Pen & Ink

Sharing Fiction, Poetry, and Writing Tutorials

2022 Review + 2023 Goals

Hello readers, and happy new year! As we turn the page to 2022 and look ahead to 2023, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what I accomplished in the past year and set some goals for the year ahead.

As you probably know by now, I’m huge on goals, planning, and organizing. I believe that it’s important to set realistic goals for yourself so that you can accomplish them. That’s why I’m writing this post: to share my goals for the new year (so you all can keep me accountable) and to give you readers a chance to share some of your goals in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

So, let’s dive in and see what the past year brought and what the new year has in store.

2022 Review

I definitely accomplished a lot in 2022! In addition to completing my book, Identity, I also achieved two of my other goals: reaching 100 blog subscribers and spending more consistent time writing.

Completing my novel was a huge accomplishment for me. I have been working on Identity for three years now, and finally finishing it is a fulfilling (and strange) feeling. Throughout the process of writing this novel, I learned that writing a good novel is fun, but definitely not easy. I discovered new strengths and weaknesses and grew as a writer and person. Even though the editing process felt like it took forever, it was definitely worth it for the finished product of my book.

So keep an eye out for Identity‘s release on February 1st! It will soon be available in Kindle and Paperback, and maybe Hardback. You can pre-order the Kindle edition HERE.

In addition to completing my book, I also set a goal to get 100 blog subscribers in 2022. You readers helped me a ton by spreading the word about my blog. I know I’ve said this a lot, but I couldn’t have done it without all your support! By the end of June 2022, I had reached my goal of 100 subscribers, and I was overjoyed to see that my writing resonated with people enough for them to subscribe! Now I’m on to 113 subscribers, and I’m hoping to get to 150 by the end of 2023.

Finally, I made a goal to spend more consistent time writing in 2022. As a busy person with many commitments (church, school, music… the list goes on), it was (and is) challenging for me to carve out time for writing. However, writing is SUPER important to me, so I made a commitment to prioritize it. I set aside specific times each week to write, and I made sure to stick to my schedule. Because of this, I was able to complete Identity and get it ready to publish.

Overall, I am proud of what I accomplished in 2022, and I am grateful for the progress I made. Now let’s get on to my goals in 2023!

2023 Goals

My first goal for 2023 is that I want to write the first draft of my new dystopian novel, The Price of Revenge (the title may be temporary). This is a big undertaking, but I am excited to dive into a new project and see where it takes me. I look forward to exploring new characters and plotlines, and I have to admit that it will be kind of nice to take a break from Daughters of the Sea.

In addition to writing my new novel, I also want to read 52 books this year. Yes, I know I didn’t complete my goal of reading 100 books last year… let’s just say that it’s very hard to find good stories that are worth reading. But this year, I already have a 200-book-long TBR list, and that should hopefully supply me with enough good books to read. Otherwise I might find myself re-reading The Green Ember for the thousandth time. Either way, I’m super excited to tackle my reading goal in 2023, and I am looking forward to discovering new authors and genres.

Another goal I have for 2023 is to post twice a week on my blog consistently. Blogging has been super fun for me, and I enjoy connecting with my readers and sharing my thoughts and experiences. By posting consistently, I can make sure my blog stays fresh and interesting, and I can also hopefully grow my audience. I’ve learned that consistency is key when it comes to blogging, and I want to try to stick to my schedule and provide valuable content for my readers.

Finally, I want to start an in-person writing group in 2023. By starting a writing group, I can connect with other writers and we can share our experiences and insights. Online collaborating is just not the same–so it’s important to me to connect with people that I can see in person.

Now, let’s get to the good stuff: Announcements!

What’s New for the Blog?

With the new year, naturally, some things may be changing around this site. I will be resuming my schedule of posting twice per week (Mondays and Fridays), and I will also write more posts that are helpful to you readers rather than posts that are all about my personal life.

The original goal of my blog was to provide valuable and informative content to my readers, and that is a goal that I need to continue to keep in mind as we dive into the new year. I like to create posts that are helpful and relevant to my readers’ needs, whether that be through providing practical tips, offering guidance on a specific topic, or simply sharing interesting and thought-provoking ideas. Lately, I have been sharing more posts on my personal life, and don’t worry, those posts will continue, but I’m going to make sure I also write posts that apply to you all, because that’s important to me too.

I want to create a welcoming space for my readers on this blog. I want my blog to be a place where everyone feels comfortable and supported, and where they can find community with other writers. When I first started writing, I had no idea that there were other young writers out there just like me. I want to allow all kinds of different writers to find community and support here.

Ultimately, my hope is that my blog can serve as a resource for my readers, helping them to learn and grow. Whether it’s through providing valuable information, offering support and encouragement, or simply being a place to escape and relax, I want my blog to be a positive influence in the lives of my readers.

Okay, those few paragraphs turned out long! But you all get the point–I love you guys and I want you to have a good experience here. And don’t forget to look out for all my blog posts on Mondays and Fridays every week! And if you have any ideas for new blog posts, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Coming to a Close…

2022 was an amazing year, and I am excited to see what’s in store for 2023. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and here’s to another awesome new year!

How about you? What was your favorite part of 2022? What are some of your goals for 2023? Let’s discuss it in the comments below!

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11 responses to “2022 Review + 2023 Goals”

  1. Kayti Avatar

    Sounds like awesome goals, Annabelle! And I know you totally got this! I’m looking forward to Identity’s release!

    1. Annabelle Avatar
      Annabelle

      Thanks, Kayti! I’m looking forward to it as well!

  2. sar sar Avatar
    sar sar

    cannot. wait. for. your. new. book.
    🙂

    1. Annabelle Avatar
      Annabelle

      Me neither!! 😀 Only eight more days!

  3. Eden Detwiler Avatar

    That’s so awesome Annabelle! Congrats on Identity! I love all your goals and they really encourage me to tackle mine!

  4. Meredith Avatar
    Meredith

    I’m so excited for your new story, I love dystopian novels!
    Sounds like great goals, I’m looking forward to reading more blog posts!

  5. CharityAnne Avatar
    CharityAnne

    Well done!
    I admire your perspective on goals and perseverance.
    I am very sure you will accomplish what you have set before you and more!

    Something that I am working on this year is to never forget to count my blessings. It can certainly can change your perspective on life.

    Once again we’ll done!

  6. Vanessa Hall Avatar

    Aww congrats on finishing Identity! Will be on the lookout for it very soon. 🙂

    1. Annabelle Avatar
      Annabelle

      Thanks, Vanessa!

  7. Emma Avatar

    Congratulations on a well-done 2022! (And congrats on finishing Identity!! That’s super exciting.) I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more from the blog—twice a week? that sounds hard, but awesome—and wish you a wonderful 2023.

    1. Annabelle Avatar
      Annabelle

      Thanks, Emma! Yeah, twice a week will be a challenge, but I’m willing to try it. 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment!