You’d think, after 2020, we’d all have learned not to make predictions, right? Right? Of course, right.
But I learn more slowly than most. So I thought I’d put forth a few predictions for your coming year, if you’re a writer. If you’re not a writer, most of these won’t apply to you. But if you are, I think I can confidently offer these twenty-five predictions:
- You will have bad writing days.
- You will have good writing days.
- You will write a terrible first draft.
- You will doubt your skills.
- You will write something beautiful.
- You will write something horrible.
- Your second draft will be an improvement.
- You will start over. Probably many times.
- You will be inspired.
- You will try something new.
- You will learn.
- You will lose your focus.
- You will recover your focus.
- You will feel uninspired.
- You will get better.
- You will laugh.
- You will cry.
- You will get a new idea.
- You will experience a breakthrough.
- You will write.
- You will rewrite.
- You will rewrite some more.
- You will feel like quitting.
- You will feel like dying.
- You will survive.
“Yet” Is a Wonderful Word
Bob,
What a great series of predictions for the new year–and I could identify with each of them as a writer. I believe there are amazing opportunities ahead for every writer–but it doesn’t just drop into your computer or mailbox. Each of us have to be actively looking for it (pitching and knocking on doors) to see what opens. Books and articles and any other type of writing can change lives.
Terry
author of 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed
Thanks for being my writing pastor, Bob. You teach, laugh, and cry with us. Words connect us. I am grateful.
Yes, Indeed. Everyday is a new day to rely on the Lord. Paul said it best paraphrased whether I abound or I am abased. I will trust the Lord. You get the gist.
And if you keep reading Bob’s writing I promise you will find humor! And I think we all need more humor.
Always, always enjoy your posts Bob! Straight to the point with few unnecessary words (and good punctuation, too!) And I’m going to save this, print it and probably read it more than a few times!
Your post is spot-on, as always! We’re not even two full weeks into 2021 and I’ve already seen several of these come true with my writing. As long as we keep plugging away and focus on #25, we’ll get through. Thanks for the perspective!
So that’s the good news and the bad…..or, actually, the bad news and the good. Life’s like that sometimes…..Thanks for the dose of reality, as well as the encouragement.
Thanks, Bob. The “doubting my skills” part has already come true. Looking forward to the rest of a writer’s 2021!
Ha ha! I think you have this predicting the future thing down, Bob! Yes, I suspect that you are right on all of this. I am looking forward to having my next draft be an improvement!
I have printed this out and will read it many times in the coming year!
Printing this out and marking them off as I experience them. Thanks for reminding me it’s all part of the process
Thanks so much! I really needed this.
I hope that many months from now
I will still be here
to pause, give thanks, and wonder how
I survived the year,
but the Lord, He will not guarantee
the things that will take place,
and so it is now up to me
to wish you all the grace
that shines out from the brave-writ words,
you launch on ink-borne tides,
that your eyes are always turned
to He who stout hearts guides,
and when the story of the year is told,
all the love your hearts can hold.
Oh, Andrew! You make me laugh and weep simultaneously. Grace, peace, and prayers.
I believe you just wrapped up my experiences in 2020 as a writer. You also reassured me I am a writer for having those experiences. Thank you so much. Looking forward to 2021 and what I will learn as I write and read your blog posts.
This is fun amd so true. All of that we are going to experience. That helps.
Heck, I experienced all of these the first week of the year! Now what do I do?
LOL! If you were writing inserts for fortune cookies, people would open them and be astonished at how personal and accurate theirs was. There you go! Another sideline!
Yeah, pretty much the writer’s life. Your predictions reflect the life of anyone in the creative arena!
Part of the thrill if we stick with it.
Haha, this is so true! And yes, we will survive because we persevere! Keep going.
Nailed it!
I predict that every one of your predictions will come true.
These can apply to every year in the future – I hope.
How did you know what I went through in 2020? I look for a repeat in 2021.
Thank you Bob! I’m doing many of those things right now.
Bob, you must have copied this from last year and reprinted it for this one.
You are such a wise man! (Although some might end that sentence differently.)
And onward we march!
Realistic indeed, Bob. No 25 will help me keep faith.
Best
True. Sigh. Thank you, Bob.
I’m reading this a bit late, on the 20th of January. Already your predictions have come true for me.
And I will press on…