Lessons from 2023 and Thoughts on 2024
"You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore until you decide to be happy." This quote by Nightbirde always gives me goosebumps, and it has definitely carried me through 2023 with all the ups and downs life threw my way. Fortunately, by creating my own happiness and continuing to move forward, I've learned a few things that I plan to apply in 2024.
Here are the lessons 2023 taught me:
Life will always be hard, so I'm in charge of making positive moments. Just like animals in the wild face numerous challenges but learn to adapt, I faced moments this year that made me want to quit writing. However, with Nightbirde's words and the wisdom from my book coach, Colleen Mitchell, I forced myself to do tasks outside my comfort zone, gaining a sense of accomplishment and pride. Life can throw challenges at me, but I'll be in charge of creating the good moments.
Writing isn't a race with other authors, nor is it a race against myself. While the 20 Books to 50K group on Facebook has been helpful, it became a double-edged sword as I compared myself to other writers. Burnout was real, and I now realize that writing and publishing are not a race. I value the deadlines and projects I set, but I wish I had followed the advice I give to other authors.
Have a writing season and a selling season. Juggling writing and selling books simultaneously proved overwhelming, especially with homeschooling my son. To prioritize my family, I plan to have a writing season from January to June and a selling season from July to December. This doesn't mean giving up on one area for the other entirely, but rather avoiding major deadlines or events based on the time of year.
Social media is not everything. Despite being grateful for social media's role in growing followers, word of mouth excels due to trust and authenticity in human connections. Hosting write-ins, supporting other creatives, and participating in farmers markets have been more impactful than solely relying on social media. While it's a great tool, social media doesn't dictate my worth as an author.
These reflections excite me for the upcoming year, and I can't wait to share the fun stuff I have planned. The first book of my Lotte Skale series is coming out, and Candy Sky Tells A Lie is being pitched for a TV show/movie adaptation contest. The chances of signing a deal are slim, but seeing my book in pitch and screenplay format is a thrilling experience.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year, and I look forward to what 2024 has to bring. Thank you for your continued support. That's a wrap!
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