Book Tour: How to Have 52 Rewarding Weeks of Writing

Being a writer, professional or part-time, may sound and look such an easy profession. After all, you spend all your time in the front of a white (computer) sheet of paper and you are writing about, who knows what. But the fate of a successful writer is not random. You may have a talent but the ingredient that makes you seen and read is called, discipline. A bit boring and glamour-less but, that´s the trick and the secret and the truth.

Actually, I am that kind of writer that love planning and organising. From my short blog posts to my longterm writing, planning a lot in advance and creating a certain organised schedule around this - part-time - activity help me follow a successful routine, for medium term. What about spending 52 weeks - meaning, one year - with a higher focus on writing?

52 Weeks of Writing by Marielle S. Smith is an author journal and planner which may help tremendously writers - no matter the level of expertise and professional outcome towards a more meaningful writing career. Week by week, day by day, the journey is set to be both reflective and productive. 

The journal is organised in several sections: Clarity, Goals, Planning, Tracking, Writing Quotes and Prompts, Reflecting, Goal Overview, Questions to answer etc. It is a very elaborate setting, yet simple enough to offer a good basis for developing the writing skills. First and foremost, by forcing the writer to consciously put aside that time needed to write. It contains specific activities that should be done within a certain timeframe, therefore it smoothly makes writing a regular and relevant daily activity: ´Grab your journal and write your fears to set with you for a few minutes. When you´re ready, set your timer for 10 to 15 minutes, and write down anything that comes up´. 

While reading it, I started myself to answer some of the questions and it definitely helped at a certain point in my writing process. What about, for instance, this question, related to the planning part: ´Have another look. Are you sure this is realistic? If not, what would be more realistic?´ For the overachiever I am it is definitely the right question I don´t always dare to answer myself. In 52 Weeks of Writing one can find inspiration about how to break a goal in many other small, yet more realistic goals and such a move may improve significantly your everyday situation when the overload creates a high deterrent against a happy creative life. 

At a larger scale, I think this journal can be adapted to any other kind of creative activities you want to pursue in a more organised way. Most importantly, it asks tough questions like: ´How often do you use a lack of time as an excuse not to write at all?´. Creative people from all folds of life avoid usuallysuch a question, because denial is sweet, but what about using the next 52 weeks for a dramatic life shift?

The journey is hard, therefore, celebrating milestones, every three months is a rewarding way to keep you moving on and on until your aim is reached. Using the knowledge of an accountability partner is another useful advice that helps not only to improve your writing, but also to keep oneself motivated. 

In over 400 pages, the 52 Weeks of Writing helps any writer to approach the creative work with words with awareness, responsibility and gratitude. Yes, there is a gift, but we need to work hard to not waste it and make the best of it.

Marielle S. Smith is an author, (ghost)writer, coach and custom retreat organiser based in Cyprus.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book blog tour, but the opinions are, as usual, my own