That was the year I announced on my work blog that not only would I once again attempt NaNoWriMo, but I would post my progress on the blog. Want to guess what happened? I started like a fiend, wrote 10,000 words in the first week, then stopped, cold. Why? I don't know! If only I could really blame NaNoWriMo.
The truth is I kept getting involved in projects that had nothing to do with my writing, and with a full-time (often stressful) “paycheck job,” my writing time frittered away. I’m not blaming anyone other than myself, but now I need to get back in the game.
I’m so in awe of those of you who crank out multiple books every year (or even a single book every year). That, I believe, is the real secret to success in this business–being prolific, and producing good, well-written stories. If you only have a handful of titles, and none in a series, you have few options when it comes to the promotional tools that are most effective these days (e.g., the 99 cent strategy Jannine mentioned a few days ago). I want in!
So what have I done to cure myself? I joined the Insecure Writers Support Group book club on Goodreads. My thought was that reading books outside my normal preference and talking about them with other writers would wake up my muse...if I still even have one.
When it was announced that our first book is “Chapter by Chapter: Discover the Dedication and Focus You Need to Write the Book of Your Dreams” by Heather Sellers, I was a bit miffed. I want to read a story. More importantly, I don't want to face my lack of discipline! But sooner or later, something has to wake you up, and this was it for me. Hopefully.
I forced myself to check it out. Here's part of the blurb: “Chapter After Chapter shows you how to build on your good writing habits, accrue and recognize tiny successes, and turn your dedication to the craft into the book you always knew you could write if you could just stay with it.”
I’m taking this turn of events as a message from the heavens that’s it’s time to buck up, time to face the real reason behind my lack of production: me.
Amazon tells me my copy of the book is on its way, so hopefully by my next turn in this blog, I’ll have some positive news to report. Wish me luck. I think I need it!
Anyone else facing (or recovering from) the writing doldrums? I'd love to hear about it!
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