Featured Writer on Wellness: Lori L. Robinett

I’ve always thought of myself as a writer. I’ve always been an introvert, and spend a lot of time “in my head.” Writing gives me an outlet, a way to escape, and a way to give a voice to those characters chattering away in my head.

The biggest emotional challenge for me is self-doubt.

Being rejected is difficult to not take personally. For the longest time, I was afraid to let anyone read anything I wrote for fear of being rejected or laughed at.

Writing is such an intensely personal thing, it’s daunting to release your work into the world. Though I dreamed of being a Writer (with a capital W), I struggled to overcome that fear that I wasn’t good enough for a very, very long time. (Wait—who am I kidding? I still struggle with that!)

The Best Tool for Dealing with Writing Self-Doubt

I practice meditation (both silent and guided) on a regular basis, but the best coping mechanism for me has been the encouragement and support of my critique group.

We’ve been together for over a decade. Whenever self-doubt creeps in, or I suffer a rejection, I turn into a puddle of self-loathing goo, but my critique partners lift me up, dust me off, and give me solid advice on how to improve and how to move forward.

Their friendship and encouragement is instrumental in keeping my sanity.

Writing with Lupus—You Can’t Be Obsessive!

I have lupus, which manifests for me in the form of sore joints and fatigue, among other problems.

I tend to be a bit obsessive, which may be why National Novel Writing Month appealed to me. The first time I did it, I ended the month (as a winner!) with fingers that felt like sausages, dry eyes, aching shoulders . . . I was miserable!

Over the years, I’ve learned to curb that obsessive behavior. I now use a good chair with my laptop on a desk (as opposed to flopping down on the couch). I use a timer to make sure I don’t sit there too long, and my goal now is to write 1,000 words a day (as opposed to when I used to shoot for 5,000 words a day).

It’s been a tough lesson, but I have to listen to my body.

The Real Key to Releasing Your Writing Creativity

I think the real key to creativity is to free the child within you. When we’re young, we’re creative. Put a child outside with no toys, and she will tap rocks together to make different sounds, build a log cabin out of twigs, or build a snow cave in the winter, but as adults, we tend to squash that creativity.

My go-to is quiet. During my commute, I turn off the radio and let my brain go where it will. It’s amazing the things one can think of when one allows space for thoughts.

When a Publisher Refuses to Pay Royalties

I’m still working through my darkest moment.

My first book was published by a small press, which was a huge high for me. That publisher, however, stopped sending statements and still refuses to pay royalties owed. It has turned into a huge headache, and is absolutely heartbreaking.

I’m getting past it by choosing to accept what is, instead of stressing over my expectations. I’ve moved forward with other projects and am not wasting energy on that situation.

An Award Nomination Can be a Huge Triumph for a Writer

My biggest triumph as a writer? My book Diamond in the Rough was a finalist for the RONE award, awarded by InD’Tale magazine.

Last October, I flew to Burbank, CA, where I got to hear MY NAME announced by a model who said, “And the nominees are…” My book cover and name were shown on a big screen at the front of the room. It was AMAZING.

To be recognized by my peers and fans like that was a HUGE triumph for me.

Advice for a Young Writer: Find Those Who Will Encourage You

Any creative endeavor is worth pursuing. I believe that creativity is a talent that we are endowed with, that should be respected and nourished and encouraged.

Anyone who releases their creativity into the world needs to be aware, however, that there are those who will try to tear down what is created. It is up to us creatives to not let that discourage us—instead, find those who support and encourage you, and do the same for other creatives.

We are in this together, and together we can build each other up.

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Lori Robinett has written several books, including Fatal Impulse, Fatal Obsession, and Diamond in the Rough. She also runs an online school, WriteScout, which teaches writing one skill at a time. Her signature course is Blank to 50K.

Lori lives in rural Missouri with her husband. One very spoiled Miniature Schnauzer and Miniature Beagle allow the humans to live in their house, and the outside is patrolled by Patches (a sweet tom cat stray that missed his calling as a lap cat). If Lori isn’t reading, writing or scrapbooking, you may find her cruising country roads in a lifted Jeep. Her guilty pleasure is TV (Netflix binge watching is the only marathon she’s ever completed).

For more information on Lori and her work, please see her website, check out her online school, WriteScout., or connect with her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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Fatal Obsession: A Crime Thriller (Widow’s Web Book 2): Sophie Kendrick is faced with a horrible decision: save her husband or save her unborn child. As a woman, there’s only one choice to make. The subject of a secret medical experiment, the child Sophie Kendrick is carrying may be a mutant or a miracle. And Marcus Chaney will stop at nothing to get the research that flows within that baby’s veins.

From a cabin nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains to the Parkway in Gatlinburg, to the Technology Corridor of eastern Tennessee, Sophie runs for her life while Chaney’s goons nip at her heels, threatening to snatch her baby at every turn. She can trust no one. Her survival depends on her and her alone.

Will Sophie be able to escape Marcus Chaney’s grasp and save her child?

Available at Amazon.

Fatal Impulse: A Crime Thriller (Widow’s Web Book 1): Andi seems to be on top of the world – with a charming husband and a beautiful home. But one night on their way home after a charity event, Chad lashes out at his wife – and, for the first time, she strikes back. Chad’s body is dashed on the rocks below, while Andi is left in the driving rain, staring down into the inky darkness of the Atlantic Ocean. The community pulls together to support the grieving widow, unaware that the local sheriff has his own suspicions about what happened.

In her new role as widow, Andi struggles to regain her footing under the scrutiny of a determined detective, even as she questions herself what happened that fateful night. The stranglehold of Chad’s abuse continues to drag her down while she attempts to start a new life. After so many years of physical and emotional abuse, she’s broken – terrified of being alone, desperate for the safety of a relationship . . . no matter how self-destructive it might be. She discovers her husband led a secret life, one that threatens to destroy her even after his death.

As Andi unravels the threads of Chad’s deception, she finds herself caught up in the web he designed to ensnare her – fighting for her life.

Available at Amazon.