Usually, at this time of year, I look back at the year that was and think about all the things I could have done differently; namely, getting published. This year, however, I look back at 2019 a bit differently. 2019 was a year I decided to step out of my comfort zone and finally swallow some of those insecurities.
This is what I did: –
- I had my short stories professionally edited. My editor loved my stories, saying she would be happy to work with me again and wants to know if I’m writing any novels. 😊
- Re-joined the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
- Prepared short stories for publication, including contacting professional cover designers, and setting up an account with Amazon.
- Attended a local readers and writer’s festival.
- Entered a short story competition with the Romance Writers of Australia. Although I didn’t win, I did get some great feedback.
- Enrolled in five – yes, five! – online writing courses.
- I became an indie author, by publishing a short story and a collection of short stories.
Yes, that last one makes me look back at the year and I feel happy knowing that I finally did it!
Pressing that ‘publish’ button for the first time was more difficult that pressing it for the second time, but I’m feeling greatly relieved at having accomplished that. Now, however, is the ongoing battle of ‘discoverability’ and marketing, but that’s a whole lot of new insecurities and a completely different post right there! 😉
I’ve already made plans and begun working on, my upcoming projects for the new year, so there’s plenty to write and re-write!
Of-course, I wouldn’t have got this far without the continual love and support from my husband and the online writing community. I can’t thank you all enough!
I’ll be taking a break from blogging over the next few weeks and return on 8 January 2020, posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
I wish you all a Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. Stay safe!
Did you step out of your comfort zone in 2019? Is there anything you would have done differently this year? Do you have any big plans for 2020?
Main image courtesy Pixabay
You had a spectacular 2019! I think I shouldn’t have spent so much time on the Internet this year, so I’m going to work on fixing that in that in 2020. I wrote a novel in 2019, but I think I can write a better one now, so that’s what I aim to do next year. Have a wonderful Christmas.:-)
Congratulations Priscilla on writing your novel! It’s a great achievement and I’m so happy for you. I know what you mean about the internet though; it took me a while to reduce my habit. 😉 Have a great Christmas and happy writing! 🙂
Oh wow, I didnt know you got published already! I’m definitely going to check out your work. Congrats on your success this year. I also became an author this year. 🙂
I do have some plans this year, but I’ll make a post on it or something. Too much to talk about lol
Thank you, Jonny! Congratulations and a huge round of applause to you on getting published; that’s awesome! I can relate to having too much to talk about when it comes to writing. I like to use the element of surprise. 😉 Have a great Christmas and happy writing! 🙂
Aww shucks! Congrats to you again. Writing convos could easily span hours for me, haha.
You too, merry christmas and happy writing time!
Well done! I submitted a couple of stories to new-to-me markets so that was stepping outside of my comfort zone. Okay, it was dipping a toe outside of it but still. 🙂
And yeh for supportive husbands and an amazing online writing community!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
Thanks, Madeline! Well done on submitting some of your stories and I wish you the very best of luck! And yes, I don’t know where I would be without my husband and the online writing community; it makes all the difference. Have a great Christmas and happy writing! 🙂
HAPPY 2020
Thank you and Happy New Year to you, too! 🙂