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When Felicia asked me how writing the 52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner affected me, my immediate response was ‘in every single way!’ Never before have I shown this much of myself and my own process, both as a writer and a writing coach, in a piece of work. It felt like I was turning myself inside out for all the world to see.

Yes, that’s as scary as it sounds 😉

Terrifying as it was, though, it taught me these three valuable lessons.

Staying true to ourselves takes time and devoted effort.

I am all about doing what you know in your heart to be right. But, when we’re in the middle of doing something utterly vulnerable, it’s not easy to stay the course. I questioned myself more than usual and it took so much effort to conquer that little voice inside my head, which only got louder the closer I got to publishing.

Knowing this was a big project for me, I gave myself enough time to finish it. Because of that, I could afford to sit back and reflect on what I was doing, and why, whenever I felt I was getting in my own way. I could take a moment or two to centre myself each time doubt hit me in the face, which happened quite often.

If I had been on a strict deadline or unwilling to sit with the discomfort that is self-doubt, I might have given in to that nagging voice. Reflecting on my doubts created space for my heart to really guide me and keep me on the path. If anything, that taught me to never rush a project, especially those dearest to my heart.

Not every opinion matters in the same way.

When I asked a group of writer friends to test the final version of 52 Weeks of Writing, it didn’t resonate with one of them. Even though the others were very happy with the result, it made me think I missed the mark entirely (because that’s what negative feedback does, right?).

Instead of making knee-jerk changes, I sat with what made us different, and what made them different from the other writers I asked for help. Zooming in on this made me realise this writer friend actually wasn’t part of my intended audience.

When I was done pondering over all this, I decided to stick with what I had. That doesn’t mean I didn’t learn anything from their feedback. In the end, it helped me hone in on my ideal audience and that was a wonderful lesson in itself. But, because I took the time (see lesson one!) to understand why 52 Weeks of Writing wasn’t ideal for them, I was able to stay true to myself and take only what I needed from it.

Feeling supported makes all the difference.

Writing can be very lonely. Over the years, I’ve learned that, the more vulnerable a project makes me feel, the more I isolate myself.

While it’s perfectly OK to hermit during the creative phase, eventually we have to venture outside and share our work. After all, we need other people’s advice and opinions. We just have to be sensible about who we ask and how we interpret their feedback.

During the months I worked on 52 Weeks of Writing, I didn’t only learn that feeling supported is vital to my process. I also learned that, the more vulnerable I allowed myself to be about what I was doing, the more support I gained. It’s that support that kept me going each time I thought of giving up.

In the end, our creations are our own, and we’re the ones taking the risk. Knowing that someone has our back makes the jump less scary, though. It’s no guarantee we won’t fail, but I take comfort in knowing I have a bunch of supporters out there ready to apply bandages to my scraped knees and chin if I do fall flat on my face. I don’t think I’ll ever isolate myself again.

Writing 52 Weeks of Writing has affected me in more ways I can fathom, but these three lessons made the biggest impact. On what I write, on how I write, and how I interact with my community. And I’m forever grateful for that.

~~~

Are you ready to become the writer you were always meant to be?

52 Weeks of Writing will get you cracking by making you plan, track, reflect on, and check in with your progress and goals an entire year long.

52 Weeks of Writing will help you dig deep by offering questions and writing prompts designed to unravel whatever truths about your writing you’re ready for.

52 Weeks of Writing will keep you inspired by delivering a thought-provoking writing quote every week.

Do you struggle with setting goals that reflect your daily reality?
Do you want to practise breaking goals down into manageable chunks?
Would you like more insight into your writing habit(s) and figure out why you keep getting in your own way?
And do you want to create a sustainable writing practice that honours your needs and desires as a writer?

Then the 52 Weeks of Writing: Author Journal and Planner is for you.

52 Weeks of Writing brings together every lesson Mariëlle S. Smith has learned as a writing coach and writer. Wary as she is of comparisonitis and unhealthy competition, this author journal and planner was designed to help writers develop and fine-tune a practice that works for them.

If you’re ready to get out of your own way and become the writer you’re meant to be, pick up your copy of 52 Weeks of Writing today.

Purchase Link

https://mswordsmith.nl/journal/

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Author Bio

Mariëlle S. Smith is a writer, editor, and writing coach.

Next to her non-fiction work, she is currently working on a YA fantasy series, and she co-writes LGBTQIA* romance under a pen name.

She lives Cyprus, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea, where she organises private writer’s retreats, is inspired 24/7, and feeds more stray cats than she could have ever imagined.

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