IWSG (the Insecure Writer's Support Group) is a wonderful group of writers, who come together to share, encourage and support each other. As writers, we sometimes need a shoulder to lean on or are ready to assist others on their writing journey.We post on the first Wednesday of every month and talk about our doubts, fears, or triumphs with fellow writers. To find out more about how it works, head on over here.Special thanks goes to the never relenting, always amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh (this is his brainchild) and to the other co-hosts this month: Julie Flanders, Shannon Lawrence, Fundy Blue, and Heather Gardner!
You can also find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
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Can you believe it's the last IWSG of 2017???
That means it's time to lean back and consider this last year's ups and downs on the writing front with this month's question:
As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?
First, I'm going to take a sip of hot tea and contemplate.
Hmmmm...
Hmmm...........
Hmmmmm.... (contemplation is a long process, right?)
My answer is. . .
*finger drum roll, please*
Nothing! I wouldn't change anything. Well, pretty much, anyway.
Of course, I wish I would have gotten more writing done, but that's a no-brainer for writers. Honestly, how many writers have you run into who say, "Boy, I wrote way too many words this year!"
I'm betting you could count them on one hand. . .*ahm* one finger?
In other words, us writers never write or publish or do enough. At least, not in our minds.
My novella,
A Glowworm, was published as a Ubook, which was unexpected and definitely exciting.
And I had another short published in FULL DARK. Of course, the publishing front could have brought even more (remember: one finger no-brainer?), but I'm more than satisfied.
I dove into some new writing areas this year. Several very different ones. Maybe I could have done more research on some of them. Maybe I could have written more concise or more carefully or not have procrastinated on some projects as much as I did. But even here, each expedition into those new areas was a huge learning experience. Nope, I wouldn't change a thing there either.
I would have liked to decorate my writing room a little more. Does that count?
Ugh! Now, it's time to start planning next year's goals! Up the word count? Push up that publishing line? Go on a month long safari and conduct some serious research for a new plot? All right, maybe not the safari thing. At least, not in January.
So, what about you? What would you have changed this year or hoped to have done differently? Or are you super satisfied?
