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Writerly Ways
Dec. 21st, 2025 08:39 pmIt's that time of year. I'm too tired for thinking about the craft so let's do this. Let's make now a good time to set some 2026 goal as many or as few as you'd like. I know that can be pressure for some. For me I find them helpful. I've been at it too long to get too worked up if I can't make a goal. If you like some accountability you can still sign up for these
Challenge yourself to write 75000 words or more in 2026!
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inkingitout offers low key and supportive weekly check ins to help you as you try to write 75,000 or more words in 2026.
Sign ups now open! Sign ups close Noon GMT 3rd January 2026.
orgetyourwordsout and if those are too high pressure join us for Write Every Day which is super low pressure and bounces from host journal to host journal (if interested just ask me where it's at this week)
If you're looking for an online critique group (also low pressure) that leans into the urban fantasy/SF/horror/mystery genres again just ask me. I'm looking for people to join us. All I ask is if you decide it's not for you, just let me know, no harm no foul.
As for my goals they are as follows
1. keep looking for open calls, especially for the stories languishing in files
2. finish editing the 1980s monster hunter thing and get it to a beta (same as last year)
3. deep edit the werewolf novel which I finally DID start this year (after years of saying I would and didn't) but found out it was in worse shape than I thought
4. even though I said I wouldn't do this again, I DO want to take my thought monster long short story and expand it to a novella to make it more marketable
5. keep working on the sequel to the 1980s story
6. Decide if I ever want to do another story as Jana Denardo
7. I have so many unfinished novels. maybe I should finish one.
8. Do BETTER at balancing fanfic and original fic and the time spent on both
That seems like a nice fat set of goals. How about you? Let's do this. And if you worry about are you good enough, let me point out I'm currently watching Sharkopus and it makes Sharknado look like Oscar Worthy material. If this crap can make it, there's hope for us all.
Open Calls
Fairy Tale Magazine: January 2026 Window Green Man/Woman, Dryad, Yaksha, Tree Spirit
Crepuscular Magazine Microfiction stories exploring places, characters, and questions buried in the gray areas between
Untitled Anthology About Teeth Eerie, or creepy, or Gothic stories about Teeth
Inner Worlds, January 2026 Window. Science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural horror prose with a strong emotional or psychological focus.
Horrific Scribblings New Year’s Apocalypse Challenge New Year’s Apocalyptic stories (particularly the apocalyptic fears that defined the transition into the current millennium)!
The Ranger’s Almanac Winter 2025 Window. Short stories that must relate to a forest or park in any genre
30 Magazines Accepting Flash Fiction
From Around the Web
The Difference Between Tricking Your Reader and Surprising Your Reader
Easy Podcast Promotion for Writers
Comps Can Clinch Your Query
How to Track Book Sales and Identify Your Most Profitable Channels
How To Legally Quote Song Lyrics in Your Book
How To Get Book Reviews
How to Format a Book for Publishing
Optimizing Your Amazon Meta Description
Marketing Planning For First-Time Authors
From Betty
Writing a Short Story vs a Novel
Six Common Villain Mistakes, and How to Avoid Them
Seven Common Causes of Reader Confusion
Five Common Motivation Issues and How to Address Them
here.
Busy Writers: When Does “So Much” Become “Too Much?”
Transforming Negative Traits into Powerful Character Arcs
That Blinking Cursor
Panning For Gold
See Why Three Types of Character Motivation Matter
Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Maladaptive Fantasy
What happens when family and friends don't support your writing?
YouTube for Writers, Part 4: Editing Tips to Improve Your Videos
Why Writers Grow Outside Their Comfort Zone: The Power of Discomfort in the Writing Life
How to Begin Your Novel at the Beginning
And of course have a blessed Solstice!
Challenge yourself to write 75000 words or more in 2026!
inkingitout offers low key and supportive weekly check ins to help you as you try to write 75,000 or more words in 2026.Sign ups now open! Sign ups close Noon GMT 3rd January 2026.
or
getyourwordsout and if those are too high pressure join us for Write Every Day which is super low pressure and bounces from host journal to host journal (if interested just ask me where it's at this week)If you're looking for an online critique group (also low pressure) that leans into the urban fantasy/SF/horror/mystery genres again just ask me. I'm looking for people to join us. All I ask is if you decide it's not for you, just let me know, no harm no foul.
As for my goals they are as follows
1. keep looking for open calls, especially for the stories languishing in files
2. finish editing the 1980s monster hunter thing and get it to a beta (same as last year)
3. deep edit the werewolf novel which I finally DID start this year (after years of saying I would and didn't) but found out it was in worse shape than I thought
4. even though I said I wouldn't do this again, I DO want to take my thought monster long short story and expand it to a novella to make it more marketable
5. keep working on the sequel to the 1980s story
6. Decide if I ever want to do another story as Jana Denardo
7. I have so many unfinished novels. maybe I should finish one.
8. Do BETTER at balancing fanfic and original fic and the time spent on both
That seems like a nice fat set of goals. How about you? Let's do this. And if you worry about are you good enough, let me point out I'm currently watching Sharkopus and it makes Sharknado look like Oscar Worthy material. If this crap can make it, there's hope for us all.
Open Calls
Fairy Tale Magazine: January 2026 Window Green Man/Woman, Dryad, Yaksha, Tree Spirit
Crepuscular Magazine Microfiction stories exploring places, characters, and questions buried in the gray areas between
Untitled Anthology About Teeth Eerie, or creepy, or Gothic stories about Teeth
Inner Worlds, January 2026 Window. Science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural horror prose with a strong emotional or psychological focus.
Horrific Scribblings New Year’s Apocalypse Challenge New Year’s Apocalyptic stories (particularly the apocalyptic fears that defined the transition into the current millennium)!
The Ranger’s Almanac Winter 2025 Window. Short stories that must relate to a forest or park in any genre
30 Magazines Accepting Flash Fiction
From Around the Web
The Difference Between Tricking Your Reader and Surprising Your Reader
Easy Podcast Promotion for Writers
Comps Can Clinch Your Query
How to Track Book Sales and Identify Your Most Profitable Channels
How To Legally Quote Song Lyrics in Your Book
How To Get Book Reviews
How to Format a Book for Publishing
Optimizing Your Amazon Meta Description
Marketing Planning For First-Time Authors
From Betty
Writing a Short Story vs a Novel
Six Common Villain Mistakes, and How to Avoid Them
Seven Common Causes of Reader Confusion
Five Common Motivation Issues and How to Address Them
here.
Busy Writers: When Does “So Much” Become “Too Much?”
Transforming Negative Traits into Powerful Character Arcs
That Blinking Cursor
Panning For Gold
See Why Three Types of Character Motivation Matter
Coping Mechanism Thesaurus: Maladaptive Fantasy
What happens when family and friends don't support your writing?
YouTube for Writers, Part 4: Editing Tips to Improve Your Videos
Why Writers Grow Outside Their Comfort Zone: The Power of Discomfort in the Writing Life
How to Begin Your Novel at the Beginning
And of course have a blessed Solstice!
