2022 in Review

Free man writing a table

In 2021, I decided my word for my writing in 2022 would be ‘focus.’

Focus was something I really struggled with starting in 2019 when my husband was in and out of the hospital. 2020, as you can imagine, didn’t help those issues at all. But 2022 was possibly the most difficult year for me with writing.

I struggled.

I wrote two novellas last year. I love both of them. But it’s nowhere near what I usually manage to write.

Focus was probably not the best word to have picked.

Or maybe, it was.

I think, if nothing else, I learned a few lessons about being kind to myself. I definitely learned some painful lessons and taking a step back when I need to do so. And I also figured out when I need to push–and when not to do so when it comes to writing.

So, what did I manage by December 2022?

Farm to Fabre
Stubbed Toes and Dating Woes

How about 2023? What do I hope to achieve this year?

A Cosy Mystery novella trilogy (I’ve already wrapped up book 1.)
An Ace Romance

My word for this year is joy. To put that into action, my phrase for the year is finding what brings me joy in writing. Something I’ve found is incredibly important for me.

How about you? How did you manage in 2022? And what are you hoping to do this year?

My Favourite Pomodoro Technique Videos

My word for the year in my writing life for 2022 is focus. 2020 and 2021 were definitely years that I struggled to focus.

Struggled so much.

And I don’t think I was the only person struggling.

Focus has always been difficult for me as an autistic but the last few years haven’t done much to help.

In an effort to manage better, i’ve begun using the Pomodoro technique once again. It’s helped me in the past. This time though, I’m using YouTube videos instead of just using a timer.

The Pomodoro Technique is essentially where you work for a certain period of time then take a break for a bit. And repeat. I usually go for 15-30 minutes then take a 5 minute break.

More about the PT here: https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique

The ones I’ve been using are technically ‘study with me’ videos. But they work great for writing as well. I’ve also been trying to make sure I get up and stretch during the break time. I’m terrible at sitting for long periods without moving around.

My favourite channel for videos is: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSherryFormula

This is the video in particular I’ve been using this past week for writing:

2021 in Review

In 2020, I decided my word for my writing in 2021 would be have fun.

2019 and 2020 were such rough years that I hoped to try to have fun with my writing.

And for the most of the year, my brain went:

It wasn’t until I started moving into planning my NaNoWriMo novel that I finally began to enjoy myself.

In any case, I thought it might be fun to do a review of what I’d hoped to accomplish this year.

What did I hope to write/accomplish in 2021?

Motts book 3 and 4
Podcast book 3 and maybe 4
Start book one of a super secret project

What have I managed by December 2021?

Podcast 3.
Motts 3.
And I should finish wrapping up Motts 4 by the end of the year. (I’m writing this in advance lol.)

Over all? Given we are still in a global pandemic (and how badly I did in 2020)?

I’m pleased I did far better than I imagined.

How about 2022? What do I hope to achieve next year?

Motts book 5
Book 1 in a new series
*insert super secret project*

How about you? How did you manage in 2022? And what are you hoping to do next year?

2020 in Review

In 2019, I decided my word for 2020 would be balance.

And about March 2020 went….

giphy-downsized (5)

I thought it might be fun to do a review of what I’d hoped to accomplish this year.

What did I hope to write/accomplish in 2020?

Motts book 2 and 3
Podcast book 1 and 2
Patreon

Where am I at in December 2020?

Said goodbye to Patreon
Finished three novels instead of four
Started a cozy mystery group

Over all? Given we dove headfirst into a global pandemic this year?

Not bad. Better than I imagined.

How about 2021? What do I hope to achieve next year?

Motts book 3 and 4
Podcast book 3 and maybe 4
Start book one of a super secret project

How about you? How did you manage in 2020? And what are you hoping to do next year?

Balance

giphy

If 2018 had a word for me, it would be unbalanced. At least, that’s how the last six months of the year have gone. You know when you set goals/deadlines for yourself, and things start to pile up? And then it’s like a snowball rolling downhill, and you’re the target?

That was me.

So, for obvious reasons, my goal for 2019 is ‘balance’.

Balance in writing. Balance in my personal life. All about balance.

(How many times can I use the word balance in one post?)

My plan is to tackle this issue in a few ways.

I don’t know about other authors, but I struggle with all recommendations for ‘how an author should author.’ All those ‘experts’ who have the latest greatest advice. I think you have to be careful not to fall down every single rabbit hole with them.

And it is SO hard not to.

There’s always the latest greats ‘everyone is signing up for it’ new social media app or site. Mewe anyone?

Here’s the truth we never want to accept. You can’t be on EVERY single site. You can’t follow every piece of advice. You can’t be all things to all people (I think Lincoln said that.)

You just can’t.

There’s only so much of my brain power I can give.

I’m autistic, balance is crucial for me. If I push myself too far, I shut down. It’s horrible for my health to continue pushing and pushing.

That was 2018 for me.

Unhealthy.

So, 2019?

All about that bass…I mean balance.

What’s your word for 2019?

New Year Resolution.

TheEnd

Or is it the beginning?

The end of one year and the start of another is always a time of reflection for me. I usually go through my goals from the previous year and my hopes for the upcoming one. I find it a good time to be honest with myself.

I didn’t quite achieve all of my writing goals in 2015.

Misguided Confession (Elaine’s story) is still floundering at 15k, far shy of the 50k I’d hoped to reach by the end of the year. It was side-lined by my m/m romance, After the Scrum. I’ve put Elaine’s story on the front burner for 2016 with a goal to write at least 1k a day until it’s finished.

*fingers crossed*

Do you have any end of the year traditions? Do you set goals for yourself?