It’s First Wednesday, so it’s time for another of our IWSG posts!
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 was 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?
My word for 2023 is going to be conflict, as in more and better in my stories. I started writing back in the days when every story wasn’t a thrill-ride, so sometimes it’s hard for me to ramp up the action in every scene. But if I’m going to sell in today’s market, I need to work on that, learn to go from one tense situation to the next, pausing only long enough to explain anything that needs it. I’ve been reading more modern sci-fi as well, studying how the big-sellers are doing it. It can’t be that hard to learn the technique. I do believe you can teach old dogs new tricks. And if I can learn not to space twice after a period, I can learn to add conflict.
It’s difficult, being an insecure writer and still having the confidence to assume you can learn how to write better. There’s always that little voice in the back of your head, saying it’s just not possible. But I’m going to persevere and work hard at it. I think I’ll do OK in the end. Maybe 2023 will be the year I sell that novel instead of just short pieces.
