Happy IWSG Day! Can you believe there’s only four months left in 2021. Time really flies. And as always we flock together every first Wednesday of the month. Sharing our accomplishments and failures. Thanks to bringing us together goes to ninja extraordinaire Alex Cavanaugh.
The awesome co-hosts for the September 1st posting of the IWSG are: Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!
Interested in joining us? Click on the badge above. Our Twitter hashtag and handle are #IWSG and @TheIWSG.
So what’s going on with me this month?
Well, I’ve decided that although my blogging break is over I’ll continue posting once a month. Don’t know when I’ll revert to posting twice a month so until then I’ll only post every IWSG.
I only have a vague notion of the storyline for my urban fantasy sequel. But my MC’s racked with guilt. And finds herself entangled in an underground railroad-esque conspiracy. NaNoWriMo 2021 is some time away. In the meantime I will focus on editing the first book. Besides, I can always be a rebel again. And continue to edit book 1 for NaNo then put it on the backburner while starting book 2 next year.
September 1 question – How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?
Hmmm…success is subjective. Success can be anywhere from finally completing a story. Or getting a multi-book/film adaptation deal. Personally, success as a writer is achieving everything between. It’s holding your book in your hand. Having a work published, read and touched your reader’s mind or heart. Of course, who wouldn’t love to make an income from their writing too. But any of these successes can’t be achieved without first putting butt in a chair and start writing.
What’s going on with you this month? Will you be participating in #PitMad tomorrow? Will you be taking part in NaNoWriMo 2021? Decided on what your 2021 NaNo novel will be? How do you define success as a writer?
Paving My Author's Road 
Hi,
I am sure you will find the storyline for your novel. I am smiling. Putting yourself in your chair and writing is the first step in writing successful.
Take care.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pat. Hopefully, the cobwebs will clear soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Success is subjective. You might try reading Save the Cat for Writers to help you flesh out your second story. And blogging once a month is fine. Many bloggers only post on IWSG day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have heard about the Save the Cat method before. NaNoWriMo even has the beat sheet but never tried it before. Might try it to help flesh out the story.
LikeLike
Good luck with getting the plot worked out for your next project. And I agree success is subjective to the person and it works on a sliding scale. Celebrating the victories big and small help with the motivation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Meka! Yes, celebrating the personal victories, big and small, definitely helps. As it’s so easy to feel as if you haven’t made much progress. Especially when comparing to others successes.
LikeLike
Success is many steps placed together.
Good luck with #PitMad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. And those steps can’t happen without taking that first step. Reminds me of the Chinese proverb “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
LikeLike
Lots of ways of looking at success!
No PitMad for me, and probably no NaNo, either. Not the right timing, unless my plans for November fall through, in which case, why not?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s no PtiMad for me either. Not the right timing. But hopefully there will be in the future.
LikeLike
I love an MC wracked with guilt! I have one of those, too.
Success is, indeed, subjective. Look at all the fame and fortune celebs who crash and burn. I’ve reached a point in my writing journey where success for me is just in the writing. And I’m grateful every day that I can do that.
LikeLike
As long as I’m writing, I feel pretty good. I guess I’m successful. Happy at least.
Anna from elements of emaginette
LikeLike
I wouldn’t be heartbroken if writing turned out to be an amazing hobby. I’d be less heartbroken, if I managed to make a little money.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Better to have a good story you’re proud of than a drawer full of attaboys and waytogos. Personal opinion. I’ve been paid for crap and had “art” go unnoticed. Sometimes we all feel like the Betamax of creatives.
Hang in. And about all that beats and cats and all that? Listen. Turn on your inner ears and the story will tell itself.
LikeLiked by 1 person