Here we are, mid-October (prep-tober!), thinking about Nanowrimo, writerly goals, and where 2020 is heading…
Regardless of where 2020 is heading, I’m happy to say that I’m meeting the goals I planned back in January. In a world where so much is out of our personal control, making your personal goals come to fruition is satisfying, to say the least.
A quick review: I planned to perfect and publish three novels which I had finished and previously queried. I’ve been thinking back on my year of querying. Maybe other writers give it a longer timeline. Maybe others query more publishers and more agents than I did. Maybe they weather rejection after rejection before receiving anything positive. And those efforts would eventually pay off.
In my experience, perseverance garners results, but results take time.
Don’t get me wrong: the traditional publishing route is of course a great path to success for authors. But I’ve no regrets for refocussing from my querying efforts and choosing to become independently published. I have the privilege of designing my own books and covers, of choosing my own marketing strategies, joining a supportive writing community, and making connections with other independent authors. Best of all, my ideas and the stories I have to tell are 100% mine, start to finish, and that means so much to me.
All that being said, this brings me to Nanowrimo… November 2020 marks my tenth year of participating in the challenge! It’s been an excellent outlet for both good and bad story ideas. It’s given me a collection of unfinished WIPs, which were good writing practice. It’s also given me two of my published novels of 2020.
This year, I’m planning another sequel to Finding Grace. I gave my debut novel a somewhat open ending and side characters with a little much dialogue, both of which inspire sequels.
Stay tuned for more to come on that!