Featured Writer on Wellness: Tracey Shearer

When I lost my job, got cancer and my mom died, it finally pushed me to pursue my dream of writing, but I had no idea if I was any good.

I think that was one of my biggest emotional challenges as a writer. I know a lot of writers struggle with this especially in the beginning. Sure, your family and friends might be supportive, but they love you—they kinda have to!

I remember signing up for my first writing course and being so scared that the thing I loved, the thing I wanted most, might be something I couldn’t do. I think that was one of the reasons I had put off pursuing writing initially.

But when you’re faced with death, those fears become smaller. Everything gets put into perspective. You realize at that moment, what’s important. What you’ll regret on your deathbed. I don’t like having regrets.

My Writing Community Is a Great Support

Having a writers group really helped with the confidence factor. Learning and growing together allowed me to share my work in a safe environment for helpful feedback.

But there’s always that glimmer of doubt which pops up no matter how seasoned you are. I’m feeling that with my second book getting ready to launch. What if readers don’t like it as much as the first?

I find that my writing community continues to be a great support when I feel worried and three of my closest friends are writers so they know exactly what I’m going through. Writing is an extremely vulnerable thing to do and we need to be there for each other.

When you talk to others who are all striving towards the same goal as you are, you realize everyone is struggling with something. You’re not alone. That really helps.

I Know What It’s Like When My Characters Face Death

Going through cancer has definitely affected my writing.

It’s given my stories a deeper emotional connection. I know what it’s like when my characters face death. I’m able to write about it from a place of authenticity.

Though my books are enjoyable and entertaining, there’s always a depth of emotion. My readers have cried reading my current book Entwine, where I’ve cried writing it. I know I wouldn’t have been able to have that resonance without going through cancer and continuing to go through it. It’s come back three times with the most recent being this February.

My radiation treatments several years back were the hardest to go through. Chemo doesn’t work on my type of cancer, it’s so rare. But I was able to do radiation after one of the surgeries. I had to have radiation treatments every day over the holidays in one of the worst snowstorms Seattle had ever had.

My boss would pick me up from my home north of the city and get me to the edge of downtown Seattle. I would walk from there to the hospital. Yes, that “I walked through the snow. Uphill!” scenario was actually true in my case. But I really wanted to finish up the radiation treatments before the New Year. I was determined!

With a Writer, No Experience is Ever Wasted

They let me double up my treatments on New Year’s Eve. Whew! Unfortunately, the side effects were extremely painful. The treatments had been for a tumor by my rectum and I was burned raw inside. Every time I had to visit the bathroom, I would have to stifle my screams at work. I had a little bag of creams and salves, but nothing really helped.

As awful as all this was, it also gave me knowledge on how to write physical pain so effectively. With a writer, no experience is ever wasted.

After going through my initial bouts of cancer, I got in much better shape and made a promise to my body that I would always listen to it. I had ignored the initial pains when they found my first tumor. Kept thinking it was a hernia. But my tumor had become so large in my abdominal area, it was pushing my internal organs out of the way, causing pain when I sat.

Learning to listen to my body has helped me immensely. It’s one of the important self-care lessons I learned going through this whole experience. If we just listen, our body can warn us early.

Throughout all of my health challenges, writing has really given me focus and helped me remember that I have so much to still do in my life. More words to write, more lives to affect. I want to continue to be here, living my dreams. Which means I need to continue to fight. Writing has been my anchor.

Being Away from Writing Too Long Can Dampen My Creativity

Writing for at least fifteen minutes every day has helped me stay creative consistently. If I have more time, great! But if I don’t, I still get in writing each day. It keeps my creativity faucet going.

Then I find that even when I’m away from my laptop, my mind is still working on my story, on the plot point I’m hashing out, on my characters. As long as the faucet is on, I continue to have ideas and inspiration.

Being away from writing for too long a period of time can really dampen my creativity and takes me longer to get back into the flow. I also wanted to mention that when we go through something very gut-wrenching, it’s okay to take a break from writing for a bit if you need that space.

When my cancer came back in January, I took a day or two to just cry and grieve. I didn’t write. I didn’t think about writing. I just let myself have that time to feel awful.

Though, okay, I do have to admit, as I was sobbing, my stomach clenching, tears streaming down my face and mixing with the mucus running from my nose, I told myself to remember the sensations. Because I could write about them for a character. And I did! I used those memories for my main character in Raven when she’s faced with something extremely difficult (can’t reveal too much as it would be a spoiler).

Writing Allows Me to Express My Pain in a Helpful Way

Because extreme loss finally pushed me to pursue writing, I’ve always felt that I couldn’t ignore the “wake-up call” from the Universe.

I also ended up narrowly surviving 9/11 (that’s a whole other story), so I feel I’m here for a reason.

Writing is in my bones. It’s what I’m meant to do. Even as a child making up stories, I knew my path would lead here. Though I had no idea the crazy route it would take. But I guess that’s what makes life so interesting, doesn’t it?

Writing has helped me through the loss of both my parents as well, so even in difficult times, especially in difficult times, it’s my friend, my companion. It allows me to express my pain in a helpful way. I know having a writing outlet helps to heal my body and soul.

I don’t have to bottle things up. I can let the darkness spill out onto the page until I can remember the beauty of my light again.

The Key to Book Marketing: Just Ask

With my first book last year, I found that social media was really key in spreading the word. I had built up a solid Twitter following (over 29,000 followers), but not as much on Facebook or Instagram.

I asked and encouraged readers to post on social media with a picture of my book or them with my book and that way their followers would be accessed. Entwine began popping up everywhere! And then it became a “where’s Entwine now?” and people would post that it had arrived in Australia, in London, in Missouri. It was incredible.

I also did some FB lives in different groups about writing my book, about how to write your book, and other related topics which then also exposed me to new potential readers. For the Raven launch for Halloween, I’m doing more social media blitzes for prizes. And several live videos that people can share for prizes as well. I’m doing it all on my personal pages rather than in a Group or my Biz page so that I have a greater reach.

One of the keys I’ve found is just asking people to do something. They can always say “no.” It’s also how I’ve received over 50 five star reviews on Amazon. I reminded people and asked them to leave a review.

I Started My Podcast as a Way to Give Back to Other Writers

I started my podcast, “Your Writing Does Not Suck,” as a way to give back to other writers. And I’ve found confidence to be a huge factor in why so many writers suffer, don’t show their work to others, don’t finish books, you name it.

Confidence permeates everything we do. Writing is the ultimate roller coaster of “I’m great!” then “I suck!” then “I’m great!” and back and forth.

I got together with two of the gals from my writing group and we chat about different writing topics that I would have loved to have learned more about when I was starting out. We’ve been together for over 15 years, so it’s like getting together with family. So amazing!

The podcast has definitely reinforced my love of writing and confirmed again and again that this is my calling. Plus, it also feeds into the writing coaching I’m doing now along with the free FB Group I formed (Motivated Magic Writing) to give free tips, training, commiseration, inspiration and motivation.

I feel we all need to help each other to keep moving forward. it’s so fulfilling for me to give back, so I love having another avenue, like the podcast, to do so. We’re just starting to grow, so I haven’t seen a huge increase in my readership, but it’s helped the perception from my coaching clients.

I just ran a course on how to use the art of storytelling in your social media posts to connect more deeply with your audience, and just the fact of having a podcast, helped up my credibility to my clients. It shows commitment and dedication. Hopefully we will continue to grow with subscribers so we can reach more people to help.

I Feel Good Even When Getting In 15 Minutes of Writing

It’s definitely a difficult task to fit writing into my life. I have a full-time job as an Account Executive for a national insurance brokerage, I’m writing my trilogy and launching the second book this month, and I’m coaching other writers and have one-on-one clients. Whew! It’s a lot.

With our new Normal, working remotely has helped give me a bit more time back in my day. I will sometimes do FB lives on my lunch hour or critique a client’s scene. Since I can just eat something at home, it gives me more time to sneak in some of these items that I might not have time for.

Regarding the coaching piece and scheduling time, I found Acuity has been fabulous. My clients can book based on the schedule I set up and I get it on my calendar to keep track of. No endless messaging back and forth to figure out a time that works for us both.

For my FB Group, I utilize the scheduling features on FB so I can prep posts ahead of time. I’ll spend an hour on the weekend and get my posts done for the week. So helpful!

As for juggling the rest, I find my “15 minute” rule for writing every day has helped. I feel good knowing I can get that in and keep my promise to myself. I spend more time when I can, but at least I’m getting words down. And if I can write several books with my crazy schedule, anyone can!

I feel it comes down to priorities and persistence. Writing is a priority for me, so I carve out time for it. Much like I do for working out. Some days are easier than others, but I keep putting the time in and getting the words down.

I remember why I’m here and how excited I am for my readers to read this next story. It helps to keep me going. And my writing group also keeps me motivated. We meet twice a month and I know I need to have a scene ready to read, so it pushes me to get it done.

Accountability is huge as we can easily push off writing for something else. I know that some of my clients also struggle with their families or significant others thinking this is just a hobby and not important, which means they can be tempted to put it off. Persistence is key!

Advice for a Young Writer: Remember Your Voice is Unique

I would first congratulate them on embracing what their passion is and honoring it. So many people don’t live the life they dream of and it eats away a bit of their soul every day.

My advice would be to remember that their voice is unique. Even if someone has written the same type of story, theirs will be different because they are bringing their own experiences and flavor to their words.

To not compare themselves to other writers if they can help it. That ends up stripping away your confidence right when you are first starting out. To think of why they want to write—what is their goal? To make money? To change lives? To finally see their book in print? Based on their motivations, then it helps with expectations and paths.

For traditional publishing desires, to remember that it’s a business. Agents say “no” if they don’t believe they can sell your book. It doesn’t mean your book is awful. Don’t immediately sign a publishing contract. Review it carefully and understand what your rights and expectations are.

Form or join a writing group and get that support in place from the start. Lean on each other as you grow. Be brave enough to be open and vulnerable in your writing. That is where the pure magic comes from and what your readers are going to connect with.

And most of all, just keep going. Don’t give up! Success in this business takes time. You will get there. I believe in you! Boy, that’s a lot of advice, huh? And there’s even more I would say too. Haha!

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A New York transplant, Tracey Shearer now calls the Pacific Northwest her home—a land teeming with ghosts, writers, and coffee shops.

The loss of both her parents and her own battles with cancer continue to fuel her love of stories that explore how important our connections are to each other. And through her work as a mentor and coach, Tracey enjoys helping other writers realize their dreams.

Under the close supervision of her two rescue kitties, Cleo and Feta, Tracey is working on the next books in her trilogy. For more information on Tracey and her work, please see her website or connect with her on Twitter and Instagram. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join her Motivated Magic Writing Group on Facebook for writing tips, trainings, motivation, and inspiration.

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Entwine: A hunky 18th century Scottish ghost.

A modern-day serial killer.

Three women whose sisterhood could save them, but only if they can accept who—and what—they are.

The tangled threads that entwine their fates leave little question: if the Universe gives you a gift, refuse it at your own risk.

Available at Amazon.

Raven: A seer whose faulty visions could be deadly.

Two swoon-worthy Scottish men—one who shares her gift, and one who trusts her heart.

Three women whose cautiously healing sisterhood is still riddled with doubt and fear.

When you defy the Universe to save those you love, the cost may be higher than you expect . . .

Available at Amazon.