2024 is almost over, so it’s time to look back on the year! I’ve made it a tradition to write a month-by-month “this is what the past year has taught me” post to take a moment and reflect on the things I’ve learned and accomplished—no matter how big or small. Let’s celebrate to another year of (writerly) shenanigans:
January
My orchestra started the new year with a concert in one of the most beautiful and prestigious concert halls in the world: The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Playing in this hall, sitting in the same place that hosted great conductors and orchestras was an unreal, out-of-body experience. It was also very, very wonderful. January taught me that dreaming big takes courage and strength of mind. Dreaming big is a daunting thing to do, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it—because you might end up in a wonderful, wonderful place.
February
I started a blog series on how I use Scrivener for my projects, from organizing my manuscript in the binder, to positioning character profiles, keeping track of story world, storing research, and sorting my notes. I loved writing this series—not just because other writers might find my insights helpful, but also because it made me think about my process and what I could do better. February taught me that there’s always room for improvement, in the most unexpected ways.
March
March came and went in a blur—I have no idea what happened. I have zero recollection. Perhaps March’s lesson (in hindsight): pay attention because life will pass by quickly and (too) quietly…
April
I took a trip to London (UK) with my friends from university! We went to a concert by the London Philharmonic Orchestra (they played one of my favorites: Gustav Holst’s THE PLANETS), caught a hilarious performance of THE BOOK OF MORMON, had cocktails at a hidden speakeasy, visited Foyles bookstore, and ate lots and lots of good food! April taught me these kinds of trips are good for me, and I should do more of them. They are a balm to my soul; they ease my mind and give me joy and oomph and inspiration.
May
I celebrated my birthday in May! I presented myself with a gift I had been saving for it since 2020—a gift that I would only give myself once in this lifetime: my own musical instrument. I was determined to find the one that without a doubt was the right fit for me. It was a BIG DEAL.
Initially, I hadn’t wanted to try the Buffet Crampon Légende clarinet: it’s a professional instrument—precise and centered and bright and warm and intuitive and wonderful. But I’m not a professional musician and more often than not, my playing is a mess (I kid you not, I need to get my sh*t together). So why in the world would I “deserve” a professional instrument? Who was I trying to be if I did? Wasn’t that a truly arrogant and obnoxious and pretentious thing to do?
Luckily, my teacher stepped in and killed the self-doubt: if I could afford to invest in my music career, I should do it. Because I would get better. And better. And better. Thus, May taught me that I should never hold myself back—it’s okay to want to become something more, even if that may take a while (also: imposter syndrome is a lying son-of-a-b*tch).
June
In June, I wrote three poems that were recited in front of 1000 people. I learned that poetry is storytelling in a super concise, super deliberate form. Poetry is the art of saying more with less! June taught me the magic of adding emotion with as few words as possible, and the art of intentional word choice.
July
I embarked on a month-long Scandinavian roadtrip and discovered the magic of the north (allll the way beyond the polar circle) AND audio books! I’m not usually an audiobook person: my mind wanders too much (story ideas, to-do lists, what-if scenarios, etc.…), but these THE LORD OF THE RINGS audiobooks were truly amazing—the sound effects, the music, the voices! I’ve meanwhile devoured most of the Harry Potter audio books, as well, and I have a few classics lined up next!
August
I took Sabaa Tahir’s course on voice at The Writers Conservatory. I learned a ton about style, tone, narrative perspective, characterization, and language choices. August taught me that it’s okay if my voice doesn’t fully manifest in the early drafts of my WIP. It takes work to make a story voicy, so I learned to be patient with myself; to allow my voice to develop naturally and to not force it. Writing is a long game, and sometimes I just need some chunks of time in which my brain cooks things.
September
In September, I updated my author bio because I discovered something new and super important about who I am as a writer: I realized that my experiences with chronic illness were woven into all my stories. Lesson learned and new insight gained!
October
I spent a week in Scotland at the Storyteller’s Retreat, together with 40 powerful female writers and an amazing faculty! I learned sooo many things: how to Nine-Box my manuscript, how to make an unwritten contract with my reader (and how not to disappoint them), and how to write a kick-ass first chapter! I learned a lot about my story, too. And—perhaps most importantly—I learned that I. AM. A. WRITER. (Also: the magic of baked beans, y’all!!).
November
In November, I stupidly, stupidly, STUPIDLY lost all my writerly documents. One minute, all my files were there; the next: NOTHING. They were all GONE—my Scrivener files, my author platform stuff, my first novel, my current WIP, my latest outline, and all the feedback I collected during my Scotland retreat. G.O.N.E.
Naturally, I spiraled into a deep, dark hole of suffering and despair. Two days later, I slowly clawed my way out as I managed to retrieve some of my older files (luckily). My more recent work is still gone, though, and I can’t believe I let this happen. The technology available is so easy, so inexpensive, so foolproof that there is NO EXCUSE to lose my work. Everybody knows this. I know this! And yet… Arghhhh, so stupid!!
Sooo, November taught me the importance of thoroughly saving and backing up my work!
December
I finished Rachel Griffin’s Revision course at The Writers Conservatory, and oh my! Oh my, oh my! Rachel Griffin is a magical unicorn/revision Queen, and I cannot thank her enough for sharing her wisdom with the world! I learned how to approach my revisions (and how not to be overwhelmed by the messy-ness of my manuscript), how to write an edit letter, how to make a chapter-by-chapter revisions outline, how to keep my eye on what’s important, and so many more writerly things!
To conclude: 2024 was another year of important lessons and writerly growth (except in March), and I’m excited to see what 2025 will bring!