Writing Novels Is Masochism

I have so many writing feelings.

I hate telling people I write novels. I have burned drafts to the ground and started again so many times. It is just. so. depressing.

I restart the same novel from the beginning again and again and AGAIN.

It feels baaaaaaaaaaad.

Writing stories is not my job. Writing grounds me and focuses me. It gets all the hyped up hamsters in my brain to CHILL OUT FOR ONE MINUTE.

Writing allows me to make cool things and feel good about making those things.

I like who I am when I write, EXCEPT when I am plunging into an abyss of sadness and despair because my novel isn't coming together like I want it to.

I joined Vocal originally to help manage my creative energy. I came here to change my approach to writing.

Honestly, it has made a world of a difference.

Vocal is effective for me because the pieces are shorter (at least than a novel), have deadlines (which I can move on from when I am done), and encourage me to write differently (whether that be genres or topics, which is unexpectedly fulfilling).

For 2024, I am going to read more, write more, and reflect more on Vocal to be the consistent, writing juggernaut that I've always wanted to be.

(And also to stave off the ever pending writing sads, which keep me from being my best self.)

Read other writers' works more.

Good writers are good readers. I didn't initially approach this as a community, but I want to think more about how other people write their stories, what works, what doesn't, and hopefully meet some cool people along the way.

Enter more challenges.

Historically, I write challenges, almost exclusively. This is why I joined to originally, and I want to enter even more.

Challenges are deadline-based. They are diverse. They force me to complete something, be satisfied, and move on. Even if the it wasn't exactly what I wanted or if I wish I dedicated more time, it feels good to get to done.

Challenges increase my output of creative experimentation in a lower stakes environment.

Do I want to win? Of course. That also is part of the motivation to enter in the first place.

But in terms of my writing practice, regularly completing work from beginning to end not only helps me grow as a writer, but makes me generally feel more balanced.

So let's see what you've got, Vocal, because I am here to play!

Write about writing.

While different than what I normally do, writing about the writing process also helps me improve my writing practice. There was a time when I tried too hard to imitate other writers' writing habits, and it did not help me be successful because I am not them.

(For example, writing at dawn is never going to be in the cards for me.)

I want to spend more time exploring various writing approaches and tactics to find a good writing process for different types of people in different types of situations. If I can help another writer find something that works for them, that would be the maple syrup on my writing pancakes.

I love process. I love talking about process, and it's time I actually wrote about process.

Goals are ready. Mindset is focused. Let's write!

Looking forward to what you have in store, 2024! I am ready to create cool things and level up my writing. Let's get this creative energy pumping!

Bonus!

As a special message to anyone who made it all the way to the bottom:

Hello, you beautiful creature!

Whatever creative pursuit you are seeking this year, whatever you make or create, whatever you pursue, I hope it lets you shine as your brightest, best self. I'm rooting for you!

Fly high, and don't be afraid of falling!