Top 5 posts of 2024 and what’s next in 2025

As 2024 wraps up, I’ve looked back to see what posts readers have loved the most. Pulling from the top 5 posts of 2024, I see a variety! This year, I focused on what I was learning as a writer, and these posts resonate with many of you.

After we look at the top 5 posts, I’ll share what I’m looking at doing in 2025. I’m making a bit of a change with the blog, but I’m very excited about it!

I’ve had an amazing year of sharing insights, experiences, and lessons learned with all of you. 2024 has been full of growth and creativity. Let’s take a look back and then forward into the future!

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1. How to use Save the Cat Beat Sheet

As I used and adapted the Save the Cat Beat Sheet and shared it in this post, I think people found it very helpful. For me, STC is straightforward and easy to use. In my ebook, I have incorporated other things I’ve learned, like pinch points from Patricia Bradley.

This post captured the attention of so many of you because it was a step-by-step way of plotting a novel. As a gift to readers, I’ve made it into an eBook, which you can access here:

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2. Top 10 Writing Obstacles and How to Overcome Them

This is the 2nd in the top 5 posts of 2024. All writers deal with writing obstacles, and they go far beyond writer’s block. This post helped us find ways past them in concrete terms.

Covered in this post were:

• Perfectionism
• Lack of time
• Lack of inspiration
• and more!

If you missed it, click here: Top 10 Writing Obstacles

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3. Exploring Cozy Mystery Themes

Cozies are a kind of “comforting” crime novels. They have specific themes are are very popular. From Small-Town to Hobby themes, readers love cozies! My cozy series is about a group of empty nesters who form a birding group!

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4. Plot Points and Pinch Points

Plot points are the big moments – the ones that drive the story forward. Pinch points remind readers of the antagonist’s presence and the looming threat or obstacles the protagonist faces.

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5. Designing Your Book Cover Using Canva

Last of the top 5 posts is another step-by-step guide. I appreciate these kinds of posts too! Using Canva is simple once you understand how it works. Another post about Canva is on creating a one sheet. Simple and easy!

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What’s next in 2025?

As we approach the new year, I’m already gearing up for some exciting projects and new directions for the blog in 2025. Here’s a little preview of what I’m planning:

• I will continue having two author interviews each month.
• More posts will be geared toward readers, including monthly themed reading lists!
• I’ll also be doing a book review a month. This won’t be your standard review; more of what resonated with me.

And I can’t forget that I have two books coming out in 2025! Where’s the Quetzal? releases on February 25, 2025, and my novella, SeaBreeze Obsession, comes out in the Trinity Sands Beach Club novella collection on June 17, 2025! My friends Deborah Sprinkle and Sharon Carpenter wrote the other novellas in the collection, and trust me, they are good!

2024 has been an incredible year of growth, connection, and learning. I’m beyond grateful for the support and feedback I’ve received from all of you. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in 2025, and I hope you’ll continue to join me on this amazing adventure.

What are you most excited about in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Read Mastering Sucess: A Guide to Setting SMART Goals for Writers and then follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with news about my book and any special offers! Be sure you grab your FREE 10-step checklist to plan your novel when you subscribe!

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Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 38 years, have 5 amazing kids and 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children, and I used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery, Birds Alive!, released Feb. 27, 2024!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)