My Writing Review of 2023 #MondayBlogs

Hi there. Welcome to my writing review of 2023.

What were your writing successes in 2023

I had 2 romance novels published by Blood Hound Books. I’ll Miss You This Christmas and Instructions For Falling in Love Again. See pics below. I wrote my 3rd novel – The Car Share – due out April 2024.

What were your writing challenges in 2023

Towards the end of the year I got into a cycle of writing first drafts and walking away from them half finished. I am still in this cycle and I am finding it hard to break free from it. I think my inner critic is too loud and needs to be silenced whilst I am drafting. I would like to break this cycle. I have 4 half finished first drafts. If anyone has any suggestions, please write below in the comments.

What has 2023 taught you about your writing?

It has taught me that editing a draft book is where the magic happens. 2023 was the year where I finally understood what everyone has been saying about editing. It is the secret sauce.

Have you done anything different with your writing in 2023?

I started becoming a plotter and I moved away from being a pantser. Whilst I have enjoyed creating novel plans, I have a sneaking suspicion this is why I am in a bit of a tailspin with unfinished drafts. A novel plan is great and they do bring me joy. I can now write a mean novel plan with character arcs and pacing however I have yet to finish a first draft with a plan. I also love boasting about making the transition from pantser to plotter – no one ask me to provide a fully completed first draft based on a novel plan. Oh, God, what have I done?

How have you managed social media in 2023?

I got serious about TikTok in 2023 and tried hard to post regularly. I am @lucymitchauth on TikTok if you want a friend on there. I have grown my followers from 203 to 1722. I joined Threads and moved away from ‘X’. Social media promotion is tough. I have found that when my writing confidence dips, so too does my social media confidence.

What has been your approach to writer self-care in 2023?

I have found my way back to my daily yoga and meditation. I lost it at the start of the year but luckily I am back doing it. If I don’t do it on a morning I do notice my body is aching and my mind is a mess. I journalled all the way through 2023 which has been a godsend. Journalling is brilliant for self-care. You do start to see your mental patterns. Going away to stay with my mother has helped. She’s like my digital detox with no social media and no TV. We do jigsaws together and talk a lot. We go for walks and I always come back a more relaxed writer.

Thanks for reading my 2023 Review.

I’ll Miss You This Christmas

Instructions for falling in love again .