Making a Plan

I know, I know. It’s been WAY too long since I last wrote anything here on this blog. Mostly because it’s been WAY too long since I’ve written anything anywhere (I did not make it to the next round of the short story challenge). But I want that to change. So I’m working on a plan. Let me know what you think.

My writing friend told me the other day that the only reason she’s been accomplishing as much writing as she has this year (self published a novel and two novellas) is because she sets deadlines for herself and announces them. Not only that, but she books an editor for a particular date so that she has to meet the deadline. Now, the idea of booking an editor terrifies me, but I think maybe I can find another way to set firm deadlines for myself. This is where you all come in.

I came up with an idea that I hope can be sustainable. First of all, I want to be writing. Do I feel a need to make money off my writing? Not necessarily (though it would be nice). I just want to share stories. So what if I publish the stories here on my blog? Or at least, make them available to subscribers to my blog? They can be short stories or maybe I publish a series of novellas or chapters that could eventually become a full novel? I haven’t quite worked out that part (do you have a preference?). I can set deadlines that you all can hold me accountable to. Perhaps I can even start a newsletter that can provide you with updates on my progress. Those that subscribe to the newsletter would get to read my work first.

Of course, that will require having readers that want to read my work. I still have a hard time feeling worthy, I’ll be honest. And I’m terrible at promoting myself. But I can try.

So here we go with some deadlines. I am going to give this post a week to receive feedback. In the meantime, I will research what I need to do to send out a newsletter and create a welcome email. I will post an update here and on other social media sites to announce the newsletter and how to sign up. I will also work on setting a few other deadlines, which I will announce in the newsletter (gosh, I hope people sign up for it!).

Please let me know what you think. Comments on this post or on Instagram or FB would go a long way to giving me motivation and confidence. My friend tells me to call myself a writer. And while I do write, I certainly don’t feel like I can use that title. It may take some convincing. Imposter syndrome is running rampant in my brain today, but I want to try anyway.