It’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group today, the brainchild (well hang on, it’s been going on so long, shouldn’t it be the “brainteen” by now?) of his Royal Typewriterness, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Esq.
It’s the end of the year, and for many reasons—good and dreadful—I won’t forget 2015 easily. (It’s also true that the older I get, the quicker the years go by! What’s up with that??)
My insecurities this month are simple: My first book, REVIVAL, is published; the book tour is done… so now… what do I do next? Which direction do I go?
To answer this, in part, I’m looking forward to finishing at least two half-completed WIPs in 2016, and we shall see what happens… when that happens.
I’m co-hosting today with Sandra Hoover, Doreen McGettigan, Megan Morgan, and Melodie Campbell!, so see you out there :)
Merry Christmas to one and all, and here’s to a wonderful, Writerly New Year!
61 comments:
That's always the question: What now? I think all we can ever control is the writing. Once we've pushed the book out into the world, onto the next!
Ah, the dreaded 'What now?' I'very never been good at answering that question. Best I can do is take a shot in the dark and hope for the best that the marketing and promoting I've done, had helped my book find a home on a reader's shelf. Then it's on to the next one. Thanks for co-hosting!
Thanks for hosting, Mark! Hey, sounds to me like you have a pretty good plan for 2016!
I hit that every time after a book release. Smart writers would already have another manuscript completed. (Guess we're not smart.) But the good news - you can go any direction you want.
Thanks for co-hosting today!
Been there, sir! (In some ways, I am now), but you have your first book out and that is a major foot in the door. Nudge it in a little more, or a lot more, with those two WIPs! :)
Congratulations on this year's accomplishments. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming completions. Thanks for co-hosting today.
Hi Mark - yes ... it's challenging I imagine. Give the two books a go - but leave the door open for whatever comes your way ... it'll happen -it's keeping going in the meantime. Good luck with Revival sales .. cheers Hilary
Congratulations on your book. Best wishes as you tackle your next project.
Congrats, Mark, on your debut book. What to do next? Write the next book, advertise the 1st--in that order. Get the next book out there.
Thanks for co-hosting this month.
Best wishes,
Diane
IWSG #85
Hi Mark,
Thank you for co-hosting. Congratulations on finished book and book tour. Sounds like you have quite a schedule for 2016 also with two unfinished manuscripts. All the best.
Shalom,
Patricia
What to do next? You have the disease of writing, so I suspect you'll figure it out. Thanks for co-hosting, Mark. "Typewriterness"... it suits him.
Congratulations! I always feel the same after publishing something new. Now onward to the next project. :) Thank you for co-hosting today.
Now what indeed. I wish promotion ever ended, but this is only the beginning. From here on out you'll be looking for opportunities to help boost sales and get your name out there, but the best way to do that is with subsequent works. Here's to the never-ending joy of being a published author, eh?
Hi Mark, congrats on the book, what a great acheivement! And it looks like you have 2016 planned (before it runs away with you). I suggest you kick back and enjoy Christmas - but not for too long or you might get used to it!
Hey Dude, your creativity is on display in this post. Loved it. Congrats on your 2015 release. I'm impressed you have 2 WIPs on board for next year. That's two more than me. Like the old adage,is you can't sell out of an empty cart, so you're wise to fill up that book list. Thanks for co-hosting. Merry Christmas right back at ya'.
Mark, Congratulations of Revival!!! Seeing your book all over the place.
Starting on your wip is a good idea.
Merry Christmas!!!!
Oh, and thank you for co-hosting the IWSG!!!
You can do it! Congratulations again! And thanks for co-hosting!
Congrats on getting Revival out there! I remember reading the excerpts during the A to Z challenge. It was one of my favorite stops.
Thanks for co-hosting.
Thanks for co-hosting, and good luck with your plans for 2016! I'm of the mindset that publishing books should be like rolling a boulder down a never ending hill. Just keep going, never let your momentum fade.
Hi Mark! Thanks for hosting, and congrats on the release of REVIVAL! I totally agree with you about the older you get the faster time flies—I was just thinking that the other day! I swear I'm gonna be an old woman before I know it! (okay, that makes me a little sad...) :)
Good luck with your plans for 2016!
Hi Mark and thanks for co-hosting. Congrats on the release (i'm a new "book father" as well. keep that mojo going and yes, the good news and reviews will follow. Good luck.
Congratulations on the publication! I can't imagine how 'what next' feels like, but I hope to. I bet you'll come up with lots of ideas.
Two and a half manuscripts in 2016 sounds like a pretty good goal to me. Congratulations on the release!
And thanks for co-hosting this month's IWSG!
I've noticed the years go by quicker the older I get too. Doesn't seen right. Thanks for co-hosting this month.
Mark, good luck with your newbie! And thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month.
Congratulations and keep on writing!
What a great feeling to come down from one book and then begin the creative process into something new. Congratulations and thank you so much for hosting 😊
Yes, I'm in the same age boat - years slipping by all too quickly. I think we find each moment more precious than in our youth (at least, that's my interpretation). Congratulations. Enjoy the ride.
Congratulations on publication and all your accomplishments. Time does fly all the faster as you get older. Thanks for co-hosting this month,
Merry Christmas
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Brainteen, LOL! You definitely need to finish those WIPS. I heard that having more than one book is key to sales of the first. People who see only one title might think, "first time author. I'll pass." If they see 2 titles, they think you're likely to keep writing and publishing more.
This greedy reader says write more. All of you talented, hard-working people. WRITE MORE.
And Merry Christmas.
The 'what next' feeling seems to be common after a big project. Maybe we just need a bit of a rest between enthusiasms?
Thanks for co-hosting and best of luck with your goals next year! :)
Hey Mark-Koop!
Two WIPs waiting for some attention? Sounds like a solid 2016 plan!
Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month!
Congrats on your book release! The story sounds so inspiring. Looks like you already have a good plan for 2016. It's going to go by quick, especially with a little one around. Thanks for co-hosting!
The years do pass more quickly, and I've been assured the effect only accelerates with time. Congrats on the book, and I hope 2016 treats you well. Merry Christmas!
Congrats on your book. It's always disorienting when such a huge project is over. Now it's time for a new story, and a new book. Good luck with them in the new year.
Congrats on publishing your book! Sounds like you've got enough to keep you busy for a little while with those half-finished WIPs. Good luck with them, and thanks for co-hosting!
Congrats on your release! I'm sure you'll figure out something great to do next. :)
Thanks for co-hosting!
His Royal Typewriterness????? Where do you come up with these things Mork? I do hope Revival takes off like a rocket.
Just write.
Time to start again, then repeat. :-)
Anna from Elements of Writing
So much anxiety to deal with before, during and after publication. Good luck! Thanks for co-hosting!
Congrats on your book!
I get that feeling when I complete a WIP. After spending so long in one world, it's a little weird to be done with it. At least you already have an idea of what you want to do. Good luck.
Nice of you to co-host Mark. Congrats on your book and take your WIP work one step at a time.
"Dude walks up to Dude-ette..." Ha! Love it! Congratulations on your book release:-) Merry Christmas and Write on!
Congratulations on your book release! You are so right, the years really are going faster I don't care what they say, it is true!
It is so nice to co-host this month. Keep moving forward until you figure out what comes next:)
Congratulations on your book! I wouldn't be surprised if the warm Hawaiian winds bring you many new ideas for Christmas.
Congratulations on your book! I wouldn't be surprised if the warm Hawaiian winds bring you many new ideas for Christmas.
What next indeed?! A question we all ask I'm sure. Just gotta keep on keepin' on and see what happens next! I'm sure you and Carrie are working on getting more "marketing" efforts out there... I won't forget this year either, but not for the same reasons!
Oh darn, I still haven't done my review yet either!!! I will I promise!
And thanks for co hosting this month!
Thanks for co hosting Mark :) I hope you get those WiPs whipped into shape next year. Merry Christmas.
I'm suddenly reading everyone mentioning how it's the end of the year. How has that escaped my notice? Odd how I've finally decided to start working on a new writing schedule. No, it's not a New Year resolution, but it might as well be, it's the end of this year and the beginning of the new one!
Congrats on your book release this year.
Best of luck with the release of your first book, Mark! I hope it proves to be a major success for you. Nice to co-host with you this month!
I felt that way, too, after my debut. Don't worry. You'll come up with something. We writers have to write. :)
After every triumph, there's a point where the high wears off and you're left feeling a little low. You're like: "Wow. It's over already. Now what do I do with myself?" (I know that feeling well, having completed the third book in a 3-book deal this year.) The answer is two-fold. One, you already know. You keep writing. Two, you keep promoting your book whenever and however you can. :)
Just gotta move on to the next project, Mark! That's always fun. Congrats again on your new book :)
Thanks for co-hosting!
I had that same "what now" feeling right after my book finally came out. And you're doing just the right thing: lose yourself in another story!
Good strategy to start finishing some of your other projects. The best thing to do when done with one book is to get into another one, I've found.
Sounds like you have a great plan for going into 2016. I was surprised to see you guest-hosting with all the blogging you've done over the last month. You just have a lot of energy.
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