2014 Blog Recap

Thank you so much for making this year rock in the blogosphere! When I started this blog I had no idea it would connect me to so many wonderful readers and writers. As my journey as a writer continues, I count myself lucky to have all of you along for the ride!

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The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 45,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 17 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

2013 Goals: Year In Review

When I set my 2013 goals, I had no idea just how much I’d learn from reaching some of the goals on my list and utterly failing at others. We all walk into goals with the best of intentions, but sometimes failing is just as important as succeeding. After all, without mistakes we’d never learn what doesn’t work.

For example, I learned setting sub-goals may be an organized way of thinking, but it doesn’t suit my writing process. My muse did not like the feeling of a micromanager hovering over her for most of the year, so the concept of sub-goals went out the window by June.

While I didn’t accomplish everything on my list, I still consider 2013 a very successful year in terms of writing. I ended up completing the goals that challenged me the most and pushed me to be a little braver.  By the end of the year I had a completed final draft for Novel #2 and I found the courage to pitch it. A few years ago, all of this would have been impossible for me to even consider. I’ve come a long way!

Like last year, I kept track of my goals on a makeshift spreadsheet. Here’s the rundown for each goal:

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I’m already putting together my goals for 2014. While I’m keeping them relatively simple, I’m also making sure they push me to go a little further.

How did you do on your 2013 goals?

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c.b.w. 2013

Favorite Thing Friday: Blogging in 2013

With the close of 2013, my archive holds another year of blogging. Between documenting my adventures in novel writing, sharing photographs and poetry, playing with creativity, and exploring random thoughts, this blog has been a source of immense joy. Thank you to all of my readers for continuing to stop by to read and leave comments. Your presence here never fails to inspire me to write and pursue multiple outlets of creativity.

Thanks to the WordPress stats helper monkeys, I can share what we did together:

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 38,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 14 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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In 2014, my journey as a writer continues as well as pursuits in creativity. Here’s what I’m considering for the coming year:

• A special series of Wreck This Journal posts or another Keri Smith adventure
• The return of New Familiars (a series about everyday things around the globe)
• Guest bloggers (I plan on inviting, writers, poets, and other creative spirits to share their talents and advice)
• The continuation of Sunday Abroad
• Continuation of photo art
• Book Reviews
• Posts about knitting (sorry, can’t help it), arts and crafts
• The continuation of Favorite Thing Friday
• A possible return of the Scribble Diary series

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What else would my wonderful readers be interested in reading about in this space? I’m all ears!

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c.b.w. 2013

2012 Goals: Year in Review

When I set seven goals back in January 2012, I had no idea just how far I would come and how much would change as I worked through each month. Overall, I consider myself quite successful even though I didn’t achieve every goal with perfection. I learned a few things and realized that sometimes a new direction is needed rather than plodding along on the same path for the sake of reaching a benchmark. For a goal oriented person such as myself, this is a huge leap and I’m glad to have learned how to be a little more flexible with my determination.

December turned out to a month full of distractions beyond my control. My muse opted to stay silent as I dealt with family situations, health issues, and the holiday season. Normally, I would be incredibly frustrated with a quiet muse, but given the circumstances of the last few weeks I decided to take a small break from writing to get my reality back in order. Starting tomorrow, however, that break is officially over as I consider my goals for 2013 and jump back into editing Novel #2.

To recap my 2012 goals, I couldn’t stop myself from creating a little chart much like I did for NaNoWriMo. One side of the chart backtracks to where I was when each goal began and the other side shows where I stand as 2012 comes to a close.

Goal #1: Submit 5 pieces of writing.

To read my submissions visit the following links:

Fatespeak

Blueberry Hunt

The Expanding Pear

Poetry

Goal #2: Finish minor changes in Novel #1

Goal #3: Work on Novel #2

I am so excited to jump back into Novel #2! Within the next week, I’m hoping to send the first five chapters to a beta reader.

Goal #4: Send out 5 query letters.

World Literary Cafe is a fantastic resource for aspiring writers and people who love to read. I highly recommend it as it is a great to place to hang out with people who love the written word.

Goal #5: Keep up with my blog.

Thank you so much to my readers! Your visits and comments are an amazing source of motivation and inspiration for me as a writer. Whether it be musings by way of fiction, crafts, or poetry, it’s a good feeling to know people care about what I’m writing!

Top 5 posts of 2012

1. Wreck This Journal: Letting Go

2. Wreck This Journal: Time Flies

3. Wreck This Journal: Be Unpredictable

4. Wreck This Journal: Stay Positive

5. Beautiful Book Inscriptions

Goal #6: Network more with other writers.

Here’s where post various musings on writing and the creative process:

Facebook 

Twitter

Goal #7: Inspire others to keep writing.

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Now, it’s time to start considering goals for 2013! Hmmm . . . I have a lot to ponder.

Happy New Year!

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c.b.w. 2012