2017 Achievements and 2018 Resolutions

It is important to highlight one's accomplishments, no matter how small. They could be small or minor for one person but significant for another, especially when they're unplanned; it was not a target you set, so you've made a bigger accomplishment by achieving an unset, unscheduled goal.

For 2018, I've decided to set resolutions or what I hope will be achievable goals for me.

I didn't do any resolutions for 2017 but just figured they would be an extension of my uncompleted 2016 goals.

This time, I'm planning something different. In 2018, I'm planning to focus on something – or rather someone – I've neglected for too long. Me.

Some might think it's selfish, but if you don't work on developing yourself, enhancing your skills, and doing what you want and love, who will?

The answer: No one.

While I hadn't set "solid goals" for 2017, I was able to achieve new things. Things that came out of the blue for me.

Here are my achievements:

1)  I'm very proud of my first vlog entry and interview. I attended a local startup-focused event called the RiseUp Summit and there I interviewed the co-founder of book recommendation startup SipOf.Ink (that's how they write it).
You can read the full post here.

2)   I also conducted several other interviews during the event and published them as exclusive stories. From UAE-based online fashion boutique The Luxury Closet to the Middle East's number 1 children's edutainment app Lamsa.
The experience was great and I look forward to repeating my reporting, writing, and networking experience.

3)    I did NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I wrote 53,000 words in less than 30 days! Find out how I did it when I had failed with smaller targets before. (Hint: You must really want it!)

4)    I completed my Goodreads reading challenge.

5)    I started Darya's story. This particular tale has been in my head for a year. In 2017, I began putting the words on paper. I don't know how far I am, but I've been able to write down several chapters. I've gone from Zero words to around 30,000 words!

6)    I've started writing about different topics. My most recent article, although based on personal experience, is an example:
What is the most "demotivational" quote ever? And how do you overcomeit?

Enough with the achievements – which I'm very proud of no matter how small – and off to the goals for 2018.

·        Focusing on my writing
Over the past years, I've been focusing on reading. Now, it's time to focus on me and my writing. Which brings me to my sub-points here:

o   Finishing Darya's story (draft 1)

o   Writing DeeDee's story (book 2 – draft 1)

o   Editing DeeDee's mystery/story (book 1 – draft 2)

·        Reading one self-help book per month

This could be self-help in writing, marketing, personal development, or any field. I am currently reading The Writer's Lexicon by Kathy Steinmann, whose review I'm planning for January. (I'll be posting reviews for each of those books I read.) I already bought several writing-help books but there are 12 months to go.

·        Personal development

I've already started working on this in late 2017 by downloading some courses via Udemy. Some are work-related, some are about things that have piqued my interest. But all mean that I will have at least one new piece of information added. Something that I can use. And that is the essence of self-development.

·        Finding a balance between writing and working out

One of the hardest things I've encountered in 2017 was striking a balance between my story-writing and the gym. The day is 24 hours long. So, if I work for say 9 hours, plus 2 hours of commuting, that's 11 hours, leaving me 13 hours in the day. If I sleep for 8, and work out for 2, then I will have 3 more hours to eat and drink and read or write or both. The theory stands but the application fails. Every. Single. Time!

So in 2018, I'll be trying out different tactics to find a balance where I can write and work out. Separate days, better planning. I'll keep testing and let you know how it pans out and whether or not I succeed in achieving my abovementioned writing goals.

·        Reducing my reading challenge

Every year I've tried to increase the number of books I read. This year, I'm shrinking that number to make room of Me, my reading and writing needs, and other courses.
For the past 2 or 3 years, I've set a goal for 36 books that's 3 books per month. This year my goal is 20 to 24 books, that's around 2 books per month.

·        Reducing the number of review requests I accept.
My apologies to authors, but I believe many will understand the need to develop one's writing and personal skills. I will still be doing author features and more on the blog, which brings me to my next point.

·        Launching StoryTeller Tours
I've been slacking significantly in launching a personal book-tour organising service. No more of that. I'm taking serious steps to launch this. Why? Because there are many authors who need to get out there. AND because the services need to be affordable.

·        Editing Services
I launched my page offering affordable book and article editing services (both grammar and developmental editing). As a book reviewer, I have been able to pick up on certain things that can help authors enhance their writing.

·        Writing new articles for the blog and guest blogging

One of the things I want to work on in 2018 is diversifying my writing fields. What does that mean? My main work is translation and editing of economic and stock market-related texts from Arabic into English. Sometimes, writing from scratch. I also wrote a bit in real estate but I want to enhance both my freelance writing and the fields I can write about. 

When I went to RiseUp, I was keen on writing about and interviewing officials from various startups so I can research them and write about them. 

I plan to do more of that in 2018 BUT I'm also looking for article suggestions of what people would like to see on my blog.

I have a few writing help articles I'm working on that I plan to publish here or see if I can guest post on other writing-related blogs. In addition, I'm open to suggestion of what readers would like to see me write about. Please leave your suggestions in the comments section before or get in touch with me via email. If you'd like me to guest post for you, please email me.

·        Repeating NaNoWriMo in November 2018
Not sure what book I'll be writing then but that's 11 months away, so we'll see.

What are you resolutions/goals for 2018? Let's help each other achieve our goals!

Nadaness In Motion's July Camp NaNoWriMo Writing Report

In July, I joined Camp NaNoWriMo in order to get some ‘real’ writing done.

The Camp NaNoWriMo is a month-long challenge that is meant to help writers work on their manuscripts and drafts without the pressure of the 1,667 words per day requirement meant for November, when the original NaNoWriMo is in progress.

NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Novel Writing Month, is when writers “try” to leave the world behind to focus on their books for a whole month. November’s NaNoWriMo attempts to get writers/authors to write 50,000 words in a month. Not an easy feat.

The July Camp NaNoWriMo did not have a specific word count target but allowed authors to set their own targets and to increase or reduce that number based on their progress.

I had originally planned 16,000 words for Darya’s story, an average of 500 words per day plus 500 bonus for the end of the month.

Trying out the Camp thing allowed me to learn a few things about myself and writing habits, or rather what I can do and what I can’t.

For Darya’s story, I was able to write around 4,000 words. I was disappointed. BUT I realised 4,000 was better than nothing. I had also realised that I couldn’t write during week days, which trimmed the number of days I can actually write on. Add in some errands, travelling times and other bits, 4,000 words is progress that is neither good nor bad. It’s a start.

Also in July:

·        Wrote SEVEN poems! I haven’t done that in a while!

·        Wrote 4 book reviews. (Not a major achievement but I wanted to add it in)

·        Wrote 2,050 words in a new short story (Untitled, hoping to finish it in August)

·        Wrote around 720 words in a sci-fi story (Also untitled & planning to finish it in the first week of August)

·        Wrote 244 words as general prose (Divided on two pieces)

·        Wrote 673 words for a flash fiction piece (can’t remember the title but will check my notes)

Overall: I wrote around 7,720 words in July.

But the bottom line is: I wrote!

So what are my plans for August?

New word count target but this time I’ll take into consideration the fact that weekdays are hard to include. How many? I’m thinking 10,000 words, then I’ll decide if I need to raise this target.

I’ll keep the flash fiction and poetry word counts outside this limit though and see how things turnout.

I never know if I’ll write poetry or not, so I’ll leave this to chance and whenever inspiration hits.

Note: I also want to thank author Devorah Fox for encouraging me to take part in the July camp.

If you’ve participated in Camp NaNoWriMo for July, please share your word count and progress. If you have suggestions and/or help tips, please feel free to share.

Preparation - Takhayyal flash fiction

 

Photo taken by Stephanie Nehme

I breathe the salty air, the serenity, the scenery.

The hills beyond embrace the island like a mother holding her child; I feel at home here. The earth, the air, the water, all in perfect harmony and my fire to complement them.

We are all at peace together as we recognise one another, though we know it is not often so. And still I have a task to fulfil, my assignment, my kill.

I clean my swords and sheathe them, my daggers too; one in each boot. Then my bow and arrow.

I enjoy the power that courses through me as I hold the wood. I prefer old school, not the new metal ones with a lot of contraptions. The old ones are more accurate; straight and to the point.

I feel the wind pick up; the water too is rising slightly. They are becoming aggressive in response to my growing firepower.

It will be over soon and I can come back to enjoy this sight alone once more.

Whoever said assassins have no taste for beauty; we have taste, though perhaps not the time. Nature is where I belong, where my power runs freely, where I can be me without prejudice or contempt. True, we are not always on good terms, with water, air and earth but we have respect and that is all that matters.

My eyes move to the mighty mountains before me. They seem to beckon me, silently. I’ll get this over with and answer their call.

I look at the mirror briefly, pack my weapons, and adjust my clothing. I turn to look at the calming scene one last time before I leave for my assignment and my calling.

Let the fun begin.

My piece for this week's Takhayyal. Comments are highly appreciated and encouraged. There are two prompts this week, check them out here. 

It is also part of a supposed work in progress; one that I should allocate more time to soon.