I have been writing for about eighteen years. For much of that time, I have been trying to change myself as a writer and a creator. Some of that was important. When we learn, we are changing ourselves for the better. And when you are just getting started writing fiction, you need to learn the rules. You need to learn how to format dialogue, show instead of tell, and write in an active voice. There is so much to learn–so many ways to change for the better.
But that’s not the type of change I’m talking about. I’m talking about those other “rules” that we writers read about that make us feel we need to up our game. Learning the best way to finish a first draft. Building routines that will help us be productive. Training ourselves to write faster. Finding ways to make the best use of our time.
Don’t misunderstand me, it is good to learn new things. And those things aren’t bad things at all. It’s good to seek out bad habits and try new ways of doing things. That’s kind of what being a lifelong learner is all about. However, as I reflected on this new year and last year and all the years prior that I have been writing, it occurred to me that more than anything, I am still trying to make myself someone I am not.
This was a whole new kind of learning for me. This was a revelation.
In December, I talked about SIBCI, which stands for Shiny Idea is Better than Current Idea. I talked about how I have this “disease” that keeps me from my best work. One month later, I have decided that is not true. Yes, I do have that “trait.” And to make things simpler, moving forward I will rename this “trait” Shiny Squirrel Syndrome or SSS for short. But I will also no longer call it a disease. It is a personality trait. And a perfectly normal one, too. So, I will no longer look down upon SSS but embrace it. Because it is who I am. I am a random person. I have trouble keeping my attention focused on one project for prolonged periods of time. I’ve decided that is okay. I’m done trying to change things about myself that I really shouldn’t change.
In Hollywood, production houses produce movies. And most production houses are working on more than one project at a time. If you hear about a book that’s going to become a movie and look it up on IMDb, you might often see that the project is “in development.” This could mean a wide variety of things. It usually means they have bought the option to the project and have a green light to move forward. It could mean they are just getting started. It could mean they are raising funds. It could mean they are in casting. It could mean they are writing the screenplay. It could mean that the project has stalled for some reason and has been set on the back burner. Most of us regular folks have no idea what is really going on with the project. Hollywood production houses tend not to be too open-lipped about where all of their projects are at the moment. My point? This type of creating appeals to me and my personality. And I have decided to embrace it.
Before I go into that too much, I want to say that even with my newfound decision to embrace SSS, it is still important to me to try and set some goals each year. Trust me, with my SSS, I need boundaries, for sure. Usually, my goal sheet is more than ten titles long, and I know I’m not going to do 1/3 of it. So, I am trying a new approach in 2022. I have decided to set three loose goals. One goal for the new books I am planning to write, one goal to promote my backlist, and one marketing goal. This doesn’t mean I will stick to this. But it does give me permission to make some big decisions early on, which are usually financial decisions. And usually when I make a financial investment, I will stick to it. That said, here are my “three” goals for 2022:
1. Books I am planning to write
This is not projects that are in development. This is projects I am planning to finish. That said, in 2022 I will publish the first Magic Hunters novel in hardcover, paperback, and e-book. This book is currently complete in Kindle Vella, though it is a first draft that I am currently revising. I will officially do all the book release things in 2022 for this story. (I honestly hope I will be able to Indy publish the second book in October or November of this year, but I am not putting that down as a concrete goal at this time. Because I have no idea what the year holds for me.)
The other book I plan to finish his Onyx Eyes. I am writing this one on Kindle Vella as well, and it is almost complete. So finishing this one is a no-brainer. It is a first draft, however. So it will require beta readers and revisions and all of that.
At this point, those are the only two books I know without a shadow of a doubt I will complete this year. There is a third book that I will very likely write, but until I sign that contract I will not start that story. However, because of the possibility of that opportunity, I am hesitant to make new plans to write other books knowing that I will likely be signing that contract in the next month or two. So for that reason, I am going to leave the rest of the year blank. I will continue to work on Magic Hunters release things and Onyx Eyes revisions, plus all of my other “in development” projects during those months. There will be plenty to do.
2. Promoting my Backlist
I am still waiting to have the rights reverted to my Safe Lands trilogy, but since I don’t know how long that will take, I cannot make concrete goals to re-release that series in 2022. What I can do, however, is work on getting the books ready. Most publishers do not give final PDF files when rights are reverted. They simply return the copyright. That means I don’t have a final electronic copy of these three novels. My digital copies are ones that had yet to be final edited and proofread. So I can do one of two things: I can have the books scanned. Or I could read them with my Dragon dictation software. Scanning will cost money, though not all that much money. And reading them will take time. However, since I want to re-read them anyway and catch any typos or errors that made it into the final books, re-reading with Dragon seems like a decent plan.
Either way, it is smart for me to start to get the manuscripts for these three novels ready, so that when I do finally hear back from my publisher I will be ready to publish these independently. It also might be a good idea to get new covers made for these three books, but since I wanted to ask about purchasing the covers, I have to wait on that one. Though when re-releasing a series, it usually makes good sense to have new book covers made. It refreshes the series and gives it a new look that might appeal to new readers in a different way. I would also like to make the covers somewhat match my Thirst Duology. So, working on covers is another thing I could do for this series in 2022 so that it will be ready to indie publish the moment I receive that rights reversion letter.
3. One Marketing Goal
There is so much that I could do under the marketing category that it makes my head spin. For 2022, I have decided my ONE THING will be to master Facebook ads. I have dug my heels in for years in regards to advertising in general. I loathe putting money out into a void. However, I have recently had some experiences with Facebook ads that have worked for me, so I am a little more willing to experiment. I plan to learn more about them this year and try some ads with some of my backlist. I am hopeful that this will help my backlist sell better as well and help my older books find new readers.
In Development
Now that I’ve set some boundary goals, I’m going to explain what In Development looks like for me. I love so many story ideas. I have stories I developed ten years ago that still nag at my brain. You can likely relate. When I’ve been under contract, I was always very vigilant about not letting SSS distract me from my deadlines. And that’s fair. When you sign a contract, you’re making a commitment, and I take those very seriously. But I don’t have any contract commitments at present, so that means I am free to find new ways of working with my SSS.
I’ve decided to treat the Jill Williamson author business like a production studio. There are a lot of projects in development here at Jill Williamson Productions. Sure, Magic Hunters and Onyx Eyes are getting more attention at present. They’re further along in the process. It looks very likely that they will go all the way through production to publication. Pretty cool. But there are other projects I’ve been working on for years. Magic Hunters and Onyx Eyes cut in front of them for various reasons. I love those projects and have no intention of giving up on them. Right now, however, there is something broken about each of them, and I’m not sure what it is. So, I’m giving myself permission to set them aside until I figure out what it is or gain some new steam to dive in and investigate further. There there are the shiny new ideas that have completely captivated me for whatever reason. This all get new In Development folders (paper ones and folders on my computer). I will spend some time developing a characters and a synopsis/beat sheet. I want to see what happens when I put a little time in these ideas. Maybe nothing will happen. But one of these might be one of those projects that practically writes itself. So, I’m going to feed, water, and nurture all the ideas that come to me. Up they go into development, and when the urge strikes, I’ll spend a few hours on this one or that one. And as time goes on, I’ll have enough that I could pitch them to my agent. Maybe I’ll get a bite. Maybe I won’t. But what I refuse to do any more is feel guilty for SSS. It’s who I am. I’m tired of trying to change that about myself. I’m embracing it and learning to work with it.
Assignment Time
First, can you list three goals for 2022? You don’t have to stick with my categories. Those categories worked for me. But you might have different needs. Maybe you’ll have a first draft goal, an editing goal, and a social media goal. Or maybe you’ll have a pitch to X agents in 2022. Or maybe find a critique partner and swap manuscripts. Or learn how to write a story using the Hero’s Journey. This is going to be different for everyone.
Second, what do you think of the In Development idea? Would something like that work for you or drive you bonkers? I’m curious. Share your thoughts and your 2022 goal(s) in the comments so we can hold each other accountable.
Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms, and the author of several young adult fantasy novels including the Blood of Kings trilogy. She loves teaching about writing. She blogs at goteenwriters.com and also posts writing videos on her YouTube channel and on Instagram. Jill is a Whovian, a Photoshop addict, and a recovering fashion design assistant. She grew up in Alaska without running water or electricity and now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two kids. Find Jill online at jillwilliamson.com or on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
I have a few story ideas that take turns bugging me while I’m busy doing other things. I have a collection of notes set aside for each one. (There’s one in particular that’s been something of a toy when I’m daydreaming)
My #1 goal for this year is to finish the first draft of my WIP. (my indefinite title is He Who Owns the Moon). I’d also like to begin editing it as well. Another goal of mine is to decide what story to work on next. (I have two that I could pursue…) and finally, my third goal would be to begin exploring deeper into the publishing industry.
BTW, this is a little random, but I finished reading a book yesterday that’s become a favorite! (I’ve been kinda ranting about it to everyone, that’s how much I love the book, lol.)
What book is it?
Nice goals, Riley! I am also curious about the book you finished reading! Do share!
It’s called When Marnie was There by Joan G. Robinson. It’s sooooo sweet, I almost cried a couple times, and I was super sad to finish! I highly recommend it.
Ooh! I’ll have to check it out!
Yes, please do!!! It’s amazing!
This is an amazing post! Thank you so much! I’ve felt guilty about my own SSS as well, and I really like your approach to it.
Yay! Chants “No more guilt! No more guilt!” I’m glad it was an encouragement. 🙂
Have you always loved your ideas? I’ve begun to wonder if I lack the ability idea to truly love my ideas. I might be excited for a day or two, then it fades and I feel apathetic and try to look at it from a character, conflict, and plot standpoint to see if it holds up. Have you heard of writers like that?
I can totally relate. I have ideas sometimes that sound so fun! But then they just sound silly later.
I can relate. My idea may sound like fun, but then when I get bogged down with detail questions and then it’s not so fun anymore. It can be annoying, can’t it?
Sure! I’m often super excited about ideas, and then sometimes when I try to work on them, they don’t work. This happened with an idea I tried to write for last years NaNoWriMo. I made it two chapters in and realized I had no idea where the story was going. It’s a great concept, but I need to develop it more. Then that adds the hard work piece, which at the time fell when I had no time to work hard on it. So I had to put it aside. I think that with time and practice, you will start to be able to recognize whether or not an idea is ready for writing. Sometimes it needs much more development first. Of course, some of you are seat of the pants writers, so you don’t develop your stories first. I can’t really speak to that, since I’m no longer fully a seat of the pants writer. I started out that way, but I realized that if I don’t take the time to try and beat out a three-act structure or hero’s journey first, I won’t know where I’m taking the story, and I’ll be lost and frustrated and then the idea just makes me mad. I don’t know if that helps, but that’s how it has been for me.
I love your advice on how to accept and work with your “SSS” while still being productive. I too have SSS, so this was super helpful!
I first committed to one idea when I was sixteen. I spent three years cranking out the first draft amidst writers block, perfectionism, and other responsibilities. I’ve since been working on draft 2, and I am soooooo close to being done. However, last year a shiny new idea caught my eye. I played with it on the side while editing my initial project, but over time, I spent less time on WIP 1 and more time on WIP 2. It’s been roughly a month and a half since I’ve touched WIP 1, meanwhile I’ve been rushing headlong into WIP 2 whenever I can.
WIP 1 was the idea that taught me how to see something through, how to take an idea and make it a book. It’s been with me for four and a half years now, and I always thought that it would be my first published work, if I just stayed on it until it was ready. I had goals for it. But now that WIP 2 is so far along, I’m not so sure.
At first I felt guilty, like I was abandoning WIP 1 or “cheating on it” with the new idea. Why did I spend all that time on WIP 1 just to ignore it in the end? But the more I think about it, the more I realize that I couldn’t be making the progress on WIP 2 that I am now if it weren’t for all that WIP 1 taught me. And it’s not like I’m pouring energy into something that’s going nowhere, because WIP 2 is on a great track right now. And I will come back to WIP 1, maybe sooner, maybe later, but this isn’t the end for it. Maybe I was meant to let it give me a foothold in the writing world so that I could get somewhere, and now it’s up to me to decide where to go from here. Maybe I’ll finish WIP 1 first and make that my first query. Maybe it will be WIP 2. But I guess it doesn’t matter which is first. As long as I get somewhere with something and make the most of the inspiration and energy that I have, I’m doing great. I’m doing exactly what I should be doing.
(Sorry for the crazy long comment, this post just really fit my current situation.)
Em Elizabeth, yes! This is exactly what I’m talking about. That obedient, hard-working part of our personality tells us we are making a mistake when we shift away from that other story. But I think it’s important to trust our gut. Sometimes we need a break from that other story, and if a shiny idea will keep us creating and learning and completing works, then I saw go with it. Like you said, that other idea isn’t gone away. It’s still in development, and we’ll get back to it eventually, when the time is right. So, banish that guilt and have fun creating! Whoo hoo!
My top goal for this year is to publish the novel I’m working on! I’m in the last edits before proofreads, planning to publish in June.
I also want to improve my mailing list, which will involve building sequences that keep content consistent even when I’m not and probably also working at better targeting my list to the different authors and readers I write for.
I also really want to pick up a new drafting project. It’s been so long since I really worked on *writing* something instead of editing, at least for more than a week or two, and I’d like a change of pace. I love my current project, I’m thrilled to publish it, but I’m just about ready for something new to work on instead.
Those are awesome goals, RM! Nice job branching out into three areas, too!
Jill, you just put to words what I’ve known about myself for years! I have ADD, and my brain produces story ideas like rabbits produce bunnies. I LOVE the “In Development” idea, as it’s practically what I do anyway. I always have a list of 8-15 stories I’m piddling around with, and only 1-3 are ones I plan on focusing my main attention on during a given year. Thank you for figuring out and sharing your method.
Yep, me too, Andrea. ADD is definable part of it. I think I might just dub myself ADD Writer in 2022 and embrace it with all I have. Honestly, I think it’s a gift for creatives. We just need to shut out the voice that we’re not being focused and understand that this is the best way someone like us DOES focus. It seems to be working for me, and it sounds like it works for you too!
This is such an encouraging post! I definitely have SSS, but my main goal in 2022 is to begin querying my first middle-grade novel.
I’m studying media and creative writing in university, and “In Development” is a great new way to think about my stories in the worlds of both film and literature.
Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Abby. How exciting to be in the querying stage. Sounds like it’s going to be an interesting year for sure!
Random question, but where might I find a good critiquing group?
That can be a tricky thing, Hannah. I’ve always found my critique partners from writing conferences. You can also find critique partners through professional writing organizations like SCBWI or ACFW. You can meet good critique partners online, you just need to be careful. There is a Go Teen Writers Facebook group you can try. If you write fantasy, the Realm Makers Consortium Facebook group is also a good place to find potential critique partners. I would start by exchanging one chapter with someone, unless you are invited to an existing group, they that group will likely have guidelines for how things work. Local writing conferences or organizations might even be able to tell you about in-person groups. Some meet at bookstores or libraries. There is one small group I know of that meets at my local Barnes and Noble once a week. It will take some hunting–and it might also take some trial and error. (The first critique group I found was a bad fit for the genre I was writing.) But you’ll find one eventually if you keep at it.
Thanks
Thank you for this post! It was very encouraging.
My three goals for 2022 are to finish a first-ever first draft, to try writing different genres, and to write different kinds of POV characters.
I like the In Development idea! I think it would really help me a lot.
By the way, I love the name Shiny Squirrel Syndrome.
Those sound like great goals, Ainsley! Sounds like you’re ready for 2022, SSS and all! 😉
My three goals for 2022 are:
1. Finish first draft
2. Finish editing friend’s book
3. And (hopefully!) start a blog!
I really hope your goals go well for you, Jill!!! I liked reading this post! ?