2022 has certainly come with its share of surprises, just like the last few years.
But we always love a chance to regroup, refresh and recenter here are the Muses blog, and we thought now is as good a time as any to check in with our goals for this year.
We hope your creative pursuits are helping you get out of bed each morning, and if you need a break because of burn out (and who doesn’t?), we hope the muse finds her way to you again, and bestows that spark of passion once more.
Here are some links we’ve found inspiring over the last few weeks, with advice, reflections, and actions we can take as we step into all the possibilities of this new year.
📚 The ever-wise Dahlia Adler’s post from 2014 still rings true today, and will for many years. If you’ve ever duelled with the self-doubt demons or the jealousy gremlins, this post will help reassure you—it’s not just you.
📚 Kameron Hurley wrote a post about how to absorb and apply (or not) editorial feedback, and how to get to the heart of your story.
📚 Here’s a video from Book Ends Literary, from their series of super-helpful tips for writers, about the #1 most important question to ask when you’re being offered representation. We’re definitely bookmarking this one for future use, maybe even for this year? (Hey we’re manifesting, ok?)
📚 This article from Fonda Lee provides amazing insights into how to stick the landing of a series or trilogy, and boy is she #authorgoals!
📚 We loved this take on how to craft tension, and maintain it without falling into repetition or premature resolution. This especially applies for romance, but is true for all genres in order to keep your readers hooked!
📚 Erin Fulmer has amazing resources on her blog, and offered her steps on how to make book trailers in Canva!
📚 If you’re hoping to get your WIP polished and perfected, look no further than one of our very own Muses Nicole! Her editorial services are top-notch, and her positivity and encouragement are a light in dark places, even when all other lights have gone out. (That was for you Nicole 😆 #LOTRforever) Also be sure to subscribe to her blog for her amazing reading and allyship round-ups.
📚 Our Muse-in-chief Joyce shared her wisdom about what she’s learned after being published again after 8 years. And if you haven’t picked up her two books yet what are you waiting for??? Go check out LAND OF SAND AND SONG and LAMBS FOR DINNER.
📚 And finally, we wanted to share a fantastic post from the blog that brought the Muses together all those years ago. Here’s Chuck Wendig’s writerly resolutions for this year, with a healthy dose of realism and his trademark humor.
As always, thanks for reading, and let us know what your plans/intentions/wishes are for this year, big or small. We all could use as much hope as possible, as we all find a way through to better times.
Stay safe, and may the Muse be with you!
Muse in Pocket, Pen in Hand 
Ohmygosh, when you linked my post to this, I got a notification preview and I saw the first half of the LOTR quote and knew the rest immediately. 😂 You both are so wonderful. 🖤
LikeLike