End of Year Thoughts to Ponder

So, it’s almost the end of 2024. How was it for you? Yeah, me too. A bit of this, a bit of that, a bit of the other. Still, with year’s end rapidly approaching, it’s time we think about where we are in our writing journey. Have we achieved our goals? Have we at least made progress? If not, how can we improve things for next year. Here are some things for you to consider:

How much writing have you done this year? I haven’t done as much as I’d like, but, then, I always say that. How much is enough? Still, if you’ve done as much as you reasonably could, I’d say you can pat yourself on the back. Maybe you could try to do more next year. I know I will.

What are you particularly proud of? Did you finish that short story you’ve been struggling with? Have a story accepted for publication? Finish a draft of your novel? Whatever your accomplishments, give yourself credit for them. There’s no point in regretting the path not taken, or the incomplete journey. That’s all in the past. What matters now is the future, and how you can do better. And, to be clear, there are many things in life you can be proud of. Not letting your psycho boss have it right between the eyes. Winning £20 on a scratch card. Getting a personal note on the end of a rejection slip. Small victories are still victories and we ought to celebrate them more.

What writing lessons impacted you the most, and why? Was it something you read, or a video you watched? What was it that appealed to you? Sometimes it’s more about the can-do attitude of the facilitator rather than the actual lesson. At the risk of sounding like Pollyanna, we need to look more for positivity. There’s more than enough gloom and doom to go round.

What changes have you made to your writing routine? Did they work? Will you continue or change them? It takes time for new habits to form, so don’t be in too much of a hurry to dismiss something that you have only tried a handful of times. If they payoff is worth the effort, well… you don’t need a better argument than that, do you?

What books have you read? Before you answer that, let me tell you this: a writer who doesn’t read is a like a would-be cordon bleu chef who eats nothing but chicken goujons and fries, so let’s try that question again: What books have you read, just over the past year. All right, I won’t scold, but I will say you must do better. I’ve read roughly 50 books in the past year and I know that I can do better.

Even if you only read one thing, did you learn anything from it? Have you got a reading list? If not, make one. Put on it all those books you’ve wanted to read, no matter what genre they fall into. Reading widely is as important as reading at all. My list includes classics of various nations, mysteries, short stories and novels, plays and comedies and dramas. All reading is enriching and teaches you something — even if it’s how not to do something. I’m looking at you, Mr Edward Bulwars-Lytton, arguably the worst writer in history.

Anyway, I’m taking a couple of weeks off, and I’ll be back the second Wednesday in January. Have a wonderful holiday, whatever you celebrate. See you next year.

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://rycardus.wordpress.com/wp-con..." data-large-file="https://rycardus.wordpress.com/wp-con..." width="868" height="1300" src="https://rycardus.wordpress.com/wp-con..." alt="" class="wp-image-17833" srcset="https://rycardus.wordpress.com/wp-con... 868w, https://rycardus.wordpress.com/wp-con... 100w, https://rycardus.wordpress.com/wp-con... 200w, https://rycardus.wordpress.com/wp-con... 768w" sizes="(max-width: 868px) 100vw, 868px" />Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com