Get to Know Me · life updates

2022 Recap and 2023 Dreams (my first life update!)

Saraina Whitney

I AM BACK!

From my hiatus, I mean…remember?

Don’t tell me you forgot about me!

Joking aside (for the moment), I had a refreshing and productive hiatus where despite getting sick, I got to spend more time with family, had a lovely Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day, and planned for 2023. Yes, I got sick. I’d nearly forgotten about that. Remember how I said that I wanted to finish my WIP Gillory?

Well, that didn’t happen. I could blame it on being sick for an entire week. But honestly…it wouldn’t have happened even if I had been perfectly healthy. For one thing, I’m a slow-and-steady writer (the nice way of saying I’m not fast), and for another thing, that would mean writing the entire second half of the book in two weeks. Just…completely unrealistic.

But good news, I did reach the midpoint! I have finally breached the brick wall! (No kidding, that’s what it feels like! I can practically hear the bricks crumbling.) So I am still elated about that, and still feel little bursts of excitement every now and then.

I stole an element of Nadine Brandes’ drafting process during the break and used a fountain pen to write. I also used a thick, hardback brown journal with brown pages to write in. That made me feel more writerly, if that’s a word, and just gave the process some romance and intrigue. As if I was a writer from the past.

Soon, I’m going to do Christine Smith’s Know the Novel: Part 3 (late) and share a lot more about where I’m currently at in the novel and how I did for 2022, so stay tuned for that! 😉 But I will share the last sentence I have written, because why not? (Ignore the fact that it needs editing.)

Heart knocking against her chest, she gathered her skirts and sprinted down the back street…away from Ean’s car.

Make of that what you will. I, for one, shall say no more because of #spoilers. *smirks* (I dearly hope that sentence itself isn’t overly spoilery. *thinks* Meh. I think it’ll be okay.)

2022 Recap

Well, it’s been an absolutely crazy and wild and fast and hopeful and depressing and strange and exciting year. Yes, all those things at once. I started this blog January 1st of 2022, and to celebrate the blogiversary, I’d wanted to do a post that day. But it was Sunday, and just didn’t work out at all. I’ll still do a post to celebrate, and simply hope that next year, I’ll get to do it the day of. 😀 Overall, blogging/writing-wise, it was a good year. I reached over 100k words in Gillory, wrote three (well, arguably five) short stories, was accepted into two wonderful anthologies, and build a tolerably good foundation for my blog and newsletter to grow on. Even though I may feel like I didn’t get anything done…I did. And that’s encouraging to remember. That said, let’s move on to the specifics of blog stats, top posts, etc.!

Blog Stats for 2022

Views: 5,478

Visitors: 1,306

Likes: 1,028

Comments: 1,450

Posts Published: 79

Followers: 97 (but actually 94 because three of those…don’t count.)

Most popular month: September (with 12 posts)

Least popular month: February (with 4 posts)

Top 7 Posts of 2022

  1. Powerful Ways to Show Tension Between Characters (aka prompts for the desperate writer) (I LOVED writing this one, and since readers enjoyed it, I’m planning on a continuation of this “prompts for desperate writers” series.)
  2. 55 Tricks to BREAK Writer’s Block: Quick Inspiration (Not surprised at this, to be honest. 😆 Even I refer to this every now and then! I am satisfied that it’s getting views because I spent a good amount of time collecting the ideas 😉 )
  3. Strike Out Challenge (+ a teaser!) (I don’t know why this is so popular! Is it because of the teaser thing? Or that the first question is if I’ve ever kissed someone? You tell me. XD)
  4. “A CHEAP PROMISE” – a To Be Loved prequel (ABC tag) (I am delighted at this because it was such a fun story to write.)
  5. Why your goal shouldn’t be 100k followers (+ how NOT to let feedback disappoint you) (This was a spur-of-the-moment post that took some courage to share. Because I don’t like to admit I have weaknesses. 😇 But I’m so blessed that it spoke to those of you who read it.)
  6. We Need Realistic Fictional Families (a bookish rant) (I actually did not except this one to be so popular! I was in need of a post idea and decided to use a rant I’d originally shared in my newsletter.)
  7. Know the Novel – Part One: Introduction to my WIP (2022 edition)! (Hey, it’s about Gillory. What can I say? Such a fun post to do!)

I’m realizing that I can’t bear to write simple blog post titles. There must always be some information in parentheses. 😂 I don’t know if that affects my views or is detrimental or not. I just like doing it. (It’s mostly due to wanting the titles to be interesting and me being indecisive. Like, I chose one main title, then add the second option as an aside. 🤭)

Reviewing My 2022 Goals

Finish my WIP Gillory – I’ll talk more about this in the 3rd and final Know the Novel post, but the short of it is…no. I didn’t finish it. I’m sad about that. And slightly annoyed (and amused) at the way I keep pushing it back. Originally it was to finish it by February, then March, then June, then August, and so on. But what I’m learning is that God is having me take it “slow” for a reason. I’m learning similar lessons that the characters are going through, and I just can’t rush it, force it. But hey, I did make amazing progress plus reach the midpoint I’ve been fantasizing about since I began the story! So that’s a definite win. 😀 (Gotta end with some positivity, right?)

Reach 100 blog subscribers – Since I reached 94, I’m satisfied with this goal. It’s close enough to 100. XD

Reach 50 newsletter subscribers – YES! I actually reached this goal!!! *bundles all my newsletter subscriber friends with hugs* (You’re the best. ❤ ) I’m very excited to continue to grow my newsletter and send out even more quality content, including more short stories and giveaways. It’s so much fun.

2023 Dreams

I’m gonna start this off by saying that I’m an INFP. Whatever your opinions on Myers-Briggs personality types are…let me say, the INFP in me is real. All too real. I’m an idealist, have a wild imagination, and prefer to daydream about my future perfect life instead of doing anything concrete to make it become a reality. Planning is not my strong suit. Trying to prioritize is akin to eating cabbage. And to me, deadlines have the word ‘dead’ in them for a reason.

(One of my life goals is to figure out how to make plans and stick to them.)

So…making plans out of my goals for this year was a challenge. Perhaps because I’m in no way a long-term planner. And I’m still figuring out exactly what I can accomplish and what is unrealistic.

BUT. I know God has given me the capabilities to put into action these dreams of mine. So, this year, I’m going to go after them more aggressively and force them into reality. I think that 2023 will be an in-between year, the springboard for 2024. An uphill year where I do both boringly mundane and impossibly challenging tasks in order to be in a place where I’m ready. For being an adult, a published author, all that fun stuff. And yes, I know this sounds vague. To move on to more specific things, here’s a list of business-related things I aim to accomplish this year!

2023 Goals

  • FINISH GILLORY
  • start an editing business
  • rewrite Magnolia (a historical fiction WIP) or outline Quest for the Jewel (a fantasy WIP)
  • write To Be Loved sequel and several short stories
  • reach 200 blog subscribers
  • reach 100 newsletter subscribers
  • compose Betty Fleetfoot soundtrack (for my brother‘s coming full-length feature film!)
  • build a street team
  • read/review an ARC a month (to catch up on all the amazing ARCs I have to finish. I feel bad for all the authors whose books I’ve taken so long to review – in no way does it reflect on how much I enjoy the books!)

Quarter One Goals

I think I’m going to do a quarter review on the blog where at the end of each quarter/season, I do a quick recap of my goals, so to start that off, I’ll share my goals for this first quarter:

  • write and print out a complete first draft of Gillory
  • help with the release of Tell Me You Love Me
  • look for editing jobs
  • complete blog + newsletter revamp
  • read/review three ARCs
  • post three on-brand blog posts (what I mean by that is a piece of cornerstone content, so a writing advice article, or encouragement, something like that. I’m probably the only person who fully understands this goal, so… 😀 )
  • send three newsletters

Tell Me You Love Me Update!

You can sign up to join the launch team for Tell Me You Love Me! If you want to promote and support this Christian romance anthology I have the honor to be a part of, you’ll find the form by clicking the below button! To learn more about the anthology visit here! (Oh, and it says the signups close January 4th, but Grace let me know she’s leaving it up till the end of the week, so join while you have the chance! 😉 )

join the launch team!

Also, you can now preorder Tell Me You Love Me!!! *cue the internal screaming and other such expressions of excitement* You can do that by punching the button below! (Well, don’t actually punch it. Just…you know, tap it. Or whatever.)

✨ Preorder! ✨

You may or may not have goals for the new year, but if you find yourself discouraged and stuck in the same monotonous place, I want to remind you that it’s not over yet. You still have time to accomplish your dreams, to grow, to put your talents to use. It is NEVER too late. Whether it’s January 6th or April 6th or November 6th, it is never to late to restart after falling back into an old habit, to try again.

No matter what you’ve done or how impossible you think it is, you have a second chance, one that renews itself with every new dawn. Now, you’re not gonna get it right every time, I’m warning you. You’re going to be disappointed and you’re going to mess things up. That’s part of being human, I’m afraid.

But God is as fully God as you are human.

So stay bold and resolved and determined in the face of defeats. Don’t give up. Today may not always be New Year’s Day, the perfect day to get everything right and be flawless in all you do…but it is always a new day, a new moment, a new chance.

Happy 2023! What are your hopes for the new year? Are you good with schedules, plans, and goals? Did you have any resolutions last year that you were able to keep? What are your thoughts on a word or verse of the year?

46 thoughts on “2022 Recap and 2023 Dreams (my first life update!)”

  3. Congratulations on your Blogaversary! I simply adore your blog and am so looking forward to seeing and reading everything you post in the coming year! Best of luck!

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  4. Great job on making goals!! Sounds like you have lots of wonderful plans. 😀
    What type of editing are you looking into doing? (developmental, line editing, proofreading)

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    1. Thank you so much, RuthAnna!! 😀 Oh, good question! I’m open to trying all three, but especially developmental, and then line editing. I think I’d enjoy doing that most!

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  6. Hurray for setting goals and plans!! I feel you about the dreaming-and-not-actually-doing thing…but there’s a quote I really like, something like “The smallest action is better than the biggest dream.” Helps kick me into gear lol

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  7. Wow, I can’t believe it’s been so long since you started your blog! Times just goes so quickly when you’re having fun, I guess. I’ve enjoyed it (and your newsletters, too) so much. And your goals look amazing! You will be such a great editor. (Also, can’t wait for Gillory – and see, we authors just like parentheses. We always have to add something else onto our statements. 😉 )

    Hahaha, and I’m with you on the dreaming deal. Always something grand that isn’t always … realistic in that moment. 🙂 Maybe someday, but the Lord seems to always shift that future perfect life into something much better in the end. 🙂 His Ways are always the best!

    But you’re composing a soundtrack, too? I can’t wait to listen!! 🙂

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    1. I know, I can’t believe it either!! It’s flown by! Aww, I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying it! Your support has meant a lot to me!! ❤ 🙂 Thank you so much!! I hope so 😉 (I can't wait to finish it! Oh, yess, exactly! You got that right! 😂)

      Oof, yes. Amen, His ways are better than I could ever imagine or plan for myself! That's so comforting to remember.

      I am!!! (Or rather, will be! *winks* It's just in the ideas stage right now.) Thank you!! I'm hoping it will turn out as I hear it in my head! XD

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  8. Heheeeeee, INFP? *high-fives* I’m an ENFP, since I’m seven percent more extraverted than introverted … But I’m technically an ambivert … 🤣🤣🤣 You’re not the only one who struggles with deadlines though! *throws hand up* Have you met me LOL?
    (Well, yes, of course you’ve met me. Also, I didn’t even realize you had long blog post titles. 🤣🤣🤣 And parentheses are cool. *huffs*)
    And awww, I love your reminder to not give up and to keep going with your dreams! (And the dreaming about my future … Eleven-year-old me had her life down to the T. 🤣🤣) I think we’re all going to need that reminder, especially as writers LOL. And as people who daydream the vast majority of the time. 😉

    Also, Gillory … 👀👀👀 I must discover more about this novel.
    (AlongwithalltheothernovelsIhadonmyTBRlistlastyear, butdidIreadmostofthem? Nope. 🤣)

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    1. *high-fives back* Yes! Girl, I love that! (I think I could tell even from the way you write your comments that you’re an ENFP *grins*) LOL! At least I’m not alone in that!! (Well, yeah, I have met you 🤣 Oh good, I was hoping they weren’t too long XD Right? I can’t live without them, it seems! 😛 )

      Aww, glad to hear that!!! (LOL, yes!! 🤣) So true! 😉

      Hehe, more information shall be revealed in the future! (Agh, I barely read an eighth of books on my TBR list last year! 😭)

      Thank you for reading, Amelia! ❤

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      1. Oh, you could tell LOL?? Oh, dear. It’s funny though, because the first test I took said I was the Entertainer personality type. The second said I was an ENFP. The third said I was an INFP.
        -_-

        Ehehehe, I’ll have to watch for that info Lord willing …

        You’re quite welcome! ❤ Thank you for posting about this! 😀

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        1. Lol, the tests give wild results sometimes, although I guess those are fairly close to ENFP… 🤣 (I’ve gotten INTP, INFJ, and even ENTJ. *gulps*) Eventually I just looked into all the types and the cognitive functions to figure out which I was.

          Indeed. 😜

          ❤ Absolutely! 😀

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            1. Literally! 🤣 I must have been in a very logical, extroverted mood that day when I took the test, or something like that XD Lol, yes!

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  9. I love setting goals! I feel very accomplished (even though I only make like 50% or less, lol and the parenthesis thing: yup totally me! Lol). Anyway, I hope you can make your goals. Mine are: 1. publish a book, 2. Write the next 2 books in my series, 3. Read the Bible in 1 year and 4. Read 400 books.
    I did make a goal last year and made it!!! It was to write and share the 1st book in my series. I did both! I’m good with goals but organizing time is a totally different story. Lol

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    1. Yes! Haha, exactly!! XD Ooo, those are fabulous goals! 🎉 I’m cheering you on in accomplishing them all! (And I’m SO excited the publishing-a-book goal! 😉 )

      Ahhh, CONGRATULATIONS! That’s amazing!! Oh, I get that…I’m right there with you on that! 😂

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  10. Yayy, you’re back! I hope your break was awesome. Congrats on the awesome first year of your blog! I’m very glad I found you and have enjoyed reading all your posts and newsletters over the past months 🙂 Here’s to a wonderful 2023!
    (About the INFP thing… I am an INTJ and am the exact opposite, hehe. Goals are my lifeblood. I do remember not always being that way, though, so I shall assure you: it can be learned! Your life goal of learning to plan is admirable and achievable!)

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    1. Yessss! 😄 It WAS awesome, thank you for asking!! Aww, thank you, Emma!!! That means so much to me! ❤ (INTJ! Ahhhh that is so cool! Lol, my brother's an INTJ and I'm always in awe of how he plans ahead and has all these goals. That's encouraging! Thank you, girl!)

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  11. Goals! Oh goodness, I think this is the first time in forever that I’ve actually written New Years Resolutions!
    1) Publish a sorta novel (lol)
    2) Go into crazy crazy CRAZY editing stage for my next book
    3) Attend KDWC in March and hopefully summer
    4) Read through the Bible in a year
    5) Memorize more Bible verses.

    Lovely post and congratulations on the newsletter subscribers! *hugs you back*

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    1. Lol! Hey, those are wonderful goals! (Ooo, I’m planning to attend KDWC in March too! I’m excited to see you there! :D) Ah, I’m also hoping to memorize more Bible verses. And publishing a novel? Yayyy! I can’t wait for that!

      Thank you SO much, Anna!!! ❤ *hugs*

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  13. YOU’RE BACK!!! I totally missed you, girl. 😉

    And I cannot believe it’s been A YEAR since you started this blog!!! WOW!! A HUGE congratulations, girl!!!

    All of your goals are FABULOUS, and I know you can accomplish them!!! <333

    Also, an editing business??? OOOOOH!!!! Lemme know if you need a hand with that! I'd love to help out! 😀

    Thank you so much for sharing about TMYLM, btw!! <333

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    1. YES!!! Aww, right back atcha!! 😉

      ME EITHER. It’s crazy to think about. 😆 Ahh, thank you so much, Grace!!!

      Thank you!! <333 Lol, I hope I can! XD

      Yes!! 😀 Oh, thank you so much, girl – then I'll probably be reaching out to you about that within a few months or so! 😉

      Of course!! <3333

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  14. Yayyyy Saraina is back!!!

    Wow, girl, it’s so amazing to read about all that you’ve accomplished! Best of luck chasing after your dreams this year!! Those are some awesome goals, and I know you’ll achieve all of them! Cheering you on, friend! <333

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    1. YES I AM! 😀

      Awww!! Thank you so very much, Ava!!! <333 I think I just might be able to get them all done…we'll see! ;P I hope you have an amazing 2023!

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  15. This is such a good post!! I loved reading your goals for the new year. I’ve set several goals as well that I’m excited to work towards this year! I always love a new year, it feels like a fresh start. Like, no matter how bad the past year might have been, this new year is fresh (with no mistakes in it, as Anne would say 😉). I hope this year holds a lot of great stuff for you!! 💙

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it!! Oh, that’s awesome! Me too! The fresh start is so motivating for me. 😀 Ahh, yes, exactly, I love that quote from Anne! 😊 Thank you so much, Allyson!! I hope the same for you!!! ❤ Happy 2023!

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  16. SHE RETURNETH!!!!! *tacklehugs*

    For the record, INFPs are the best. XD

    Also. YOU COMPOSE MUSIC!?

    Lovely post, m’dear. *bows and poofs out in a shower of sparkles*

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    1. INDEED!!! *tacklehugs you back*

      Aww, thanks! Well, I admire your type so much!! ENFJs are just fabulous. 😉 😀

      Yeah, I dabble in it every now and then! XD But it’ll be my first time composing for a full-length film haha!

      Why, thankee! *bows and blinks at your sudden disappearance* 😛

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    1. I…I thought you’d miss me! *sobs* 😜 LOL. Aww, thank you!!! Happy belated New Year’s to you as well, Lily!! I hope you have a wonderful 2023!! ❤

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        1. *hugs you tight and dabs the tissues at the tears* 😆 Oh, thank you!! We are feeling better, but on Sunday my dad felt sick again… *sighs* So hopefully it’ll fully leave soon! (Aww! I’m sorry! Praying your family is healed quickly!)

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