It’s the first Wednesday of the month, and the last Wednesday of the year. Much to my chagrin, I haven’t finished my book yet. It’s not for a lack of trying. I just spent three months trying to get one chapter to work correctly. After redoing it multiple times, I think I got it to an acceptable state so I can move on to the final battle.
But a month isn’t long at all.
I’ve got a plan laid out for the massive monster fight, but I thought I had a plan for the previous chapter that just wouldn’t work. So am I insecure? You bet.
There isn’t any consequence for not meeting my goal, other than feeling like a failure for having spent another year without a finished draft. I don’t have anyone clamoring for my next book. But I really thought this would be the year. *sigh*
IWSG Question of the Month – Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?
Maybe I’m misinterpreting the intention of this question, but to me, critiquing should come before publication. It’s intended to improve the story before its final version. If you’re going to tell the author what they did wrong, then have the courtesy of telling them in the privacy of email. However, I do think its fair to express your personal dislike of certain elements as a warning to other readers, but it’s a bit late to be telling the author what they should change, because the story’s already out there.
Are there any goals you’re still hoping to squeeze in before the end of the year? Did you accomplish anything cool this year? Are you looking forward to 2024?
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Yep, it’s too late at that point.
Sorry you didn’t finish. Deep breath and keep working on it.
You are so hard on yourself! You have a ton of stuff going on in your life. Plus, your stories are massive. I have no idea how you can keep all of that in your head. Just do what you can, just keep going. 🙂
Sorry that you didn’t meet your goal. But you’re getting there. I’ve haven’t been working on revising my manuscript these last months so I didn’t meet my goals either. But I’m just going to plug along as I can.
Feeling like a failure for having spent another year without a finished draft. Yeah. I can relate to that all too well. Here’s hoping you sail through that final battle with unexpected ease and finish that draft before the year is out! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
January and February usually turn out to be good writing months for me. The house is all neat and tidy from pre-holiday cleaning, and it’s too cold to go outside. Maybe you’ll find some writing time in early 2024. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
I know it can be a bummer not to finish, but the race isn’t over yet! Throw a little pity party then get back to it. You’ll get there.
I can’t count how many goals I’ve left out there lately. Don’t let it get to you. In fact, let’s form a coalition of “Behind in Goals Writers.” I’ll bet we’d have a large group.
When I used to query agents, they always wanted to know I had my book critiqued/edited–as you say before publishing. That might be why I have become a bit impatient of writers who throw a story out there for a writers’ group with lots of simple mistakes that should have been cleared up.
I agree: editorial critique after publication is totally unnecessary. I never do that, but I often say in my review what I dislike in particular. It makes more sense to me than simply saying “…horrible book, not recommended.”
Goals for the rest of the year? Oh, dear. Yeah, I have a goal. I want to finish my sci-fi novella. But I doubt I will. After all, I haven’t so far. :((
I can relate to frustration at not finishing projects on the timeline I projected. I’m glad you were able to wrestle that chapter into shape–too bad it took so much of your valuable time!
I like the idea of a private comment with negative feedback.
Privacy, always for anything negative, remembering what www stands for.
Not finishing to your own or someonelse’s deadline ?
Sometimes – make that often -other claims on our time need prioritising.
I’m wrestling with something now, would love to get it right by Christmas.
Hope 2024 will be better for everyone.
We are sliding into the busiest time of the year. Give yourself a break.
I wonder what you would say to me if I said I’m almost there, but I’m going to miss my deadline. Would you say, ask for an extension? Would you say, where would you be if you hadn’t given yourself a deadline? Would you say, you’re only human…
I wonder, and more than that, I suspect your book would not be so far along, so give yourself a new deadline and a special gift when you finally do finish.
For me, I say well done. You’ve come far this year and deserve a huge hug ,or three. 😉
A year is an arbitrary measure, really. And, you should be proud that you are persevering with the novel rather than giving up and tossing it aside. You will finish it. And you should crow about how you managed to tackle it with the time proudly declared. Enjoy the rest of the year, and start fresh in January. You’ve accomplished so much already. Congratulate yourself for how far you’ve gotten.
Goodness, Loni, try not to be so hard on yourself. If you only knew how long it took me to finish my WIP. It was only when I relaxed that everything worked out. Trust me, kindness to yourself first then everything will all into place.
You said it excellently.
Lee
Same, I’m behind on one or two of my goal. 🙁
I hate it when I don’t meet the goals I’ve set for myself. I’m definitely in that boat with you right now. My WIP is coming along very slowly. I hope you make good progress soon! Maybe after the holidays, we’ll both get a burst of energy and productivity…
The year isn’t over yet, so keep going. Even if you don’t finish, you’ve accomplished a lot.
Have a Merry Christmas!