Write On! Features: The Write On! Team Share Their 2024 Wins & Losses
Edited by Claire Buss
Every year, I invite the Write On! regulars to share their creative wins and losses over 2024. It always amazes me how we are suddenly in December and I often panic – did I do enough this year? Have I achieved what I wanted? Do I need to make new goals?
I did publish a book this year, Myth In The Mountain, so I feel like I ticked some boxes. But I didn’t finish audio recording The Rose Thief, which is a rollover goal from last year! I managed to send out some author newsletters but I let my social media posting slide. I did, however, attend my writing group, Writing Buddies, regularly, and I have to give a shout-out to the wonderful Lizzie Chantree and Chris Penhall for their amazing support.
Every year on Goodreads, I set myself a number of books to read. It’s gradually gone up each year until 2017, when I chose 100 books. Smashed it! My little girl was born in December that year, so I sensibly dropped my target to 50 for 2018. Smashed it! Obviously I had to go for 100 in 2019. I have not yet managed to get to that number in the past five years. Guess what? I didn’t do it this year, either. So my reading goal next year will be… 100 books!
I think what I’m trying to say is, there’s nothing wrong with resetting the same goals for yourself. Whether it’s reading or creative, life goals, holiday destination or new skills learned. Just because you didn’t achieve it in the past 365 rotations around the sun, doesn’t mean it’s an unattainable goal. It’s good to have something to aim for, no matter how small, large, relaxed, set in stone or on a strict deadline. Whatever works for you.
My plans? I hope to publish a new book next year, in a new genre for me, so very exciting and terribly daunting. Who knows, maybe I’ll get that audiobook project finished!
Let’s check in with the Write On! team. First up, Madeleine F White, Write On!’s Editor:
My Writing Journey In 2024
Stumble and fall
It’s not worth it at all.
Pick myself up
I am enough.
Pick up the pen
I start again.
Waiting and seeing
but not quite believing,
I’m good enough
strong enough, big enough
to absorb the rejection
and even affection for what’s hidden within me
that only comes out when I write.
But I can’t help myself
even if it never makes the shelf
sitting still
it is created still.
Unread, my collection of pixels
and biro flourishes still nourish me.
In 2024 I’ve learned
my words set me free!
(c) Madeleine F White, 2024
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Next we have Thoughtful Tuesday’s page editor Eithne Cullen:
Another Busy Writing Year For Me…
Some highlights have been around performing at events: Paul McGrane’s ‘Poems Not Bombs’ for example, was a delight. Sometimes I’ve performed at an evening event in Walthamstow and other times in The Spice Of Life in Soho. I also read at ‘Not A Bad Word’ in Crouch End Picture House, which was a great event and helped me meet new poets and share a platform with them.
In March, I shared a stage with Robin Ince, and when I’d read out poems about him, he replied with poems about me. This was hilarious, especially when he wrote it up in The Big Issue!
I’ve carried on with Thoughtful Tuesday pages, sharing some fantastic work. Mary Walsh and I hosted a fun Open Mic slot in Dagenham and we’ve recorded two episodes for Write On! Audio, sharing our love of writing. My magazine interviews have included my fabulous conversation with Jenny Mitchell.
I was able to get to Hay Festival; always an adventure!
Writing, of course, is the greatest adventure of all, so let’s look at what 2025 can bring.
© Eithne Cullen, 2024
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Now we have a lovely round up of 2024 from seven regular contributors to Write On!
Ellie Blake
BBC One included some of my YouTube footage in a documentary. I taught classes on creative writing and wellbeing. Oodles of writing – the 3-part feature on ChatGPT for Write On! Features, and my novel, with completion hopefully next year; plus storytelling through learning professional video filming and developing an app too!
Afsana Elanko
Writing For Connections And Wellbeing
Writing goals were simple this year; just to create in order to have connections with others and maintain a sense of wellbeing through creativity. I’m pleased to report this goal was met and I successfully created prose, short stories and poems. A highlight was learning that my poetry had been included in the National Anthology For Poetry and a particular poem was recognised for the strong message it sent.
Mary Walsh
During 2024, I’ve gained more confidence in my work, compiling a full poetry collection with an Irish theme and a children’s collection. I was shortlisted for the Sean Dunne Poetry competition. Joined Paul McGrane at ‘Poetry Not Bombs,’ Open Mic event in Soho and did a few podcasts with Eithne Cullen. I struggled a bit, setting aside time, as there were lots of interruptions. But all in all, a good year.
Danny Baxter
In Easter 2024, I FINALLY completed the last two of four poem rewrites of my longstanding poetry project Twelve Poems, which I initially drafted way back in 2010. Also, I’ve had my first Write On! article published and have written and performed poetry at several events in the Borough.
Lisa Scully O’Grady
I’ve had a hell of a year, I have to say. I’ve pushed myself out in every direction with flash fiction, poetry, writing tips, short stories, and the beginning of a play and a novel, and using different avenues to reach people, such as audio and video.
Juneha Chowdhury
Achievements: I’ve managed to write a full draft of another 80,000-word novel which I’m extremely pleased with. I’ve developed a lot more confidence as a writer, and I’m learning to be less hard on myself when things don’t go according to plan.
Not achieved yet: Still on the long and winding road to publication and still not sure whether I will eventually get there! But hey, the struggle continues.
Julie Dexter
Seeds of faith bloom fruits of success. After winning the Pen to Print poetry prize in 2023, I began to approach my writing with a vastly different vision. In early 2024, I joined a writing group. Then, I submitted pieces crafted in the group to Pen to Print, leading to further publication. Moving on, into 2025 I’m hopeful that other publication is going to happen. I’d say watch this space!
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I hope hearing from some of our contributors and page editors has inspired you to perhaps submit your own work to Write On! and Pen to Print in 2025. And who knows, perhaps this will finally be the year I get to read 100 books. Shouldn’t be too difficult, right?
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Issue 23 is out now. You will find it in libraries and other outlets. Alternatively all current and previous editions can be found on our magazines page here.
You can hear great new ideas, creative work and writing tips on Write On! Audio. Find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts and Spotify. Type Pen to Print into your browser and look for our logo, or find us on Podcasters.Spotify.com.
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The Write On! Team Share Their 2024 Wins & Losses
