IWSG Day- A Book Is Not A Race

Happy IWSG Day! Can you believe that 2015 will be over in another two months? Well I can’t. Still I’m so grateful to befriend all the wonderful bloggers and writers from the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Let’s not forget the encouragement too. All thanks goes to Alex Cavanaugh for creating this writer’s haven. Because let’s face it, this writing life is not always easy. Not when fear and doubt is always at the ready to ensnare us. And for allowing us to remember always, that we are not alone. So, it is that every first Wednesday of a new month, we gather together. Helping and motivating each other.

To find out more about the group and/or maybe even sign-up, click on the badge above. And don’t forget to check out the October 7 posting of the IWSG:TB Markinson,Tamara Narayan, Shannon Lawrence, Stephanie Faris, and Eva E. Solar!

Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

A wise man once said ““Slow down. A book is not a pop quiz. It’s not a race. I would advise authors to take absolutely all the time that the book or yourself need to create and craft that book the right way.” Now who was that man? Read/listen to Book Marketing Tools: Book Covers and More to find out.

Anyways, I have to remember that. Maybe make it another mantra. Especially with 2016 fast approaching.

Last year, I made so many writing plans for 2015. Only to make myself busy but not productive. I had to review, reevaluate and redo my writing plan. Which is not wrong, because life, family or you yourself will throw you some detours. Yet, I wonder where did I go wrong.

The Quanie Talks Writing blog wrote a post very close to my heart two months ago. “Are You Setting Reasonable Goals?” Hmmm…I’d have to say absolutely no.

I thought I planned for 2015. That unlike 2014, my writing plans for 2015 would actually bear fruit. Yet I did not set in place a system where I can effectively achieve those goals and produce results. Oh yes, I made a timeline to when a project should be completed. Obviously it wasn’t enough. I need to lay down a foundation. A proper one, consisting of baby steps that will accumulate and help me achieve my goal. As well as take into account my writing lifestyle and pace.

Don’t get me wrong, I did accomplish a lot of things. Instead of publishing my poetry chapbook with Finishing Line Press, I self-published it. I’m now on Twitter and have 2,001 followers (although now I’ve hit my following limit, le sigh). I moved and renamed my blog from Weebly to WordPress.com. Which I’d also soon upgrade into my own self-hosted site. Just don’t ask me when, because at the rate I go, soon can be six months from now. Or same time next year. Unfortunately, the move to WordPress had dropped my page authority from ~30% to 1%, ouch.

I’m posting my YA novel on Wattpad, chapter by chapter(6 chapters up on the site so far). I’ve yet to have one of my poems published in a literary journal or magazine. But I have received correspondence from poetry editors. Stating how they liked my pieces or how it made it to the final review, but they couldn’t publish it in the end. Yet, they invited me to submit to them again. With feedback like that I have no problem getting rejected.

Anyways, now that it’s October it’s time to reflect on my 2016 plans. Because I go slow and take breaks. Whew, National Poetry Month left me drained and then there’s summer vacation. All which will be taken into account next year. Especially with NaNoWriMo(National Novel Writing Month) next month. Because whether I take part or not (leaning towards yes, I will). I have to come to a decision to which one of my story ideas I want to NaNo. Since that story will be my sole work in progress in 2016.

My focus will be on 1-2 big writing projects (in case I’m just not feeling the current novel). As well as continue trying to write content that’ll increase blog followers. Writing and submitting more poems, shorts, and flash fictions. Sharing more of of own writing on the blog and reading more. Featuring more author blog tours and giveaways, and guest bloggers. Do something special for National Poetry Month in April 2016 again. And then there’s the three contests I’d like to take part in next year: L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future, Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize and Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write 2016.

Hmmm, so which story idea should I NaNo and to be my WIP for 2016? Dreaming of You, a love story between a dream therapist and her patient. With Shemar Moore casted as the patient and Sanaa Lathan as the therapist. Nadia and the Immortal Witch (tentative title) and sequel to Nadia the Fire Witch. Or The Soul Traveler, a YA urban fantasy novella(?) about a girl who always thought she had the most amazing dreams. When really she’s been traveling to alternate worlds in her sleep.

Time is of the essence and I must hurry to make my decision. Oh that’s right, almost forgot…a book is not a race. It is not a race. But damn, I’m running out time.

Have you started making plans for 2016? Have you accomplished your 2015 goals? Planning on taking part in NaNoWriMo 2015? Any NaNo preps you’d like to share?