It’s the first Wednesday of the month and time for another posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
I’m co-hosting this month! My awesome co-hosts are: Tara Tyler, Pat Garcia, Liza, and Natalie Aguirre!
It’s the last month of the year. I can barely believe it. But a good way to end the year is to look at what I did and what I had wanted to accomplish at the start of it.
A look at what I planned and what I completed:
- My folklore podcast episodes went as planned.
- I moved around some of the books I planned to read as shiny ones on my TBR stole my attention, but I read and reviewed as many (more?) books than planned. (Especially ARCs.)
- I finished a series. Yeah, I totally finished “The Irascible Immortals Series“. So awesome! Okay, so some of the translations and audio still need to be published, but I’m sure it will be done by the end of 2025.
Surprising things that happened:
- I started reading books discussed in-depth on the Ink and Magic Podcast and thus learned more about writing (some things I understood about story but not how to use it properly, etc.).
- I started a Booktube podcast (sharing my reviews on YouTube) on the same channel I use for everything. I call it: Reviews with Ronel.
- I started a Substack. I call it: Ronel the Raconteur. I basically just share my two podcasts there.
- I also published book 5 in the Origin of the Fae series. Only in English, but in all 3 formats I usually publish in. So cool!
Writing and publishing wise…
I wanted to do Kickstarter, but it turns out I’m ineligible to be a creator on the platform as I’m South African (they only allow certain countries to participate on the creator side of things). I did research alternatives, but none of them have the kind of built-in audience for books the way Kickstarter does. Bummer. I did find Jumpstarter, a South African alternative crowdfunding model similar to Kickstarter. But honestly, there’s so much to work through to get something like this to work, that I felt overwhelmed.
I learned so much this year: using different technology and apps; from book clubs and reading challenges; listening to podcasts and reading papers on psychology. It’s like I did a degree on how to be a super entrepreneur, author and person. It was fun. I believe in being a life-long learner, and by diversifying what I learned this year (though not outside my comfort zone), I did start looking at things in a different light (or angle or whatever).
I rewrote a couple of stories in my closet and even published some of them (exclusive to my newsletter subscribers). You can read about this spring cleaning endeavour here.
The idea that anything you do takes exactly as long as you budget time for it was probably the biggest AHA! moment I had this year.
Eye of the Tiger – Just a woman and her will to survive.
I said in January that this is my song for the year. Man, I needed the inspiration a time or two. Things got rough as I redefined my author career; not just professionally but personally, too. The economics of time, knowing that saying “yes” to something means saying “no” to something else, sometimes seemed harsh. Why can’t I spend a bit of time researching this shiny new idea?
Yeah, looking back at what I was able to accomplish this year because I budgeted my time is quite amazing. And knowing what I can still do in 2025 because I practiced self-care, just makes me hungry for more.
So that’s been my year. What did you accomplish this year? You can learn loads more on my For Authors page here.
No-one writes about the fae like Ronel Janse van Vuuren.
Bummer about Kickstarter. Hope one day you can use it.
You’ve had a productive year!
Thanks for co-hosting today.
You’ve had a really productive year. It’s awesome that you finished a series. Thanks for co-hosting with me this month.
I once heard a billionaire talk about how to build a fortune, and he referenced the story of the tortoise and the hare. He said, “Be the tortoise.” It’s that way with our time time — consistency over time = accomplishment. Way to go! You’ve done some awesome things.
Thank you for co-hosting today, Ronel. Wow, you have accomplished so much this year–congratulations. I have benefited from your thirst for learning regarding advice for marketing books. I checked out your YouTube channel–looks great. 🙂
Hi,
You have really had a good year! I am happy for you. Keep writing.
Shalom shalom
Good summary. That’s a favorite song, always inspires me.
I’ve had to learn to say ‘no’ more this year, because I say ‘yes’ too often. So I hear you! What a great year you had! Well done!
Your energy and professionalism are an inspiration, as always. I’ll be doing a post at the end of the month as a year-end wrap-up. I don’t feel like I’ve hit many of my goals, and everything has taken longer than planned (the problem with self-publishing–no true deadlines means the time available can keep expanding, and thus so can the time it takes to get there.
Wowzers, you’ve do a lot this year! Go you! Have a great rest of the year!
I guess we all need to be entrepreneurs if we want to go the indie writer route. It is wonderful that you like being one.
Congrats for all you accomplished this year, Ronel! And here’s to taking good care of yourself! It’s critical. I’m still struggling with budgeting time and practicing self care. I’m going around saying, “There’s power in finishing things,” (Oliver Burkeman) because I get sidetracked very easily (ADHD 😂). Merry Christmas, and thanks for co-hosting today!
You’ve been very productive this past year. Keep up that momentum!
Lee
Thanks for co-hosting this month. You are always so inspiring. I love your honesty and energy. I’m glad that, overall, you had a good year. Hope Kickstarter makes an adjustment to their policy at some point. Happy Holidays!
I didn’t realize Kickstarter limited country of origin. I wonder why? @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
That’s a great list, and top of it is, I think, learning to take better care of your self. I think I still need work on that, but the physical things I’ve overcome give me a solid ground for next year at last.
BTW, I often get your newsletter in Afrikaans to my email. I’m afraid I skip it 😀
Thanks for co-hosting this month (and every month, it seems!)
Jemima
Busy, busy year! Excellent writing work. You’re fantastic.
Don’t miss an opportunity to write why you like (or dislike) a book!
Have a wonderful holiday season. ⭐
J
That’s quite a year full of achievements. How lovely to have done all that and to have it up on your blog. You are inspirational. Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG.