9 Things to Do On a Blogging Break And Why

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.