Again, I’m caught by surprise by the arrival of December. Sorry to use an old cliché, but I just don’t know where the time goes. In last week’s post, I mentioned that I don’t feel like I’ve achieved much this year, but a closer look tells a different story.
Non-achievements
First, let’s look at what I haven’t achieved. Since I decided to get my backside in a chair before my laptop and write regularly, I’ve drafted a new novel every year for the last five years.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I haven’t done NaNoWriMo this year, and I’m not sure if I’ll be participating again after the drama that has ensued. It’s a shame because the accountability helps me to get the words down. Not necessarily quality words, but the words are on the page. However, as someone who works in safeguarding, I can’t support an organisation that can’t keep its members safe.
I’ve still not published any of my full-length novels and I’ve not set up a newsletter. Fingers crossed; I can achieve these things next year.
As you will know, my reading has suffered this year. I aimed to read 52 books and the year started so well, but I’m not sure I’ll make that target before the end of the month. I’m only about two books behind, so it’s achievable. If only I could get swept into a book like I used to. Sigh.
Achievements in 2023
So, what have I achieved?
At the start of the year, I finished drafting part two of my time-travel trilogy, and I would like to draft the final part before the end of this year. For the rest of the year, I’ve been editing book three in my Men of Trade series and re-writing book four. I want to get book four finished before the end of this month.
In August, my short story was published as part of the Austen Tea Party anthology, and we raised over $1000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It’s no longer on sale, and I now have my rights back. I need to decide what to do with the story; I may make it a freebie.
As well as all that writing, I’ve been furiously working on marketing. I’ve read lots of marketing books this year and done a few marketing courses. At the moment, it’s all about building my brand and I’m making small progress at growing a following. I gained 27 more subscribers to this blog. Thank you for joining me, and I hope you enjoy my content. I’m grateful for your support this year and I can’t wait to continue this journey together. I’ve also gained followers for my Facebook page, but my visibility on the platform formerly known as Twitter is almost non-existent. That’s why I’ve set up an account on Instagram, and you can follow me here.
Since the start of the year, I’ve managed my weekly Monday post and really enjoyed what I’ve called my “Bianca Babbles” posts. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and I plan to continue them in the new year. My history posts are a highlight of my blogging, and as a history nerd, I adore doing them. I wish I had as much love for the flash fiction posts, which have been a bit hit-and-miss for me. I may have to drop those posts next year because I find them difficult to fit in with everything else I have to work on.
Other notable achievements include beta reading and critiques, but not as much as I’ve done in the past. Again, finding the time to help other authors is a struggle and I should make more effort.
I don’t know why I feel like I haven’t achieved much, because quite clearly, I have. I suppose this post has helped me realise how much work I’ve done, and I should give myself a well-earned pat on the back.
We often forget, but it’s important to recognise and reward our achievements. What have you achieved this year, and have you made sure to give yourself a nice big reward for your efforts?
