04 January 2023

Mastermind

It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means it's the posting day for the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Click here to learn more and sign up!


I'm at least attempting to start the year out with a bang--this month, I'm a co-host! The other awesome co-hosts are Jemima PettDebs CareyKim LajevardiNatalie Aguirre, and T. Powell Coltrin

This month's optional question is: Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? For instance, in 2021 my word of the year was Finish. I was determined to finished my first draft by the end of the year. In 2022, my word of the year is Ease. I want to get my process, systems, finances, and routines where life flows with ease and less chaos. What is your word for 2023? Why?

I had an idea of what I wanted to write about for this post before I knew what the question was, and the word that comes to mind from that idea is not something that I ever would have thought could be a 'word of the year' for me. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it would be a really cool word of the year if I could actually commit to it. 

And that word is: MASTERMIND

Let me backtrack a little here. It all started with Taylor Swift. 


"Mastermind" is the last track on Taylor's newest album Midnights (which I love, but that's not the topic at hand). I really liked this song right away, mostly because it reminded me of Jordan. Like in a I need to add this to his personal playlist kind of way (of course I have one of those!). Because he IS a mastermind! I've always known this. Perhaps a bit more sinister than this song implies, but still, it seemed to fit. 

But this isn't just about Jordan. It's also about me. And still a bit about Taylor Swift. HEAR ME OUT. I want to write books the way Taylor Swift writes songs. Not just that she's good at it or can bust out album after album. I mean the CRAFTINESS. 

I love being methodical when it comes to writing, especially with Jordan's stories for some reason. I love symbolism and Easter eggs and tiny details that seem like nothing but you find out later are extremely important. I want to plant tiny moments in the first book that you won't realize matter until the third book. It's really fun and these things kind of come easily to me somehow. 

So, I want to be a mastermind! I want to own it. Most importantly, I want to DO IT. I haven't been writing at all for quite some time, feeling like I've lost my mojo. Maybe if I start thinking about the things that I find fun about writing, the rest of it will start falling into place and I can actually get motivated again. 

Part of my plan involves figuring out my story's theme. I've always struggled on getting to the ending, and if I can figure out what it is I'm trying to say with this story, maybe it will become clearer. That also means really figuring out what Jordan's master plan is within the story, which is also fitting for this post. All his tiny little plans are very obvious, but I've always felt there was something else lurking beneath the surface that I hadn't figured out yet, maybe even a twist to reveal. 

So maybe this year I will own being a mastermind. 

37 comments:

  1. Thanks for co-hosting with me this month. I'm excited to see you own Mastermind this year. I hope it helps inspire you to write more.

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  2. Good word. I wish I was more of a mastermind.
    Thanks for co-hosting today!

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  3. I love it when I'm writing and things come together well, or when I think Ooo! I can go back and add a little something that will tie into this and make me look like a more clever writer than I really am. LOL Thanks for co-hosting!

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  4. "Classic Retro Mastermind Game" https://amzn.to/3Qfn24x
    I played this game as a teenager. So when I saw your word, it's the first thing I thought about.

    "Without having a goal, it's difficult to score." Paul Arden
    I hope 2023 will become everything you need it to be.

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  5. Own that word, Sarah!! Plan and plot and take over the writing world!!

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  6. I like your attitude, Sarah. I want to add a word to your Mastermind and that is Faith. Alex's word. Believe in yourself, hear that mastermind MIND and go for it! Thanks for co-hosting. Happy 4th New Day.

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  7. That's exciting!! What a great word to choose - you're going to have a great year!

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  8. Hi Sarah. What an unusual choice and you've fit it in so well. I wish you all the best with your writing dreams.

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  9. "Mastermind" is such a powerful word, especially for a writer. I'm positive Jordan is working with your imagination and whispering tiny hidden moments.
    Combine these hints with your vivid imagination and you’ll be writing again soon.
    Thank you for co-hosting this month!
    Lynn La Vita @ https://la-vita.us/

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  10. A very interesting word. Wishing you much success in 2023! And thank you for co-hosting!

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  11. I think taking a break actually works in our favor. Walking away from our stories helps to distance us and make us come back better than ever! Then the mastermind takes over...muhahaha!

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  12. I don't know anyone who's ever picked that word. It is inspired. Good luck with this!

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  13. Thanks for cohosting this month. Mastermind is a word I never would've thought of. Best wishes for 2023.

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  14. I love your word for the year - Mastermind! It makes sense and yeah, you can do this! :)

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  15. You have to promise me this, whenever you pause to write, you steeple your fingers and say, "Good, good". Deal? ;)

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  16. I love it! Great choice for your word! @samanthabwriter from
    Balancing Act

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  17. Mastermind is a terrific word! I first thought of a strategy game that I used to play involving colored marbles. And, TS's song is wonderful. Makes me think of how we have control over lives and actions. Have a great 2023 and thanks for co-hosting!

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  18. I bet you'd be a good mystery writer.

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  19. Fantastic word. As a mystery writer, mastermind resonates. I love symbolism and eater eggs. I use a lot of anagrams in my writing. Here's to masterminding 2023. Happy New Year, and thanks for co-hosting!

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  20. Mastermind, a beguiling word indeed ;-) Before I settled on my 2023 word I was (and still am) hoping for satori, and while I'm content to wait a bit for mine, I think you've got yours in Mastermind. Yay you! Thanks for co-hosting.

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  21. Good luck with your writing hopes and plans! And thanks for co-hosting.

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  22. Love your word. What a great idea to be a mastermind of your own story.

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  23. Absolutely perfect word and goal. Best of luck with this year! (And TSwift is on my Ironman training playlist. LOVE her music).

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  24. I love how you explained your word! It makes sense!

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  25. What a cool word to choose. I find it interesting that you came up with a word from a song title, for mine would probably be the same. Rammstein's recent song 'Adieu' seems fitting for me. As I understand the song, it's basically in order to move forward, we need to let go of the past. Thank you for moderating this month. Best wishes for 2023!

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  26. Great word! I haven't chosen a word of the year but hoping to simply enjoy writing more will be nice!

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  27. Thanks for co-hosting today, Sarah! Your word "mastermind" was really cool, especially the way you explained what it meant to you. Sometimes I figure out what I'm trying to say through writing; writing clarifies my thinking. Have a happy and creative year.

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  28. Here's to masterminding your mastermind! I, too, have been in a long dry spell as far as writing goes, so I understand the struggle. Flowers can take a long to first bud and then open, let's promise ourselves that we will enjoy the process.

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  29. What a perfect word for you! I love how unique your approach was to coming up with it too! Go Mastermind 2023 and make it your best year!
    Heidiangell.com

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  30. Awesome inspiration, and awesome that you're thinking of ways to implement it with your writing. I hope you find your theme this year and it leads to an explosion of writing. I understand how not having a clear vision can stall out the creativity. Happened to me too. Here's to hoping this will be your and Jordan's year!

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    1. You know, with Jordan being more sinister, have you heard the song Villain by Bella Poarch? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj7Z7TAjdmo&ab_channel=BellaPoarch

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  31. Thanks so much for co-hosting IWSG this month, Sarah. Writing is so incredibly difficult. I struggle daily with it. What a great word you chose for 2023: Mastermind. I like Swift's song. Powerful. You can do this!

    Thanks for a great post. I wish you every success in 2023!

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  32. I LOVE your word! Thanks for co-hosting!

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  33. Powerful word choice. You can be a mastermind. Thanks for co-hosting!

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  34. Love it! And I love easter eggs and well-executed surprises. Go write now so I have them to read later.

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  35. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Sorry for the late reply. Mastermind is a bold choice and I like it.
    Happy New Year!

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  36. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
    What a powerful WOTY.
    I also would like to drop easter eggs and tiny clues that won’t show it’s importance until later in story/books.
    Hope you’ll succeed.

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