Welcome to another chapter of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!
This is a monthly event where writers from all over join to scream our fears
into the void—Join us!
This month the mothership had a great wrap up the year question:
As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you
could backtrack, what would you do differently?
2017 was an odd year, I did get two books out, The Sapphire
Manticore and Victorious Dead. But I’d been aiming for 3. Life happens and this
was definitely one of those years. I am proud of the two books I did get out, however.
As for what I would do differently? Get on board with a marketing
plan. I was lucky enough to get a Book Bub feature, and the sales told me
there’s a chance for my books—but you can’t count on an event like that. It’s
akin to planning to pay your daily bills with your lottery winnings—that you
haven’t won yet ;). So, I would have actually tried marketing instead of a “throw
everything at the wall and see what sticks” approach.
I would also remind myself how much I love telling stories. Part
of only getting out two books when I’d planned for three, was because I kept
stumbling—not on the writing directly but on everything around the writing. I need
to get back to what I love and do it in its time, and do the marketing in its
time.
Taking better care of myself. Healthy writer is a strong writer
and this year I wasn’t very healthy. I need to get healthier so I can write more books!
So what will I be doing next year? All of the above ;).
Happy IWSG Day!
Hey, two books a year is great in my book. It's good to give yourself stretch goals to keep you motivated, but you have every reason to be proud about your progress this year.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am trying to remind myself that I'm still doing good on my forward momentum ;).
DeleteCongratulations on your two books and I hope you have a happy and healthy 2018!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The same for you! :)
DeleteCongratulations on your successes, and here's to an even better 2018!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hope yours is wonderful!
DeleteSounds like a great plan. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thank you! Now, to make it happen ;)
DeleteCongrats on the BookBub feature. That's a tough one to land. And two books is a great accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am still shocked it happened.
DeleteCongrats on the 2 books you published. That's super. Getting a BookBub feature is great. We are so hard on ourselves, aren't we? We have to celebrate our successes. Best wishes for a great holiday.
ReplyDeleteThank you- and so true! Every step moving forward IS moving forward!
DeleteCongrats on meeting most of your year goal :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteCongrats on the two books, and the book bub feature. I'm kind of in the same boat with marketing. Need to do it more.
ReplyDeleteMarketing is a strange beast--hopefully we'll both get it down in 2018!
DeleteI found your books this year and eagerly devoured them all. I love your books and your writing. And while ,very selfishly, I would have loved to have the 3rd book, doing 2 books in a year is amazing and awesome (and they were both wonderful). I am looking forward, patiently, to your next book.
ReplyDelete