January 1, 2022
Week 64
Emotional State: Reflection
Life, BOOKS, & WritinG
Happy New Year! This week got away from me a bit. I planned on writing my normal journal on Wednesday and then Wednesday was full of work and revising other people’s stories. I didn’t get time to write. So, I decided what’s better than a NYE post? Not much right now.
I look back on 2021 with fondness. Some things from it:
- I realized a lifelong dream and published my first book.
- I figured out that I wasn’t a one-hit wonder.
- I definitely want to be a full-time author; it is what fills my soul with joy.
- I wrote rough drafts of the next two books in my urban fantasy series
- I started writing, but didn’t finish, a cozy mystery series and it’s going to be fun to explore.
- I had a dream on Friday that I then turned into a plot for country house murder.
- I figured out marketing – sort of – for my book, but also where I went wrong.
- I spent the year with my world builder and solidified our bond while doing so.
- I reconnected with friends and family I haven’t spoken to a long time.
While most of 2021 has a gray fog over it in my memories, the highlights are brighter than the sun.
And I like that.
For 2022, I have big plans. Big plans. Publish Book Two in the Space Between Series. Get Book Three ready to go so that it will publish in March 2023. Finish at least three books in my cozy series. Write my country manor house murder story, or at least plot it out. And take over the world.
Not really. That’s way too much work.
Book Progress
For the cozy mystery, I only progressed as far as 10 chapters. It wasn’t as far as I would’ve liked, but I also started a week late and gave myself time off as well. But, I’ve figured out who did it, why, and how, along with what my main character will learn, so I can easily pick it back up.
January is the revision time for book two of the Space Between series. I’ve already done the full cold read. While there were definitely some cringe moments, there’s a lot of good stuff here and the ending is on fire. The next step is to figure out what each chapter has or doesn’t have, cut a lot of crap out, rearrange some things and thread more into the plot than I have done. I have a great sense for where I want it to go. I just have to get it there.
I’ve solidified my publishing plan for it, tentatively expecting it to go live at the end of September. But there is a lot to do between then and now and I’m overwhelmed. Specifically, finding an editor, a cover designer, learning how to format the insides, more book marketing and launch plans – more marketing period. If I want to be a fulltime writer, I also need to get more books written so that I can fill in my backlist. So… yeah. 2022 is going to be a crazy year for me. I’m going to learn new things, struggle with things I thought I knew, and get more books done than I have in all of 2021.
I’ve also decided to put Seraphina’s journey on Kindle Unlimited to see how it does. I’m hoping it sets up my readers for book 2 and that launch is even more successful than The Deep Space Between. Because for me, it was a success. Have I sold 100 copies yet? No, but I will. Every month is a new challenge, a new goal, and I just need to keep pushing forward.
And that means stop the whining about marketing. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s a lot. But if my dream of getting more people to read my book is to become a reality, and from that writing full-time, then I have to do the work. I also need to get out of my own way as well.
That leads me to 2022. I’m overwhelmed and stressed out and it just begun. I have more lists than I know what to do with and I just need to take the time to sort them all out. Lists are great until you’re drowning in them. And I am definitely drowning.
But I have a lifeline – supportive family and friends. A growing network of amazing authors and readers on social media. And best of all, a world builder who is fully on board with all I want to do, even if it means less time for him.
What girl can ask for me?
Me. I can. And I will.
To read more of my weekly whine fests and writing journal journey posts, click here.