“What will you write this year?”
I’m asking myself this question a lot at the moment. It pounds through my brain when I walk Procrasti-Pup, and goes round and round in my mind when my head hits the pillow at night.
Having written so much last year, I’m feeling very much at a loose end right now. A few days ago, I wrote a sketchy outline for a new adult novel and I’ve set that to percolate while I finish up some edits on book three of The Mapmaker Chronicles. So perhaps I’ll look at that seriously once book three begins to make its steady progress through the publishing process.
Or not. Part of me feels as though I should be working on something. Getting the words down. But there’s another part of me that feels as though I need to still the ‘should‘ voice in my head and let things be, just for a while.
It’s not my usual style, I know, but right now I feel as though my creative life needs less of the ‘hurry up’ and more ‘hang on a sec’.
It may simply be that the school holidays don’t give me room to think much beyond the next meal (why do they need to eat SO often?). Or it may simply be that 2015 will be a slow writing year for me. Only time will tell.
What will you write this year?
Oh Alision. I’m convinced that’s the ‘I haven’t had a moment to think for myself’ school holiday mother brain thoughts you are referring to! I don’t even begin any new year thinking until it’s the school new year! For my writing this year (come February) I am doing … oh, ask me in February!
I know exactly where you’re coming from Alison. I too am feeling should I start on book 3 , but as I’m still editing one of them, my thought is to stick with some short stories for a while, and kind of take a step back. Feels unusual and a little like being in limbo, but probably the best course. We can’t be full on all the time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Good to hear.
Sigh. So much ‘should’ for both of us. Good luck with the edits and I hope you enjoy the short stories.
I’m sure time will show you what is meant to be Al. You certainly deserve a break from the ‘shoulds’ after last year!
I won’t be writing anything new this year, but instead I’ll be editing manuscript 1 like crazy to get it agent/publisher ready and beginning edits on manuscript 2. I’m going to do the 6 month novel course at the AWC so I’m sure that will be enough to take on this year. Along with my freelancing.
As big Kev would have said, “I’m excited!”
I’ve heard really great things about that course Jodi, so I hope you enjoy! It sounds like 2015 is going to be your year!
I’ve got lots on this year….
Currently editing and polishing the 4th draft of “The King Amongst The Shadows” – A non-magical fantasy with sci-fi and steam-punk elements – I’ll be sending this out for submission this year! 🙂
I’ll then work on a second draft of a book called “The Wanderer”, another non-magical fantasy…
Plus I want to write a first draft of something I’m calling “Project Trevor” which will be a more traditional fantasy…
Good luck with the submissions and the drafting!
I think January is more of a dreaming month than a doing month – especially with three children on holidays! This year, I want to finish my children’s novel and send it off to publishers – I’ve been working on it for three years. I also want to write six short stories to add to my collection and I have vague ideas for a children’s trilogy.
I hear you on school-holiday dreaming. Good luck with your novel!
I’m in the midst of running a reader survey on my blog, and it’s been very helpful in giving me an idea of direction for my blog writing this year. Nothing majorly different to what I was planning, just a tweak or two.
As for other writing, sometimes I feel as if I have a children’s book ‘in me’ but it hasn’t quite revealed itself yet;)
Then too I read a lovely idea recently of keeping a journal of special observations of your children. like a personal journal for each child. no way am I going to manage a journal for each child but still thinking I could manage one book and one entry per child per week…maybe
Looking forward to seeing what your creative muse brings forth this year:) Your book is on our to read list for this year:)
What a great idea – maybe I should do one of those survey things… Your year ahead sounds lovely, and I hope you enjoy The Mapmaker Chronicles when you get to it!
I set myself a challenge to write twelve short stories, a novel, and 52 poems this year. I have a lot of half-finished “stuff” hanging around, but I really want to finish things this year.
Wow! You are going to be BUSY! Good luck!