Insecure Writer's Support Group: Celebrating 2019

#IWSG: Celebrating 2019

1/6/2020

The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Posts go up the 1st Wednesday of every month. Although, this month, we pushed it back to the second Wednesday because let's face it, most people were probably too hung over from celebrating last week to worry about IWSG. Check it out here and join if you need support with your writing. Don't forget to stop by and say hi to the co-hosts: T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff!

It's a new year, so I'm sure a lot of my fellow writers are looking back to see how they fared in 2019. I am as well, and...

I published my young adult post-apocalyptic fantasy, Leaves of Fall under my pen name Patricia Lynne
I read 30 books
I finished writing FOUR first drafts and wrote over 220K words!
I rewrote one story, got probably 3/4 through another rewrite as well as a secret project
I submitted a few short stories, flash fiction, and a drabble to 13 publications. (The drabble was the only acceptance and it wasn't paying, but I submitted and that's what matters.)

But there were a few goals I did not get. I didn't grow my Patreon, write four drabbles a week, or work on a ghost story I wanted to.

But given all I accomplished, I'm pretty happy with my year. It's made me excited for 2020 and what I want to accomplish. How did your 2019 treat you and your writing? Did you reach the goals you set? Have you made plans for 2020? Or do you panster it?

And don't forget the optional question: What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just "know" suddenly you wanted to write?

24 Comments

H.R. Sinclair link

1/6/2020 01:15:05 pm

You did do a lot! Congrats.

Liz A. link

1/6/2020 03:03:45 pm

Wow, you did accomplish a lot. Good job.

Madeline Mora-Summonte link

1/8/2020 06:16:12 am

Sounds like you had an excellent year! Well done!

T. Powell Coltrin link

1/8/2020 06:42:07 am

Wow! You accomplished much in 2019. You inspire me.

Teresa C.

M.J. Fifield link

1/8/2020 09:03:29 am

You should be happy with your year. You really accomplished A LOT! I'm especially impressed that you wrote four first drafts. I think I finish one first draft every four years or so.

CD Gallant-King link

1/8/2020 10:36:06 am

I was feeling pretty good about my accomplishments last year, but once again here you are, making me feel bad about myself. THANKS Patricia. Yeesh.

(Just kidding. Mostly. Congrats on all your accomplishments!)

Chrys Fey link

1/8/2020 12:22:59 pm

You accomplished a lot. So proud of you! And Leaves of Fall will always be one of my faves. :)

PJ Colando link

1/8/2020 12:42:57 pm

Loud and Proud about your accomplishments - so happy for you and thanks for sharing.

I successfully rehabbed and ankle and related knee issue... will tell the inciting incident some day, but not now.

Jemi Fraser link

1/8/2020 12:57:20 pm

You did well with your goals!!!
Here's hoping 202 is seen better!!

Lee Lowery link

1/8/2020 01:41:30 pm

Congrats on a very productive year! I did hit some goals - finished a first draft, got a story selected for a podcast, and made progress on a short story collection. 2020 is going to be a great year!

Tonja Drecker

1/8/2020 03:07:01 pm

That's a lot of words in one year, and with the book too (one I thoroughly enjoyed btw)...wow. Congrats! That reminds me that I need to leave a review for you for another book too, I believe. Happy New Year!

Susan M Gourley link

1/8/2020 03:31:08 pm

You did accomplish a lot last year. Congrats. I'm quite envious.

Lynda R Young is Elle Cardy link

1/8/2020 03:39:06 pm

Wow! You wrote over 220K words? I'm impressed! May 2020 be just as full of achievement!

J.H. Moncrieff link

1/8/2020 05:38:38 pm

Congrats on all your accomplishments! That's a lot to be proud of.

I didn't write anywhere near as much as I wanted to last year, but I did land the biggest book deal of my career thus far (thanks to my agent); published two more novels; was chosen by the local writer's festival to overnight in a historic haunted house and write about it; and was the on-air guest writer for a true crime series that has subsequently sold. There have been worse years, that's for sure.

Rebecca Douglass link

1/8/2020 07:00:49 pm

I think you had a truly impressive year! Seems like no matter our accomplishments, there's always something more we wanted to do--maybe because we have so many visions and stories in our heads clamoring to get out? I say--keep up the good work!

Chemistken link

1/8/2020 07:01:04 pm

I only managed to finish one first draft, and I started that years ago, so four first drafts sounds epic to me. Congrats!

Samantha Bryant link

1/9/2020 05:30:07 pm

Sounds like a great year! May 2020 be even better! @samanthabwriter from
<a href="http://samanthabryant.com">Balancing Act</a>

Alex J. Cavanaugh link

1/10/2020 08:04:01 am

I'd say you did really well. That's a lot of words.
Sorry so late. I finally remembered to add your blog to my Feedly today!

Victoria Marie Lees link

1/10/2020 01:31:13 pm

Bravo, Patricia! You wrote 4 first drafts? That's wonderful! Seriously, well done!! I finished a solid first draft of my college memoir. I hope 2020 will give me a solid final draft.

May 2020 be full of more success for you.