To A Fresh Start

In 2024, I'm going to try and do more rough drafts. That way when I start writing something for a contest, it will be a bit more planned.

And I'll have a better concept of how the story should go. Instead of just winging it like I have been for a few stories in the past. Also so that I can get things in the best order as well. That way the story I intend to post can flow a lot more smoothly then before. It'll also feel a lot more cohesive and finished once I do that, too.

I also plan on not rushing myself this year when it comes to writing. I feel as though last time, I pushed myself too hard and now I find it hard to write a few lines. Even if the end of the challenge isn't for a little over two weeks or so. That I'll stop worrying about what someone might say about what I have written. Or what I might start writing, too. Putting more emphasis on being kinder to myself when it comes to writing something.

I'll also make more time to start writing for a challenge. Take a few hours to start and finish when I'm not feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Which, hopefully, wouldn't be too hard for me to do.

I also plan on writing more then just horror as a genre. Maybe writing a few more light hearted things if I get the chance. Like a gentle romance for once. Though I do want to finish a horror story that I've written for a year now. Then possibly get to writing some romance and family stuff a little bit later. For now, I'm going to finish writing the horror story that I have wanted to finish for months now. And hopefully people will actually love the ending once it's up. If not, then I'll be proud of myself for finally finishing something that I started last year. It'll be the most fun thing that I've done in a long time.

I also plan on giving out more compliments to people's stories this year. Telling them how much I like their stories. And giving out more likes than last or the previous year.

I just want to be able to feel much more connected to a community then I had the previous year. As well as be able to talk to others about how their work has improved over that time.

I also love how the challenges have inspired me to write more. Giving me much more challenging ideas on how to write a scene. Or a P.O.V that I wouldn't have thought of before writing here. Like the walls have eyes challenge. That was one of the more difficult ones that I have done in the past. Along with making me reflect upon myself with various identities challenges that I never would have thought of in the past. It also makes me want to write more trans men protagonists. People who are more like me then the protagnists that I have written in the past.

Writing sibling relationships in ways that I hadn't done in the past, too.

I want to be able to write something and maybe have someone connect with it. Or see themselves in it as well. To show someone that they're not alone in their identity. That they're not alone in their feelings, either. And that there are other people who have similar experiences to themselves. Maybe even inspire them to write protagonists and stories like how I was in the past.

And probably still will be.