Happy New Year everyone! My long hiatus is over and I’ve been itching to get back from my self-imposed, month-long exile. OK, so it’s only been 26 days, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I’ve missed you all too much.
And the stats, how are the stats!?
It was probably a good thing it was a month-long break… the stat watching can get a bit intense after a while, and I really needed to go cold-turkey and get over it.
It’s unbelievable to think that I started this blog as a fresh-faced newbie back in 2015, when stats were a thing of the future. When I first started blogging, I was only 27 and working on completing my second novel, Mesmerise.
If I could sum up the last three years, what would I say? Probably that 2015 was interesting, 2016 was a series of unfortunate events (but filled with plenty of golden highlights!) and 2017 was atrociously sub par with lots of lessons learned.
I assume things can only improve from here. At least, I bloody well hope so.
The icing on the cake for me in 2017 was when one of my short stories was rejected from a newly established student literary magazine. The worst thing was? They REQUESTED the story. And then rejected it. Who does that!? When their apologetic email came through in December, I was so exhausted by all of the end-of-year-get-in-quick rejection emails that I broke down and cried. Like, proper cried. Totally not ashamed to say that.
I’m not looking for sympathy (but please feel free to smother me with love), for while that email initially crushed my soul into atomic dust, I feel more determined than ever to succeed. It might take a few more years, but I’ll get there.
I’ve always refused to do the whole ‘New Year resolution thing’. I mean, hardly anyone keeps them, they set us up for failure, and it means you make yourself wait until the New Year to change your ways. But, you know what? If the New Year is that one thing that spurs you on to dream big, write more and change your life for the better, than all the more power to you!
These are my esteemed, scholarly writing ambitions for 2018:
- Self-publish Mesmerise in April
- Complete The Other Pretty One and publish in October
- Create a blogging empire and get featured on that WordPress Discover thing, finally
- Have one of my novels make it to #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List, and while we’re at it, featured in Oprah’s Book Club
- Have my novel adapted into a film
- Have that film become a summer blockbuster
- Become rich and famous
- Win the Nobel prize in literature (but first, the Man Booker Prize)
- Meet Andy Weir and compare notes
Ok, so I might not be able to get all of this done until at least 2019. But why not dream big?
The Cat's Write 
Hello Milly – thanks for following my blog scotinprogress. Sorry I haven’t dropped by until now. I’ll just say that I am very familiar with the rejection letters/emails, and even had an editor request to see more work twice only for it to be rejected. In 2017, I got two stories accepted and one shortlisted within a week (first ever success). However, it was at a very difficult time personally – life can be quite ironic. Don’t give up.
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Wow that’s so exciting, looks like you’re doing really well! I’ve never had an agent, editor or publisher make a second request before. I’m going to focus on self-publishing this year. Maybe when I’m onto book six or seven I might start querying again 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story!
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I wouldn’t say really well. The second request got turned down too! However, since then I’ve had a few short stories accepted for publication – easier than getting a whole novel accepted, so keep trying. More than anything, I think I would just like to share the stories that come to me, but I’m not very good at self-promotion.
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Go for it, Milly! Your writing is fresh and HUMAN! I love your honesty, positiveness, ambition and humor. Good luck fellow blogger!
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Thank you so much! That’s a lovely comment 🙂 🙂 Good luck to you too 🙂
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If even just one or two of those resolutions came to pass, it will be an auspicious year! Good luck, Milly! 🙂
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Thanks Louise! I’m crossing my fingers I have the courage to get the first two done this year 🙂 🙂
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I too had a 2017 that almost crushed me into dust. But. 2018 is here and I am determined it’s going to be a better year. -_-
I like your idea of dreaming big. Aim for the stars if you want to stand a chance at reaching them. The list made me smile if nothing else. 🙂
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There’s something about having a ‘mountain to conquer’ that seems to get the spirit going! Here’s to 2018 being the year we withstand the pressure 🙂
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Here, here! 🙂
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Sounds like it’s been a difficult couple of years but rejection teaches us a lot about ourselves, not least our own resilience. Fair play to you for going into 2018 with such a positive attitude and the very best of luck with the self-publishing!
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Thanks Susie! 2018 didn’t have the best start, but I’m determined to be happy regardless 🙂 Good luck to you too!! 🙂 p.s getting to your email ASAP!
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Ha ha, no rush at all with it!
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I had the same flurry of rejection emails at the end of last year. So frustrating! And a couple bounced back almost minutes after I’d sent the submission which made me wonder whether they were even read at all.
Best of luck for 2018!
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A few minutes after? That’s strange! The quickest positive reply I’ve ever received after three years of querying was within thirty minutes (ultimately rejected). Receiving such quick negative replies would have be wondering too. Good luck to you too and let’s make 2018 our year 🙂
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Why not dream big! If people don’t laugh at your dreams, they’re not big enough.
It doesn’t sound like it was an easy year but nothing worthwhile ever is. I’m sure you’ll achieve your goals. Fingers crossed!
I’m striving to publish my second novel in April as well. Hope we both make it.
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Thanks Kristina! Good luck in April – crossing my fingers too that we both get there! 🙂
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What refreshing take on New Year’s Resolutions. I hope you at least achieve a few of them – and good on you for dreaming big!
Glad to hear you had a good break from it all too!
Best wishes for 2018! 😊
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Haha yeah I couldn’t help listing my ultimate lifetime dreams – why not? At the very least they’ll make someone laugh hahaha
Best wishes for you in 2018 too!! 🙂
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Lofty goals are the best kind. Let no one deter you from the pursuit thereof. Best of lucky to you in the coming year!
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Exactly !! Thank you and best of luck to you too!!
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You can do it! Remember the old saying “If you don’t try, you’ll never know…” 🙂
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Yes, this!! More regret in not trying I think 🙂
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> Meet Andy Weir and compare notes.
Really? Well, if you can get an A lister to lead your novel’s movie debut, then, I’m sure you’ll have a hell of a lot to talk about.
(Too bad about that whole Martian wind thing in the movie… But hey, gotta make it dramatic.)
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Ha! Ha! Go for it!!
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I have faith in you. You can knock these out by August!
Sometimes, rejection is the best thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe not at first- but look at your resolve. Get it, Millie.
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Thank you 🙂 Don’t know what I’d do without you guys spurring me on. I suppose I’d be in the same spot but with a whole lot less to smile about 🙂
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Our goals are identical! LETS JOIN FORCES!
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Really!? YES!!!!
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Great stuff, I am with you all the way. What’s a Blogging Empire?
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I’m not exactly sure, but I thought it had a nice ring to it 🙂
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I love these writing goals. I need some that are this ambitious.
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Dream big darling or go home!
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Reblogged this on crjen1958.
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Dreaming big is awesome! I always do. You just don’t have to put a tight reign on the timeline. Resolutions are just positive thinking and like everytging else you have to believe it’s possible. The most brilliant, successful people in the world have been rejected! Dont ever give up on your dreams!
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Happy New Year, best wishes. Quite a list you assembled for 2018, but I can agree on the sentiment at the end: dream big. And let that be a huge driving force. Great post. Greetings
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Yes!!! Dream Big! And never mind the rejection. New and better opportunities are always going to be on the horizon.
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WordPress stat watching feels similar to any other social media metric, it could definitely be a source of anxiety at times. I like how you took a month off, we all need to step away from writing just so we can continue writing. I’m also sorry about the rejection email from the student literary magazine, but am even more confident that you’ll have a great 2018! 🙂
Keep up the great work 💜
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I call shotgun on being your +1 to at least one of your Hollywood events when you complete 5,6 and 7.
Also, here, lay down so I can wrap you tightly in a roll of carpet. My way of smothering.
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Definitely dream BIG. I hope all of your dreams/plans come true in spectacular fashion.
Also, if you know the secret to being featured in WordPressDiscover, please let me know.
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All the best ❤
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Happy New Year Milly.Best wishes !
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Love it! What is it they say – “Go big or go home”? All the best with those big goals for 2018. I have to say I could describe the last 3 years as you did “…2015 was interesting, 2016 was a series of unfortunate events (but filled with plenty of golden highlights!) and 2017 was atrociously sub par with lots of lessons learned”. May 2018 be so much better!
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