Goodbye to 2021 and an update for 2022

[m_findlow]

Another year down! Where did it go?


Not sure if anyone is still reading this blog, but thought I'd post an update anyway to let folk know that 2022 will be a year where I downgrade my writing posts.

After seven years of relentless writing, I need a bit of a breather. Life is busier and work is more demanding. More than anything, I'd like some space to work on bigger projects, which at the current rate of weekly challenges, just isn't possible. Anyone who knows my posting schedule knows I'm always posting right on the deadline, and I'm always guilting myself to keep up every weekend. There simply isn't time for anything else in between.

So… this isn't a stop on writing altogether, just more selective entries for communities when a prompt strikes inspiration. It's been an agonising decision to make for many months now, but I told myself I'd see it out to the end of the year.

Hopefully it means I can also finish a few WIPs that have been hanging around since 2014, including my very first fic that got me into writing in the first place. Looking forward to getting stuck back into some of them, and starting some new ones, as well as getting back into crafting, baking and photography.

Wishing you all a safe and happy 2022!

Comments

[bk_forever]

I'm of a similar mindset at present, I want more time for crafting, gardening, and finishing unfinished fics, plus actually reading some by other people, so I've only pledged 150k for next year so I don't feel I have to write so much each day. I've also skipped the last three anythingdrabble prompts because I wasn't inspired, and will probably only manage a drabble or double drabble for slashthedrabble. I have an idea, but it won't stretch to 500 words.

Writing shouldn't be stressful and when it starts to be, that's the time to ease back. Good luck with your WiPs, and hopefully you'll pop up with crafting updates more often too.

Happy New Year! *hugs* Hope 2022 will be a year of wonderful things for you.

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

Yes, I only signed up for 150k as well. I think it's doable without having to stress about it during the year. I only just hit my 300k target this year since I only wrote one long-it fic for spook_me and no others.
Definitely hoping to take some of the pressure off myself this year, though might take some mental retraining.
Here's to a hopefully fab 2022 (and we'll done you making it into the Tales of the Matrix Christmas edition!) :)

[bk_forever]

Yay! We'll both make our 150k, I'm sure! It's nice having a lower number of words top aim for each day, but yes, re-training ourselves might be the hardest part, although... Over the last two years of last year, I didn't write anything new, just picked four of my un-posted fics, edited and expanded them, and posted them. I'm getting down to ones than need the most work, and the ones I wrote the most recently for fan_flashworks and fandomweekly.

Well done for reaching your 300k for 2021. I've been mentally cheering you on all year.

Um... thanks, but what is Tales of the Matrix and how did I get in there? I know I got into the Gallifrey Guardian Christmas edition, which I'm suitably chuffed about, but I don't know Tales of the Matrix, or I don't think I do...

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

Good luck with your unposted wips! And Tales from the matrix is just the name of the magazine that the Guardians of Gallifrey put out so they're the same. I like that they're including more Torchwood (and just glad it's back at all really). :)

[bk_forever]

Thanks, good luck with yours too!

Ah, I didn't miss something then. They contacted me in a bit of a rush at the last minute to ask if they could use my fic. It's a crossover with Doctor Who, otherwise they might not have been interested, but it's the second time I've been published there so I'm very happy. It's quite an honour!

[debris4spike]

Good luck with whatever you do in 2022

I have actually upped my scribble this year — I think things go in cycles, don't they?

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

I've been taking some small steps back from writing, too. You're right--it's a tough decision that engenders some guilt (why?!), but I've felt lighter and less stressed since. You will, too.

Good luck with the bigger projects!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year! To you and yours.

Writing should be enjoyable. It's great you still find it so. Good luck with your new plan.

[jo02]

I sympathise with you wanting to slow down some - I also love the idea of some longer fics from you this year, because you do them really well.

[m-findlow.livejournal.com]

That's very kind. Hope I don't disappoint!