Here's mine:
Two books published and a third being written. You'd think it would get easier wouldn't you? It doesn't. The more I write, the more people read my work, the more I lose confidence.
I'm an English Language teacher and beginner students say, "English is easy". Advanced students say, "English is difficult." Of course it is because those well down the path to learning are aware of all the tools that are needed to speak the language well and all the pitfalls that they can fall into. Whereas a beginner just has half a dozen tools which he/she can juggle easily and make him/herself understood.
I think writing is the same. Now I'm further down the line with writing I'm scared:
1. I can't produce a book a year. I've learned I write better slowly (I paint slowly too) and it's a waste of time doing NanoWriMo. I'm still sorting out last year's drivel. If I don't produce a book a year, people will forget me.
2. I am so tired of networking. And I know that's not the right attitude. But I can't become super-duper sociable and leap into chat rooms and join clubs, and ask people to be friends with me, and...and...that's just not me. I prefer to write my novel.
3. The best networking tool for me is my blog. I love to write posts. But the more I get into my book, the less time I have for checking out all my friends and followers. Please don't think I don't love you, I DO!
It's such a difficult task, trying to balance networking and writing. Cheer up, lots of bloggers/writers are in the same boat.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! I sound like I'm whining - I'm not, believe me. I just love writing :-)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way Susan. I just don't know how writers in different forums and discussion groups do it. Do they just stop writing? I can't do that because writing is like breathing. I found scaling back on the social networking has given me more time to write.
ReplyDeleteWrite at your own pace. It's about the quality and if it takes a bit longer to produce more books, well, then it just takes longer.
Hang in there :)
Thanks Marta - great advice and it's lovely when you hear someone in the same boat as you.
DeleteIt's a double edged sword, this social networking thing. On the one hand it's a great place to meet fellow writers, swap tips and build a platform. On the other, it detracts from invaluable writing time...
ReplyDeleteOn Twitter, there are writers who seem to do nothing but Tweet every minute. In Blogs, there are writers who blog at least once a day. Good luck to them I say. Just don't expect me to do it!
Hi Joe! No - I'm in your club :-)
DeleteWrite at your own pace and enjoy it! Every writer is different and brings a unique gift to the world. I like NaNo because it forces me to finish a rough draft quickly. Does that mean I actually finish the book quickly? No, I spend two years in revision after that. I tried to twitter, but I'm terrible at it. I can't keep up. But I like to blog, I love to work on my novel and my poetry.
ReplyDeleteWe all have our own pace, and our own rhythm.
Big HUGS!!!!
Bless you, Tyrean - big hugs back. I'm so relieved to hear it takes two years of revision after NaNo - I thought it was just me.
DeleteI am so with you on this Susan. I am tired of networking as well.Sometimes I think that's why the writing isn't happening because I know what I'll have to do when I'm done.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Yes, I also am wasting my time by doing NaNo. I end up stressed out with a WIP that doesn't measure up to my expectation of even a first draft. I wish I could write faster and better as well. I empathize! My third MS is torturing me.
ReplyDeleteI very quickly realise NaNo wasn't for me. I am also a very slow writer - years, not months for most of my projects, even short stories have a habit of being stretched out. It's good you've figured out what suits you - I suppose it's akin to realising you don't have to leap onto every skinny jeans fad if you don't suit them!
ReplyDeleteI have a nasty hunch, Karen you might be right.
ReplyDeleteWe're in the same boat, Brinda! (Actually I think many of us are)
LOL, Annalisa - I realised earlier that I couldn't get into skinny jeans any more...I've accepted that fate.
You're right! We were on the same page today.
ReplyDeleteMy YA series came out close together, but I had most of them written. I can't produce a book a year either. Just not going to happen.
Writing takes precedence over everything else and the only way to do it is the way that's comfortable for you. As for Nanowrimo I'm sorry it didn't suit you. Are there parts of the story that make you happy that you can keep and utilise?
ReplyDeleteAt this point, I'm not sure how I've juggled both writing and blogging. Can't do a book a year though. Too slow of a writer.
ReplyDeleteWriting must come first, and if that means we don't see too many blog posts by you, that's okay. The balance is hard to find. Social networking takes up so much time. I agree that blogs are the best tools, though. Take your time and write in the way that best fits you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! I feel the way you do. I don't like social networking either. Blogging is about the only thing I like doing, because I can do it on my time and when I have time. But your writing should always come first, which means your priorities are in the right place. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteIn the end it is what you write and not how fast you write it. Anything good is worthwhile waiting for and hopefully readers on a whole, although inpatient at times, do realize this. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWe definitely are on the same page today, Diane - writing a book a year definitely isn't going to happen.
ReplyDeleteElin, yes, there's a lot actually, but I'm still tidying it up!
Alex, it's amazing you do everything - a real Ninja
Christine - Thank you!
Murees - Thank you for those kind words
Thanks Siv.
Be who you really are, not who people want or expect you to be. At least that way inner peace and a calmer mind may be yours.
ReplyDeleteYep, Nano works so well for some, but I have 57,000 words of drivel sitting in a drawer. I need time to plot, replot, realize I have no plot ...
ReplyDelete