohoo! Both short pieces but at this point I still feel that's all I can manage to get out even if I have a lot of time.

I'm still figuring out the the best way to get into the state where the words comes out and I'm not just stuck staring at my screen. I found that writing in the presence of other people is motivating, especially if it's "casual" and there's no pressure for it to be good. One thing that also made a huge difference was writing standing up! There's something about sitting down at the computer that feels more, err, disengaged? Maybe it's an ADHD thing; there's something about moving the body that gets the ideas and words flowing. In the same vein, I found writing with pencil and paper --although much slower than with a keyboard-- keeps more engaged in the act.

I joined an in-person creative writing group-thing at the end of October. Even at 29 years old, I was still the youngest there. They were mostly people in their 60s and whatnot. It was definitely an interesting experience. It wasn't a critique group as much as a "let's get writing and encourage each other" kind of atmosphere.

The basic structure was:

1. We're given 5 minutes (but more like 10) to write about one of the weekly prompts then those who want to read out loud what the wrote are given permission to.
2. Those who brought from outside the class something they wrote during the week or otherwise have a turn to share their writing.
3. Another 5-10 minutes prompt-based writing and reading round.

Anyway, goals.

• Brie Noir sequel. I started writing a sequel to Fiona's story. I thought this time around I'd be able to write a short story faster but it's dragging.
• Work on my prose. I feel my writing, when I'm not being funny, is a bit bland. I'd like if it could be more colorful without becoming too purple. Like, evoking some nice imagery without disrupting the flow of the text; setting the mood of a scene succinctly while still getting my ideas across, etc.
• Being able to write more that two sentences of a story in a single sitting.
• Maybe be serious about writing enough short stories and poem that I could publish together.

[RAVENEYE]

Dec 20, 2023 12:56:08 GMT -6 Alatariel said:

Peeks cautiously at my 2023 goals while closing one eye and squinting...

Oh, okay, yea. Those.

I'm the Queen of Waffling, apparently. And look, I have a pattern! Every time I get past a certain point in a novel draft, I wonder is this worth the effort? And start looking at my other partially finished projects and think maybe those are worth it more? WHHHHY do I do this? I don't want to waste my energy and time on something that's going to be a pointless endeavor. But how do I know what's pointless? I'm making assumptions. You only get one debut novel. If I want to traditionally publish (still unsure about that), then I need something that's marketable and fresh and interesting and strong. I'm intimidated by the amazing debuts I've read this year. However, I've always read novels but authors who have been previously published but this fifth book is The One that got on the bestseller's list.

I guess what it all boils down to is...STOP GETTING DISTRACTED BY OTHER PROJECTS AND FINISH SOMETHING YOU COTTON-HEADED NINNY-MUGGINS!

Goals for 2024:

- Finish first draft AND at least one round of edits of Mercury Bonded because THAT'S the project you're working on now so FINISH IT.    (me glaring at myself)
- MAYBE revise a short story for publication??? (Any suggestions as to which one?? If anyone remembers any of my contest entries from the past, those are the best contenders.)

Wishful Thinking Goal:

- Finish ANOTHER first draft of one of my other half-done projects.  

Not a Goal but A Thing:
- Read for pleasure, not for homework (I tried doing the monthly reading wrap-up on social media and rate the books 1-5 stars and it got really homework-y, I just wanna read without any kind of social media involved this year.)

ALSO, random thing- I got stuck on my plot a bit, wondering what I could do to trigger my character's suspicion of another character and I had a dream that solved it for me. The whole "why are they locking the gates?" asks one character and the other naive one replies, "To keep us safe, it's dangerous out there for people like us right now." Because the answer is definitely not "because we're prisoners". Ahem. Off to write a bit! Even though I moved my finishing date goal to mid-February to give myself some semblance of a Christmas holiday, I can still write if I want to so....there.

Ninny-muggins???  I LOVE that.  Adorable and funny.

Anyway... "Second Daughter" was gorgeous and powerful. I vote for that one. But seriously, you have several that are worthy of publication. Just finding the right time and place.

[RAVENEYE]

Dec 20, 2023 16:51:11 GMT -6 Sundrinker said:

Did I write anything substantial this year?

Looking back, I did submit two entries to contests and even placed. Woohoo! Both short pieces but at this point I still feel that's all I can manage to get out even if I have a lot of time.

I'm still figuring out the the best way to get into the state where the words comes out and I'm not just stuck staring at my screen. I found that writing in the presence of other people is motivating, especially if it's "casual" and there's no pressure for it to be good. One thing that also made a huge difference was writing standing up! There's something about sitting down at the computer that feels more, err, disengaged? Maybe it's an ADHD thing; there's something about moving the body that gets the ideas and words flowing. In the same vein, I found writing with pencil and paper --although much slower than with a keyboard-- keeps more engaged in the act.

I joined an in-person creative writing group-thing at the end of October. Even at 29 years old, I was still the youngest there. They were mostly people in their 60s and whatnot. It was definitely an interesting experience. It wasn't a critique group as much as a "let's get writing and encourage each other" kind of atmosphere.

The basic structure was:

1. We're given 5 minutes (but more like 10) to write about one of the weekly prompts then those who want to read out loud what the wrote are given permission to.
2. Those who brought from outside the class something they wrote during the week or otherwise have a turn to share their writing.
3. Another 5-10 minutes prompt-based writing and reading round.

Anyway, goals.

• Brie Noir sequel. I started writing a sequel to Fiona's story. I thought this time around I'd be able to write a short story faster but it's dragging.
• Work on my prose. I feel my writing, when I'm not being funny, is a bit bland. I'd like if it could be more colorful without becoming too purple. Like, evoking some nice imagery without disrupting the flow of the text; setting the mood of a scene succinctly while still getting my ideas across, etc.
• Being able to write more that two sentences of a story in a single sitting.
• Maybe be serious about writing enough short stories and poem that I could publish together.

Oh, gosh, that in-person writing group sounds familiar. I joined one way back when I was first married, so 23-ish? And I was the baby of the bunch. The next youngest person was in her 40s, and they thought I was so cute to keep coming. I participated for about a year and a half. In all that time, only one other young person showed up. A college age guy who totally dressed the part of Poet in a dramatic black turtleneck. He came to one meeting and never returned. And I wasn't brave enough at the time to say, "Hey, dude, we need to form our own group of under 30s. Let's meet first Tuesday of each month, bring your friends."

Oh well. That was before the internet was reliable and online groups became a thing. Anyway. Old folks are great to learn from (and, honestly, really fun to hang out with), so if you gain great nuggets of wisdom, do please share them here.

[havekrillwhaletravel]

Dec 20, 2023 16:51:11 GMT -6 Sundrinker said:

Did I write anything substantial this year?

Looking back, I did submit two entries to contests and even placed. Woohoo! Both short pieces but at this point I still feel that's all I can manage to get out even if I have a lot of time.

I'm still figuring out the the best way to get into the state where the words comes out and I'm not just stuck staring at my screen. I found that writing in the presence of other people is motivating, especially if it's "casual" and there's no pressure for it to be good. One thing that also made a huge difference was writing standing up! There's something about sitting down at the computer that feels more, err, disengaged? Maybe it's an ADHD thing; there's something about moving the body that gets the ideas and words flowing. In the same vein, I found writing with pencil and paper --although much slower than with a keyboard-- keeps more engaged in the act.

I joined an in-person creative writing group-thing at the end of October. Even at 29 years old, I was still the youngest there. They were mostly people in their 60s and whatnot. It was definitely an interesting experience. It wasn't a critique group as much as a "let's get writing and encourage each other" kind of atmosphere.

The basic structure was:

1. We're given 5 minutes (but more like 10) to write about one of the weekly prompts then those who want to read out loud what the wrote are given permission to.
2. Those who brought from outside the class something they wrote during the week or otherwise have a turn to share their writing.
3. Another 5-10 minutes prompt-based writing and reading round.

Anyway, goals.

• Brie Noir sequel. I started writing a sequel to Fiona's story. I thought this time around I'd be able to write a short story faster but it's dragging.
• Work on my prose. I feel my writing, when I'm not being funny, is a bit bland. I'd like if it could be more colorful without becoming too purple. Like, evoking some nice imagery without disrupting the flow of the text; setting the mood of a scene succinctly while still getting my ideas across, etc.
• Being able to write more that two sentences of a story in a single sitting.
• Maybe be serious about writing enough short stories and poem that I could publish together.

It's funny you talk about standing to write, because I'm the same way! The way I usually write, I sit down for a while, then start pacing around the room. Once I come up with a sentence, I'll dash back to my seat and jot it down. Then I start pacing again. I've also started experimenting with writing on pen and paper. Like you say, it's slower going, but I feel like my writing is more concrete, more visualizable, if that makes sense.

I didn't come close to hitting my 2023 goals. The year started out well enough, but some time around June, things took a nosedive mentally. This was an awful year for me, and I didn't write at all for months. I've only started getting back in the groove of it. My 2024 goal is to simply write more. Hopefully that'll work out.

[HDSimplicityy]

Dec 20, 2023 11:09:58 GMT -6 RAVENEYE said:

Hey, hey! Looks like I achieved one of three goals I set for myself for 2023. I completed the ugly draft of my historical WIP, a couple months later than I aimed for, but no complaints. And got to editing the yuck.

I didn't do so well on the networking goal, nor the "telling people no" goal. And despite submitting lots of stories and poems didn't land a single acceptance this year. Sooo disappointing. But! There's always 2024.

I hear you on that procrastination bit, ScintillaMyntan . So my goal for 2024 is to stop putting off the inevitable and finish editing this draft. I have found myself stalling on the editing because I'm scared to death that editing won't make a difference -- meaning that I'm wasting my time editing ugly crap into prettier crap. I get down into the editing weeds without addressing the overarching issues which linger. And linger. But no point going into that here. (some of that "what has to happen" versus "possibilities" thing going on)

Goals for 2024:
* finish editing stage of WIP, aiming for March.
* attend Nebula Con
* get SOMETHING published
* practice query/pitch writing (if I end up with a draft I'm happy with; otherwise, it's back to slogging through another round of drafting)

Wishful thinking goals of 2024:
* Revise and expand Book 1 of my Falcon Kings series (the only book of the series that I despise) and publish the whole series outside of Amazon.

It sounds like you edit everything at once. I mean, I know you're experienced. Don't you do it in steps? Each one ought to make the next easier.

[HDSimplicityy]

You all did a great job. Fist pumps all around. Going to a writing convention sounds like a great opportunity to learn.

For me, 2023 was interesting. I got a few new writing experiences on my belt. I spent more time applying to jobs or working long weeks in the first five months than writing.

Accomplishments:

Writing a few dozen item descriptions and dialogue barks for my videogame writing portflio.

Reading my space opera's draft all the way through. Oooh boy that was rough

Join two game jams over on itch.io. One of those resulted in my first videogame that I wrote from start to end with a team. That was wonderful.

Found and hired a developmental editor for my space opera novel. She's currently working on it. . Call me crazy, but I love editing. There's things I don't know how to do to improve it, however.

I sometimes felt like I should have written more. Plan more...something more. I had social life things happen throughout the year, which is always good. Im personally happy with what I finished last year. Lastly, NaNoRiMo 2024 I will participate in.

2024 Goals:

Edit Draft 1 of the book.

Write a new novel for NaNoRiMo.

Plan two book series.

Maybe participate in another game jam.

Learn to keep focused. I get easily distracted whenever I write. And read.

[RAVENEYE]

Jan 7, 2024 23:09:35 GMT -6 HDSimplicityy said:

Dec 20, 2023 11:09:58 GMT -6 RAVENEYE said:

Hey, hey! Looks like I achieved one of three goals I set for myself for 2023. I completed the ugly draft of my historical WIP, a couple months later than I aimed for, but no complaints. And got to editing the yuck.

I didn't do so well on the networking goal, nor the "telling people no" goal. And despite submitting lots of stories and poems didn't land a single acceptance this year. Sooo disappointing. But! There's always 2024.

I hear you on that procrastination bit, ScintillaMyntan . So my goal for 2024 is to stop putting off the inevitable and finish editing this draft. I have found myself stalling on the editing because I'm scared to death that editing won't make a difference -- meaning that I'm wasting my time editing ugly crap into prettier crap. I get down into the editing weeds without addressing the overarching issues which linger. And linger. But no point going into that here. (some of that "what has to happen" versus "possibilities" thing going on)

Goals for 2024:
* finish editing stage of WIP, aiming for March.
* attend Nebula Con
* get SOMETHING published
* practice query/pitch writing (if I end up with a draft I'm happy with; otherwise, it's back to slogging through another round of drafting)

Wishful thinking goals of 2024:
* Revise and expand Book 1 of my Falcon Kings series (the only book of the series that I despise) and publish the whole series outside of Amazon.

It sounds like you edit everything at once. I mean, I know you're experienced. Don't you do it in steps? Each one ought to make the next easier.

Hehe, yeah, maybe I should be calling this "redrafting" instead, b/c it's too heavy a job for "editing."

[Bird]

Awesome job everyone on your goals for 2023! Even if you didn't meet them all, be proud of what you did do!

My goal for 2023 was to get back in the habit of writing.

In doing so, I ended up writing 1,049,155 words in TOTAL. All of it as fanfiction for either Korrasami (The Legend of Korra, this is the ship name for Avatar Korra x Asami Sato) or Supercorp (Supergirl fandom, this is the ship name for Lena Luthor x Kara Zor El Danvers).

I was using fanfiction in order to re-establish habits and practice different techniques. It also was helpful for high pain and brain fog days because it requires less energy to write than an original story does.

My goals for 2024?

• Finish one original novella (I have one half written that needs completed)
  
• Finish the big Korrasami fanfiction project (Shared Moments is the name, and it's about a book and a half from completion).
  
• Finish the Supercorp fanfiction projects. (If I start a story, I plan to finish! Especially as the fanfiction goes up for folks to read on Archives of Our Own).
  
• Finish the two art commissions I have before the end of March.
• Complete at least one original short story and submit it somewhere.
  

Edit:

If interested, this is my account at Archives of our Own, where I put all my fanfiction projects: TheBirdWrites

[RAVENEYE]

Jan 29, 2024 20:32:56 GMT -6 Bird said:

Awesome job everyone on your goals for 2023! Even if you didn't meet them all, be proud of what you did do!

My goal for 2023 was to get back in the habit of writing.

In doing so, I ended up writing 1,049,155 words in TOTAL. All of it as fanfiction for either Korrasami (The Legend of Korra, this is the ship name for Avatar Korra x Asami Sato) or Supercorp (Supergirl fandom, this is the ship name for Lena Luthor x Kara Zor El Danvers).

I was using fanfiction in order to re-establish habits and practice different techniques. It also was helpful for high pain and brain fog days because it requires less energy to write than an original story does.

My goals for 2024?

• Finish one original novella (I have one half written that needs completed)
  
• Finish the big Korrasami fanfiction project (Shared Moments is the name, and it's about a book and a half from completion).
  
• Finish the Supercorp fanfiction projects. (If I start a story, I plan to finish! Especially as the fanfiction goes up for folks to read on Archives of Our Own).
  
• Finish the two art commissions I have before the end of March.
• Complete at least one original short story and submit it somewhere.
  

Edit:

If interested, this is my account at Archives of our Own, where I put all my fanfiction projects: TheBirdWrites

Holy moly, that word count is mind-blowing. 

[HDSimplicityy]

Jan 29, 2024 20:32:56 GMT -6 Bird said:

Awesome job everyone on your goals for 2023! Even if you didn't meet them all, be proud of what you did do!

My goal for 2023 was to get back in the habit of writing.

In doing so, I ended up writing 1,049,155 words in TOTAL. All of it as fanfiction for either Korrasami (The Legend of Korra, this is the ship name for Avatar Korra x Asami Sato) or Supercorp (Supergirl fandom, this is the ship name for Lena Luthor x Kara Zor El Danvers).

I was using fanfiction in order to re-establish habits and practice different techniques. It also was helpful for high pain and brain fog days because it requires less energy to write than an original story does.

My goals for 2024?

• Finish one original novella (I have one half written that needs completed)
  
• Finish the big Korrasami fanfiction project (Shared Moments is the name, and it's about a book and a half from completion).
  
• Finish the Supercorp fanfiction projects. (If I start a story, I plan to finish! Especially as the fanfiction goes up for folks to read on Archives of Our Own).
  
• Finish the two art commissions I have before the end of March.
• Complete at least one original short story and submit it somewhere.
  

Edit:

If interested, this is my account at Archives of our Own, where I put all my fanfiction projects: TheBirdWrites

. giving Brandon Sanderson a run for his money.

[Mazulla]

I'm happy reading that a lot of you reached some/all of your goals! Well done!

Honestly, I was initially feeling like 2023 was a huge flop for me, BUT as I'm typing this and looking back... I submitted a 200-word "Hook 'Em" entry, various 100-word stories, last year's February contest (the co-writing one with RavingCynic), and then 1 flash fiction "mystery" piece (which placed 6th or 7th out of about 50 people). I also finished a personal short story project "The Winter Garden" that I was actually pretty proud of.

It's not a lot, but October 2021 was kind of my "return" to writing during the Halloween contest and finally not being so shy about putting my writing out there, so it is definitely a positive improvement on previous years.

I had another goal to complete at least one or two short stories I've started over the years but never finished (there are at least a dozen). I tried to tackle them and drum up the inspiration to finish, but never could commit. I'm hoping 2024 will be different.

I read something recently that a famous author would commit to writing at least 400 words a day. Whether it was "good" or "bad" words, at least it was out there. That's 146,000 words in a year -- easily the length of a long novel. If I were to commit to setting aside time to write at least 200 words a day, that's still 73,000 words in a year. Somehow that was encouraging and more bite-sized and manageable to me. I think writers tend to think we have to be pumping out 1,000 or 2,000 words or more in one sitting to be a "good" writer. It's always nice when the words flow, but as little as 200 is still an accomplishment.

So, here are my goals for 2024:

* Enter more contests (with actual complete submissions)

* Enter 100-word stories more consistently

* Finish at least 2 short stories I've started

* Try to make time to write at least 200 words a day

* Read more books