Planning as an Aspiring Author!

 

Uncertainty. Twenty-twenty could claim that as its middle name. 

This year has been an uncertain time for all of us among COVID-19, the Political climate, and everything in between. For me personally, it’s been quite the curveball navigating so many of my in-person college courses morphing one by one into online courses for the semester. It’s been a lot of Zooms, so I’m happy to be writing this first post and excited that I can use it as an excuse to break away from some final assignments. ;)

 

As far as planning goes, one of my plans for winter break is to work on plotting out some ideas I have for writing a novel. During this uncertain semester, I haven’t been able to write for myself as much as I’d like to. Meanwhile, one of my biggest goals in life is to eventually publish something!

 

I’ve tried my hand at crafting some manuscripts, but have had a hard time sticking with an idea. I seem to suffer from the “Shiny New Idea Syndrome.” I’ll make it 10,000 or 30,000 words into what I’ll think is the coolest story idea ever, then I’ll come up with the next coolest idea ever, then “abandon” one project for another.

 

I’m excited to be joining this community of so many experienced writers and I would love to hear any advice you might have. I think a lot of it is probably just staying disciplined, but I’d love to know if anyone else has struggled with this and how you managed it.

- Jade Johann, student at Missouri State University