By The Cheeky · December 2024
2024 has been quite the year for me. I published my debut novella, released two out of three books in my series, started this blog, and tackled a massive learning curve as an indie author. In my personal life, I landed a new job in a different department, began looking for new homes, and faced the heartbreak of losing a beloved pet.
While I could drone on about the events of 2024, I’m going to focus on my writing career. This year has been one of growth—full of challenges, joy, and most importantly, progress.
2024 Year in Review
- Publishing my debut novella: This was my biggest achievement. Not only did I focus on a series to start with, but I also made the leap from writer to author at the click of a button. The journey to get there was both delightful and frustrating, but it was worth it.
- Publishing two books: While the first book took the longest, I learned so much during the process of writing the second. By now, I’ve realized I can focus on producing more efficiently.
- Launching this blog: I hadn’t planned on starting a blog until the last minute, but I’m glad I did. So far, I’ve been mostly consistent, and I enjoy sharing my thoughts in the hope of helping someone else.
Lessons Learned
- Publishing is a LOT of work: It’s a whole other beast, but I’m enjoying the process of learning and experimenting with different approaches.
- Consistency matters: This is a lesson I’m still grappling with. My production isn’t as efficient as I’d like, and I’m struggling to finish the last book in my series. Success requires consistency, a sustainable system, and treating this as a business.
- Marketing is king: I’ve dabbled in ads, TikTok, and email marketing. It’s a completely separate challenge from publishing. While I haven’t yet nailed down the perfect strategy for me, I’m confident I’ll find my groove.
Challenges Overcome
- Fear: I overcame the fear of releasing my writing to the world—for money! I knew my first book wouldn’t be perfect, but I also knew I needed to put it out there to grow as a writer.
- Tempering expectations: At the start of 2024, I had lofty goals. I quickly learned how to break them down into smaller, achievable steps. I also accepted that my novellas might not be immediate bestsellers. Instead, the true value has come from learning the process and appreciating the journey.
2025 SMART Goals
I predict 2025 will be another year of growth. My focus now is on improving what I’ve already started and building a sustainable system. The first step? Setting SMART goals. If you’re unfamiliar, SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
Goal: Book Three of My Debut Series
- Specific: Publish Book 3 of my first series.
- Measurable: Edit one chapter per day on my off days.
- Achievable: Schedule one hour on my off days for editing.
- Relevant: Complete the series for readers to enjoy under my pen name.
- Time-Bound: Publish by February 2025.
Goal: Book One of My Romantasy Duology
- Specific: Write and publish a full-length novel in my new romantasy duology series.
- Measurable: Write at least 1,000 words on each off day.
- Achievable: Dedicate two hours per off day to writing.
- Relevant: Grow my indie author career into a profitable business.
- Time-Bound: Publish by Summer 2025.
These are just examples of how to break down your goals into SMART goals.
Steps to Stay Accountable
Tracking progress: I’ve created a tracking sheet for each story, outlining tasks and monitoring word counts.
Rewarding milestones: I live for rewards! Whether it’s a big purchase like a new camera or something smaller, like treating myself to a nice dinner, these incentives keep me motivated.
Finding accountability partners: 2024 felt lonely at times, but in 2025, I plan to connect with other writers and build a support network.
Closing Thoughts
2025 will be another year of growth and progress. This time, though, my goals are a little bigger, with the hope of earning back my investment. There will be challenges and achievements, but I’m excited to look back this time next year and marvel at the journey once again.
Alright, Cheekies!
What are your goals for 2025?
How are you planning to achieve them?
