Hi everyone!
I’m writing this post to say my sorta-goodbye. I say sorta, because I’ll still be posting for IWSG, the first Wednesday of the month. So at least the blog won’t have too many tumbleweeds going by.
I’ll be using my break until I return to my regularly blogging schedule to do several things (and not in this order). Here’s what I’ll be up to the next four months and why:
1. Review and revamp my 2017 writing goals
Whether you’re on plan it doesn’t hurt to review your original goals. Sometimes life happens or maybe you’ve changed your mind about a writing project or two. Remember, nothing is set in stone.
2. Continue working on my romance novel Dreaming of You
When you’re on a roll, you’re on a roll. Sometimes it best to push on through to reach the end. Writing is a marathon not a race. As long as you pace yourself, the finish line will always be right before your eyes.
3. Earn more Karma points on Scribophile
Critiquing other works on online writing communities helps you and your story. Sometimes we’re too close to our work to spot our own errors. But by critiquing others, we’re made more aware of what needs fixing in our own stories.
4. Become more active in the Wattpad forums
Wattpad is a good way to build your fan base even if you haven’t yet published (traditional or self) a book. But to build them you must find them and that’s in the forums. And like on social media don’t bombard people with buy/read my book posts. It’s all about engagement.
5. Meet 20k word count goal for The Soul Traveler in July Camp NaNoWriMo
November isn’t the only month to do a writing challenge. Have a story you want to write or revise? Need a support system or writing buddy to reach your goal? Then join Camp NaNoWriMo and find some cabin mates.
6. Review and reorient with my YA fantasy Nadia the Fire Witch
Nothing like going back to an old and/or unfinished story. It’s like reuniting with your first love and getting the second chance to get it right. If you have a story that you’re not done with yet, then you’re not done. It’s up to you whether you want to put the final nail on a manuscript.
7. Decide on and prepare/outline my NaNoWriMo 2017 novel (sequel Not Dreaming of You is likely)
Soon enough it’ll be October. Start your character interviews and research. Create Pinterest storyboards, maps, etc. Remember, the early bird gets the worm. (PS will be sharing my Not Dreaming of You secret story board in the Fall).
8. Review, rewrite and assembling second chapbook manuscript from NaPoWriMo poems
Careful consideration is needed to decide which poem will or won’t work for a manuscript. Does it match the tone of the manuscript? Does the tone/subject matter flow well with the previous and next poem? Is it weak or strong? Does it upset or enhance the balance? Does it work better as an individual poem?
9.Submit poetry to presses, journals, contests, ect (already sent 4 to So to Speak)
Thomas Edison once said, “I didn’t fail. I just found 2,000 ways not to make a lightbulb; I only needed to find one way to make it work. “ It’s the same with getting published. I won’t fail if I get rejected an x number of times. I only need to keep submitting to get even one or more acceptances.
Well, there you have it. And as you can see I’ll be pretty busy. Anyways, I guess this is peace out, deuces, arrivederci, sayonara, au revoir, adios, auf wiedersehen, dasvidaniya, goodbye…for now.
Ever taken a blogging break? Why? What were you doing on your blogging break?
PS If you have a hankering to guest blog or have a book promotion during this time, I’d be glad to feature you. I post on Mondays, so if you have a preferred month and date, contact me.
With all that in the works, you definitely need to step back a bit. I know a lot of bloggers who just post for the IWSG now, which keeps them connected.
I took two breaks last month and I think I’m going to start taking one a month from now on.
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Yeah it is a lot. Will be lucky if I’m able to half of what’s listed. That’s why I like taking breaks. After April, it feels like my mind has been put through a strainer. Found it much better to take breaks and focus on other things than flopping like a fish to come up with blog posts.
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Good luck with all of your work! You’ve definitely got a full plate.
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Thank you. And with a little persistence I might compleyr most of my goals.
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Good luck with everything! It’s a good idea to look everything over and see if it’s time to change some things, and the beginning of summer seems like a great time to do that.
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Thanks Shannon. My brain is a mush after April, and summer the perfect time tobrecharge, reflect and start on another set of projects I’d normally wouldn’t have time for if I didn’t go on a blogging break.
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Sounds like a lot of these things have to do with writing and becoming more active in your writing groups! And I totally approve of that idea – its the ideal time for writers to work on their novels and get some more concrete work done. The relationships you build on there will be valuable and hopefully enjoyable all through the year.
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