Firstly, welcome to all the new subscribers who’ve joined us over the past couple of weeks while I’ve been relaxing and recharging in my beach house on Western Australia’s south-west coast.
I absolutely LOVE your word and related to SO much of what you said. My word last year was 'No' but I haven't chosen one yet. Maybe this year's will be JOY.
PS. I ADORED The Wedding People - such a hooky premise!
The other thing I loved about The Wedding People was that it delivered on its hooky premise. I sometimes find that books can be all premise and no story, but this had both. And wasn't the ending perfect? I love that she didn't wrap it all up in a bow, but left it happy, but also a little unresolved.
Natasha, thank you for sharing! 'Optimism' is a beautiful and perfect word for this year.
I'm nodding along in agreement with so much of what you wrote. I spent all of 2024 struggling with a first draft, several times convinced I wouldn't finish it – too hard, the narrative format too fussy, I simply didn't have the skill to pull it all off, etc etc, when in reality, the difficulty came from the absolutely impossible standard I'd set for myself. After one such 'I quit' day, I realised that when I write the way I want to, in a way that feels FUN, writing is much easier. (It sounds obvious but oh, how hard it is to let go of that unattainable 'should'!) For a couple of brief moments at the end of the draft I was able to experience the kind of anticipatory excitement and joy I haven't felt writing for quite a few years. My epiphany is still solidifying but sounds very similar to your own. (And a beach house sounds like a glorious place for epiphanies!)
Happy new year, all the best as you head towards book release, and wishing you a 2025 that sees your writerly dreams made reality! xx
It's so hard to just let go and relax and play and have fun. In a way, I'm envious of my pre-publication self who had more freedom, in a way, to just write without quite so much pressure. I'm so glad you had a similar epiphany to mine and that the words and the joy are there for you now. I hope 2025 brings you lots more words and lots more joy too. x
Hey Kim and Natasha - I too am envious of pre-published me, which is something I never imagined I'd say when I was striving to BE published all those years. That's why I'm choosing JOY this year. I want to focus on JOY in writing and in life. x
Joy is another great word. Going back again to when we were all starting out, but I never had to try to remember that writing was joyful back then - it was mostly always fun. We need to figure out a way to bottle that unbridled, naive enthusiasm we had and dose ourselves up with it whenever we're overwhelmed by doubts and deadlines and pressures!
Yes and yes! Rach I love the word JOY, I might steal that one! I also loved Jojo Moyes recent piece that she does not identify as a 'writer', rather a person who happens to write, and thus her knocks don't feel personal. Such a sustainable way to look at it. Also as Natasha said, remembering that there are other things in life besides writing. What a full circle to have come since the bright-eyed naïveté of pre-published selves! xx
I can't help but hold onto that writing is such a personal thing and therefore cannot be fabricated to fit in with current trends. Writers must hold onto what rings true for them and if it's written well it will find its audience.
I am not a writer but as a reader I truly resonate with your words that it's important because of the boundaries they push and people/places they introduce us to. Entering into the second half of my life I hold onto all the places I will visit, all the people I will 'meet', all the lessons I will learn through reading.
Years ago I used to be on international digital scrapbooking teams and OLW (one little word) became a huge trend at years beginning. Back then my word was 'release', learning to let things go. Funnily enough the word I would choose this year is not far removed from that - 'freedom'. They seemingly go hand in hand with hopefully this year being a bold new step into the future from what I have released.
You're 100% right - if you don't love the story you're writing, you'll never write anything that anyone else will love. So you just have to stay true to what you want to write and believe that the market will come to a great book that's written with your whole heart.
Freedom is another great word - all the best for 2025!
Positivity is also a great word and something we could all do with more of in our lives, I bet! Here's to you achieving all of your projects this year.
Natasha, thanks so much for sharing so openly. My word for 2025 is 'adventure'! I'm not sure what and I'm not a very adventurous soul so I'm both excited and a little terrified! 😬
My initial goal is to finish my first draft on the story I'm writing ASAP January/February. I'm 95K in but I'm having few issues closing it out. I'm a pantser so I need my characters to sort themselves out and lead the way but they're being a little resistant at present so I'm needing to give them a push along.
And then I'll flip back to the previous story for a round of edits/re-write before handing that off to an editor who will make it sparkle and no doubt have me making lots of changes. Oh well, the life of a writer!
Excited for you this year and yes, we creatives need to stay optimistic as change is always happening except that people still love to read a great story probably because we're all living in one!
I love the word adventure! And I love that you think you're not very adventurous but you've picked it anyway.
Good luck with that draft - I'm sure you've tried putting it away for a couple of weeks and just letting your subconscious work on it but, if you haven't, that's always good to try. Or else doing something boring but meditative like gardening, swimming laps or walking can sometimes make the subconscious present you with the answer.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post - thank you. The idea of a word for 2025 is so motivating and far more succinct than a bunch of resolutions that I don’t always take seriously. A word however, has such power and the potential to drive our dreams forward.
It’s the year of confidence for me. Confidence is something I’ve lacked for too many years now and it’s time in 2025, to bring back the ‘no-fear, who cares what others think’ attitude and finish my manuscript. I also love your word choice and may just have to write it in a prominent place to prompt me when I feel as though my writing is going nowhere.
The writing world has definitely changed. There have been countless times that I’ve walked away, believing I’ll never get published as a fiction author, but it’s the year of confidence (and the year of optimism) so I’m not giving up!
Thanks again for sharing your writing and personal life with your readers. I’m looking forward to your tour. I hope you’re coming to Melbourne!
Confidence is such an excellent choice! Please don't give up—I've talked about endurability before in my posts, a word I've borrowed from Dani Shapiro, but it really is the last writer left standing, the one who keeps learning and trying and improving, who'll get published in the end. All the best with it and yes - I am coming to Melbourne!
That’s fabulous that you’re coming to Melbourne! And thank you for the support you provide to other writers. I think it’s about time I signed up for your paid subscription!
Natasha, I like the word optimistic as something to focus on in 2025. I think many of us in the U.S. need all the positive vibes possible to get through the next four years. ( and beyond)
I’m trying to focus on being less judgmental of people and situations. That’s one of my goals. We’re all different and approach life differently.
I’m eager to read your next book and have added it to my Goodreads list. I especially enjoy historical fiction.
I wish you continued success with your writing and much enjoyment of that beach house when you write.
You're absolutely right - if there's one place where we need optimism right now, it's in the US for the next 4 years. If enough people are optimistic, then I'm optimistic enough to believe you'll all get through it and there will be something better ahead for the end of the decade. Much love over this difficult time.
Thank you . It’s just hard for me to fathom at times that the U.S. is in the position we are in with the leadership we have going forth. As you say, we do have to be optimistic there are better times ahead and . My best to you.
I absolutely LOVE your word and related to SO much of what you said. My word last year was 'No' but I haven't chosen one yet. Maybe this year's will be JOY.
PS. I ADORED The Wedding People - such a hooky premise!
The other thing I loved about The Wedding People was that it delivered on its hooky premise. I sometimes find that books can be all premise and no story, but this had both. And wasn't the ending perfect? I love that she didn't wrap it all up in a bow, but left it happy, but also a little unresolved.
Here's to a joyful 2025 for you, Rach.
And a joyful new year to you too! x
Couldn't have said it better!!!! I agree re premises often not be executed well enough.
Okay now I HAVE to read The Wedding People! (And P.S I also love the word 'No'!) xx
Natasha, thank you for sharing! 'Optimism' is a beautiful and perfect word for this year.
I'm nodding along in agreement with so much of what you wrote. I spent all of 2024 struggling with a first draft, several times convinced I wouldn't finish it – too hard, the narrative format too fussy, I simply didn't have the skill to pull it all off, etc etc, when in reality, the difficulty came from the absolutely impossible standard I'd set for myself. After one such 'I quit' day, I realised that when I write the way I want to, in a way that feels FUN, writing is much easier. (It sounds obvious but oh, how hard it is to let go of that unattainable 'should'!) For a couple of brief moments at the end of the draft I was able to experience the kind of anticipatory excitement and joy I haven't felt writing for quite a few years. My epiphany is still solidifying but sounds very similar to your own. (And a beach house sounds like a glorious place for epiphanies!)
Happy new year, all the best as you head towards book release, and wishing you a 2025 that sees your writerly dreams made reality! xx
It's so hard to just let go and relax and play and have fun. In a way, I'm envious of my pre-publication self who had more freedom, in a way, to just write without quite so much pressure. I'm so glad you had a similar epiphany to mine and that the words and the joy are there for you now. I hope 2025 brings you lots more words and lots more joy too. x
Hey Kim and Natasha - I too am envious of pre-published me, which is something I never imagined I'd say when I was striving to BE published all those years. That's why I'm choosing JOY this year. I want to focus on JOY in writing and in life. x
Joy is another great word. Going back again to when we were all starting out, but I never had to try to remember that writing was joyful back then - it was mostly always fun. We need to figure out a way to bottle that unbridled, naive enthusiasm we had and dose ourselves up with it whenever we're overwhelmed by doubts and deadlines and pressures!
Yes and yes! Rach I love the word JOY, I might steal that one! I also loved Jojo Moyes recent piece that she does not identify as a 'writer', rather a person who happens to write, and thus her knocks don't feel personal. Such a sustainable way to look at it. Also as Natasha said, remembering that there are other things in life besides writing. What a full circle to have come since the bright-eyed naïveté of pre-published selves! xx
I love that and Jojo Moyes. Highly recommend her next book as well - I was lucky enough to score an arc. x
Ooooh, you lucky thing!
Ooh so lucky! xx
Happy New Year Natasha!
I can't help but hold onto that writing is such a personal thing and therefore cannot be fabricated to fit in with current trends. Writers must hold onto what rings true for them and if it's written well it will find its audience.
I am not a writer but as a reader I truly resonate with your words that it's important because of the boundaries they push and people/places they introduce us to. Entering into the second half of my life I hold onto all the places I will visit, all the people I will 'meet', all the lessons I will learn through reading.
Years ago I used to be on international digital scrapbooking teams and OLW (one little word) became a huge trend at years beginning. Back then my word was 'release', learning to let things go. Funnily enough the word I would choose this year is not far removed from that - 'freedom'. They seemingly go hand in hand with hopefully this year being a bold new step into the future from what I have released.
You're 100% right - if you don't love the story you're writing, you'll never write anything that anyone else will love. So you just have to stay true to what you want to write and believe that the market will come to a great book that's written with your whole heart.
Freedom is another great word - all the best for 2025!
Thanks Natasha for a thought provoking blog. Nice coverage of different topics.
Optimism is a great word.
Mine will be "positivity". Believing I can achieve the big list of projects I have planned for 2025.
Love your work
Regards Annie
Positivity is also a great word and something we could all do with more of in our lives, I bet! Here's to you achieving all of your projects this year.
Natasha, thanks so much for sharing so openly. My word for 2025 is 'adventure'! I'm not sure what and I'm not a very adventurous soul so I'm both excited and a little terrified! 😬
My initial goal is to finish my first draft on the story I'm writing ASAP January/February. I'm 95K in but I'm having few issues closing it out. I'm a pantser so I need my characters to sort themselves out and lead the way but they're being a little resistant at present so I'm needing to give them a push along.
And then I'll flip back to the previous story for a round of edits/re-write before handing that off to an editor who will make it sparkle and no doubt have me making lots of changes. Oh well, the life of a writer!
Excited for you this year and yes, we creatives need to stay optimistic as change is always happening except that people still love to read a great story probably because we're all living in one!
Big love
Ian x
I love the word adventure! And I love that you think you're not very adventurous but you've picked it anyway.
Good luck with that draft - I'm sure you've tried putting it away for a couple of weeks and just letting your subconscious work on it but, if you haven't, that's always good to try. Or else doing something boring but meditative like gardening, swimming laps or walking can sometimes make the subconscious present you with the answer.
Hope the answers come soon.
Hi Natasha,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post - thank you. The idea of a word for 2025 is so motivating and far more succinct than a bunch of resolutions that I don’t always take seriously. A word however, has such power and the potential to drive our dreams forward.
It’s the year of confidence for me. Confidence is something I’ve lacked for too many years now and it’s time in 2025, to bring back the ‘no-fear, who cares what others think’ attitude and finish my manuscript. I also love your word choice and may just have to write it in a prominent place to prompt me when I feel as though my writing is going nowhere.
The writing world has definitely changed. There have been countless times that I’ve walked away, believing I’ll never get published as a fiction author, but it’s the year of confidence (and the year of optimism) so I’m not giving up!
Thanks again for sharing your writing and personal life with your readers. I’m looking forward to your tour. I hope you’re coming to Melbourne!
Vickie Mc Donald
Confidence is such an excellent choice! Please don't give up—I've talked about endurability before in my posts, a word I've borrowed from Dani Shapiro, but it really is the last writer left standing, the one who keeps learning and trying and improving, who'll get published in the end. All the best with it and yes - I am coming to Melbourne!
That’s fabulous that you’re coming to Melbourne! And thank you for the support you provide to other writers. I think it’s about time I signed up for your paid subscription!
Thanks Vickie!
Natasha, I like the word optimistic as something to focus on in 2025. I think many of us in the U.S. need all the positive vibes possible to get through the next four years. ( and beyond)
I’m trying to focus on being less judgmental of people and situations. That’s one of my goals. We’re all different and approach life differently.
I’m eager to read your next book and have added it to my Goodreads list. I especially enjoy historical fiction.
I wish you continued success with your writing and much enjoyment of that beach house when you write.
Muriel Logan
You're absolutely right - if there's one place where we need optimism right now, it's in the US for the next 4 years. If enough people are optimistic, then I'm optimistic enough to believe you'll all get through it and there will be something better ahead for the end of the decade. Much love over this difficult time.
Thank you . It’s just hard for me to fathom at times that the U.S. is in the position we are in with the leadership we have going forth. As you say, we do have to be optimistic there are better times ahead and . My best to you.