52 Week Writing Challenge 2023

I was talking about doing it lately, and I’ve finally decided to do it. As I’m writing this, I’m one chapter away from finishing the rough rough draft of my second novel! I didn’t know I’d finish it this year but got on a roll for the last month and a half. Taking my first steps with this second novel feels like a significant accomplishment. Unlike writing my first Novel Toad Man, the writing is much better quality, and a more thought out story. I was improvising many times, but the entire process was leagues more organic and fulfilling.

Beginning the start of the new year I’m taking my long dormant rough draft of Toad Man and giving it a good slow fixing. I mean slow as in developing a chapter per week. I’ll be working on my second book as well but it won’t be the primary focus. Like Toad Man I need to put it away for a while so its flaws become more obvious when I write again. Both books require more world building and research, but I’m proud of both creations story wise.

This year I’ve written twenty-three flash fiction/ poetry pieces and ten (possibly twelve) articles. I’ve written and read about every day since July and plan to continue this habit into the new year. By its end I hope to have some material from Toad Man and my second novel to critique, but it is not a guarantee. I’m a moderate perfectionist at best and want to present readers with my best (while still draft phase) work.

If I’m able to amass a decent sized audience through my work, I will publish both works in their final stages. A process like this would take years so that goal is more of a longshot goal than a yearly goal. In the meantime I’ll continue to write short pieces and drafts, giving each the slow cooker treatment. I’m really excited to take Toad Man out again and add on to its world building. The main character’s internal world is fascinating and could make a great ARG.

I am very excited to start this year. Hopefully, all goes well and I can make solid improvements to my stories (perhaps plant seeds for new ones). For me, these stories should shine in their style and tone. They’re difficult concepts to implement well in stories all will require a lot of work to figure out.

Those are my current thoughts on my writing and current place I’m in. Thanks for anyone reading that has followed along. If anyone is doing the 52 week challenge. Let me know in the comments. Happy new year to everybody!