Big Plans & Tempered Expectations #IWSG
I go into the new year with big plans and tempered expectations. It's quite nice to have reached this stage of maturity in the publishing biz. This year I'm finally, finally going to keep my writing life focused on where it should've been all along---on writing.
As I said in a previous IWSG post, I believe a book's commercial success all comes down to: 1) compelling story, 2) appealing cover/blurb/premise, 3) the right timing, and 4) magic. I only have control over the first two, so that's where I'll focus my efforts.
If 3 & 4 don't come through for me---or if I get 1 & 2 wrong---I'll no longer waste time and energy in a scramble to build a false fire under my books with a bevvy of online promotions as kindling. You know what I'll do, instead? I'll write something else. Not because I buy into the theory that more books automatically lead to more success, but because I like writing. It makes me happy. And every time I do it, I get better at it.
My goal for 2016 is to always have an exciting new project waiting in the wings as I finish up on a current one. By the end of the year, I hope to have two new novels, a re-release of my debut novel, and possibly a new twisted fairy tale out in the world. There, I said it. Now I better get to doing it.
)
This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by the one and clonely Alex J. Cavanaugh.
As I said in a previous IWSG post, I believe a book's commercial success all comes down to: 1) compelling story, 2) appealing cover/blurb/premise, 3) the right timing, and 4) magic. I only have control over the first two, so that's where I'll focus my efforts.
If 3 & 4 don't come through for me---or if I get 1 & 2 wrong---I'll no longer waste time and energy in a scramble to build a false fire under my books with a bevvy of online promotions as kindling. You know what I'll do, instead? I'll write something else. Not because I buy into the theory that more books automatically lead to more success, but because I like writing. It makes me happy. And every time I do it, I get better at it.
My goal for 2016 is to always have an exciting new project waiting in the wings as I finish up on a current one. By the end of the year, I hope to have two new novels, a re-release of my debut novel, and possibly a new twisted fairy tale out in the world. There, I said it. Now I better get to doing it.
Happy 2016, everybody! Hope your year is off to a smashing start.
)This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by the one and clonely Alex J. Cavanaugh.
Comments
Happy 2016! May it bring us a little magic :)
Shah
shahwharton.com
Control what you can, write what you can and focus on the fact that it makes you happy. And that is why you do it.
Happy new year!
C.G.
Timing has so much to do with it and we can't predict the right time.
I don't have any problem with that. Perception is everything.
Best wishes to your efforts and most of all to your life in general.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
You have the right idea about writing the next book and not trying to build a false fire under books that sort-of fail. I'm not there yet...but hope I'll develop that attitude soon.
Happy 2016!!!
Happy New Year,
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
I want to hear all about it in a few weeks when you get time for a visit. I need to surround myself with writers this year to put a FIRE under me to get writing again. I have been in hiding too long!
GOOD LUCK and I KNOW YOU'LL DO IT!
I think there should be more #4 around! Maybe we can make more of it!
That's the way to go.
"...exciting new projects in the wings..." ~ I seem to be getting there.
I'll just hang on...and keep on writing.
Happy 2016!