Reviewing 2024 is an opportunity for this author to look back at her writing life for the past year. A look back at what I have accomplished, big or small, helps me to plan next steps for the new year. It is important to focus on the positives – what you were able to do rather than the rejections, less than shining critiques or contracts not offered.
What writing have you accomplished this year?
The first question for an author’s is to write down all of the things that you have accomplished this year. As an author you are writing most days, in your list you should include writing exercises, short stories, online challenges, projects you have started and anything that you have written or learned to advance your writing skills.
Here are some of my accomplishments for 2024
- StoryStorm Challenge – The challenge is to create 30 story ideas in 30 days.
- Teach Write Academy – supportive group of teachers who are writers. We write for an hour and a half multiple times a week.
- Miriam Laundry Participated in several author panels.
- Morning pages in my notebook
- 12×12 Challenge – completed the challenge by writing 17 picture book drafts in 12 months, edited and revised those stories.
- Submitted 10+ picture book submissions to agents
- Wrote 10 picture book reviews and posted to Amazon, B & N and Goodreads
- Just Write for Kids course completed
- Webinars – 10 webinars Pitches, Hooks, Writing Chapter Books, Writing Horror, AI, Re-visioning stories, comp titles and more
- Attended Picture Book Summit
- Made several Website updates
- Wrote a Weekly blog posts
- Monthly Newsletter for my subscribers
- World Read Aloud Day – Read Gertie Saves the Day to children via Zoom
- Attendee at the Women in Publishing Summit – Tickets are on sale now for 2025
- Wild Life Prairie Park – Virtual Reading of Gertie Saves the Day
- Highlights courses – I took several mini courses and online courses
- I Can Conference attendee
- Joined writing organizations – Long Island Authors, SCBWI, IBPA, Authors Guild
- Presentation – Writing a Picture Book for Teach Write Summer Camp
- Library Author Events/ Author Visits
- Television interview – The Storytellers Story
What were your writing goals for the past year?
As part of an author’s year in review you may want to visit the goals you set at the beginning of the year. I do not necessarily set goals for the new year. I prefer to have one word guide me throughout the year. My one word for 2024 was TRUST and it guided me through the entire year. When I look at the above list, it confirms that this year I TRUSTED myself and my gift of writing. Taking part in activities that were outside of my comfort zone allowed me to expand my learning. I was not successful at everything: I did not sell many books at the events, and I do not have an agent yet. The word Yet is the key to accomplishing anything. I just keep trying.
What have you learned from this writing year?
I have learned to read more picture books and use them as mentor texts. I learned to create more well developed characters, balance dialogue and action. How did I learn these things? A book, Writing Picture Books, which Is a wonderful book about writing picture books. Excellent advice and guidance for picture book writers.
Learning is essential for us to reach our publication goals. Learn by instruction, learn by reading and learn by doing. I am discovering gaps along my writing journey. I am always looking forward to learning new skills to help me become a better writer.
If I am going to write a story about a specific topic I need to read the other books that have been published on that topic. I try to find a unique voice or angle for my story. My critique partners tell me that I am relying on the illustrations too heavily. I need a strong page turning first page. This advice has helped me with the revision process. Each revision has made my stories stronger.
Did you invest in your writing this year?
I can say, unequivocally, that I have invested in my writing with workshops, webinars and reading all sorts of books and materials about writing and being an author. I am a life long learner and there is so much to learn about writing, editing, revising and publishing.
The most obvious investment is writing time. I write every morning. It is part of my morning routine. Since I love writing that’s not a difficult investment for me to make. I have the support of my family, friends and fellow authors from my writing groups. Deadlines are also a help for me to get my writing completed.
This investment check can help you see where you might need to invest next year. There are always new things to learn and new opportunities to learn. Trust me, I have already signed up for several opportunities in the new year. You might want to consider what is the best way for you to learn? I like to learn from books and webinars. The fact that a webinar can be accessed after the live event allows me to go back and take written notes. That’s what works for me. Whether you invest more writing time or invest money to improve your writing skills, value those investments because will move your writing forward.
Time to celebrate
Now it is time to take a look at your list and celebrate. You may not have signed a book contract or had your book published, but all writing counts. You cannot be a writer without writing. It is time to celebrate all of your successes. Having a book published does not make us writers, we are writers well before our first manuscript is accepted for publication. Publication makes us professional writers and while this is the ultimate goal for many writers. Be sure to include any writing that you have completed. It counts because you are a writer. Celebrate all of your successes whether they are big or small.
Early Alert
World Read Aloud Day is February 5th. This is one of my favorite days of the year. It is a free event and I can visit classrooms all of the United States and read my books. It is important to book early so if you are thinking about a visit please contact me as soon as possible. Learn more about World Read Aloud Day here.
With gratitude …
I am so glad you’re here. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am grateful that I can share my writing journey with you. It is an endless journey of learning and growing. A journey that I am enjoying.
I am now booking author visits for late spring, 2025 school year. If you are a classroom teacher, teacher assistant, Parent Teacher Association President, or After school Director I can work with you to create a visit that will meet the needs of your students. Please contact me to book your visit.
My website has been updates and it is now interactive. There are surprises everywhere. Click on the balloons and see where they take you. Can you find two writing videos? Freebies? A chocolate chip recipe? There’s even a special freebie to anyone who subscribes to my newsletter. Check out the resources for children, parents and teachers, librarians and homeschooling families.
Please consider purchasing a copy of Two Wins for Wiley or Gertie Saves the Day for gifts. The holidays are quickly approaching and books make great gifts. Books can be read over and over again. It is my wish to get as many books as I can into the hands of children. Children need to hear all kinds of stories. A book is the best gift for both children and adults!
Call to Action …
You can really help this author by leaving a book review on Amazon or Goodreads. You can leave a review for Gertie Saves the Day here or here. Two Wins for Wiley here or here. Reviews can be as easy as 2-3 sentences. It should take about 30 seconds to leave and would make a huge difference for this author.
