Insecure Writer's Support Group by Ronel Janse van Vuuren

2019 Goals, Resolutions and Questions #IWSG

How did this happen? It’s 2019 already… It feels like only a few short weeks ago that I wrote about my SMART goals for 2018.

Yeah, a lot has changed and I accomplished most of what I set out to do – and so much more.

Okay, a quick recap of December: I had a pool-side vacation for all of two days before being bored out of my mind. The goblins in my head decided that we should move up the creation of the author website and here we are.

I know that I could’ve migrated everything from the old blog to the new one – I was ready to click the button when I decided that I didn’t want to lug all the old baggage along. I’m making a fresh start. I did move my A-Z 2018 posts – they are gold. I also moved a couple of guest posts from 2018 and my last folklore post for 2018 – it is as perfect as can be. But the other folklore posts need some work before they can move into the new home…

The blog schedule will stay the same: I’m offline in the months of the Solstice and Equinox (December and June, March and September). But I’ll be blogging on Wednesdays instead of Sundays (it works out nicely with the IWSG and Authortoolbox posts). Everything will be new content… I’ll spruce up the old folklore posts (read: rewrite) and add them in the months I’m supposed to be offline – when I get a chance, of course.

I’ve figured out a lot of the techy stuff: you can follow the blog via email by clicking the follow button in the corner (much like wordpress.com sites), you can share posts on various social media networks (sharing buttons beneath posts), Gravatar is working (I had to set up a new profile for this site to make it work seamlessly), and there’s loads of security to keep my site – and your data – safe.

I still have to see if scheduled posts actually go live when I set it to do so… (This post is the test!)

There are a few things that I still want to do with the site, but I’ll get to it as I learn. I do plan to have it all done by next year this time. (One of many lofty resolutions for this year.)

If you have any suggestions or tips for running your own site smoothly, please let me know in the comments – I’m learning loads of new stuff.

I published a new ebook on 1 January 2019.

Available from major online retailers.

Only two of my newsletter subscribers took me up on the free ARC, probably due to the time of year, but they loved it and that’s the point. Not only do I want to grow my readership – I want to grow it with superfans.

I loved this story. I love the clever use of mythology to create a totally unique story yet holds true the Norse mythology type. It opens with a disturbance on a college campus where real life blends with mythology.  — 5 star review on Goodreads

I like how the author added the folklore and myth of the creatures she used in the the story to her author’s note. I also like the layout of this ebook. — 5 star review on Goodreads

Awesome, right?

Remember to sign up for my newsletter: you’ll get a free ebook when you do, a couple of emails to introduce you to my world (with free reads), updates on when there are new releases, as well as the occasional ARC.

I have these amazing goals for 2019. This includes wanting to write and publish more.

But to do that, I need to know what my readers want. I know everyone reading this blog post isn’t my customer: but you are a reader. If you could be so kind as to fill in this quick four-question survey, I’ll be extremely grateful.

Go on and get your free copy of The Fae Realm as a reward for your awesomeness in helping me be a better author.

I still enjoy reading and reviewing books on Goodreads – though I probably won’t get to the 100 books mark this year as it took a lot out of me in 2018. I do want to read more books that I won’t usually pick up, so I joined the IWSG book club on Goodreads and answered the poll last month – now I only have to actually read the book before discussion starts on the 23rd.

Now on to this month’s question: What are your favourite and least favourite questions people ask about your writing?

What is it about?

Can I get it all for free?

Where is it available?

Are you really published if you did it yourself?

When is the next book coming out?

Do you only write fantasy stuff?

I can continue… I don’t mind answering when the questioner actually wants to know something, learn something, but when it’s just to affirm their own beliefs about something without listening… Anyhow, most of the questions are answered in my author bio and books pages on this site. The publishing stuff are answered in guest posts here on the blog. As for getting stuff for free and when my next book is coming out: join my newsletter – my superfans know everything first.

Did I share enough of my insecurities without drowning you? Did you learn something new? Did you remember to fill in the survey and get your free book? Do you have any advice about running your own site? What are your goals for 2019? Any questions people ask you about your writing that can fall into the “favourite” category?

Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free ebook. I won’t share your information and I’ll only email you once a month with updates on new releases, special offers, and a bit of news.

53 thoughts on “2019 Goals, Resolutions and Questions #IWSG”

  1. Black Moon sounds great! Congrats on the release. The blog’s looking smart, too. I went back through all of my old posts this past month and updated them. It took quite some time. 🙂

    Reply

  4. Happy New Year!

    I am admiring your new website and the work that you did. That took a lot of courage. Kudos to you.
    I like it. And I love your quote by C.S. Lewis. It is so true and one of my principle belief about my own life.
    Wishing you the very best in 2019.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

    Reply

  5. Congratulations on your new publication. I love the new blog look. I need to redo mine too but I’m so limited on time. Your font choice is perfect. Happy IWSG Day 🙂

    Reply

  6. Congrats on the release. Some of the questions you listed would bug me to no end. I will give my work to close friends and maybe family as thanks for having been here for me. Even certain “super” fans that I know will give me an *honest* review. But no the whole world. I want to make a living from this writing thing, sorry (not sorry).

    Reply

  7. I keep thinking of moving my blog to WordPress, but I can’t justify paying monthly for it when I only pay a nominal amount a year for my own domain name and have a free blog essentially. Maybe one day, when I have more writing out in the world. Your website looks great!

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Michelle 🙂 My hosting service gave me several options — including WordPress — when I wanted to build my site. I chose WordPress because it’s what I’m used to 😉 It’s a big step — take it only when you’re ready.

      Reply

  8. Your new blog–so clean and clear! I just subscribed. And filled in the survey. Looking forward to seeing the results.

    I couldn’t find your new book on Amazon. Did I do something wrong? It sounds wonderful.

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Jacqui 🙂 I’ll add the results in my next IWSG post.

      I think there’s some miscommunication between Draft2Digital and Amazon — I’ll upload it manually if I have to. Sigh. I know it’s already on Kobo, Apple and Barnes&Noble. I’m glad you think it sounds wonderful 🙂

      Reply

  11. Filled out the survey but forgot to comment earlier today. Glad I came back to look, lol. Your site looks great. I love all the info on your site. Advice: hmm, make it fun (which it is), make easy to navigate (so far so good), use white space and headings so people can tell quickly if the info is something they want to read because a blog readers attention span is shorter than a two-year-old, so catch it quick. That is something I constantly work on but it is sort of hit and miss for me. I like your font. I need to find a better one for my blog for readability.

    Happy IWSG!

    Reply

  13. Hi, Ronel. I know I took your survey earlier today, and I thought I had commented on your post, but perhaps it didn’t go through. I’ve been having some technical challenges today. So I’ll write another just in case. Congratulations on your Black Moon release. The cover is beautiful, and the story is intriguing. All the best to you!

    Reply

  14. Looking great! I’ll have to pick your brains in a few months when I (I hope) migrate my web page to something other than Blogger! I think your book looks great, and I can’t believe I’m passing up the chance to get a free copy—but I’m in no position to make any promises about reading and reviewing. Best of luck with the goals for 2019, though!

    Reply

  19. Cool survey.

    I hate being asked if my story is “just” a modern-day version of Greek or Roman myths.
    Yes, because that’s the only myths that ever existed. The rest of the world had no life at all until, IDK, Columbus sailed or whatever stupid measurement people use. It’s fine, I’ve even joked that yeah, that’s what it is. So later people can argue with me, since it isn’t based on their myths. Ha ha ha…

    Have a great 2019.

    Reply

  20. I know I just commented the other day, but let me add this note:

    Sign-ups for the First Annual #AtoZChallenge Book Reviews, Tour, and Blog Hop are open. Check the A to Z blog for details.

    Reply

  22. I love the new site, Ronel. The “smart” goals are a great idea. Fantastic! And, good luck with writing and publishing more in the year ahead! 🙂

    Reply
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