12.07.2016

#IWSG heading over the hill...and my writing plan, even in my old age (wink)


Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
The awesome co-hosts for the December 7 posting of the IWSG will be Jennifer Hawes, Jen Chandler, Nick Wilford, Juneta Key, JH Moncrieff, Diane Burton, and MJ Fifield!

December 7 Question: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?

In less than a month, I'll be 40. It's a hard birthday for me, not because of my age, really, but because I used to only celebrate my birthday because my mom wanted me to. She'd ask to have my husband, boys, and my over for dinner, or make sure to pester me enough that we'd set a going-out-to-eat dinner date. And she'd always make sure to get me cake and gifts. 

After my mom died in March 2015, I dreaded my 2016 birthday. So, the thought of celebrating my 40th next month, in 2017, is less fun, even though my cousins and friends are excited about it. Love them. 

So, I decided to release my first book on that day, so that I'd have something to look forward to. I figured I could wake up thinking, I'm a published author, instead of, I'm forty. And also, I figured celebrating could be more for that than for my birthday. 😉  I was really thinking ahead.

Now that that book is out/about out (cuz who knew clicking "Approve Proof" meant "Publish and Send out to the World?") my plan for this upcoming year is to publish at least two more books and one novella in its (Kingdom Come) series. I'd also planned to work on publishing or querying two contemporary titles (The book that's out is paranormal.), but now I'm thinking I'd like to begin another trilogy, a prequel trilogy, in the Kingdom Come series. So, I'm certain I'll be spending 2017-2018 on making a name as an author and working to make this series successful.  Beyond that, I do have my contemporary novels that I need to either release or query, and the decision to be made if I release them myself is whether or not to release them under my current pen name, or another name since they'll be a different genre...unless I spice them up with some angels!

So..the plan. Write. Write. Write. Market. Research. Love every step of the way. Repeat. 

I've got to run because I started this post late and it's time for work. Otherwise I'm sure I'd have written more.

My plan seems kind of flimsy so I'll have to put together a better one. Don't tell Susan Kaye Quinn about my lack of a plan! I'm just setting myself up for failure! Eek!  Research plan part one: visit you all to get better plan ideas!!!

Christy

12 comments:

  1. So sorry about the loss of your mom. I think maybe it does help to give you something new to celebrate. And maybe find your own new traditions. When I turned 30, I was depressed because I hadn't achieved my dream of being a writer yet. At 40, I had just landed an agent (I took most of my 30s off)...so I celebrated 40.

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  2. Sounds like a great way to celebrate a birthday :-) Good luck with your writing - I'm sure your plan will get you to where you want to be.

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  3. Sorry it was a approved early!
    I dreaded forty as well. I think it was harder than fifty.

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  4. So sorry about your mother's passing. Mine died 9 years ago and I still miss her. Celebrate your 40th with your new book amidst your family and friends. They're all rooting for your success.

    If you'd like some free promo, I'd be happy to have (and any of the IWSGers) as guests on my blog. Email me at: dmburton72 at gmail dot com

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
    December co-host

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  5. Congrats on your new books. I'm sure your first birthday after losing your mom was hard. You're SO young. I just turned 60 this year. Hard to fathom I'm that age.

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  6. Sorry to hear about your mom. But excellent plan with releasing the book that day! Good luck with everything you do and keep up the positive energy. Life's what we make of it, eh?

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  7. I think your release plan is an excellent way to celebrate what would otherwise be a really hard birthday. Hugs to you, friend, and may you find the 40s fabulous. I've been here a while, and the main downside is people now expect you to be like, grown up and mature. :-)

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  8. I love that part of your plan is to "Love every step of the way". I might add that to my plan too.

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  9. I won't tell Susan, if you don't snitch on me either! :)

    Your plan is much more concrete than mine! Love your idea to pub on your bday even if it didn't quite work according to plan :P

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  10. You do have a plan. It may not be a SKQ plan, but it's still a plan. :) I love that cover for When Ash Rains Down, and publishing a book is a great birthday present to yourself.

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  11. (Hug) My condolences about your mother. Combining a book launch with your birthday is a brilliant strategy to make the day a celebration again. @mirymom1 from
    Balancing Act

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  12. It sounds like you have some beautiful memories. Celebrating your birthday with a book launch is a great idea, too, though.

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