My Writing: Reflecting on 2022 and Revving Up for 2023

Even though there’s a writing category on this blog, I’ve noticed I don’t often post about my writing journey. But, I’ve been reading several other writers’ blog posts this week and I love what they’re sharing. I’m encouraged when they share how they’re progressing through their writing struggles and l enjoy learning about their latest endeavors.

Since some of you contact me throughout the year with questions about writing and blogging, I thought this first week in January, I’d create a post about what’s going on with my writing. Reflecting on 2022 is really revving me up for the new year!

Reflecting on 2022

Challenges

It seems like ever since Covid entered the world, it’s been more challenging for everyone. In January 2022, it invaded our home.

I don’t think I’ve ever read about the headless horseman in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but I certainly felt like a headless writer. The months of lingering brain fog took “writer’s block” to a whole new level.

Plus, in 2022, we had five friends to pass away. Two young friends almost died from drug overdosing.

My husband’s nephew, and his nephew’s eleven-year-old daughter, both had heart transplants last year. We had numerous friends and relatives who were diagnosed with diseases, depression, or both.

While not depressed myself, all of these things still weighed heavily on my heart. The year 2022 was a challenging year and it affected many things, including my writing.

In the writing world, it’s strongly emphasized for writers to consistently blog every week. But, I allowed myself to skip weeks.  Quality over quantity is my preferred choice. I hoped my blog readers would feel the same way and would still be there when I returned.

Bless your patient hearts! You were there.

Blog Growth

Surprisingly, despite the challenges of this past year, the blog has continued to grow. It is exciting to know over 31,000 visitors visited the blog 326,675 times in 2022. That spurs me to keep blogging—hopefully, two or three times a month this year.

Plus, my readers love meeting new folks via the blog. I had some great guests this year:

Scott LaPierre (pastor and author), Teresa Marles (new homeschooling mom from Sri Lanka now living in the UK), Deborah Wuehler (homeschool mom of rebels and editor of The Old Schoolhouse magazine), J.D. Winninger (author and Texas rancher who was adopted as a teen), William Daniel (author and humorous sixth grade student), and Jean Hall (author and director of Write2Ignite). If you missed those posts, type their names in the search bar and you’ll find delightful reading.

The most popular blog post was posted on August 27, 2022:  Free American History Resources (List 1) with well over 1,000 views. I’ll definitely keep working on the second list of resources and get those posted soon.

Although, there were many fuzzy-brained moments this past year, I think the foundational elements of the blog remained clear. Helping parents and grandparents tell the next generation wondrous things has always been the focus.

To help accomplish that goal, the blog posts now clearly fall into three areas. They address the power of story (personal stories and those in books), the power of history (currently American history), and the power of His Story (testimonies of what God has done and is doing).

Also, book reviews and giveaways consistently remain popular, so we’ll have more of those in 2023.

The Most Wonderful Writing News of 2022

If you’ve not heard, the most wonderful writing news of 2022 is I finally signed my first book contract. After approximately ten years of learning the writing craft, attending writing conferences, and having articles and curriculum published by magazines, I’m finally making my way to the book market.

It still seems surreal. I’m trying to maintain a reserved excitement because I know how the market is these days. I try not to dwell on the news of paper shortages, business closures, and such. God is in control and if it’s meant to be, it will be.

I appreciate your prayers for my wonderful publisher, End Game Press, as they continue to publish excellent books. It takes at least a year to produce a quality picture book. Lord willing, my book will be released in early 2025.

I am not at liberty to say too much about it at this time, but I can tell you it’s a nonfiction picture book introducing children to the American spirit of WWII. More details will be released later.

Revving Up for 2023

Furthering My Education for My Writing

In the meantime, between writing and living life to its fullest, I’m continuing my education.

In 2022, I participated in several American History classes via the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. These classes enrich my understanding which is reflected in my writing–whether that’s for adults, or for children.

Some of the wonderful classes I participated in 2022:

“Exploring the African American Experience of WWII”

“Executive order 9066: The Japanese American Experience”

“Exploring Experiences of Women in the Military”

“American Indian Soldiers Across American Military History”

“The Impact of World War on Constitutional Ammendments”

“War Propaganda: Winning the Hearts and Minds” 

“Mass Mobilization- Mobilizing the Home Front”

I’ll be looking for more classes offered by Gilder Lehrman this year.

But, in the meantime, I’ll continue the Hillsdale College online course, “The Second World Wars,” which I began last fall.

If you’re a history hound, I highly recommend you check out the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Hillsdale College. They offer numerous, excellent classes and resources!

More Training in 2023

Also, this year, I’ll be eagerly undertaking over sixty-five online author training modules offered by my publisher. These will better prepare me, and my book, for various aspects of publication and marketing.

I want to mention that my book deal came about due to a spur-of-the-moment decision to attend the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference last year. I could only squeeze in a few days of the conference, but boy, am I glad I went!

This May, due to a son’s graduation, the arrival of a new grandbaby, two weddings, and several other commitments, I’m not sure if I can swing attending the BRMCWC again. I may have to wait until 2024. The retreat experience, the friendships, and the training I receive there are invaluable. I always love it when I am able to go.

Other Writing Pursuits

Lord willing, I’ll continue my volunteer work with the nonprofit, writing organization, Write2Ignite. I help with their Pinterest account, assist the leadership team, and guest blog on occasion. I’ll be guest blogging on a few other blogs this year, as well.

You know how important I think journaling is, and as erratic as it may be, I hope to do a lot more of that in 2023.

Also, I have another nonfiction picture book manuscript I’ve worked off and on with for a while. As you know by now, last year was an “off” year! But, I’m still super excited about it and would love to carve out time to finish it and submit it for publication.

There’s no time for brain fog this year! Fortunately, my second bout of Covid, this past December, only created a brain mist for about two weeks. So, I’m ready to go to work!

Thank You

I do appreciate you all. Hanging with me on the blog and sharing the encouragement you find here with your friends means a lot.

The emails where you’ve shared your questions, thoughts and prayers are treasures in my heart. You are a blessing. I look forward to a new year as we grow and learn more together on how to tell the next generation wondrous things.

I’d love to hear what some of your projects are for 2023. What are you working on? (It doesn’t have to be writing-related!)

A freelance writer, Sally Matheny’s writing is published in worldwide, national, regional, online and print publications

Sally focuses on the power of story, history, and His Story to tell the next generation wondrous things. Connect with her on various social media sites. But, if she’s not hanging out with family and friends, or engaging in an American history class, you’ll most often find her at SallyMatheny.com or Pinterest.