Writers and Change

The last Christmas story has been left up longer than I expected due to unforeseen circumstances. Nevertheless, it has received a huge number of readers, and for that, I am grateful. 

Christmas is behind us, and the New Year is creeping up. People make resolutions that they break in mere weeks. Writers set goals that end up forgotten, just like those resolutions. It's the human in us that makes it happen all too often.

For writers, I think the end of the year is a good time to make an assessment of your writing world. Ask yourself questions like these:

A. How often did I submit my work for publication?

B.  Did I set aside writing time on a regular basis?

C.  Did I act on the story ideas that swirled in my mind?

D.  Did I have any of my work published in 2024?

E.  Did I attend any writing workshops this year?

F.  How many books on writing did I read this year?

G.  How many first drafts are still in my files?

H.  Am I still passionate about writing?

I.  Am I discouraged about my writing world?

J.  Did I make any money from my writing this year? If so, how much?

In other words, take a good look at your writing life over this past year of 2024. Do this before you make some goals for 2025. Consider the things you did right, and also those that you might improve on this next year. Be honest in your assessment. Nobody knows the answers but you, so tell it like it is.

If there are some things that you can change, make it a point to work towards doing so. As the poster tells us, it can be the small things you decide on or change that can have great bearing on your writing world. 

 

Writers Must Let the Negatives Go

 

Have you ever let a rejection hug you until you are angry or depressed? 

Have you ever smarted from an editor's comment questioning your ability to write well enough to be published?

Have you ever been cut to the core by a red inked comment a teacher put across the top of your paper in an English class? 

Have you ever been deeply hurt by a negative critique?

Have you ever berated yourself because you have far fewer publications than submissions?

As writers, we've all been through some truly negative moments. What you don't want to do is dwell on them. The more you do, the worse you feel, and it changes nothing.

Our poster today tells us that we should let go of anything that we can't change. The quote finishes with 'Don't be a prisoner to things you can't change.' 

Letting it go isn't as easy as a snap of the fingers. When something upsets you, embarrasses you, or pulls you down, you may have to work at letting it go. You can't always just brush it off and move on. 

As I've said more than once, try to list the positives in your writing life. Let that list take precedence over the things that are hurtful. And realize this:  All writers have negative times, have bad days, have maddening situations. The important thing is to look at them, assess the situation carefully, and ask yourself what you should do next. You don't want to wallow in a pity party. You should know by now that no one attends these events other than yourself. 

Look forward, not behind you. Think about how you can change those troublesome times. Don't merely think about it; do something positive.