#IWSG Jan 2020: My Writing Journey and Goals for 2020

Posted January 8, 2020 in Creative Writing / 8 Comments

The Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post to boost my confidence and encourage myself to engage with the writing community. The IWSG post on the first Wednesday of every month.

This month’s awesome co-hosts are:   T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff!  

Happy New Year! I hope 2020 brings lots of love, luck, health and happiness to you all.

2019 seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, but it was a pretty good year for me. I had my first short story published in the IWSG anthology Masquerade: Oddly Suited, I turned 30, visited Cyprus and started a new job as a Literacy Learning Assistant. I also started joining in with the WEP flash fiction prompts, which has given me helpful feedback and much-needed encouragement.

This month’s optional question:

What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just “know” suddenly you wanted to write?

I’ve always had a good imagination and almost as soon as I could write I began creating my own stories with pictures. I was very lucky to have supportive parents and grandparents who provided me with all the books I could want and helped me with my reading and writing before I started school. I also had a wonderful primary school headmaster who encouraged me to be creative and pushed me to achieve the best I could.

When I was about 7, I came 2nd in an Enid Blyton inspired writing competition, and the following year I won it. It was quite a big deal for me at the time, and the local paper even came to my primary school to take pictures. I remember feeling really proud and knowing that writing was something I wanted to do forever.

Goals for 2020

The main things I want to accomplish in 2020 are:

  • Finish my science fantasy novel and send to beta readers/sensitivity readers (this is my main goal which will take priority over the others)
  • Complete at least six short stories
  • Submit at least four stories for publication
  • Take part in at least 4 of the WEP challenges
  • Take part in the Blogging from A-Z Challenge
  • Take part in Camp NaNoWriMo
  • Read at least 30 books
  • Publish at least 4 blog posts a month
  • Send out at least 4 newsletters

Do you have any writing or reading goals for 2020?

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8 responses to “#IWSG Jan 2020: My Writing Journey and Goals for 2020

    • Those kind of writing opportunities for children are so important in developing confidence. I hope you achieve all your goals for this year, Jennifer.

  1. What great encouragement as a young writer. You definitely deserved to feel proud!

    Good luck with Camp NaNo! I’ll likely be participating in both this year myself. And happy IWSG day!

  2. Those are fantastic goals. Best of luck on finishing your novel!
    I echo you on the book reading goal. I read maybe 1 or 2 books last year (See! I can’t even remember how many. 😆) I set the bar low, one per month this year.

    • Thank you! I think I managed about ten books last year. I’m envious of people who get through hundreds. I’d like to read more this year but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself as I’m already spinning plates. C’est la vie!

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