The awesome co-hosts for the January 4 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Debs Carey, Kim Lajevardi, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and T. Powell Coltrin!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
January 4 question – Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? For instance, in 2021 my word of the year was Finish. I was determined to finish my first draft by the end of the year. In 2022, my word of the year is Ease. I want to get my process, systems, finances, and routines where life flows with ease and less chaos. What is your word for 2023? Why?
Since 2009, I’ve run through a lot of words to set an intention for another year of writing. Some of the verbs have been improve, persist, succeed, enjoy, publish. In the noun category, I’ve chosen things like courage, empathy, patience, energy. Each time I’ve looked back over a year, I’ve been somewhat surprised to find that the word of the year was exactly what I needed to guide me through 365 days and whatever manuscript I happened to be laboring over.
This year, I’m recycling one of my previous words, and I’m returning to persist. After writing for some time now, the idea of keeping on is more important than ever. I may have to fudge a little and tag on energy, so I can actually achieve the lofty goal that persist sets.
I wonder what other words bloggers have chosen or if they have. It will be interesting.
And speaking of persist…here’s another shot at putting your work into the hands of an agent or a publisher. The #IWSGPit is coming on January 25, 2023. This all-day event starts at. 9:00 am and goes until 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. It’s exciting, instructive, and often rewarding for writers, so don’t miss it!
Here’s what to do:
Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and hashtag. On January 25, 2023, Tweet your pitch. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.
Quote of the Month:
Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.
Napoleon Hill
