It’s been two weeks since I released the last edition of the Tuesday Digest, but I haven’t given up on this Substack thing yet.
I just had a little life happen over the past few weeks.
After all, writers are only human.
After this newsletter goes out, I’m taking a little holiday break. I plan on reading, relaxing, and reflecting, but I’ll pick up where I left off in the New Year.
The End of the Year: A Time of Reflection for Writers
The end of the year is a natural time for reflection for many people, and writers are no exception. As I reflect on the past twelve months, I can’t help but think about everything I’ve accomplished this year. From leaving a toxic workplace culture and leaning into freelancing to becoming a course developer, I’ve discovered a lot about myself.
As the year winds down, I plan on taking a much-needed break over the holidays. After a year of hard work, it’s important to take some time to recharge and refresh. But before I do, I wanted to set some writing goals for the New Year.
Having clear goals for your writing business can help you stay focused and motivated in the year to come. Here are some suggestions for 2023:
Consider what you want to accomplish in terms of writing projects, publications, and personal growth. This year, I intend to make a three-column list that includes all my ideas for creative projects, a list of publications I would like to target, and how I plan to approach them.
Reflect on and journal about your writing process. What worked well for you, and what could you improve upon? Consider trying new writing techniques or tools or experimenting with different approaches to your work.
Connect with other writers. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but being part of a writing community can provide valuable support, inspiration, and guidance. Consider joining a writers’ group, attending workshops or conferences, or simply reaching out to other writers in your network to share ideas and experiences.
Take an inventory of all the writing you did this year. What projects remain unfinished? Whether you’ve been working on a novel, a short story, a poem, or a personal essay, it’s always good to revisit your unfinished work. I used to abandon creative projects when I felt stuck, but I’ve learned that going back after setting them aside for a period of time helps me see my writing through a new lens and come up with ideas I might not have thought of before.
Read more. Reading is essential for writers to improve. Exposure to different styles and genres can help you develop your voice and find inspiration for your work. Make it a goal to read more books and articles. If you love historical fiction, try branching out to biographies or memoirs.
Write more. One of the biggest challenges for writers is finding the time and motivation to write regularly. Commit to writing at the same time every day to improve your craft.
Experiment with new genres or styles. If you’re a fiction writer, try writing a poem or a non-fiction essay. If you’re a journalist, try writing a short story or a play. Stepping outside your comfort zone can help you learn and grow as a writer.
Finally, make sure whatever goals you set for yourself are specific and measurable, so you can track your progress and know when you’ve reached them. For example, instead of setting a goal to “write more” (like I did above), set a goal to “write 500 words per day” or to “finish the first draft of a novel by June.”
As the year comes to a close, I wish you Happy Holidays and much success and happiness in the New Year. Thank you for supporting my writing journey so far!
Let’s enter 2023 with renewed enthusiasm and love for our craft!
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