How did the year turn to April already? After the whirlwind of 2023, the first few months of 2024 have gotten away from me. And from what I’m hearing from others, I’m not the only one. Whether or not you had a banner year in 2023 like I did or you’re regrouping, here’s to 2024 – late start or not!
Did you struggle a little with focus in January and February? I sure did but I had to stay on track to work toward some goals. Author Cal Newport has a take in the New Yorker positing that it’s simply the last few years catching up with all of us, a post-pandemic burnout. Between remote work, quiet quitting, and the office wars, knowledge workers need a rest. True or not, after beating myself up for a few weeks, I’ve decided to give myself a break. We creatives know that our ideas run in cycles, so I’m giving myself permission to breathe.
Or, as prolific content creator Timm Chuisano recently put it, I’m giving the word “discipline” a rest this year.
Good Bones: A few weeks ago, I was updating a colleague on my work for the year and noted I was working on a book with “good bones”. As we talked, I expanded on the analogy and it’s a perfect one. Some people have a talent for renovation or design. They can see an abandoned house and see the final product. They can see that the foundational structure for something amazing is there. I feel the same way about books. If a manuscript has market potential and is a unique idea, I tend to see the good bones of it. The rest is demolition, rebuilding, remodeling, repair, and a lot of elbow grease! So, authors, don’t worry if your edits seem heavy. Sometimes, you have to tear things down to get to the good bones – and rebuild a strong book.
Writing for the Christian market: I spoke to a potential client last month who has a vision for book that would sell to the Christian market. It was great to educate him on the idea that the Christian book market is a very different animal and can be a great avenue for publishing but with some particular rules for success. Looking for more information on how to publish in the religious space? It’s not necessarily my area of specialty, but I refer people to Terry Whalin who I worked with closely at Penguin. Terry is an author, an acquiring editor, and educator extraordinaire who helps authors with publishing decisions for Christian books. He has a great website on writing for the Christian market with loads of resources.
Editors are having a moment: Quality is the trend predicted for 2024. This means editors matter more than ever. Will two editors always agree? Of course not – which is why it’s so important for you as an author to be able to clearly articulate your goals. If you have a proposal, you want to ensure your editor can deliver on what your agent is selling.
On Getting Unstuck: I read something earlier in the spring about self-motivation. There are a variety of tips and tricks floating around on the internet, some better than others. But I liked these ideas since they’re the sort of thing that tend to work for me. Your mileage may vary. Not all of them are the healthiest approach so use with caution.
- Competition – This one works for me. I love having a deadline or competitive reason to complete a project. Is it a healthy way to work? Probably not, but it can be a huge motivator, especially for teams.
- Create Pressure — Again, not the best option, especially since I actively try to avoid anxiety, but if you’ve ever turned out great work on an impossible deadline, you know this one can work. Just use it sparingly.
- Make it Interesting – Over the past 2 years, I’ve been actively trying to ensure my work is interesting. (See also: Fun) We all get to choose the people with whom we partner and I love thoughtful projects that we can create with a real, saleable concept. I won’t take it on if I don’t think it has potential or won’t keep me engaged intellectually. Plus, I love learning lots of new things!
- Make it Fun – This one has always been at the top of my list. Have you ever worked wth that great author solving problems and finding ways to make the book sing? That’s fun! Pick projects you enjoy and want to work on because of the people, ideas, or potential.
- Regulate anxiety – Just remember, It’s OK to go full bore, but regulate that anxiety. Go for a walk to let your brain process. Explore new ways to regulate your own anxiety and create that space you need to work.
Goals for 2024: We all have them. Growing our businesses, publishing those books, hitting revenue targets. While I have all of those, I added a personal goal – I want to improve my French. A friend reminded me of the Atomic Habits approach – don’t just say “I want to learn French” but think of yourself as a person who speaks French. Envision where you want to be and you’ll take the steps to get there. Want to be a bestselling author? Take the steps to get there – and it’s truly one step at a time.
PS: What did I read last year that I loved? Here’s my round up of my favorite books from 2023. Let me know what you liked!
Inspired? I want to hear what you’re working on.
Let’s connect online:
At my website: connectorcreator.com
At LinkedIn: Renee Wilmeth
On Instagram: @feedmedrinkme
On Facebook: Renee Wilmeth
Planning your projects or editorial calendar for 2024? I’m currently booking new projects for the summer and end of the year. I create non-fiction book proposals and can concept, develop, and even ghostwrite your book. Need a book for your consulting or speaking practice? Want to get your message out or shop an idea to an agent? Give me a call and we’ll find the “good bones” of your project. Let’s connect!
Warm regards,
Renee Wilmeth
Connecting. Creating. 
I would like to talk to you about steps to publication. I’ve put my memoir manuscript away for a while and have a new idea for the next round of polishing. Now it’s time to do the thing.
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