For me self-doubt has been a major hurdle.
It took me six years from the time I started writing my mystery Kat Out of the Bag to when I signed a publishing contract.
For the first few years I kept it a dark secret that I was writing a book. I didn’t want to tell anyone in case I failed.
Then a friend and author Pam Binder told me that it’s important to tell people about my work because that will make it more real within my own mind, and it will increase my own accountability to finish it.
You Don’t Have to be a Writer to Feel Overwhelmed By Your Life
Once I was able to talk about it, my friends and especially the friends in the critique group I joined became such a great support not only in critiquing my writing but also encouraging my efforts. I try to do the same for them too. When I feel discouraged or overwhelmed somebody always comes up with suggestions and optimism that I grasp onto.
You don’t have to be a writer to feel overwhelmed by your life. Everyone gets overwhelmed at times. It’s important to know that somehow you will get all that’s important done. Prioritizing what you need to complete is essential to making progress, whether you prioritize by due date or in another way. I often admit that I work to deadline.
Also, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Then when you get it, be grateful and accept gracefully.
I try to remember to stay in the moment as I go through my day so that I don’t ruin my time by worrying about what I’m not doing. I’m much more productive that way.
And I don’t compare my results to others, particularly on social media. We’re all on different journeys and we all have our turn at good news.
I Love to Treat Myself with Treats While Writing
I love to treat myself to all kinds of sweets and calories while I’m writing. That takes a toll, not to be confused with yummy toll house cookies—I’m very familiar with those.
I counter my sweet tooth with exercise, but that’s not enough. So, I’ve tried switching to healthier treats like grapes, blueberries, granola bars, oatmeal. This is an ongoing battle for me.
Fitting in writing after a full day job, plus the ongoing marketing efforts for my published mystery Kat Out of the Bag and it’s prequel Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash can be exhausting along with living life.
I endeavor to live on the minimum of sleep. Sometimes that wears me down too far and I must re-prioritize getting some restful sleep so I can re-energize. This is another ongoing battle for me.
I Do My Best Writing When I’m in a Relaxed Mood
For me creativity is not something that has an on/off switch. I may be thinking about my writing when I’m walking the dog, biking, hiking, doing the dishes, anytime.
When I’m actually writing I do best when I’m in a relaxed mood. I also recognize there’s a particular time when I feel most creative for writing. I’m a night writer. My creative juices get started in the evening. That’s fortunate since I have a day job so they don’t conflict. Although it does make it tough to get a full night’s sleep, which is often sacrificed.
Other creativity inspires me, including artwork, nature, and often music.
After Teaching I Can’t Wait to Dive Back Into My Own Work
Who doesn’t love a challenge? Yes, there’s the challenge of the blank page/screen, rewrites, more rewrites, editing, more editing, and sometimes the tough journey back to the drawing board. Yet, writing is such a creative way for me to explore ideas, stories, and human nature, and it’s fun because writing is an opportunity to exercise your limitless imagination.
Remember how fun that was as a kid?
There’s always more to learn about the craft too, and I’m eager to learn from other writers, either directly or through reading their work. Writing isn’t always a book. It’s heartfelt letters, personalized notes, journal entries, short stories, novellas and so many more outlets. It costs only time and energy. The process and the result give joy.
I’m delighted whenever I teach writing workshops too. I love delving into specific craft topics with other writers. It’s so rejuvenating and inspiring to work with these talented writers and they fill me with renewed excitement for the world of writing. After teaching I can’t wait to dive back into my own work.
Online and Word of Mouth Are Most Important for Getting the Word Out About Books
I’m still exploring the learning curve of the book marketing world.
This year (2020) has been a unique time to release a book. I had set up a tour of personal appearances in five different states to launch my marketing strategy, but then the pandemic hit and changed all the rules.
Online and word of mouth are most important these days for getting the word out about books. Fortunately my publisher The Wild Rose Press is very helpful with suggestions for marketing, and the other authors at the press really help each other too.
I miss the personal engagement with readers though and am trying to connect with groups and individuals online as much as possible.
Finding Time to Write is Not Easy
Finding time to write is not easy. Sometimes you have to be a magician.
By day I’m a Project Manager, which is a challenging and dynamic job. When I’m not Project Managing I’m still learning more about my writing craft and now that I’m published I’ve been learning so much about the publishing process and about marketing which has all been very time consuming and has had a steep learning curve.
The silver lining is that it’s all been very exciting and lots to celebrate!
Sometimes I get disappointed with myself that I’m not writing more and also writing faster. Sometimes other people get disappointed with me that I’m not giving them the time that I used to. Dwelling on these thoughts is just a downward spiral and doesn’t solve time constraints, just makes it worse.
So I have to catch myself at this and practice being kind to myself. I’m doing the best I can and I’ll keep doing better. Persistence always pays off, and also a little help from friends and family goes a long way.
Some of My Most Creative Times Can Be When I’m Out Walking
I also use some Project Management strategies. I keep a task list/to do list that breaks down the big project of writing the sequel to my mystery Kat Out of the Bag into smaller tasks that feel doable. As I get tasks done I’m visibly seeing progress and that’s encouraging. I love making those check marks next to the tasks that are done! I also prioritize what I need to spend time on each day and each week.
Discipline to spend time in the chair writing is always challenging. There are so many distractions. I do best when I’m in what I call my studio, a room I’ve dedicated to my writing. I love the room, it’s very cheery and cozy which works great for my cozy mysteries.
I set myself up for writing time too with some of my favorites—pot of tea, snacks, instrumental music. All that helps.
But also, some of my most creative times can be when I’m out walking or riding my bike, or relaxing some other way I’ll be thinking about plot twists, or difficulties, or specific scenes or other ideas. I get some of my best ideas at those times and then I’m excited to sit down and write.
If I’m stuck on a scene, instead of beating my head against the wall I work on another scene instead and often when I go back to that tough scene it’s easier to work on. Don’t feel like you have to write everything in chronological order, from beginning to The End. Work on what interests you that day.
Advice I understand came from Hemingway is to write every day until you have completed a specific number of pages or specific amount of time, but always end when you’re in the most exciting or fun part. That way you’re looking forward to writing again the next day.
Advice for a Young Writer: Have Fun, Work Hard, and Write Lots
Get ready to have fun, to work hard, and write lots.
Set your goal for yourself as to what you want to write. Vision for yourself that goal in whatever way grasping that vision is meaningful to you whether in your mind, on a vision board, meditations, in whatever way feels real in your heart. You will do it.
Read lots, especially in your genre, the type of writing you want to do. Think as a writer about what you read. What makes the work appeal to you? Where does it bump you? How is your story different? Apply what you discover to your writing.
Join writing groups or organizations, take classes, go to writing conferences, network with other writers who are anywhere along the spectrum of this journey from beginning to published. The writing community is one of the most generous, and best selling authors are happy to help others. Meet them online, or in person when you can. Especially network with writers of your genre, but not exclusively your genre, then listen with enthusiasm to each other and learn from each other.
As you make connections, join or form a supportive but also constructive critique group. You want to be comfortable enough in the group that you can experiment with your creativity and listen to honest feedback telling you what is liked, and suggestions for parts to do better. Use what advice makes sense for how you want your work to be.
Write lots. Not all that you write will be good, and that’s normal. Some of what you write will be brilliant. A big part of writing is rewrites and edits. Set deadlines for yourself for small writing goals. If you miss your deadline re-set a new one.
Author Garth Stein spoke at a writing conference I attended and I’d share advice he gave as well. Don’t give up the opportunities to enjoy life because you feel you have to sit and write instead. Be sure you get out and live your life to the fullest, that’s where you’ll find your creativity and your stories.
I’ve wanted to be an author for so much of my life. I’m living proof that dreams do come true, through persistence, effort, help from friends, and luck. Please don’t give up on your dreams. Walt Disney was right when he said if you can dream it, you can do it.
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Wendy Kendall has a passion for purses and stories of the women through history who carried them. Her cozy mystery Kat Out of the Bag is the first book of the In Purse-Suit Mystery Series, introducing Katherine Watson an international purse designer/sleuth.
Wendy is a blogger, editor, speaker, project manager, and syndicated columnist. Catch exciting author interviews on her YouTube Podcast—A Novel Talk, and the debut of her podcast – Wendy Kendall In Purse-Suit of Fashion. She loves her two sons, Alex and Brad and her Purrada cat.
For more information about Wendy and her work, please see her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kat Out of the Bag: When celebrated international purse designer, Katherine Watson, hosts a gala for her Purse-onality Museum, she never expected the next day’s headline to read: ‘Murder at the Gala Premiere.’ But after a dead body is found during the event, that’s exactly what happened.
Working to solve the murder, Katherine matches wits with local cop Jason Holmes and his K-9 partner, Hobbs. Although Holmes and Watson disagree often, they discover an undeniable attraction building between them.
But they’ll have to put their feelings on hold and focus on solving the murder, before Katherine becomes the killer’s next knock off.
Available at Amazon.
Purse-Stachio Makes a Splash: Designer Katherine Watson is enjoying a delectable frozen pistachio treat at Ginardo’s beachside ice cream shop when her friend issues a playful dare. Katherine can’t resist accepting the challenge and finds herself tasked with creating a designer purse out of pistachio shells.
But the fun day takes a chilling turn when Katherine uncovers a clue in the ice cream store to a decades old missing persons case–and she suspects there may be a killer in their midst.
Katherine is soon up to her shoulder bag in danger, but she’s determined to see that a murderer gets his just desserts.
Available at Amazon.