I don’t talk about my writing very often on this old web log. I think mainly because my friends who like to read about books don’t want to her me whine about imaginary people they can’t read about even if they wanted to (and they probably don’t want to.) However, I’m hoping you’ll all put up with me occasionally posting about this thing called writing, which is really just me going to my own little world to make pretend.
And since I don’t talk about writing much, I don’t even think I’ve mentioned that I’ve self-published 2 novels, but I have. I only say that now to get to the point of this post: Facebook recently told me it’s been 3 years since I published my last novel.
Facebook probably meant its ‘reminders’ thing to be fun. A nice walk down memory lane. But in this case it just served to remind me how much I’ve been slacking in my writing. While I don’t intend to do any more self-publishing (it’s very time consuming) it’s still been 3 years since I had a finished manuscript to do anything with.
To be fair, I am close to a ‘final’ draft of something now, but I’ve been close for a year a half. It’s like I tripped at the finish line, but instead of scrambling back to my feet I just decided to take a nap. A nap that turned into a coma. Now I’m waking up with long fingernails and a beard to my waist amazed that life has been moving forward without me.
It’s not all bad, though. The realization of my slacking has a lit a fire under my butt. Is it time for writing daily? Why, yes. I believe it is. In fact, I’m hoping that in the next week or so, I’ll be able to put up a writing (yup, ANOTHER one. Sorry!) telling everyone that I’ve completed the draft and have started querying literary agents!
Here’s hoping there’s nothing else to trip on in my path.
I’m still new at the book writing thing, but I feel like it’s easy to get hung up on whether you’re doing it quickly enough. I’m about halfway (maybe a little more?) through my book. Considering it hasn’t really been that long since I started it, I’m like “Yay! This is great!” Then I see other writers on Twitter talking about finishing a book in 6 months, less than a year, whatever, and I’m like “Oh man, I suck at this!” Is it really “slacking” if life or your family or your full-time job gets in the way sometimes? I don’t know. Either way, I say you’re doing great! Don’t stress about it. The fact that you’ve even finished 2 novels so far is more than others can say.
You make some excellent points, and thank you for the kind words.
When I reference slacking, I’m only comparing myself to me. I know what I’m capable of—how productive I’ve been in a month in the past—and I haven’t been anywhere near that for some time. Granted, I blog now, so I have to take that into consideration. Moving forward slowly doesn’t concern me. It’s the periods of time where I’m not moving forward at all that do.
Enough about that. Positivity 2018! Congrats on being halfway through your book. That’s already a phenomenal accomplishment!
I totally get it. I’m hard on myself too and always feel like I can “do better.” You’ll get it done though. I believe in you!
Thank you. I am proud of the work I’ve done do far. I just hope I can keep it up. 🙂
I’m happy to read your posts about writing because, over the coming months, I’m going to be doing more of it. Talking about writing that is. Specifically, mine but also generally, as in offering some advice and tips. There are a couple of articles already over on the blog.
So get writing, and maybe talking about it will help you focus and write more, even if it is for yourself. And if you and Kiersten want to form a writers feedback group, I’d be happy to join in as well. 😀
Thanks! That’s really kind of you to offer! I’m going to go check out your writing posts right now.
I am SO interested to hear about your writing escapades! I think that will add a little finesse to your blog and really make it stand out :]
I also cannot wait to see what else you’ve got up your sleeve :]
Thanks, Sam. You always have such kind words.
And there’s nothing up my sleeve. At least, not for much longer…