2020 - hopes and thoughts

It's that time again when everyone makes resolutions that they hope will transform their lives but which in reality are forgotten or broken by the end of January. I came across a quote from Mark Twain which I thought summed this ritual up rather well - 'Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.' Nothing screams failure like a resolution broken, does it? So I refuse to set myself up to fail and have decided to look back at the last decade as we slide into an arbitrary marking of the passage of time and reflect on what I'd like to achieve in the next year.

Over the last decade I have gained a whole tribe of strong, supportive writer friends. Some I have been fortunate enough to meet up with in person, some are only virtual friends but without fail they have given me support and so many laughs. You know who you are, ladies, take a bow. Without this tribe I would have let my writing journey stall so many times. and I look forward to a year filled with more words and with the real possibility that I will get them out into the world to find their audience. So a huge thank you to everyone who touched my heart and picked me up over the last ten years.

This writing lark can be tough. It's often solitary, frequently frustrating but somehow we keep going. If, like me, you have stories in your head then they have to get told one way or another. So in 2020 I really want to find the audience for my stories. Whether this is through traditional publication or another route I do not know yet but there is sure to be a way to find my readers. I am also going to revive my previous idea of sharing some stories via a podcast. I have had some interest online from other writers who might like to share work this way so that is an avenue I intend to look into next month. Listen out for my dulcet Brummie tones!

I am also aware that during the past decade I have done my fair share of caring for others. That won't change, it's part of my DNA, but I do want to do more self care next year. I have found a couple of activities that will bring some creativity into each day and I hope to find some peace and fulfilment doing those. I also want to take better care of my health. Many years of putting others first is starting to take its toll and as the years advance I see the need to nurture myself a bit more. I am overhauling my diet in view of the spectre of diabetes and my fitness needs so improve as well. Baby steps are being taken and I hope to improve things further next year.

So I wish all who I love a fabulous 2020 filled with joy, peace and success. I raise a virtual glass to you all and look forward to celebrating all our achievements next year.

Getting on the Submission Train

One of the things I promised myself - and others - at the last writing retreat I attended was that I'd start submitting my manuscript to agents and test the waters. So far I have managed one submission a week and got one rejection so far. But I am asking myself some deep questions. And I thought I'd share them here.

Do I really want to be traditionally published?
Well, the fact that I'm sending off my queries to agents would suggest that I do. I have fantasies about wandering into bookshops and seeing my book on the shelf. Not on the best sellers shelf, just quietly on one of the shelves. I pick up a copy, stroke the spine and stare at my name on the cover. Pride swells in my chest and I wipe away a tear - well this is a fantasy... So I think having a physical book on sale in a shop is the ultimate goal for me.

What if I can't get it published?
Being realistic I know that getting representation is tough and getting a publishing deal is almost tougher. So with my practical hat on I know that I may have to pursue other ways of getting the story out into the world. And here I think I'm open to the world of self publishing. I also know that the burden of publicity weighs heavily on a self published author but I think I'm ok with that. So as one door closes, who knows what opens.

Why is it important that my stories get out into the world?
I think everyone who writes does so for an audience other than themselves. The goal is to share what you have written, to let others enjoy your stories. And here I fall down because I promised that I would share some of my work via a podcast and I confess that I have done nothing to make that happen. So maybe that is a way I can share some of my work, maybe I need to be more focused next year and make it happen ...

So that is where I am as I send my letters and samples out into the world, wondering what I am doing it all for and crossing my fingers for positive reactions.