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#IWSG, behind the scenes of writing, blogging, Insecure Writer's Support Group, my writing, Publishing, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, writerly insecurities, writers journey, writing, writing challenge, writing news
Appropriate for the first post of the New Year, I’m going to quickly look at what I’ve done and what I’m planning to do to build on that – while answering this month’s IWSG question.
January 3 question – What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?
To recharge in December between rewrites, first drafts and edits, I did a lot of work in the garden (read: cleaning up after the horses and chickens, getting sunburned, teaching the horses not to bite – successfully – and watching the three chicks that hatched grow into wild little hunters who only listen to their mother).
– Fabio, Tris and Katniss with mommy Nyssa. Let’s hope I got the genders right this time.
My gift to myself on Christmas Eve Day was to upload the details of the two anthologies I’ve been published in during December on Goodreads and joining the Goodreads Author Program.
Goodreads page for “Unbound”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37664784-unbound
Goodreads page for “Cinderella Reimagined”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37665074-cinderella-reimagined
I also uploaded my book Eens… once I figured out how to get Goodreads to use my entire surname as my surname… Yeah, “Vuuren” alone popped up a lot.
Now, obviously the crazy schedule I had put in place for myself for December (writing-wise) didn’t work out perfectly. First, my computer crashed – according to my tech guy, I’ve worked it to death and it’ll be cheaper to buy a laptop than to try and find replacement parts for a PC that is five years old (something about tech advancing so much that my PC’s parts aren’t compatible with what’s currently available).
Yeah, I wanted to cry when I had to give up this seat of power. I mean, after waiting so long to get this super set-up, writing so many stories there, doing so much research, spending so much time with this computer, it’s like losing a close friend.
Anyhow, I’m borrowing a laptop until I can find the perfect match. I’m not rushing into a new relationship.
At least I’m obsessive about making backups of everything…
Second, my muse decided to take a vacation. I had the perfect idea for a story – but I didn’t know where it should go or any of the important details. Trying to write this story – with a character that I just cannot like, though it is fun to torment her – was like walking through a veld in midsummer without antihistamines or water. After weeks of running around without a redeeming quality for this character, it finally came to me when I whined about her – especially how I want readers to connect with her while still finding the torture humorous. The first few drafts are done: the story is waiting to be read with fresh eyes. Then it’s off to beta readers, another rewrite, and a proofreading session before I submit it to an anthology.
Third, I suddenly got nightmarish flashbacks of days gone by while rewriting (okay, stripping it for parts) a novel I wrote over a decade ago. It’s not just the horrible writing of the practice novel that got to me, but also the things I felt and thought at that time of my life. It’s perfect for the competition I’m planning to submit it to, though. All that adolescent angst, uncertainty and immediacy is exactly what the competition winners usually have page after page. When I finally get my goblins in line I’ll finish another draft before sending it off to an author who also writes Afrikaans. (Yeah, this is another project in my mother tongue.)
Fourth, editing became an alien concept that I just couldn’t grasp. Maybe my allergies are to blame. Maybe my crazy grieving over my PC is to blame – the screen of the laptop just isn’t the same. Maybe I was just tired and wanted to party like everyone else. Anyhow, I only edited a page. *Sigh.*
Okay, enough with the whining.
I finally figured out how Canva works – thanks, Jacqui! I made a new banner for my Twitter page with the links and covers of the three publications my writing appears in and I played around with other images for my blog. I think this is a step in the right direction for marketing and branding.
As for my writing and publishing schedule…
Most of it, unfortunately, is out of my control. I’ll write and submit short stories for anthologies again – that worked out really well in 2017 (as seen above). I’m working on two novels for a competition with NB Publishers and Sanlam – the prize (beside a publishing deal) is quite prestigious. Though, results will only be announced in 2019.
Those are the biggies. But I’m also working on rewriting Eens… in English (then sending it off to an editor – the usual – before self-publishing it). I know, I thought it would be ready for publication by now, but life…
To help me get all of this done in a timely manner, I’m going to have loads of interviews and guest posts on my blog addressing writing, publishing and marketing/sales. (If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, send me a message via my contact page.)
I’ve already sent emails to a couple of people before the New Year had properly arrived, just to get things going this month. Remember to check out those posts (on Sundays) to learn something about the art of writing and to find new reading material to add to your TBR.
I’ve also contacted people to do interviews and guest posts on their blogs. Don Massenzio has sent out a call for interviews on his blog – check it out!
So, to summarise:
Not only will I be hosting guest posts/interviews here on my blog, I’ll also be writing for other blogs this year (more than last year, I think). I already went over why guest posts are good for you and your blog.
My beta readers are going to be very busy this year.
I’m going to learn a lot about the business side of the writing game.
And I’ll have to find the perfect computer-match before the Equinox to get this all done…
Hopefully this will work. Is my New Year’s insecurity showing?
How about you: do you have any goals/schedules you’re planning to keep this year? How was your Solstice? Have you claimed your Goodreads Author profile yet?
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Debbie Johansson said:
Hi Ronel and Happy New Year! Funny how you need a new computer, as mine also might be on it’s last legs. I have certainly been giving mine a good workout over the years. It sounds like you have some good plans mapped out for the coming year and it’s good to know your beta readers will be kept busy. Best of luck with it all, I know you can do this! 🙂
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Debbie 🙂 I hope you have an awesome 2018 filled with writing joy.
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Erika Beebe said:
I love those baby chicks! And they should mostly listen to their mom. Good luck on your writing projects. I’m sorry to hear about your computer. It is devastating, but soon you’ll find your new grove and it may function in a better new light. Happy New Year 🙂
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Erika. Fabio, Tris and Katniss are testing all the boundaries at this point and driving their mum nuts 😉
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GriffithsKL said:
Thanks for the tip about creating an author page on Goodyeads! Sounds like you had a stellar 2017.
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miladyronel said:
You’re welcome, Kelly 🙂 I like how they give step-by-step instructions on the site to get your profile set up and what to do to get more readers for your books.
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C.D. Gallant-King said:
I think teaching the horses not to bite is a huge, and laudible accomplishment. Even if you only did that all year, I think you can rest comfortably knowing you did good. 🙂
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, C.D. 🙂
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debscarey said:
Happy New Year! Huge sympathies to you over the death of your computer. You’re doing such a smart thing in making a temporary arrangement whilst sorting things out. Last year I had the year from hell computer-wise, as first one laptop and then it’s replacement required emergency repairs in quick succession. The first one never recovered and the second was an overly panicked response to the first one. I now have a desktop with a great big screen which I love (it’s fabulous for my other love photography), and the (second) laptop provides a reasonable backup and option for when I need to be portable. Sounds like you’ve got 2018 well planned out too – I shall channel you! 🙂
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Debs 🙂 Before my computer died, I thought the worst that could happen (and did happen in September) was my external hard drive failing and losing all of my backups… I think there might be gremlins about, chewing on my electronics when I’m not looking 😉
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raimeygallant said:
Congrats on the anthologies! That’s so exciting! And thanks also for the reminder about Canva. I’ve been meaning to look into that. I’m traveling and don’t have access to my graphic design software.
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Raimey 🙂 Turns out Canva is easy enough to use — once I followed Jacqui’s instructions. LOL. It looked quite confusing at first, but I’m getting the hang of it now.
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Jacqui Murray said:
It’s amazing, innit, that a desktop now costs more than a laptop. Mine is about 5 years old and I dread that it might die. My setup looks much like yours–two screens, printer, tower. And, a constant glass of tea.
Good luck with the new year!
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miladyronel said:
Apparently there’s a docking station thing that I can get with a laptop to keep one of my screens and my setup almost the same — still for less than fixing the stuff in the tower. Crazy.
Thanks, Jacqui — I hope you have an awesome 2018 🙂
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Victoria Marie Lees said:
Bravo to you, Ronel, on the publications! May you be blessed with many, many more in 2018. My heart goes out to you with a crashed computer. My perennial nightmare. I am forever nagging my husband to help me back up everything. I’m convinced I’d die if my computer, my life stories, should actually crash. You see, I work my computer to death, too. And bravo to you to start to learn marketing. This is something I truly need to accomplish in 2018.
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miladyronel said:
Thank you 🙂 I’ve been reading a lot about marketing in this month’s IWSG posts, making me nervous and excited all at once for the work that lies ahead. I agree that backups of our writing are essential: I’m sure we die a little each time our work gets lost forever…
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patgarcia said:
Published in two anthologies and also now set up on goodreads as an author. I applaud you my dear. Congratulations! Now I will go find your books.
Wishing you all the best in 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Pat 🙂 I hope you have a great 2018.
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trishafaye said:
You have some great news for your 2017 successes! It sounds like you’ve got a great start for a terrific new 2018!
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Trisha 🙂 Knowing what I’ve accomplished last year, makes my goals for 2018 a little less daunting.
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emaginette said:
Wow! Sorry about the computer. Advice: If your hard drive isn’t dead, buy an external hard drive case and put your old hard drive(s) inside. You can pull off what you want. Laptops are great but so are tablets (with a Bluetooth keyboard) if you save your work in a cloud. Something to think about.
Good luck with all your plans. You’ve got quite a list there. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Anna 🙂 My tech guy said that only my hard drive is still fine — so I’ll definitely get a case for it.
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Juneta said:
Busy, busy, busy but to me, you always seem productive even if it’s figuring out what you are not going to do. Great post.
Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Juneta 🙂
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Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh) said:
Lots of ups and downs last month. Sorry about losing your desktop. Technology just moves too fast.
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Alex.
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TheresaBarker said:
You are always a-whirl, Ronel! 🙂
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miladyronel said:
😉
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Anne J. said:
I know you had a terrific year last year but I have a feeling it’s going to be even better this year! 😁 I can’t wait for the awesome updates as they come… Thank you for uploading the Cinderella Anthology on Goodreads! You are the best! I have a lot to learn with the online networks. I’m so glad I know you. 😁 Here’s to a most creative year yet! 🤗😘
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miladyronel said:
Thanks, Anne 🙂
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