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Wednesday 7 January 2015

Happy New Year! A new year and a new start - An IWSG post

Happy New Year to all, and welcome to the first IWSG of 2015!

Insecure Writer's Support Group
borrowed from http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

I don't know about you guys, but I've certainly been looking forward to this brand new year. The last six months were very up and down, and writing stuff was put on the back-burner for way too long. It's been an effort to drum up the enthusiasm to get back into it if I'm honest.

There's something about the beginning of a new year though, a chance to make a new start, feeling fresh and invigorated, that gives me the motivation that usually disappears in the waning months of the year just gone.

So, in the spirit of fresh new starts, I've laid down a few goals for myself to aim for in 2015. They aren't extravagant, but will help me on my way to achieving my longer term aims.

I think one reason my writing hasn't taken off in the past is because I haven't been taking it, or myself, seriously enough. I don't mean super-serious like 'this is all that matters and I can't spare any thought for anything or anyone else ever', but I've spent too much time nursing my self-doubt and just faffing basically from one unfinished project to the next.

After being inspired by an article in the January issue of Writers Magazine I'm changing my perspective and will be looking at my writing as a business rather than a hobby. I've made the time to sit down and really outline what it is I want to achieve and have established a workable plan to tick off everything on my list.

To this end, for 2015 I have three main goals to focus on:
  1. Write something every day.
  2. Submit to one competition each month.
  3. Sell at least one piece for publication.

Now, I think these goals are fairly straightforward, and there's no real reason why I shouldn't be able to achieve each and every one. I think the third one is probably the most difficult, but if I get writing and send my work off to as many places as I can, it'll only increase my chances. You don't know until you try, right?

If you are looking forward to a productive and fulfilling 2015, then I wish you all the best on your journey. I hope to see you around the blogosphere celebrating all your achievements.

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First Weds of every month 
For more information on the amazing entity that is the Insecure Writers Support Group, click on the link and head over. Here you will find the list of who's participating and it's well worth a browse to see what everyone's insecurities are. Trust me, you're not alone, there are plenty of us on the same wavelength.


 Happy IWSG Day!


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14 comments:

  1. Submit to enough places and that third one is bound to happen!
    It's easy to forget this whole thing is a business.

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    1. I hope so Alex, I can but try. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

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  2. Wow! Submitting to one competition a month would kill me. I;m a slow writer. Best of luck with the publishing goal.

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    1. Thanks Ken, and it may well kill me too! I'm giving it a go though.

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  3. Happy new year! These are wonderful and realistic goals. Good luck! :)

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    1. Thanks Christine! Here's hoping 2015 is a good one x

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  4. Good luck with your goals! Like you I was also looking forward to the start of a new year and I was happy to say goodbye to 2014. Here's to a great 2015 for all of us. :)

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    1. I hope it's a productive and, maybe, profitable year for all!

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  5. Happy New Year, Heather! Those are good goals - ambitious but not far-fetched. I think you'll do brilliantly. 2015 will be your year!

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Jamie! It's always appreciated.

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  6. I'm planning to submit to more competitions this year too. I always keep a list of the interesting ones, but the deadlines tend to come and go without me doing anything about it. Good luck!

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    1. That's exactly what happens to me, Annalisa. This year though, we'll meet those pesky deadlines. Good luck to you too!

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  7. Entering a writing competition every month is a fantastic goal! I wish you the best with that.

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    1. Thank you, I just need to keep on schedule. Fingers crossed!

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