Where My Writing Is Headed in 2025

It’s time to take a look ahead. There aren’t too many people wanting to do that lately, and I get why. But I feel it’s important to focus on some things I can change/control and I’m excited to see my writing move forward this year.

Overall, I’m pleased with where my writing is at right now. But I want to put down a mile-marker here to re-focus, to clarify, and emphasize things for myself. So I can check in later in the year to make sure I’m still on track. With that, let’s get to it…  

Writing Books and Poetry—ONLY
First, one rule I’ve made with myself is to stick to writing novels (perhaps a novella at times) and poetry ONLY this year.

Why?

Because…

I love both these mediums (always have). I’ve always aspired to be a novel writer (well, since I was 14 or so). And I’ve aspired to be a poet for the last three years (since 2022 when my first poem came out). To me, they’re the ultimate in art (your mileage may differ and that’s fine!). The ultimate vehicles for changing the world through changing individual people’s minds. Literally getting in their heads.

And I know that every hour I spend on writing/editing a short story, Flash piece, or Drabble, is time I COULD HAVE SPENT on writing poems/novels. So, in 2025, it’s my intention to write only prose works that are at least 50,000 words long (a very short novel) and poetry (of any length). Ideally, those prose works would land in typical novel length territory (70,000—120,000 words).

Why not focus on just one form?

Simple: I feel drawn to write both. I can’t imagine, at this point giving up either poems or novels.

Besides, I have a really great idea for a book now that I’ve just started. I’m labelling it as “TPD” for now and I’m already 5,000 words in. (For regular updates on progress, please see my Bluesky or Facebook accounts).  

As for poems, I will just follow wherever they lead. If it’s 10 lines it will be 10 lines. If it’s a 100 or even 200 lines—that’s what it wanted to be. Ain’t no use in arguing with a poem!

So, this is my mantra/limerick in 2025:

In Prose, 50K or bust is a must.
In “Rhyme” any length is fine!  

I plan to stick to that.

[Note my one exception: I have already written “Taboo,” a Horror short story of 6,000 words. I will be editing that and sending it off soon.]

Continue to Look for Opportunities to Take Risks and Get Uncomfortable
One of my takeaways from last year is about getting just a little uncomfortable when trying to learn/perfect a skill. That’s something I want to continue in 2025.

So, I’ll be looking for those opportunities to do something a little crazy—a little new—something that scares me a bit. And then, I’ll say “Yes” to it, dive in, and put in the work.

These opportunities aren’t always obvious. It takes a little trick to encounter them, realize it’s something unique, and then take advantage of it. But I’ll be on the lookout for.

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Are two rules too simple? …Time will tell.

All for now. See you next time.

Until Then…

Keep Reading, Keep Writing,  

Darius