Novels and Narrations No 16

Last Updated on March 30, 2022 by ThoughtsStained

Welcome back to another monthly post in my Novels and Narrations blog series! In this series, you get updates on my writing in all facets: from celebrations and excitement to dealing with imposter syndrome, hopelessness and rejection. Thanks, as always, for caring about my work as a writer and supporting me in this way. ❤

A tad spoiler alert for this post, which you may have already gathered from Twitter. But: I wrote this month! 🥳

Writing Intentions for the Year

As a quick refresher, here are my writing intentions for the year:

• Create a healthy, low-pressure but regularly-kept writing routine
• Continue to work on my MFA and work to improve potential writing weaknesses
• Write draft zero of my fantasy romance WIP, tentatively titled THE BECKONED AND THE BOUND (TBATB)
• Form more friendships with writers and better support those friends who are already on this writing journey with me

So, now that we’re refreshed, how did I do in March?

March Accomplishments

My specific goals for March were as follows:

• Write 4X a week
• Figure out research rhythm
• Make writing a priority
• Enjoy writing again

This was overarchingly a win, even if it wasn’t as structured as I hoped for. I wrote 11 days out of 31 or 35% of the month on my TBATB. It was a total of almost 9,000 words. Some days were almost 2,000+ words and others, only 100. But I am working on trying to prove to myself that you can write in small snippets; you can find time in the day and it will add up.

I enjoyed it. I missed it.

On the research front, I’m still figuring out a routine. I did manage to read 133/236 pages of Viking Age: Everyday Life During the Extraordinary Era of the Norsemen by Kirsten Wolf. I have a done of notes already and I’m feeling good about it.

Did I hit writing 4x per week regularly? No. Did I manage to complete an entire research novel, type up my notes and start brainstorming how to implement it into my novels? Also no. But did I make worlds of progress compared to January and February? Hell yes.

That’s a win I’ll take.

April Focuses

Now, for April. I want to continue my momentum, but also focus it. I’m not sure if I can figure out how to select a specific time each evening (my goal is roughly 6:30-7:30pm) to write, but I’d like to try. I’d also like to see if I can incorporate mornings on the weekend, while still balancing all the other commitments.

So, goals for April are:

• Write 4X a week, specifically
  • Monday: 6:30-7:30
  • Tuesday: 6:30-7:30
  • Thursday: 6:00-6:30
  • Saturday: 10:00-11:00
• Complete research book one and start research book two
• Continue to enjoy writing and make it a priority
• Connect with more writer friends?

In Sum

It’s a refreshing change of pace to write a positive summation in this Novels and Narrations series. It feels like many of these posts were lamenting lack: lack of time, lack of motivation, lack of confidence. Many of those elements are still present, but finding ways to push back and conquer anyway has been bliss. Onward to more writing adventures!

Thanks for supporting me in my own journey and reading another installment of Novels and Narrations! ❤