2023 WRITING WRAPPED
Recapping my writing journey of 2023
2023 is over! Social media is full of writing goals and recaps, and while I usually leave this to my notebook I thought it would be good to get it down and share my experience this year! I filled notebooks, set up a nanowrimo account and completed a degree. It was the first year I pulled out my pencil case and really took writing and myself seriously, so it was a year full of words and writing achievements. Let’s look at the stats and highlights.
OVERVIEW
Short story submissions: twenty two
Short stories accepted: one
Short stories declined: sixteen
Short stories pending: five
Novels worked on: three
Short stories completed: seven
Short stories in drafting phases: who knows anymore. more than ten at least.
DEGREE
2023 was the year I completed a Masters Degree in Creative Writing, and with a distinction too! It was a lot of work: research, drafting, editing, essay writing…but overall one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had. I have made so much progress with my writing and identity in just one year. I will definitely miss talking about writing every week, but I have learnt and grown so much.Hopefully I can keep these conversations going myself! So I’m glad I went back and studied for my Masters; but let’s have a break before embarking on a PhD, eh?
PROJECTS
I am a mood writer through and through. And definitely a multi-tasker - one project just doesn’t cut it for me.
This year I shelved a novel I have been working on for more than two years (I think). I hadn’t formed a structured outline and was trudging through the document - around 40k words in and I was barely into the second act. I decided it was time to put it on the shelf and work on something else.
Then I began writing the first draft for an idea I worked on in my undergraduate degree. The novel become more complex and interesting but after writing 18k I realised this novel was too ambitious for me right now. It was mixed media and drafting was becoming a mess, I needed to find my footing writing a novel before approaching the task. What’s the point of doing something if you know you’re not ready to make it the best it can be?
So I then became inspired to revised a little idea I had last year and ended up outlining it into something much bigger and better than it was. Something that included lots of aspects I wanted to explore in writing but hadn’t figured out how to before. With this outline I attempted my first nanowrimo (!!! real writer or what !!!) but ended up falling behind quickly and managed 14.6k words in the month. BUT I did write everyday and it taught me loads about my process, making writing so much easier now. Also it was the most I’ve ever wrote in such a short time (I struggle a lot with concentration for certain periods of time), so I’m proud of that. Now that first draft is at 19.8k and is looking like it could become my first ever finished draft of a novel!
And of course I have been writing so many short stories! Drafting and editing and even sending some off. Two of which are desperate to find homes. And the others need editing!
On the topic of short stories I have also begun writing a collection….and it is going very very well. Some of my best writing yet.
PUBLISHING
2023 has been a bleak year for publishing my work. I am still without a credit to my name but I am so proud of my determination, after all that’s the most important part. I truly believe in 2024 my work will find homes! One of my short stories is set to be published in 2024 so I will definitely keep you updated on that. I already have a few submission calls on my list to sub to!
OPPORTUNITIES
Aside from writing and studying I have also been lucky to be involved in publishing opportunities. I spent a few months working for Divinations Magazine as an assistant editor for their cursed issue which was so fun and rewarding; the final issue was stunning and full of bewitching stories - definitely check it out! I also took part in the Society of Young Publishers Internship which taught me loads about working in publishing.
WHAT I’VE LEARNT
Write down every idea. Every single one.
Keep the progress steady and consistent.
Plotting is the way to go.
Fill notebook after notebook, then another hundred.
Return to ideas and skim notebooks often.
Sub sub sub.
Being part of writing community is so important.
Take writing and yourself as a writer seriously!
Overall my process, craft and writing self much better.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It was interesting to reflect on this year writing wise. It’s so easy to get stuck in the moment juggling everything, or to think of all the things you didn’t achieve, but I’m proud of what I’ve done this year. The year was full of hurdles and hectic times but I wrote a lot of words, had fun and explored my writerly identity. This was definitely my best writing year, and I can’t wait to see what 2024 holds! Now I just need to write down some goals…
But before I go I just want to thank you for all your reads and support this year! I know I’m not that active but I love having this space to dip into and chat. The Morbid Heart loves you all the way down into its undead core <3