Personally, I accomplished a lot in 2019, but am glad for it to be over. I fought illness the last half of the year that left me throwing myself a pity party for 1. Also, I didn't finish my WIP, which was my one goal this year. It happens. Don't beat yourself up, like I have been doing. Here are some ways I am making sure I stay productive in 2020.
Set monthly goals, instead of yearly. For me, this seems the most realistic and ensures I don't have a complete meltdown at the end of 2020. My poor husband doesn't deserve that kind of madness :-) In all seriousness, I think this is more realistic for some of us writers that have demanding full time jobs, children and families. I am a planner, so each month I have set goals ,and put them in my calendar. I printed a calendar from the website below, and WROTE out my goals for the month. Sometimes writing and seeing your goals on paper sticks with me better. I used to use that tactic in college, when taking notes. While everyone else was using their laptop, I would have my large notebook out. I find it more in my face, and "real", if I write it down with a old school pen and paper! print-a-calendar.com/ Write. Even when there is no inspiration. I am bad for this! If one thing I do this year is write more words than in 2019, I am considering it a success! I find I wait for inspiration to kick in before I pull out my laptop. I am bound and determined to not do that in 2020. Even if it is just posting more fun content on here, or writing an excerpt, I wrote something! Anything will do! I think it keeps our brains active throughout the year, which can spark that inspiration you're looking for. Read everything. Okay, not everything. But because I write romance, I receive a lot of book review requests for romance novels. This year, I have a wide list of different genre books to read for my reviews, and I am pumped! Thinking outside of the box, and sometimes reading in a different genre than you write. can be beneficial. When we read the same genre as we write, our voices may mesh with other authors of that same genre. Reading outside your "norm" can help strengthen your voice, and maybe even introduce you to a new writing genre. Try a new point of view. This one goes with the one above a bit. When I wrote my first novella, I wrote it in first person-past tense. As I expanded my mind and reading list, I found that I prefer to write in third person. Not saying I will never write another story in first, but I feel more comfortable writing in third, and I think it reads better. In my WIP, I expanded on that further, and am writing from 2-character views in third person. I have never written from a male point of view, and it has been challenging, but rewarding. I have learned so much just experimenting with it all. If you are scared to make the switch and unsure how it sounds, have one of your trusty beta readers read the first few paragraphs. Hopefully, they will be honest and give you constructive feedback. If not, find a new one :-) Publish. I don't love this word because I STILL identify it with the dreaded "big publishing houses" ,and querying for an agent. The good news, as most of us know, that is not the only way to publish anymore. Self-publishing is great. But if you are not ready to take on that task, publish a different way. Start a blog/website or post on wattpad or other writing websites. You are still publishing your work. Let me say that again.... YOU ARE STILL PUBLISHING YOUR WORK! I hope everyone has a prosperous 2020! I am so thankful for the success I have had this year, and all the connections I have made. You all are truly amazing. And as always, if I can be any assistance on your writing journey, please email me. Happy Writing!!!!
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You won’t want to miss the unraveling of Hunter, as he entangles himself with the wrong people and places. When he is given a "Second Chance" at life and love, will he choose a different path?
Don’t miss out on "Second Chances" by Larry Yoke, set to be released in January 2020. Pre-order your copy today and stay tuned for my upcoming book review! www.amazon.com/Second-Chances-Larry-Yoke-ebook/dp/B082PBDC3W Isn't this an AMAZING cover! I am beyond excited to announce you can NOW pre order "The Catch" by Lauren Mae. I am lucky enough to have been given an ARC of this novel and can't wait to start reading. Stay tuned for my book review next month. Check out the book blurb below! The last time Catia Roday fell in love, it cost her everything. She’s learned a lot since then, though—specifically, men always disappoint. When she meets handsome, sweet, seemingly-perfect Josh Rideout on a far-off beach vacation, only to find out they hail from neighboring towns, she has one question: what’s the catch? Her friends have practically staged an intervention to tell her she's making a huge mistake, so on the way home, she makes them a bet. She’ll keep seeing Josh after the vacation ends and when he proves he isn’t as perfect as he seems, she wins! And she avoids another heartbreak. What ensues is a series of tests and games with Josh one step ahead of her the whole time, until Cat realizes she may have just bet against the greatest love of her life. Worse yet, it turns out Josh isn't the gambling type. COMING JANUARY 2020. PRE ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! www.amazon.com/Catch-Summer-Nights-Book-ebook/dp/B08279582V/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+catch+by+lauren+mae&qid=1575594093&sr=8-1 One Night on Ice by Mandy Baggot was a fun and festive read. Shy and nervous Samantha works as a box office assistant at Civic Hall. When the box office features a ice skating show she meets the ever so charming and star of the show, Jimmy. Jimmy skating into Samantha's life turns it upside down. Jimmy challengers her and she slowly turns from the timid girl she once was to a confident woman. This was the first story I read from Mandy Baggot. The first thing that drew me in was the cover. I think it is beautiful and festive. I love a great Christmas story and this one was no different. I will confess I did find the story to move at a slower pace than I would have liked, but it starts to pick up in the middle, and I was hooked. When I first starting reading, I didn't love Samantha. I thought it was a bit dramatic how she reacted to first meeting Jimmy. Maybe it is just me, but it didn't seem necessary. By the middle of the story, I was rooting for her. I loved how Jimmy challenged her and helped build her confidence. As for Jimmy, I thought his character was delightful. The author did a great job at writing his character and his personality shined through. Let me just say we could have done without Samantha's sister Cloe. She is mean and I disliked her character. Overall, I would give this novel 4 stars. It is a nice, festive read for the holiday season. The story was well written, and I will be checking out other stories by this author. Check out the link below to purchase. * I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.* www.amazon.com/One-Night-Ice-Mandy-Baggot-ebook/dp/B07XLKQ2JL
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