1. Introduction
   1. Choosing your focus
   2. Book Recommendation: “The Martian” by Andy Weir
   3. Writing Prompt: “New Beginnings”
   4. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to the New Year, my nugs! I hope this year brings you the skills and practices you need to continue your growth as a writer. In this newsletter, we’ll be focusing on valuable writing advice to help you kick-start your creative journey.

I’m trying out a recording option for the readers. Please let me know if you like this and how the listening experience was! Happy New Year!

Choosing your focus

As we begin a fresh year, it’s essential to set realistic and attainable writing goals. Part of this is knowing what your focus is for the year. In this month’s article, we’ll focus on setting goals and how to grow by using smaller goals to achieve the larger.

Every year offers an opportunity for New Year’s Resolutions. Some may refute the usefulness of New Year’s Resolutions. If they aren’t useful, then why do so many people still believe in them? I think we all believe we have the ability to better ourselves. We just struggle in the execution. It just sounds like an application thing, right? Not entirely. Sometimes what we’re lacking in those moments is our focus.

Every year, you should set your focus as a part of your goals, and all goals should point toward that focus. For writers, I recommend choosing one project as your focus, starting out. Whether it’s your first, second, or final draft, focusing solely on one project can help clarify your other goals for the year. My fiction goal last year was to write my first draft of Book 1 in the Wands and Wandless series. I started by writing 500 words a day, and then as long as I had a majority of the month where I wrote that 500 each day, then I increased to 600 words a day the next month. I didn’t realize I could find a writing goal that allowed me to spend time with my family and take care of other responsibilities. My sweet spot turned out to be 1100-1200 words a day. I did complete NaNoWriMo, but that was an exception and to maintain what I needed to do required sacrifices in other areas.

So how do you choose your focus?

Start by writing out a list of goals for your year. Write more? Read more?

Will you set word count goals? Time Goals? Book, chapter, or scene goals?

Consider all of this and more as you choose your focus.

This year, Myers Fiction is focusing on creating a better understanding of Science Fiction and Fantasy. I wanted to do these genres together because they cross over so often. Should you still drop by this year if you don’t write Science Fiction or Fantasy? Of course! Learning from the other genres is a great way to keep your writing fresh and sometimes helps you subvert your genre. I’ve learned much from Romance writing courses, though I’ve never written a romance myself. So check back next week for the introduction to your year of Science Fiction and Fantasy study.

Also, don’t forget to drop by the @myersfiction Instagram page to find daily prompts, inspirations, or information to help you on your journey this year.

Book Recommendation: “The Martian” by Andy Weir

Inspiration can often be found within the pages of a great book. This month, I recommend “The Martian” by Andy Weir. Why should you study The Martian this month? Because this is a great example of keeping the science in science fiction while making it a part of the story. Often, writers are given the advice to identify your protagonist by finding the worst character to take on the challenges of your story. I think there’s some truth to that, but sometimes it’s making the protagonist your most likely to survive, but in their own way. Would the person stranded on Mars have survived as well as Mark Watney if they didn’t have his personality? They might have, but it wouldn’t have been the same story. With Mark Watney’s previous knowledge, and personality of problem solving, he was able to survive. Those traits also blinded him to other factors, he soon realized.

Another part to study in The Martian is the form of the physical book. Originally written as a blog, The Martian is a great example of a Diary/Journal fiction where the character is sharing their story through the daily entries of their experience. Journal fiction is most commonly seen in blog/serial fiction stories, but can be a great tool in many fiction novels. Remember the classical literature that used letters to tell parts of the story when the protagonist wasn’t there. One great example of this is Dracula, where large portions of the story are shared in letters to other characters in the story.

Now, this was only a brief rundown of The Martian. As you read, and/or re-read The Martian consider the following questions:

1. How does Andy Weir effectively build a sense of isolation and survival in a hostile environment? What techniques does he use to engage the reader’s senses and emotions?
2. What role does scientific knowledge play in the narrative of ‘The Martian’? How is complex information conveyed that is digestible and entertaining?
3. How does Andy Weir create a compelling and relatable character in Mark Watney, despite the extreme and alien circumstances he encounters? How can you apply this character development technique to your own writing?
4. Observe the pacing and structure of ‘The Martian’. How does Weir use these elements to maintain suspense and reader interest throughout the novel?
5. What themes, aside from survival, are explored in ‘The Martian’? How are these themes expressed through the plot, setting, and characters of the story? How could these themes be integrated into your own sci-fi writing?

Writing Prompt: “New Beginnings”

Dive into the theme of fresh starts, examining how they impact relationships, careers, or personal transformations. Utilize this exercise to explore and expand upon your previously created characters, worlds, or settings.

1. Choose Your Focus:

• Decide whether you want to write a short story, poem, or journal entry.
• Determine the scale of the new beginning: Will it be a monumental life change, such as moving to a new city or starting a new career? Or will it be a smaller, yet significant shift, like a new hobby or a change in appearance?

2. Set the Scene:

• Select a character, world, or setting from your previous creations.
• Briefly describe the current status quo before the new beginning occurs. What is their current situation, mindset, or environment?

3. Introduce the New Beginning:

• Describe the catalyst for this fresh start. What motivates the change? Is it a conscious decision, a chance encounter, or an unexpected event?
• Highlight the initial reactions and emotions of your character(s) to this new beginning. Are they excited, fearful, uncertain, or hopeful?

4. Develop the Transformation:

• Show the process of change. How does the new beginning unfold? Include challenges, surprises, and turning points.
• Explore how the character’s thoughts, feelings, and relationships evolve during this time. Do they face internal or external conflicts? How do they navigate these?

5. Reflect on the Impact:

• Conclude with a reflection on how the new beginning has influenced the character(s) and their world.
• What have they learned or gained from this experience? How have they grown or changed?

6. Optional: Connect to Broader Themes:

• If relevant, connect the specific new beginning to broader themes in your work. How does this fresh start fit into the larger narrative or character arc?

7. Share Your Experience:

Reflect on what you discovered through this exercise. Did it lead to new insights about your characters or world? Did it spark new ideas or directions for your writing?

Write at least 500 words detailing the new beginning and its impact.

Conclusion

Thank you for being a part of the Myers Fiction writing community. Also, if you’ve made it this far, make sure you keep an eye out for subscriber exclusive posts this year! So don’t forget to subscribe or to have your friends subscribe. Remember, the journey of a writer is filled with both triumphs and challenges, but with dedication and perseverance, you can accomplish your goals. As always, keep writing, keep learning, and become Authors of Tomorrow.

Previous Post: Expanding to the Third Person Point of View

Previous Newsletter: December 2023

Next Writing Post: A Year of Science Fiction and Fantasy

Next Newsletter: February 2024